Wasatch Mountains, UT, Report: Powdersurfing the Deep

Martin Kuprianowicz | Post Tag for BackcountryBackcountry

Powdersurfing in the Wasatch: It's DEEP!

(Clip from Monday)

Report from Monday and Tuesday, March 6-7, 2023 

Another day, another storm.

This past weekendโ€™s blockbuster storm brought the Cottonwoods 35-45โ€ณ of new snow, and with considerable avalanche danger and lots of new fluff, the past two mornings were perfect for getting out and practicing the fine-tuned art of powsurfing.

On Monday, we hiked up Days Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon for some deep, tranquil, low-angle surfing amongst snowy evergreen trees.

The snow was blower and light, tickling my mustache with nearly every turn.

Morning Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT, Beginner Powsurf

(Clip from Tuesday) 

We climbed up to a ridgeline at about 9,000 feet, passing a plethora of pillows along the way.

I dropped in on my Grassroots Flying Carpet Powsurfer and was immediately inundated with face shots.

The snow was DEEP.

Stacked. | Photo: SnowBrains

The first few turns were mellow and low-pitch, and I was able to ride it smoothly without falling.

As the terrain got steeper and tighter, I began maxing out my ability level on the boardโ€”Iโ€™m still learning how to float on this beautiful creation by legendary powsurfer Jeremy Jensen.

I made a left when I should have made a right, and ended up in the flats.

The next hour was spent wallowing back to the skin track in much frustration and sweat.

Later that evening, I felt the need for a rebuttal so I made plans with a buddy to ski a south-facing shot right off the side of the highway I eyed on the way home earlierโ€ฆ

Into the Witchโ€™s Wardrobe. | Photo: SnowBrains

By 6:30 the next morning we were hiking again, my powsurfer strapped to my Mountain Hardware Powabunga 32-liter backpack.

It was cold with zero wind and friendly skies.

The portal. | Photo: SnowBrains

Due to cloud cover and light snowfall yesterday, the snow in Tuesdayโ€™s south-facing zone stayed fresh.

It was slightly less blower than yesterday but it was still as soft and smooth as we could ever dream.

The sun was rising.

Surfinโ€™. | Photo: SnowBrains

At 7:30 we dropped, surfing a nice mellow but fast-riding pitch through scrub oak and juniper bushes.

It was a little steeper than what I was used to, and Iโ€™d make about two or three fast turns on the powsurfer before falling.

With each fall Iโ€™d let out a stoked little yell, pick myself up, and get right back on my board.

Learning stuff is fun, especially when that stuff is powsurfing. 

Surfโ€™s up. | Photo: SnowBrains

We managed to surf straight down to the road, where it was less than a two-minute walk back to the car.

It was a great bang-for-your-buck line, only taking us an hour car-to-car, and in excellent powder snow.

We both made it to work on time today.

Thereโ€™s no better feeling than driving past a long line of cars headed up to the ski area, already feeling relaxed, satisfied, and stoked from the morning shred.

Headed into work, our tracks on the slope behind Aidan. | Photo: SnowBrains

Avalanche Forecast 

UAC 3/7/23

Weather

NOAA: 3/7/23

Photos (In chronological order)

Into the woods. | Photo: SnowBrains
Weird pillows. | Photo: SnowBrains
Utah looking like the PNW. | Photo: SnowBrains
Perfectly placed skin track. | Photo: SnowBrains
Dawn patrol. | Photo: SnowBrains

 


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