Salomon has been showing off their new-and-unusual BBR ski on a cross-country road trip this season called the “Shape Your Adventure Tour.” As a grand finale, the BBR trailer will roll into Alta for the last day. Of course, skiers will do what skiers do, and that means find any excuse to throw a bitchin’ party to celebrate. So get out that felt-tip pen, and draw huge circles on your calendar around Saturday, April 2nd, because that’s party-day 2011. The Shape Your Adventure Finale Party will go down at the Wildcat base area at Alta, and it will be...
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I don’t run, never have and never thought I would. I’ve tried running (when forced) and failed to find pleasure in the monotony of right-foot-left-foot pounding on pavement with only the sound of my breath as a companion. What would it take for me to run? Looks like the 2011 Ragnar Relay Wasatch Back is the answer. Before, maybe I would run if an outdoor gear shop had a one-hour only, 90% off sale on brand new powder skis. Even if that splendid dream did come true, my stride would resemble something more akin to a rapid saunter. Perhaps...
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The Klymit Inertia X Frame is an anatomically patterned, super light weight (9.1 oz) camping pad that packs down to the size of a soda can. Looking at its unusual shape makes one wonder if such a thing is possible to sleep on. Klymit has made some revolutionary changes to the standard inflatable pad, and the result has many people scratching their heads. But I slept on the X Frame during a winter camping trip, and found that this pad is worth far more than its tremendously low weight. Before I took the Klymit Inertia X Frame into the...
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If you enjoyed the Academy Award nominated film, 127 Hours then Monday, March 14th is your chance to see the real Aron Ralston in the flesh. The Associated Students of the University of Utah have invited Ralston to speak at the Union Ballroom at 7pm, and it’s free with your U of U student ID. Non-students can purchase tickets for $15. In addition, a free screening of 127  Hours will also be playing the following night, March 15th at the Post Theater at 7 pm. For more information about the Free Film Series, click here. Ralston will speak about...
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Get out your mask and beads along with your skis, because Mardi Gras is coming to Brian Head Resort. Spring skiing will take on New Orleans style in southern Utah, and it looks like it’s going to be a party. Here are a few things going on throughout the day: Ski/Board Poker Run: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.- Registration starts at 9 a.m., 3rd floor of Giant Steps Lodge. Show down at 3:30 p.m., 3rd floor of Giant Steps Lodge. Winner receives 2011/2012 Season Pass. No cost. Just Jumps Jam: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. – Registration starts at 9...
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Women often get overlooked by the aggro, manly nature of outdoor recreation, especially in backcountry skiing. Times are changing however, and more and more ladies are finding solitude and pow in the mountains without their testosterone-fueled counterparts. But breaking into the backcountry can be intimidating, what with avalanches threatening to kill you and all. That’s why the Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center and SheJumps have teamed up to offer a backcountry 101 course for those of you looking to go beyond the ski resorts. The backcountry 101 session begins with course #1 on Friday, March 11 at 6pm...
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Enter to win a Suunto Core watch! Winter may be winding down, but March is the best month for skiing in Utah. Warm temperatures, sunny skies, and tons of fresh powder falling on a deep snowpack let us mountain dwellers explore the Wasatch like no other time of year. That’s why this month, we’re hosting the Utah Outside Ski Photo Contest. Submit a favorite ski photo you took this season for a chance to win a Suunto Core!     The Suunto Core is a wristop computer that every outdoor enthusiast should wear when trekking in the mountains. Hiking,...
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It’s March, and the days are already getting longer and warmer. It won’t be long before we’re greasing up our mountain bike chains and organizing the rock climbing gear racks. That means ski season is on the death walk toward summer, and now’s the time to plan ahead for corn skiing and barbecues in the ski resort parking lots. SkiUtah.com has released the projected closing dates of the 14 ski resorts in Utah. Of course, these dates may change due to snow conditions, so keep checking back to updated info. Alta: May 1* Beaver Mountain: March 28 Brighton: April...
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Tim DeChristopher has been found guilty of two felony counts for sabatoging a gas and oil lease auction in 2008. DeChristopher successfully bid on a dozen parcels that he never intended to pay for, in order to disrupt the process in protest of climate change. After the verdict was read, DeChristopher’s supporters cried and broke into song outside the federal courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City. He emerged from the building to hugs and cheers before giving a speech to the crowd. “We will not be lied to and told ‘we are weak.’ We will not be divided, and...
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When skiers talk about Silver Fork Canyon, we immediately think about the Meadow Chutes near Solitude Mountain Resort. Quick access from Solitude and quality skiing just outside the resort’s boundary make the open faces and steep, aspen tree filled lines hugely popular for anyone seeking a short tour. But there’s a lesser traveled side to Silver Fork in her upper reaches, where wide bowls and sheltered pine-covered slopes await. Upper Silver Fork Canyon has more in common with a tour in Little Cottonwood than Big, especially since it’s accessed from Grizzly Gulch and Emma Ridge above Alta. Backcountry skiing...
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All you can do is sit and watch, and boy what a show it is. Sure you won’t be skiing yourself during this event, but the Subaru Freeskiing World Tour is one of the top spectator events in the Wasatch and should not be missed. The tour stops in Snowbird for the 14th year and it all goes down from March 8-12. The 2011 Subaru Freeskiing World Tour Championships features the best big mountain skiers in the world tearing up technical terrain at Snowbird. They ski big lines, jump off huge cliffs and go hard to be crowned the...
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