Info About Benson and Hedges
The Benson and Hedges Couloir is considered one of the best chutes within the Wasatch Range. Being a snow filled gulling with massive rock walls on both sides it is both aesthetic and a great line in good conditions. Located within the Cardiff Fork of Big Cottonwood Canyon it can be accessed via either the North or South from near Alta Ski Resort. Once you spot the line then it is time to climb up Benson Ridge and retrace your tracks.
Leaving the Alta Parking Lot for Cardiff Pass
Driving up Little Cottonwood Canyon we parked our car at Alta and got our gear together. The plan was to make our way out to Benson and Hedges with Bucky and Martjin who had been ski touring within the area for years. Heading North we made our way up to Cardiff Pass before dropping into the Cardiff Fork Valley. Riding onto the north facing slopes the terrain was open and deep.
Climbing up Benson and Hedges
Once in Cardiff Valley we made our way over to the base of Benson and Hedges. Throwing our boards on our packs we started climbing up the narrow couloir. Martjin lead the way up the 800 foot line. It was a picture perfect couloir with massive rock walls on both sides.
Soon enough we were at the top of the col and switching over to snowboarding. Off in the distance we could see Kesler Peak and its East Chute area basking in the sun. Though there were clouds coming in it seemed that we had a pocket of clear sky within the valley.
Snowboarding Down Benson and Hedges
Since Martjin had down the hard work climbing he had the honour of heading down Benson and Hedges first. Though the terrain was tight being just over two snowboards in length the snow was deep. He would be submerged in snow with every turn only to disappear once again.
After Martjin was at the bottom and in a safe spot I made my way down before snapping photos of Bucky. Between our bootprints and snowboarding we had done a good of tracking the place out.
While the couloir was athletically pleasing there is something about a wide open face. The snow seemed to double in accumulation as we rode down towards the drainage.
Arriving at the main drainage of Cardiff Valley we needed to climb some vert to be able to ride down to the trailhead. While putting in steps we would occasionally look back up the the massive rock face of Benson Ridge. I was fortunate that they were kind enough to show me around as I never would have known where to start.
Once in Cardiff Valley we made our way over to the base of Benson and Hedges. Throwing our boards on our packs we started climbing up the narrow couloir. Martjin lead the way up the 800 foot line. It was a picture perfect couloir with massive rock walls on both sides.
Thank you for reading this trip report and to Bucky for putting on the Wasatch Splitboard Festival.
If you are ever touring in the Wasatch Backcountry make sure to keep up with avalanche conditions by follow the Utah Avalanche Center