The best guided backcountry ski and mountain adventure!
In the greatest snow on earth! For a terrific cause!

Organized and Presented by Splore

Sponsored by  

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Why?  Where?   When?   What's Included?   Who?   Details!   Extra Stoke!

OnTheSnow.com Article on the Tour

Join us for this great fundraiser to support a very important cause

• Experience some of the best guided backcountry skiing and mountaineering in the world
• All proceeds go toward the development of Splore's Adaptive Guide Certification Program

Adaptive Guide Certification Program

Currently, 47.5 million Americans (approx 20%) have a disability and nearly 90 million Americans (30%) have a special health care need. Representing one of America's most vulnerable populations, children and adults with disabilities and special health care needs struggle with health and quality of life, have limited access to recreation activities, and are often discouraged from exercise opportunities. Compounding this problem, there is a lack of trained recreation guides and outfitters available to serve individuals with disabilities and special health care needs. To meet these needs, Splore is developing the Adaptive Guide Certification (AGC) program.

The goals of AGC program are to:

- Develop skilled professionals available to serve individuals with disabilities and special health care needs

- Increase access to recreation opportunities for individuals with disabilities and special health care needs

- Increase employment opportunities for certified guides

- Incentivize guides and outfitters to embrace and comply with governmental mandates aimed at increased access for, and marketing towards, persons with disabilities.

- Increase awareness of disability issues among the general population



• Funds raised during this 1st Annual Splore Mountain Tour will help individuals with disabilities and special health care needs experience guided outdoor adventures

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Deep in the heart of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest

• Stay at the Wasatch Mountain Club Lodge at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
• Endless possibilities for backcountry touring and mountaineering right off the front porch
• World famous for extraordinary backcountry skiing and mountaineering
• Terrain for all abilities and interests - from steep open bowls to fantastic tree skiing in hushed aspen groves
• And, an abundance of the greatest powder skiing on Earth with a highly reliable snowpack

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March 17 through March 21, 2010

• The Utah snowpack is world renowned & deeeeep!
• On the western edge of the Mountain Time zone, days in the Wasatch are long and sunny
• March presents ideal conditions for epic snow storms and dark blue skies with an average March snowpack of 10 feet (Last March 2009, the Wasatch received 12 feet of Utah powder)

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Land Cost Per Person: $1,100

Program Includes:

• 5 nights lodging (loft style at the historic Wastch Mountain Club Lodge)
• 5 days professionally guided backcountry skiing
• 3 hearty catered meals per day
• Ski tour transfers by van
• Daily beer and wine
• Airport transfers (if coordinated in advance)
• Use of avalanche beacon, probe and shovel
• Special guests and book signings
• A tax deduction for a large portion of the cost of the program! (Ask for details upon registration)
• Space is limited, only 14 spots available

Program does not include:

• Travel to and from Salt Lake City, Utah
• Personal ski gear and clothing
• Airport transfers that are not coordinated in advance

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Jeff Ward - IFMGA/UIAGM

The 1st Annual Splore Mountain Tour fundraiser is being led by Jeff Ward. Jeff has worked as a full-time mountain guide since 1995. He is one of few Americans to successfully complete all phases of training and certification offered through the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA), the U.S. arm of the storied International Federation of Mountain Guide Associations (IFMGA or UIAGM). As an IFMGA guide, he is a leading expert in all climbing disciplines and an experienced practitioner of safe backcountry ski touring.

Jeff has led expeditions around the world, including trips to Alaska, France, Switzerland, Italy, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Tanzania, Canada, Mexico, Nepal and across the Western US. Much of Jeff’s time is spent working in the European Alps, guiding rock and ice climbs in the summer and steep skiing and hut-to-hut tours in the spring. During the winters Jeff guides helicopter and backcountry skiing in Washington and Canada and ice climbing in Ouray, Colorado.

Jeff is a highly competent, enthusiastic and extremely effective teacher. As a member of the AMGA's Alpine Instructor Pool, Jeff teaches aspiring mountain guides the tricks of the trade. These courses are taken by world class climbers and guides perfecting their skills and working towards full certification. Jeff is also the technical director of International Mountain Guides (IMG), one of the largest guide services in the United States. He is in charge of all guide training for incoming guides and continuing education for the veteran guides. Jeff has released new DVD called "Get on the Mountain", which is the first-ever interactive DVD instructional course for those who want to learn the necessary skills to get to the top of a mountain.

Todd Passey - AMGA

Todd grew up here in Utah, skiing and playing in the beautiful Wasatch mountains. A graduate of the University of Utah, Todd's degree in therapeutic recreation has led to a long career as an outdoor professional. In 2000 Todd began guiding for Alpine Ascents International where he was a senior guide, leading trips to Alaska, Antarctica, Tibet, South America and the North Cascades. Todd Continues to guide for Utah Mountain Adventures, Alaska Mountaineering School and as an independent guide organizing and guiding trips around the world.

Even with years of experience under his belt Todd enjoys to learn and seeks to continually improve his ability as a guide. In this pursuit Todd joined the AMGA, and is now an AMGA Certified Ski Mountaineering Guide, and Certified Rock guide, and plans to complete his full IFMGA certification in the fall with his Alpine Exam. He has also completed his level III avalanche training and is a Wilderness First Responder. A natural leader, Todd takes extreme pride in helping skiers and climbers safely achieve their goals in the mountains and having a great time doing it.

Among Todd's personal climbing accomplishments are: a first Ascent of the 5000' West Face of Mt. Vinson, The Cassin Ridge on Denali and the Walker Spur of the Grand Jorasses. When not traveling around the world climbing or skiing Todd lives in Salt Lake City, Utah with his wife, climbing partner and fellow guide: Winslow Passey.

Winslow Passey - AMGA

Winslow has been a professional mountain guide for nine years guiding in areas such as Nepal, Mongolia, Alaska, Antarctica, South America and in the Western United States. Attribute that are frequently used to describe Winslow are her enthusiasm and passion for everything she does. Winslow's love of skiing and climbing around the world is translated into conscientious instruction and guiding while delivering the goods and enjoying every minute of the adventure.

Winslow is an AMGA Certified Ski Mountaineering Guide and has completed her level III avalanche training. She is a Senior Guide for Alpine Ascents International and one of the top guides with Utah Mountain Adventures.

Winslow is also a Certified Yoga instructor, receiving her training in Nepal from the renown Yogi Dr. Sushil Bhattacharya. She loves to incorporate the techniques of balance, focus and strength learned through Yoga into her skiing and climbing instruction, bringing out the best in everyone she leads.

Winslow thrives on challenge and finds the mountain environment an exceptional playground in which she can meet this need. Some of her favorite challenges have been climbing Ama Dablam, Mt Hunter and the Grand Jorasses or skiing 10,000 foot days in Valdez, Alaska or at home here in the Wasatch.

Splore is very pleased to work with these two top quality, local guides.

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Splore Mountain Tour Requirements and Gear List

Health Form and Liability Waiver

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What does the Lodge have to offer?

Situated in the heart of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest and listed on the National Historical Register, the Wasatch Mountain Club Lodge ("Brighton Lodge") was built by Wasatch Mountain Club members in 1929. A rustic two story log cabin with a large living area downstairs and sleeping quarters upstairs, the lodge is located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, and adjacent to the Brighton Ski Resort Canyon.

The hardwood floors through out, a large fireplace, and vintage furniture the lodge provides a full kitchen, bathrooms, flush toilets and hot showers. A covered front porch accesses a patio directly from the living room.

Learn more about Wasatch Mountain Club Lodge

Register now for the 2009 Splore Mountain Tour! Space is limited to the first 14 registrants, don't delay!

Please click here to REGISTER

Or for additional information,
please contact Tim Stempel,
Splore Program Director,
at 801.484.4128 x 500, or by e-mail.