December 2013 will go down as a bleak month for backcountry skiing in Utah. After a few good storms, the powder faucet shut off, leaving high pressure and rotting, wind-blasted snow in the Wasatch. Southern Utah, however, has been buried in white. Utah is a state divided, and skiers starved for powder have to choose…
Arva Neo avalanche transceiver review
Arva, the European avalanche transceiver company, is making a big push into the U.S. market, and evidence of this is the brand new Neo, an intuitive, user-friendly, and affordable beacon that will appeal to the average backcountry user, which is pretty much all of us. The Arva Neo is packed full of features, including: 100%…
New Gad 2 lift at Snowbird opens to the public
The long-awaited, new Gad 2 chair lift at Snowbird officially opens to skiers and snowboarders on Thursday, December 12. This new version of the beloved Gad 2 chair is a high-speed, detachable quad that replaces an old two-seater. Personally, I always think it’s a shame when a classic double-chair is retired for a quad, but…
Atomic Shred Fest ski reviews at Alta
Atomic made a stop at Alta over the weekend as part of their traveling ski demo, and we showed up to test out the new 2013/14 ski line. From the Bent Chetler to the Alibi, we literally shredded the packed powder at Alta to find the pros and cons of Atomic’s offerings. Below are mini…
Utah Adventure Journal 2014 Speaker Series
The Utah Adventure Journal Speaker Series is returning to Snowbird for its third year. The Wildflower Lounge at the Iron Blosam Lodge will once again play host for eight Thursdays this winter where you can hear inspiring tales of outdoor adventures from Utah’s most prolific outdoor athletes. Check out this year’s lineup, get there early…
Bitter cold and powder snow at Alta
The early December skiing in Utah has been unseasonably good this winter as a few good storms have given skiers and snowboarders a bunch of powder days already. But it came at a price. A massive arctic cold-front descended over the entire state, dropping temperatures well below zero with wind-chill values as low as -32…
14th Annual Powder Awards in Salt Lake City honor top skiers and filmmakers
On Saturday, December 7, 2013, the 14th Annual Powder Awards dropped on The Depot in downtown Salt Lake City. It’s the biggest, red-carpet type of night as the world’s best skiers and ski filmmakers gather to honor the best of the year. I’m really happy to say that my favorite ski-movie makers took away the…
Featured Website: Skiing History
If you’re like me, then you’re not really a history buff. But if the subject is the history of skiing, then call me a damn scholar! As a lifelong and dedicated skier, both backcountry and resort, I love all things skiing. So I’m fascinated by the history of the sport. Well, it was just announced…
Register now for Backcountry.com Round Valley Roundup
It’s time once again for the Round Valley Roundup! It’s a Nordic ski event brought to you by the Mountain Trails Foundation and new this year, Utah-based online retailer, Backcountry.com has signed up as the title sponsor. The event happens on February 15, 2014, and will have tons of Nordic-style races from short to long….
Outdoor Gear Holiday Gift Guide 2013
The holidays are a magical time for outdoor enthusiasts, because it’s a time to score some new gear! From store and online sales, to gifts from family and friends, or even the $5 bill grandma sent in your Christmas card, this time of year is the best time to upgrade your stuff, or get into…