Skiing Mount Superior...A personal favorite (Overview)Mount Superior has some of the greatest views, climbing and skiing that the Wasatch has to offer. Because of this you will most likely not the only one on the mountain. On any given day you could run into heli skiers, snowmobiles, guided tours (no need really) and every snow artist there is(skier and splitboarder alike) at play. Despite being popular, the excellent "big mountain feel" type skiing, a relativly short hike and dramatic vistas are sure to make you forget about the crowds. There are too many ski possiblities to count so this page will have some of the more popular lines that this mountain has to offer to the eager big mountain skier.
 Mount Superior's North Face  Mount Superior's South Face  Mount Superior's South Face
Getting up to Mount SuperiorThe recommened way to get to this area is by Little Cottonwood Canyon. Drive all the way up the canyon till you hit the Alta Police Station. This is your trail. You can get to this area by means of Big Cottonwood Canyon but why tourcher yourself.
Big Cottonwood Canyon-The longer and more senic route to Mount Superior is Mill D South. To get here start by driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Drive up until you come up on the Reynolds Flat. Park on the left side of the highway and start the long skin up. There are sections of private property and many old abandoned mine structures along this trail. This is not the usual way up to Mount Superior but it can have its senic moments.  Troy skinning up Cartiff Fork  Mount Superior from Reynolds Peak.  A senic moment in Cartiff Fork  An old mining structure along the way
Little Cottonwood Canyon This is the shorter more practical way to tackle Mount Superior. Start by heading up Little Cottonwood Canyon until you hit the town of Alta. Just after the Collins Parking lot there should be a resturant named "The Shallow Shaft". The trail starts here. Follow the well established skin track along the powerlines all the way up to the pass.
 Skinning up to Cartiff Fork  Troy and Ron skinning up to Cartiff Pass and beyond.  Just above the parking lot for Mount Superior
Ski Route Descriptions (from a personal experience)DOWN ROUTES Superior has many ski oppertunities to choose from............
1. Mount Superior's South Face- This is the line of choice for anyone choosing to tour this mountain. A decent off of the main summit is nothing but 2,900+ vertical feet of pure bliss till you hit the LCC highway. Best to scout out your line before hand (ya there are some cliffs) and a picture for navigating purposes might just come in handy.
 Ron on the upper South Face  Me on the summit shortly before dropping in  Looking down the line of choice  The South Face of Mount Superior Mount Superior's South Face
2. Hellgates Backbowl- Known by UDOT as Hellgates Backbowl, these series of west and south facing slide paths are great for early morning, spring powder runs. If going here early season be sure you scout out your line from below before you drop in. Not every chute is skiable early season.
 Neils skiing Hellgates Backbowl
3. The Suicide Chute- Not as scary as the name implies but should still be respected. If you love couloirs that have a double fall line type feel than this chute is right up your alley. Great in mid-winter but is even better late season when all the other couloirs in the Wasatch are too suncupped/runneld out to ski.  Looking down into the Suicide Chute  Deep inside the Suicide Chute's deep moat  Liam splitboarding the Suicide Chute  Troy bootpacking into the Suicide Chute
 The veiw of the Pfiefferhorn from the top of the Suicide Chute
4. Cardiac Bowl- Out of all the runs to choose from on Mount Superior Cardiac Bowl is usually the most popular. Because of its north facing nature this bowl tends to hold the best snow, the most crowds and is often quite skiable through July.
 Cardiac Bowl June 24th 2008 Mount Superior's North Face (Cardiac Bowl)
5. Black Knob- Black Knob aka Little Superior is perfect for when your too early for the south facing slopes or when you looking for some prime O powder. First tracks here is well worth your while.
My first and only tracks on the Black Knob |
Essential GearAvalanche Skills, Beacon, Probe, Shovel, Partner and Common Sence. Skis are highly recommended.  A late afternoon view of Mt Superior. May 09  Mount Superior comming out of the clouds Images
|
Mount Superior & Monte Cristo
