Garden City Canyon Approach

Type: Backcountry or Sidecountry

This is an enjoyable (and relatively popular) backcountry area near the town of Garden City, UT. It's a great place for beginner to intermediate backcountry skiers, although the expert can also find fun here, especially on an 8-10 inch powder day. Skinny skis may look for steeper areas on a deeper powder day, as the terrain is generally moderate in angle.

Park at the UDOT station located ~2-3 minute drive north of Beaver Mountain Ski Area. There is a backcountry entry sign at the north end of the parking lot.

A quick ascent involving a combination of skinning along Swan Flat Road and the hillside to the east leads to a ridge with an excellent view of the southern half of Bear Lake and the town of Garden City.

Several descents are possible. There are two major areas/ridges to ski east off the main North-to-South ridge. The first area is located at the top of the approach. The second area is accessed by continuing further north along the main ridge, passing an area of steeper terrain to the east known as "The Gut" (you'll know it when you see it).

Both areas/ridges offer a variety of open to treed skiing on moderate, 20-30 degree slopes. Care should be exercised near the bottom of Garden City Canyon, as the trees thicken and the slope steepens in spots.