Maybe not everything that’s skiable in the Wasatch has been skied, but just about. Of those lines that have been skied inside this little range, Spindrift is a prime candidate for the run with the longest sustained steepness in pitch. It’s a real direct and intricate line with only a few known descents to have graced and scraped down it’s rock and snow. From the top you’ll find a tree lined gully that reaches 50+ degrees in sections. It’s direct fall line skiing till you run out of snow, but don’t worry, there is a giant tree to rappel off of. Doubled 60m ropes will get you over some smooth rock slab. From here you’ll need to put in a rock anchor and do another almost full 60m rappel till you hit the top of a hanging snowfield. Now you’re deep in and the only way out is down, so ski your way down. There is another little step that might be possible to downclimb, or if not there is a good crack system in the cliff above to pound in a pin or two. With all these Shenanigans out of the way you’re able to ski a very tight and steep section of couloir that’s as good as it gets. As this finishes up you’ll need to cut out left with some steep traversing until entering another gully system. This can be icy and bette to downclimb, or rappel, but can be skiable with the right timing. Still more great skiing exists in a more roomy couloir with some fun rocky pinches until the final apron opens up and connects with the lower portion of Stairs Gulch. Ski this out to road, click your buddies poles and look back up at Stairs Mountain because it will never look the same.
Getting there isn’t the hard part, it’s getting out. To reach the top start at the Ferguson Trailhead and work your way up the narrow canyon following the summer trail where possible. The route jumps out of the gully to the north and nears the ridge and then traverses back inot the canyon avoiding some nasty scrub brush. Work straight up the canyon and towards the summit of Storm Mountain which should come into view. Have some patience and move to the ridge on the southeast side of the peak instead of aiming straight for it. There are some chutes that allow easy access to the ridge. From here is a fun scramble up the ridge. Don’t go to the actual summit, the line starts further to the southeast.
A few rappels
Much of it is visible while driving down Big Cottonwood Canyon, so it’s possible to scope it to make sure it’s in condition before committing. It’s easily completed without doing a carshuttle, but just hitch-hiking down canyon afterward.
