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 for December 11th, 2015.
MAN FALLS TO DEATH AT DEADHORSE POINT STATE PARK
According to KSL, a 24-year-old New York man died after falling 750 feet from a cliff at Dead Horse Point State Park. Full article.
“America’s Toughest Stage Race”, the Tour of Utah, returns next summer, and there are some route changes for 2016. According to KSL.com, the race will begin in Southern Utah at the Zion Canyon village on Monday, August. 1st. Riders will finish on August 7th for the final stage that ends in Park City. Full article.
NORTH FACE FOUNDER DIES IN KAYAKING ACCIDENT
If you’re into the outdoors, chances are you own or have owned a jacket from The North Face. The company has made a huge impact on outdoor clothes over the decades. But this week the founder of The North Face, Doug Tompkins, passed away after a kayaking accident in Chile. According to Outside, he was paddling on General Carrera Lake in Coyhaique, when high winds made his boat capsize. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital and treated for hypothermia, but later died. Full article.
UTAH NAMED #1 TOURIST DESTINATION IN THE WORLD BY FODOR’S
We Utahns already know the Beehive State is the best place in the world for the outdoors (if only we can do something about those damn liquor laws.) Well, the rest of the world is about to discover our statewide secret stash because Fodor’s announced that Utah is the #1 travel destination IN THE WORLD for their 2016 Go List. This probably won’t help with crowd control at Arches National Park this summer… Full article.
SALT LAKE CITY MAYOR AT U.N. CLIMATE CHANGE SUMMIT
Salt Lake City Mayor, Ralph Becker is at the UN Climate Change Summit in Paris, also known as COP21. Backcountry Magazine took a few minutes of his time to talk about climate change, backcountry skiing, and development plans in the Wasatch. Full article.
NIGHT RIDING BEGINS AT BRIGHTON
Night skiing started up at Brighton this week, and it coincided with Quad Wednesdays. For more info about both, go to brightonresort.com
ARC’TERYX REVEALS NEW SKI BOOTS AND AVALANCHE AIRBAG PACK
Arc’teryx shook the backcountry ski world with their big reveal of an new fan-style avalanche airbag pack and lightweight touring boot. According to WildSnow.com, the Voltair electric fan avalanche airbag backpack will be available next winter and comes in two sizes. The Proline boot is a new design philosophy that the company says is more like a shoe that skis accomplished by a 2-piece cuff pivot. There’s lots more to see and learn over at WildSnow.com.
POWDER AWARDS GO OFF IN SALT LAKE CITY
Powder Magazine once again invaded The Depot at the Gateway in downtown SLC, giving out awards to the best skiers and ski filmmakers for the 16th Annual Powder Awards. Utah local, Angel Collinson, won big with Women First Place in the Powder Poll, as well as Best Female Performance, and Best Line. For a full list of winners and behind-the-scenes looks, head over to Powder.com