In the Uintas, be among TUNA’s first yurt certs

The rental yurt run by TUNA on the Mirror Lake Highway, site of the anual work party/certification session. Photo: courtesy of The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA)

KAMAS, Utah — Each year, The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) has to do a little work to ensure everyone has a good winter adventure experience at its rental yurt in the Uinta Mountains off the Mirror Lake Highway, and this year it’s on Sunday, Sept. 14.

The yurt can be hard to book because of its popularity. The work trip is a great chance to get in the lottery for a coveted front-of-the-line spot for bookings. They also offer a certification session at the end of the trip — a requirement for anyone planning to rent. “So, come up and kill two birds with one stone,” TUNA wrote in a statement.

Work includes some cleaning, splitting and stacking wood, and the odd fix-it or improvement task. 

• Work party:
  • Arrive at the Norway Flats road at 8 a.m. All volunteers will be entered in a lottery for 10 early reservation slots for the yurt.
  • bring work attire, gloves, splitting axes, chain saws, wheelbarrows, water, snacks, “and a can-do attitude,” they say.
• Certification session that day:
  • Arrive at the Norway Flats Road at 1 p.m. It’s 30 minutes to hike to the yurt, 30 minutes for the certification session, then 30 minutes out
  • email yurt@utahnordic.org to sign up

They will also be offering a stand-alone certification session on Oct. 4

• Arrive at the Norway Flats road at 8 a.m.
• It’s mandatory to email yurt@utahnordic.org to sign up

The Utah Nordic Alliance (TUNA) has operated a yurt in the Uintah National Forest for over twenty years under a permit issued by the Kamas Ranger District. TUNA was the original permitee in this national forest. The Forest Service has allowed 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. The yurt overlooks a vast view of Boulder Creek with its beaver ponds, summer trails and ski slopes (slopes range in the 30-35 degree range). “A wonderful place to spend time ski touring, turning, adventuring and enjoying the backcountry,” added TUNA. The yurt is regularly used by families with children.

The TUNA yurt is 18 feet in diameter with a covered deck/storage area. It can comfortably sleep eight people which is the maximum size party allowed. It’s equipped with eight 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.

TUNA is known for operating the Mountain Dell Nordic Ski area in the winter, which is a golf course in the summer, located halfway between Park City and Salt Lake City. The TUNA Cross-Country Ski Team trains and competes at youth beginner levels all the way up to expert High Schoolers and adults. They also have created and manage the highly popular Wasatch Citizen Series cross country races held in Park City.