Oh what a year 2015 has been! The past 12 months have seen tremendous outdoor adventures and first-looks at new gear. But this is not about my personal favorites of the year, but rather what you, the reader, have chosen based entirely on page views. So here are the top 10 stories on UtahOutside.com, separated into gear and news/adventure categories.
GEAR
1. Update – First Look: Atomic Backland Carbon Boots
The word is out: Atomic is going big in regards to backcountry ski gear, and the proof is in their new Backland line of touring skis, skins, packs, and poles. But the big story for the 2015/16 ski season is the release of the Backland Boots – light weight, two-buckle touring kicks in the vein of the Dynafit TLT6. I was lucky enough to have a sample of the Backland Carbon sent to me for a quick test, so I immediately beelined it to the Wasatch. Read More…
2. New Salomon shoes at Outdoor Retailer 2015 Summer Market
Salomon has a ton of new shoes coming out for Spring ’16, especially in the running department. So let’s get to it and see what you might be running/hiking in next year. Read More…
3. First Look: DPS Wailer 112RP2 Tour1 Skis
Big name, low weight. Salt Lake City’s DPS Skis are already known for their light weight sticks, which has made them a favorite for backcountry skiers. Well, next season, the company will release a new backcountry touring-specific version of the popular Wailer 112RP2, called the Tour1. Read More…
4. Mystery Ranch goes to the masses at Outdoor Retailer 2015 Summer Market
Mystery Ranch, a backpack brand synonymous with hunting, military, and fire fighting, is launching a whole new collection of packs for outdoor recreation. While you could get ski and climbing packs online direct from the company before, starting spring ’16, four new collections in the Mountain Line will be available at outdoor stores in the U.S. and Canada. The company says they have been working on the Mountain Line for years and it’s finally ready for a big debut. All the new packs were on display at Outdoor Retailer 2015 Summer Market where I got to check them out. Read More…
5. First Look: Salomon MTN LAB backcountry boots
The Salomon MTN LAB backcountry boots have gotten a lot of press lately. From Outdoor Retailer, SIA, and ISPO, the boots have won awards and are probably soaking wet from all the people salivating over them. What’s the big deal? Word is that these boots have blurred the line between light weight touring boots for the up, and freeride chargers for the down. Well, we got to go on a backcountry tour with a pair of the MTN LAB on our feet for this “first look.” Read More…
NEWS/ADVENTURE
1. Deer Valley to upgrade mountain bike trails
The mountain bike trails at Deer Valley are going to look (and ride) a whole lot different starting this summer, as the Park City ski resort has big plans for trail upgrades. Mountain biking has become a big draw for ski areas looking to cash in on summer operations, and massive bike parks like the one at Canyons have proven there is a hunger for more among the mountain bike community. Deer Valley used to be the de facto downhill mecca, but recent years have seen the trail languish. But this year Deer Valley is bringing in the big guns as Gravity Logic has come on board to give the trails an overhaul. Read More…
2. Utah Mountain Biking Guide: Road to WOS Loop
Summit Park, a neighborhood located atop Parley’s Summit near Park City, is home to a little-known, but very fun mountain bike trail network. This collection of maintained singletrack, including the crown jewel “Road to WOS,” features smooth, tacky dirt, berms, and rolling jumps all under the shade of old-growth evergreen trees. The area is also rife with wildlife, as moose and even black bears are a common sight. While you can link together several trail variations, perhaps the best for mountain bikers is the Road to WOS Loop. You ride the loop in either direction, but I prefer to ride it clockwise, so that is what is described here. Read More…
3. Utah hit with biggest snowstorm in five years
It’s the storm that Utah skiers and snowboarders have been dreaming about… for years. After several below-average seasons, the biggest snowstorm to hit Utah in five years arrived Christmas week, 2015. According to Ski Utah, some ski areas reported snow totals of over five feet, and even more is on the way. The event was state wide, as massive amounts of powder blanketed 11 Utah resorts that recorded a “Monster Dump” at least once this week (a Monster Dump, is when a resort reports over 12” of snow in 24 hours on the Ski Utah app). Read More…
4. Alta and Snowbird get biggest storm in four years
The winter of 2014/15 will long go down as the worst season ever. But you won’t hear any skiers complaining today as the Wasatch has been pounded with the biggest storm in four years. April 15, 2015 will now be a day long remembered as Alta and Snowbird are reporting (as of this writing) 40 inches of new snow in 24 hours, and it’s still coming down. I skied with Justin Lozier at Alta all day and powder-pigged nonstop. Runs off the Wildcat lift were easily the deepest where laps on Westward Ho were choice. Over on the High Traverse, the snow was deep but wind affected. However, as the day went on and the winds picked up even more, old tracks filled in and the snow buffed out, making it an afternoon unexpected refill. Read More…
5. Video: Goblin Valley’s Mountain Bike Trail System
New mountain bike trails are being cut all the time these days, especially here in Utah. So many new trails are opening that it’s hard to keep track of them all! One trail that just caught our attention is in a place where no mountain biking has ever been before – Goblin Valley. Read More…