Powder Mountain's Sidecountry - Don't Mention It

Powder Mountain is now offering guided tours to Wolf Canyon, known locally as DMI. Wolf Canyon encompasses approximately 1,000 skiable acres and has a 3,000 foot vertical drop for anyone willing to take a short hike up to James Peak, the resort's highest peak. The pristine terrain includes huge, wide open bowls, gladed trees and numerous  steep chutes.

DMI is the local’s code for "Don’t Mention It. "Although the area has always been marked as out-of-bounds, experienced locals could not resist the temptation to secretly hike out after a storm for the expert terrain and champagne powder. Although tours take guests to some of the best steep and deep terrain at Powder Mountain, one of the primary factors for starting guided tours was to better control backcountry access and to increase the overll safety for our guests," remarked Rod Kelly, Operations Manager. 

Guests can choose from a variety of options to explore Wolf Canyon.

• The Ultimate DMI Tour – A full day tour of Wolf Canyon for 5 - 10 guests led by 2 guides. The ultimate tour takes you to open bowls, chutes, gladed trees and all the powder you can handle. The tour includes lunch, use of avalanche beacon, and a private van shuttle to maximize your vertical for the day. $280 per person. A minimum of 5 guests are required for tour to run.
• Backcountry Ski & Skin – This tour of Wolf Canyon offers the challenge of a good climb combined with long, expert powder runs. You bring backcountry skills, stamina and full backcountry gear – AT equipment or split board, skins, beacon, shovel, and probe. We provide one cat ride up Lightning Ridge and all the powder you can handle. Our experienced pros will safely guide you through expert terrain. $300 per tour for 1 to 6 guests, the price is the same. An all area lift pass is also required.

David Valentine from Chicago, Ill was one of the first guests to experience the Ultimate DMI Tour.  He remarked, "I had the time of my life! I would put today’s adventure up against any heli-ski trip.  It is the best value for the amount of vertical and the snow quality.”  

Locals no longer have to sneak out to DMI. A backcountry upgrade to a season pass is available. The upgrade includes ski-in skin-out access to Wolf Canyon and some hiking access to Powder Safari zones. Kent Lundell, Director of the Mountain Adventure Center, suggested, "Anyone with an upgrade should sign up for the Mountain Adventures standby list. When there is availability, they receive deep discounts on guided tours." Holders of the backcountry upgrade agree to abide by strict safety guidelines, such as advising the Mountain Adventure Center when they will be venturing out of bounds and always going with a partner. A complete list of requirements is available at http://www.powdermountain.com/tkts_season_passes.php.

For more information, email adventures@powdermountain.com. Powder Mountain's Mountain Adventure Center at 801-745-3772 Ext 181 accepts reservations daily from 8:00am - 4:30pm.