As an outdoor junkie, the latest in technical gear is pretty much all I want for Christmas (at least as far as gifts are concerned.) I’m always happy to receive an REI gift card so I can go out and buy my holiday outdoor present, but sometimes it is nice to daydream about getting some of the more expensive stuff that’s out there. So here is my pie-in-the-sky Christmas wish list for 2009 that may give you some gift ideas for your own outdoor junkie.
Tag: Skiing
Ski cheap for charity with Quad Wednesdays at Brighton
There are very few opportunities to ski for $15 at Utah resorts, and there aren’t many options for people who want to ski for a good cause. But Brighton has come up with a way to combine the two into a sweet way to ski cheap and help out Utah charities at the same time.
Solitude wants to consume Silver Fork Canyon
As a skier who enjoys riding both in the backcountry and at resorts, I have mixed feelings when stories are told of resorts trying to expand their acreage by overtaking pristine mountain landscapes. On one hand, I think it would be awesome to have new in-bounds terrain to explore. On the other hand, I’d hate to see lift towers and crowds swarming what was once a favorite area for backcountry enthusiasts.
Alta opens on Wednesday, November 25
Alta has closed itself to all uphill traffic, which can only mean one thing: they’re preparing the mountain for downhill traffic. In fact, Alta has announced that they will be opening on Wednesday, November 25, thanks to Sunday night’s storm that brought colder temperatures and dropped 10 inches of snow on the Wasatch.
Phillips 66 Frequent Fueler Card gets you 2-for-1 Snowbird passes
Finding ways to ski for less at Utah resorts can be a challenge. There are local discounts out there, such as Utah resident special prices at Deer Valley, or the Cherry Picker Pass at The Canyons. But unfortunately, Utah doesn’t have the kind of love-for-locals that Colorado skiers get. Over there, Coloradoans can get a season pass to three resorts (Arapahoe Basin, Keystone and Breckenridge) for only $399. Those of us living in Utah have to scrounge for deals.
First day photos from Snowbird
Snowbird officially opened today! They’ve started up the chairlifts at 9am and skiers can now start making turns under the Gadzoom and Chikadee lifts. Snowbird officials hope to open even more terrain before Thanksgiving weekend, depending on any storms and colder temperatures in the forecast. Snowbird is currently charging an early-season price of $52 dollars…
Marker Baron Backcountry Ski Bindings review
After 5 years of backcountry skiing on a pair of old Silveretta bindings, I decided it was time to invest in new ones. After some research, I settled on the Marker Baron bindings. Marker is well known for making quality alpine bindings, and last year they entered the backcountry arena with the Marker Dukes, a burly system that featured a DIN setting that went up to 16. Most skiers don’t require a DIN that high, plus the Dukes are heavy for an average backcountry setup, so this year they introduced a lighter binding called the Barons.
First snow of the season in Utah
It is a time of celebration for some people in Utah, as the first real snowfall of the season has hit the Salt Lake Valley. The mountains have been pounded a few times already, but it just doesn’t feel like winter until there’s snow on the ground in the backyard.
Get mountain weather to go at NOAA website
Skiers and snowboarders across the state probably have more knowledge about the forecast than most people, since their favorite winter hobby revolves around the weather. We keep our eyes glued to the television when there is a big storm coming, in order see if the local weather man will bless us with the words we all long to hear.
The North Face Odyssey Softshell Jacket review
The search for a good resort-skiing jacket can be a tough one. Skiing in-bounds is an unusual workout since it’s all about charging hard down the mountain (and getting sweaty), then sitting on a lift (getting cold), over and over again. The start/stop activity causes problems with body-temperature regulation, which then fuels an internal debate over what to wear on a given day. Is it a fleece under hardshell kind of day? A baselayer with softshell day?