About the TUNA Yurt

The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) has operated a yurt in the Uintah National Forest for over sixteen years under a permit issued by the Kamas Ranger District. TUNA was the original permitee in this national forest. The Forest Service has allows TUNA to keep the yurt up, all year round and on a permanent platform. Thus the yurt can be used year-round for such activities as hiking, camping, mountain biking, horse packing, skiing, etc.

The original TUNA yurt was located in the North Fork. In 1999 the yurt was moved to its current location along the Norway Flats road, approximately 11 miles north out of Kamas on the Mirror Lake Highway. The yurt overlooks a spectacular view of Boulder Creek with its beaver ponds, summer trails and excellent ski slopes (slopes range in the 30-35 degree range). The slopes oppose the yurt promises to be an excellent backcountry skiing experience. We see this as a premier backcountry with a location next to none. A wonderful place to spend time ski touring, turning, adventuring and enjoying the backcountry.

For more information or how you can be involved contact Greg Adams at yurt [at] utahnordic [dot] com. YURT Certification Classes All yurt users must be certified in how to safely use the TUNA yurt. The certification requirement will be wavied for all persons who have used the yurt in the last three years or have participated in a yurt maintenance party and are familiar with the required maintenance and safe operation of the yurt. If you have not used the yurt and are not familiar how to get to the yurt or where the yurt is located, you will be required to participate in a certification before you will be allowed to rent the yurt. Yurt certifications are offered on a regular basis and for a small donation you will be allowed to participate in a ski trip to the yurt where you will be familiarized with its location, how to get there and how to safely operate and maintain the yurt. To find out more about certification dates send mail to Greg Adams at yurt [at] utahnordic [dot] com.

Groups traveling to the certification typically meet in Salt Lake, on the designated days, at 8:00 AM at the K-Mart on Parleys Way, or rendezvous at the Kamas Forest Service Office at 9:00 AM. Yurt Work Parties Work parties for yurt maintenance are scheduled, as needed, during the calendar year, usually during the summer and fall months of the year to maintain the Yurt. If you want to volunteer to work on the yurt, please contact yurt [at] utahnordic [dot] com or visit the TUNA website. Currently TUNA is in need of active volunteers to step forth and become active in the effort to keep the yurt effort alive. Without the effort the yurt may end up being sold to another party or dismantled. If you have an interest in seeing this continued activity or would like to be involved in the effort, please contact Greg Adams at yurt [at] utahnordic [dot] com. Yurt photos courtsey of Francisco Kjolseth

Location/Access

The TUNA Yurt is located in Norway Flats, in the Western Uinta Mountains.  The Norway Flats trailhead is 10.5 miles up the Mirror Lake Highway from Kamas; approximately 30 minutes from Park City or 1 hour from Salt Lake.  The ski in to the Yurt is approximately 3.5 miles, with an elevation gain of 1000 vertical feet.  The trip can comfortably be made in about 2 hours.

Skiing/Snowshoeing Opportunities

The Yurt sits at an elevation of 8600 feet, and is located on a flat bench surrounded by mature aspen and pines.  It overlooks Boulder Creek and several small ponds.  There is excellent ski terrain below and to the East of the yurt, with 300 to 400 foot vertical slopes ranging from 30 to 35 degrees only five minutes away.  More moderate glade skiing is also available nearby.  While these slopes are enough to keep a party busy for days, more extensive turning opportunities are abundant in the area above the yurt.  Nearby peaks that range to over 10,000 feet are potential objectives for strong parties.  Moderate touring/snowshoeing is also abundant in the Norway Flats area.

Amenities 

The TUNA yurt is 18 feet in diameter with a covered deck/storage area.  It can comfortably sleep 8 (the maximum size party allowed).  It is equipped with 8 bunks, a wood stove and a supply of cut and split wood, a propane cooking stove and lamps, and cooking equipment (pots and utensils).  There is a year round spring 100 feet from the yurt.