The 2023 annual Winter Wildlands Alliance Yurt Trip, in the Smoky Mountains just outside of Sun Valley, did not disappoint. Our party of ten, led by local legend Joe St. Onge, enjoyed four days and three nights of knee-deep powder skiing.

Each day was greeted with a sunrise over the Pioneer Mountains and included skin track chats on conservation and the human powered experience from WWA Executive Director Dave Page and Policy Director Hillary Eisen.

Full but easy going days of ski touring through open glades and well-spaced trees left the group with enough energy to enjoy good friends, food, beverages, and the sauna back at the yurt each evening.

To make this trip more accessible and enjoyable, the WWA included high end accommodations in Sun Valley on the front and back end, as well as snow mobile and porter assists in and out of the yurts. Join us next season for our annual backcountry fundraiser February 12-15, 2024: we will be back in the Coyote Yurt for another majestic ski touring experience. — Rich Meyer, Alpine Guide