Of course you go to Park City to log as many vertical feet on pristine powder as possible. But just like your investment portfolio, your recreational endeavors should be diversified. Go Nordic.
Meet Patrick Coffey. If you’re up for an adventure, you’re in good company. When he was in his early 20s, he joined seven other “hammerheads” on an ill-conceived, under-planned trek to roller-ski the Alaskan Highway. About his companions who ranged in age from 15 – 35 (the lone tax-paying adult was the brave and somewhat off-his-rocker coach), Patrick says, “If we were to repeat this trip today, we’d probably over plan and it wouldn’t be nearly the same. Part of the beauty of the trip was that we developed systems on the fly and improvised.” Talk about living in the moment. Including the moment when one of his fellow travelers was chased by an angry grizzly bear.
Don’t let Patrick’s past scare you away. This former U.S. National Biathlon Team coach is excited to share his love of touring and Nordic skiing with others—from the novice interested in learning the basic V1 and V2 form to the experts who want a challenging tour in the Uinta mountains. “Most people think of the Wasatch Mountains,” says Patrick, “when they think of Park City. And that’s understandable. But the Uinta is a beautiful range and there is no better way to experience it than touring.”
Some words of advice from a Park City local? Patrick says, “In Park City, we have the best of so many worlds. You don’t have to choose only one activity. Some days, the conditions are not ideal for alpine skiing—when it’s crusty and thin on the hill, the Nordic is great. Conversely, if it’s a big powder day, you probably want to be downhill skiing.”
White Pine Touring Center has 20 kilometers of dedicated cross-country trails and is right in town, located on the backside of Hotel Park City. Staffed by avid cross-country skiers, White Pine offers individual instruction or group lessons three times a day. They also offer off-site tours (book at least 24 hours in advance, 48 hours is preferable) and will work with any level of experience.
And what can you expect from a guided tour with White Pine pros? “We outfit you at the shop and then take you into the Uintas to tour around in the woods for a bit. We usually see some wildlife—benign wildlife—but wild nonetheless. It’s an unforgettable experience.”
White Pine Touringoffers 3- and 5-hour custom snowshoe tours in the mountains around Park City open to any ability level. Or sign up for the Tom Cammermeyer Winter Adventure, based on the Norwegian friluftsliv or “open air living” philosophy. Friluftsliv is about unplugging from technology and gaining a heightened appreciation for the natural world by getting out and experiencing it first-hand.
With over 30 years of experience guiding in the Wasatch Mountains, Tom will lead you on an informative, thoughtful, and truly remarkable adventure.
1790 Bonanza Drive + Park City, UT + 435.649.8710 + whitepinetouring.com