Cardiff Pass is an easily accessible backcountry ski area between Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. According to maps, the drainage is technically called Mill D South Fork, though many skiers refer to the area as Cardiff because Cardiff Ridge runs along the side of the valley.
Cardiff is an extremely popular spot for the backcountry crowd, not only because of the great skiing that can be found there, but because of a super easy and short approach from Alta along the powerline up to Cardiff Pass. Once the skin on the Wasatch touring-interstate to the ridge is complete, a short traverse west along the ridgeline allows access into the main Cardiff/Mill D drainage.
Low angle trees, open bowls, and super steep couloirs can all be skied in the same trip at Cardiff. A good way to spend the day would be to hike to the top of Mount Superior and ski down the north face back into Cardiff. From there, a steep skin up Cardiac Ridge offers up another chance at steep, open skiing, or another option would be to ascend to the small, tree-covered "hill" that splits the valley for some low-angle tree skiing and cliff hopping. Either way, a descent off the east face of the middle hill puts you in a position to skin right back to the top of Cardiff Pass where you started, where a quick ski back down to Alta ends a perfect day of backcountry skiing.
It should be noted, however, that much of the Mill D South Fork drainage is private property and some land owners won't hesitate to approach you on a snowmobile to give you a hard time. Be polite and friendly and ski on your way and hopefully a confrontation will be avoided. Simply be aware and don't cross into terrain that is marked with private property signs.
For more backcountry ski areas in the Wasatch, check out the Backcountry Ski Directory.
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