We are starting something new here at UtahOutside.com. Starting today, we will be posting a weekly Utah outdoor news roundup on Fridays. There are so many important stories that involve recreation and the outdoors here in Utah, that it’s easy for news to fall through the cracks. So here are the stories of the week…
Become a “Dirtbag Meteorologist” with Drew Hardesty
Ever wonder how weather geeks predict storms and snowfall in the Wasatch? Want to learn how you can do it yourself? With the Interwebz at our fingertips, and wise men to show us the way, you too can become what Drew Hardesty calls a “Dirtbag Meteorologist.” On Wednesday, December 16th, you can join the Utah…
Icebreaker Zone Base Layers Review
One of the most important things you can wear when skiing, is a good base layer. This is especially true with backcountry skiing where you are working out, sweating, and stopping a lot. There’s a plethora of material choices out there, but merino wool is far away my favorite. New this year, Icebreaker introduced Zone…
5 favorite backcountry ski routes in Big Cottonwood Canyon
The Central Wasatch is undoubtedly the hub of backcountry skiing in Utah. There is an amazing amount of backcountry ski terrain despite the range’s relatively small size, and much of it can be found in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Dozens of quality ski tours spread throughout the drainage and I love them all, but these are…
False sun dog, rotten hoars, and a thirst-driven mirage
I saw a sun dog today. A sun dog is a rainbow of color that encircles the sun. According to Wikipedia, “sun dogs are commonly caused by the refraction of light from plate-shaped hexagonal ice crystals either in high and cold or cirrostratus clouds or, during very cold weather, drifting in the air at low…
Outdoor Gear Holiday Gift Guide 2015
Scenario: the holidays are upon us and you don’t know what gift to get that backcountry skier, snowboarder, or overall outdoorsy person in your life. Gear is never a bad idea, in fact, we all love new gear, perhaps a little too much. So here are a few gear ideas to put under the tree…
Quad Wednesdays are back at Brighton for 2015
One of Utah’s most popular discount pass events is back as Brighton’s Quad Wednesdays returns for 2015. Quad Wednesdays is a wonderful way to not only ski on-the-cheap, but to also give back to those in need at the same time. This holiday season is the same as previous Quad Wednesdays, with donations requested including…
UPDATED – Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals for outdoor gear 2015
It’s that time of year again. As much as I hate the whole consumerism orgy that comes along with Black Friday and Cyber Monday, I have to admit to taking advantage of the sweet deals for my outdoor addiction. Gear is expensive, and holiday sales are one of the best ways to score new skis,…
Columbia OutDry Extreme rain jacket review
At the Outdoor Retailer 2015 Summer Market, I showed you the Columbia OutDry Extreme rain jacket – a tech piece that Columbia says will revolutionize rainwear forever. Essentially, the mad scientists at Columbia moved the waterproof membrane to the outside of the jacket (as opposed to the traditional 3-layer system that puts the waterproof layer in the middle…
Happy with crappy on Utah’s 2015 ski season opening weekend
Maybe I’m just used to a lack of snow after years of below-average snowfall in Utah, because opening weekend at Alta was spectacular. Sure, there was only a 25-inch base and only a few intermediate runs were open, but I didn’t care. I had the time of my life just cruising groomers under the Collins…