first tracks: explore
RESORTS One Day!
Six D
id you know seven of Utah’s ski resorts are closely nestled in a web of peaks and valleys? What might be an hour commute between Park
City, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons by car is less than ten minutes as the crow fl ies. Or, you could ski there. Unique to North America, the Interconnect Tour is a guided tour that takes skiers on a
If being challenged is your idea of a good time, the tour is for you.
four- or six-resort tour in one day on traditional alpine ski gear. Lead Interconnect Tour Guide Deb Lovci has been guiding the tour for more than 20 years. Lovci has an infectious personality and delights in taking skiers into some of the best
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skiutah.com
backcountry terrain in the Wastach. “I was a client on the tour and knew right then I had to guide the program,” says Lovci, who also happens to be an elite endurance athlete with four Ironman’s under her belt.
The tour is designed for advanced skiers who are comfortable skiing non-groomed snow top to bottom without breaks. The general attitude of Interconnect participants is “that’s where I want to be, how do I get there?” offers Lovci. If being challenged is your idea of a good time, the tour is for you. Tours run every day, weather and avalanche conditions permitting, throughout the season. There are two options: the four-resort tour runs from Snowbird to Alta to Brighton to Solitude and back to Snowbird while the six-resort tour takes you from Deer Valley to Park City Mountain Resort to Solitude to Brighton to Alta and fi nishes at Snowbird with transportation back to Park City. For more information about the Interconnect Tour visit
skiutah.com or call 801-534-1779. —GABE GLOSBAND
Guide services provide a safe way to explore delicious terrain outside resort boundaries.
BEYOND BOUNDARIES Helicopters, snowcats and old- fashioned sweat act as alternate mountain transportation away from the usual ski resort fare.
Wastach Powderbird Guides
For a high-fl ying ski adventure, skiers can partner up with Wasatch Powderbirds for a unique guided powder ski experience. With heli-ski bases out of Snowbird and Canyons resorts, you can link powder turns and ski top-to-bottom runs without stopping. After ripping runs and fl ying around in the top-of-the-line AS350 B3 Eurocopter, you’ll be treated to a delicious lunch. 800-974-4354,
powderbird.com
Solitude Back Tracks
A great way for upper-level, confi dent resort skiers to explore the backcountry. Tours include a lift ticket and backcountry rental setup, including skis, bindings, skins, avalanche transceiver, backcountry pack, and for snowboarders, snowshoes and poles. Solitude patrollers teach the basics, guide you to the goods and join you for a gourmet lunch at St. Bernard’s Restaurant. 801-536-5705,
solitudebacktracks.com
Park City Powder Cats
Imagine a resort the size of Deer Valley, Park City, Canyons, Snowbird and Alta combined which you could access by cruising around in a private heated snow- cat. Park City Powder Cats, located a half- hour drive from Park City, accesses more than 40,000 acres of Utah backcountry. Spend your day lapping untracked bowls and glades and dining on a delectable catered lunch. 435-649-6596,
pccats.com
Powder Mountain
Fifty-fi ve miles north of Salt Lake City lies Powder Mountain, home to more than 7,000 acres of skiable terrain. More than 4,200 of the acres, however, are accessed through sidecountry efforts. Good thing Powder Mountain is equipped with snow- cats and guides who can get you just about anywhere within their humongous perime- ter. 801-745-3772,
powdermountain.com
“Got room for two more! Load ’em up!”
TIM ROBERTS
ADAM BARKER
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