2020 was undoubtedly one hell of a year. But despite the massive effects COVID-19 had on the earth’s population, the outdoors saw record-breaking visitors. Simply put, y’all have been getting outside. Here at UtahOutside.com, recreation interest was reflected in our page views, and articles published this past year were some of the most read. So to take a look back, here’s the top 5 articles of 2020.
Top 5 Articles of 2020 in Descending Order
5. The Utah Traction Law Explained
In January of 2020, a new law took effect that affected every skier and snowboarder in the Cottonwood Canyons. The Utah traction law made it a legal requirement for vehicles traveling on certain mountain roads in the winter to have M/S or M+S tires, or 3PMSF snow tires.
With massive amounts of cars crawling up the Cottonwood Canyons for powder days at Wasatch ski resorts, this law hopefully kept unprepared drivers from getting stuck or causing accidents that inevitably result in traffic jams and the dreaded “red snake.” Read more about Utah’s traction law and to see if your vehicle passes the test.
4. How to Ski Highway to Heaven at Solitude
In January, I wrote an article about how to ski Highway to Heaven at Solitude Mountain, and it seems to have drawn a lot of interest. This in-bounds “sidecountry” area at the top of Solitude’s Summit Chair is an elusive zone that only opens when avalanche danger is low.
When the rope is dropped, there are several ways to ski it. But more important than anything is knowing how to get back into the resort without ending up at Twin Lakes Reservoir. Read the full article here.
3. Camp Chef Rainier 2x Combo Camping Stove Review
I write a lot of gear reviews on this website, but my look at the Rainier 2x Combo stove by Camp Chef was by far the most popular. Versatility is the best word to describe this stove. Along with the grill, it includes a griddle. So if you’d like to cook pancakes and eggs in the morning, simply switch the grill out for the flat top and have at it. The grill nests underneath the griddle so they both can be packed inside the stove when not in use. A side burner can heat up anything like chili or soup, mashed potatoes, or to cook up some stir fry.
With Coronavirus, camping had a surge in activity and gear manufacturers could not keep up with demand. Camp Chef was no different and the Rainier 2x stove sold out and is still not available as I write this. Hopefully it will be back in stock in 2021 because people who read this review still ask me if I know when they can purchase it.
2. New Gear for Spring 2021 at Virtual Outdoor Retailer
The global pandemic obviously meant that Outdoor Retailer could not be held in person. So the biggest outdoor gear show went online. I got to check out some virtual sessions via Zoom where companies showed off new gear that will be available in spring of 2021.
Among the new gear highlights are new packs from Mystery Ranch, “urban to trail” shoes and boots from Vasque, and innovative apparel from Patagonia. Check it out for yourself and start planning for this year’s spring and summer trips.
1. Skiing this Season? You’re Gonna Need a Mask
The COVID-19 pandemic was the biggest story of 2020. In the outdoor world, ski resorts may have been most affected when they were forced to close early in March. Fast forward to the fall and resorts were able to reopen. But the landscape was very different. Perhaps the biggest new rule was a mask mandate at all Utah ski areas. But which masks are the best and most comfortable for skiing?
To find out I tested several different face coverings to determine my favorite for outdoor recreation, especially skiing. Apparently many of you wanted to know what mask to wear on the slopes as well, because this article is easily the most viewed of 2020, despite it only being online since the end of November.
Happy New Year and Cheers to 2021
Hopefully 2021 will be a better and more normal year for all of us. I for one am sick of everything being colored by the lens of COVID-19, especially when it comes to outdoor recreation. So here’s to a better tomorrow and future adventures in Utah!