Top Utah Outdoor Adventures of 2011 – Jared Hargrave’s picks: Skiing on the 4th of July at Snowbird Skiing at Snowbird is such a common occurance, that it takes a huge event to make it into a “best of the year” list. Something like… skiing on the 4th of July. 2011 saw a July with record breaking snow levels, allowing skiers and snowboarders a chance to shred spring snow on much of the mountain. Shotgunning PBRs, skiing nearly nude, or donning insane costumes made skiing the 4th of July at Snowbird not just another day to make turns, but...
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It’s always interesting to see what articles posted on UtahOutside.com get the most page views. Some are surprising, and some are pretty obvious as to why they skyrocket to the top. Overall, readers of this website love their gear, as four of the top five are gear reviews or articles about Outdoor Retailer. Another things we learned (but already knew) is that sex sells. So now let’s look back and countdown the Top 5 Articles of 2011, based on page views. 5. Suunto Foot POD Mini and GPS POD review 2011 is the year that I started running. From road...
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Continuing our look at the top outdoor gear of 2011, we’re taking a gander at the best picks from our Contributing Editors, Callista Pearson and Ryan Malavolta. Often times, women’s gear gets overlooked, so we’ll start with Callista’s favorite gear that she tested, reviewed, and loved the most in 2011. Merrell Jolene Tri-Therm Jacket The Merrell Jolene Tri-Therm Jacket is a three-in-one system. There’s the waterproof outer shell to keep out rain and snow, and an insulated liner for warmth. Each can be worn alone, or combined for ultimate warmth and protection. Plus, the liner jacket snaps into the “Opti-Shell” really...
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Mount Van Cott is an unassuming mountain with a summit elevation of 6,348 feet that looms over the University of Utah, directly behind University Hospital and the Huntsman Cancer Institute. While Mount Van Cott is small in stature, it’s still a worthy hike for a morning or late afternoon and can be accomplished in less than two hours on a good day. Plus, it’s a mountain that’s easy to ascend all year long. There are many ways to the top of the mountain thanks to the urban masses scrambling to the top, bush-whacking up in the most direct way...
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I get to test and review a lot of gear here at UtahOutside.com, and every year I take a look back at the equipment that really caught my attention. Whether it’s because the gear is innovative, comfortable, or just flat-out works beyond expectations, the bets of the best rises to the top and is honored. So below is my top 10 outdoor gear that I tested and reviewed in 2011. Salomon Rocker 2 Skis There is a ski model out there who’s name is being whispered in the halls of skidom. They are long-awaited boards that promise to bring...
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Wishing all of our readers a Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas from UtahOutside.com! Although the Wasatch Front isn’t really having a white Christmas this year, we took a trip to the Front Range of Colorado to find powder snow, and our dogs LOVE it! May you all have a wonderful Christmas spent outdoors with family and friends.
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In general, skiing has two options: resort and backcountry. But what some skiers may not know is that you can combine the two and ski the “sidecountry.” In essence, when you’re sidecountry skiing, you ride a ski resort’s chairlifts to the top of the mountain, but then ski down out-of-bounds back to the base. It’s a segment that’s growing in popularity, so Snowbird is offering their first ever Sidecountry Camp. The Snowbird Sidecountry Camp will take skiers who want to experience the untracked backcountry just outside the resort’s borders while using the typical backcountry gear like a pack, avalanche...
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Have you ever sat on a chairlift, watching the snow covered silhouette of a skier arch graceful and harmonious Telemark turns as though they were dancing with the mountains? If that mountain gypsy got you thinking “I wish I could do that,” or “I want to give that a try,” the time is now! The 2011/2012 ski season is upon us and skiers and snowboarders here in Utah’s Wasatch Mountain Range have many unique opportunities to explore the Telemark turn. The following free-heel programs are easy ways to try out Telemark skiing: Alta Ski Resort Telemark Workshops Alta Ski...
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You’ll soon be able to add another avalanche safety device to your arsenal, as new and innovative gear is being invented. Along with the basics like shovel, probe and beacons, we’ve seen innovations like Black Diamond’s Avalung, then air bag packs, and now the ROTAUF MRK5 avalanche marking device. Looking at the ROTAUF MRK5, it’s hard to tell exactly what it does or how it works. But upon further inspection, this little device is so remarkably simple, that it makes one wonder why we haven’t been backcountry skiing with these on our bodies all along. ROTAUF is a company...
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UtahOutside.com has partnered with OnlineShoes.com to give away a pair of Ahnu Elkridge WP Hiking Boots! We recently tested and reviewed a pair of these kicks and found them to be comfortable, but burly at the same time.  While hiking on snowy trails in the Wasatch, the Ahnu Elkridge shoes were stable, had very good traction, and felt light weight. Plus, they’re waterproof/breathable thanks to eVent, and they also look great on and off the trail. Read our full review here. So, do you want to earn a pair for yourself? Then enter our Pray for Snow Photo Contest!...
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Hiking shoes, as a rule, can be very stiff and clunky, which doesn’t bode well for any uses other than hoofing it up uneven terrain on rocky peaks. More and more though, people are looking for one pair of good shoes that have multiple purposes. In these tough economic times, having one pair of boots that can do it all are like gold. So after Onlineshoes.com sent me a pair of Ahnu Elkridge WP hiking boots for testing and review, I knew I found my golden pair. The Ahnu Elkridge WP are a lightweight hiking shoe with a low...
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