The Abajo Mountains are the red-headed step child of southeastern Utah’s ranges. Everyone gives their love to the La Sal Mountains, and for good reason; they’re beautiful, rugged, offer world-class backcountry skiing, and are darlings of nature photographers as they provide a snow capped backdrop to red rock scenery shots. Meanwhile, the Abajo Mountains (also…
Spandex up for the Wasatch Citizen Skimo Series
Skimo is on the rise in Utah, due in large part to the Wasatch Citizen Skimo Series at Brighton Resort. If you’re a longtime skimo racer, or just skimo-curious, then the Citizen Series is the perfect, low-key venue to check it out. So, what is skimo? Well, “skimo” is short for ski mountaineering. Also-known-as randonee…
First turns of the 2013/14 season at Alta
Alta’s opening weekend for the 2013/14 ski season was better than anyone could have expected! A few major fall storms blanketed the Wasatch, which was quickly consumed by backcountry skiers skinning and hiking up Alta’s runs. But a week before opening day, Alta closed the mountain to uphill traffic. A few smaller storms blew through…
Backcountry.com offers Women’s Avalanche Safety Workshop
Avalanche safety instruction is vital when backcountry skiing, and more options for learning pop up every year. Now online gear retailer, backcountry.com, is jumping into the fray by offering more than just gear with their S.A.F.E. A.S. Women’s Intro to Avalanche Safety clinics. Held 4 times in December, these clinics will be led by pro…
Aron Ralston to host Snowbird Summit Gala Fundraiser
There’s a lot of non-profit organizations in the Wasatch Mountains that make life and recreation better for those of us who enjoy the Cottonwood Canyons. One of the biggest fundraisers of the year that helps these organizations out is the Snowbird Summit Gala. This year’s event features Aron Ralston, the outdoor adventurer best known for…
Alta and Snowbird open for 2013/14 season
Alta and Snowbird opened for the season this week, which means all Cottonwood Canyon resorts are completely operational for the 2013/14 ski and snowboard season. Early season conditions are pretty good as recent storms have created a descent base and enough coverage for several lifts and runs to open. Alta opened on Friday, November 22nd…
Avoiding the backcountry horde at Catherine Pass
Utah backcountry skiers are chomping at the bit. Before ski resorts open, most skin up Alta and Snowbird to get pre-season turns. But with Alta shutting off all uphill traffic on Sunday for opening-day preparations, the bounty of in-bounds skiing and riding was shut off. With a big storm that dropped over a foot of…
Powder Awards return to Salt Lake City
It’s the biggest night in skiing, or at least ski movies, or at least ski movie award ceremonies… ok, it’s just a big night in skiing. But the 14th Annual Powder Awards are big, and they return to Salt Lake City this December. With ski season just getting underway, the best ski athletes and filmmakers…
Video: All is Well in the Swell
Don’t pull out those skis and put the mountain bike away just yet! There’s riding to be done in Southern Utah, and friend of UtahOutside.com, Mike DeBernardo, took advantage of the fall weather in the San Rafael Swell. Of course he’s more than just a mountain biker, but a massively talented photographer and video editor…
Hercules WAE Outdoor Speaker review
Sometimes you just need to rock. Sure, the peaceful sounds of nature can create a wonderful melody, but when the campfire is burning bright, I don’t mind an electric guitar riff or two. So how are you going to pump up your jams? We all know someone who’s run their car battery dead after a…