LATE WINTER 2020 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 1
GEAR OF THE YEAR
FREE
Ski and Snowboard Buyer’s Guide
RESCUE RANGERS
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MUST-DO UTAH SKI RESORT CLINICS & EVENTS
Stories of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Team
WINTER CAMPING 101
How to Survive (and Even Enjoy) It
COME FOR THE SKIING. STAY FOR THE SKIING.
PHOTOJOHN HUSKINSON FAMILY
S I N C E 19 3 8
Eats flakes for Breakfast.
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CONTENTS
LATE WINTER 2020 VOL. 38 NO. 1
PUBLISHER ¦¦¦ Dan Miller ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ¦¦¦ Paula Bell MANAGING EDITOR ¦¦¦ Jenny Willden CIRCULATION MANAGER/OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR ¦¦¦ Cynthia Bell Snow SENIOR EDITOR ¦¦¦ Melissa McGibbon ASSOCIATE EDITOR ¦¦¦ Molly Andersen
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CONTRIBUTORS ¦¦¦ Nick Como, Kevin Jones, Connie Lewis, Rachel Jorgenson, Tirsea McNeal
16 6 Starting Line
Editor’s Note, Winter Events
8 Resort Report
The Best Utah Ski Resort Clinics and Events By Jenny Willden
10 Feature
Winter Camping 101 By Jenny Willden
14 Trailsides
The Case for Doing Summer Things in Winter
By Nick Como
4 Alternatives to Winter Activities
ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION MANAGER ¦¦¦ Jackie Medina GRAPHIC DESIGN ¦¦¦ Ken Magleby, Patrick Witmer REGIONAL ADVERTISING SALES ¦¦¦ 801-467-9419 Paula Bell, Karen Malan, Paul Nicholas, Chad Saunders NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES ¦¦¦ Brook Gardner, Jeremy Solomon
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS ¦¦¦ Jessica Alder, Caleb Deane DISTRIBUTION ¦¦¦ Rick Springer, Jenny Willden
16 Profile
Stories of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Team By Connie Lewis
18 Four Season Paddle Challenge
Robin Cuff Makes Stand Up Paddleboarding a Year-round Sport
By Tirsea McNeal
20 Gear
Gear of the Year
By Jenny Willden and Melissa McGibbon
Ski & Snowboard Buyer’s Guide
22 Fuss in Boots
How to Get the Perfect Ski Boot Fit
By Melissa McGibbon
26 Health
Be A Steward of Your Poop
By Rachel Jorgenson
How To Properly Dispose of Human Waste in the Winter
28 Calendar 30 Last Word
Frozen Fun
By Kevin Jones
3 Sports to Try This Winter (That Aren’t Skiing)
LATE WINTER 2020 VOLUME 38 ISSUE 1
GEAR OF THE YEAR
FREE
Ski and Snowboard Buyer’s Guide
RESCUE RANGERS
CLINICS & 24RESORT EVENTS
MUST-DO UTAH SKI
Stories of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Team
WINTER CAMPING 101
How to Survive (and Even Enjoy) It
On the Cover
A perfect bluebird powder day in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Photo Credit: Corey Kopischke coreykopischke.com
Many of the activities covered in the Outdoor Sports Guide are action sports carrying significant risk of personal injury or death. Outdoor Sports Guide, including its writers, photographers and other staff and management, does not recommend that anyone participate in these sports unless they are supremely expert, knowledgeable about the risks and willing to personally assume all responsibility associated with those risks. Also, the views herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine’s management or ownership. Outdoor Sports Guide welcomes story, art and photo contributions. We will consider, but assume no responsibility for, unsolicited proposals, manuscripts, art and photographs; all such material must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope or it will not be returned. MILLS PUBLISHING, INC. retains reprint rights, including affiliated internet site reprints, but contributors retain all other rights for resale, republication, etc. Outdoor Sports Guide is not responsible for unsolicited contributions, lost or damaged photo material. Send contributions to Outdoor Sports Guide, c/o Mills Publishing, Inc., 772 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106, 801.467.9419; email editor@sportsguidemag. com. For advertising information please call 801.467.9419 or email info@sportsguidemag.com. Published by Mills Publishing, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah. © 2020. All rights reserved.
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STARTING LINE FROM THE EDITOR Forget Christmas. In Utah, Februburied was the most wonderful time of the year. I, for one, am not complaining about this season’s historic snowfall, and even winter haters can get stoked on the incredible river rafting season to come. This winter’s already offered some of the best skiing in recent memory, including a historic two-day interlodge at Alta and Snowbird. And while it’s fast drawing to a close, we’re hoping Punxsutawney Phil was wrong about an early spring. For now, there’s still plenty of snow fun to enjoy: winter camping (it’s not as cold as you’d think), going SUPing amidst the snow (pg.18), and doing all the ski resort events and clinics (pg.8). Coming this spring, our annual Keeper issue returns with a huge guide to the West’s best races and events. We'll see you outside!
Jenny Willden Comments, feedback, or complaints? Email editor@sportsguidemag.com or send mail to 772 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106.
Learning a new winter sport.
STRIDERS WINTER RACE CIRCUIT Train for the Salt Lake or Ogden Marathons this winter with the GOAL Foundation’s Ogden Winter Race Circuit. Circuit includes four races with distances building throughout the season. Race one or all of them! 10 Miler (March 21), Half Marathon (April 4), and an untimed, training-oriented 30K (April 25). Professional timing at 10K, 10 Miler, and Half Marathon events. Recovery products available at all finish lines. getoutandlive.org
2020 USA CLIMBING: SPORT & SPEED OPEN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS See The Front climbing gym's newest location and watch pros compete from March 13–14 at 4140 South Main Street, Millcreek. Over 100 top competitive climbers will be ascending the new walls. Everyone is invited to cheer them on as new National Champions in Sport and Speed are crowned. thefrontslc.com
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SUBARU WINTERFEST Head to Snowbird Ski Resort from March 6–8 for a day of skiing paired with Subaru’s mountain lifestyle tour. Expect live music, Subaru swag, ski and snowboard gear demos, giveaways, s’mores, free La Colombe coffee, and much more. Free admission. Subaru owners get VIP parking and special gifts. subaru.com/winterfest
ICE BREAKER SPRINT TRIATHLON Kick off Utah’s triathlon season with this indoor-outdoor race through beautiful American Fork on Saturday, March 28. The race starts with a 300-meter indoor pool swim at the AF Rec Center followed by an outdoor 12-mile bike ride and 3.1-mile run. Bring the littles for a kids’ race following main event with a 100-meter pool swim, 3.1-mile bike ride, and 1-mile run. Race followed by goodies and hydration drinks for racers. racetri.com/ice-breaker/ ¦¦¦
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THE DRIFT Held March 13–15 in Pinedale, WY. Racers may ski, bike, or run on the snow-covered groomed trail. For 2020, there’s a 13-mile half-marathon and a 28-mile marathon on Saturday and a 100-mile ultramarathon on Friday (the highest-elevation winter ultramarathon in the United States). Races are self-supported, and while there are checkpoints with supplies, racers should not depend on them. thedrift100.com
PINK PARK CITY Color the mountain pink at this ski event supporting research at Huntsman Cancer Institute on Saturday, March 28 at Park City Mountain's Canyons Village. Wear your favorite pink ski gear and join in on pink parties, a parade down Doc's Run, and a costume contest. Join in on the Checkpoint Challenge and visit different on-mountain locations for deck parties, giveaways, and more. Register as a team or individual. Lift ticket not included. parkcitymountain.com
WASATCH MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL Returning March 30–April 6 for its sixth year in a row, this mountain film fest highlights incredible outdoor films from athletes and adventurers around the globe. Hosted at the Clubhouse (850 East South Temple) by the nonprofit Wasatch Mountain Arts, each film is paired with introductions and presentations from leaders, explorers, and athletes. Screening days includes matinee and evening showings; passes available for individual film blocks or the entire festival. wasatchfilmfestival.org COTOPAXI QUESTIVAL Round up a team of 2–6 people for this 24-hour adventure race around northern Utah on April 10. During the 24 hours, teams complete challenges from a list of more than 200. Explore unknown areas of the city and venture to Park City, the Bonneville Salt Flats, and beyond.Once the 24 hours ends, grab your finisher medal and hang with other teams at the afterparty. cotopaxi.com
ANDSHE’SDOPETOO SPRING RENDEZVOUS Grab your gal friends or fly solo at this annual women’s event in Moab, Utah from May 1–3. General admission includes camping site, shuttle transportation to Canyonlands National Park hikes, climbing/rappelling, trail running, at camp workshops, yoga, creative corner, Friday & Saturday evening festivities, dance party, unlimited hot showers, fresh potable water, dinner on Friday and Saturday, and sponsored raffle ticket. Add on all meals if you don’t want to cook at camp. andshesdopetoo.com FITCON UTAH Fitness fanatics can compete, workout, and win at this expo/competition May 1–2 at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City. Expect fitness competitions such as weight lifting, boxing, crossfit, parkour, axe throwing, and arm wrestling along with live fitness classes, seminars, healthy food court, exhibitors, and keynote speeches from national and local fitness professionals. fitconutah.com Starting Line
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May 1–3, 2020
RUN•AWAY WITH US!
$385 PER PERSON
SALT LAKE CITY MARATHON This race isn’t just for marathoners. Choose your distance: Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, 5K, Kid’s K, 26.2-mile bike tour, and 10K skate. Quality of Life Expo held Friday, April 17 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. All races held Saturday, April 18. Stay after the finish for a beer garden, vendors, giveaways, and more. saltlakecitymarathon.com
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THE BEST UTAH SKI RESORT CLINICS & EVENTS
By Jenny Willden
Looking to improve your ski skills or celebrate spring? Check out these upcoming skiing and snowboarding events and workshops at Utah’s ski resorts. These listings are accurate as of press time, but we’ll continue adding events to our website (sportsguidemag.com) as more information becomes available. ALTA Birding on Skis (March 13, April 10 and 18) Join Tracy Aviary’s expert birders this winter in search of our feathered friends that call Alta home. Events held 9:00 a.m. –12:00 p.m. the second Friday of each month. Snowshoe with a Naturalist Tour (March 28, April 18) Learn about the winter wonders of Alta on a $10, naturalist-led snowshoe tour. Look for wildlife tracks in the snow while learning about animal adaptations and the history of Alta. Alta Breakthrough Camp (March 8–12) Looking to boost your ski skills? Commit to this three-day, fournight camp for intermediate skiers and beyond that’s designed to boost your precision and help you feel more confident on skis. Price includes lift tickets, lodging, instruction, rental skis, and two buffet lunches. alta.com BEAVER MOUNTAIN Wild Women (March 18) These all-women half-day clinics are for skiers and snowboarders looking to improve their ski skills while making new friends. Price includes lesson, breakfast, and lunch. skithebeav.com BRIAN HEAD Hero Day (March 14) Half-off lift tickets for police, firefighters, military, and first responders. Great White Weekend (March 21) Come for a party at Last Chair Saloon with live music and beer. Spring Carnival (April 4) Celebrate spring with cardboard sled races, bikini slalom, and pond skimming throughout the day. brianhead.com BRIGHTON RESORT SLUG Games: Meltdown (March 7) Utah’s largest amateur ski and snowboard contest is back for its 20th year. brightonresort.com
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Photo: Image licensed by Ingram Image/Ski Lift in Deer Valley, Utah
RESORT REPORT
DEER VALLEY Steeps and Stashes Clinic (March 7–8) For strong intermediate, advanced and expert skiers, this innovative program helps you improve your skiing on tough terrain and powder. Our specialty clinics offer stance, balance and alignment analysis, video analysis, and a get-acquainted social. Participants must be 18 years and older. deervalley.com PARK CITY Spring Gruv (March 6–April 5) Ski in spring to enjoy free après ski cocoa, s’mores, and concerts held in the Canyons Village and Park City Base Areas. This wild spring bash’s highlight is a Pond Skimming Contest on Saturday, April 4 outside Red Pine Lodge. Contestants sport a costume as they attempt to cross a 100-foot pond on skis or a snowboard. Easter Egg Hunts (April 12) Celebrate Easter with on-mountain Easter Egg Hunts. More details to come about locations and start time. parkcitymountain.com POWDER MOUNTAIN #PowMow Terrain Park Jam (March 14) All ages ski and snowboard jam. Details to come. powdermountain.com SUNDANCE RESORT Ladies Day Downhill and Cross country Ski Clinics (Various dates in March) Whether you’re looking to learn to ski, snowboard or cross country ski, or just hope to improve your skills, these clinics are for you. By women and for women, the clinics are taught by professional instructors and grouped based on ability level. Cross country packages include lesson, rentals, and track pass. Full Moon Cross Country Skiing (March 13–14) Cross country ski or snowshoe by the light of the full moon from 5:00–9:00 p.m. Grab the family or a date and independently explore Sundance’s wooded trails at night. Bring a headlamp to light your path. Nordic Center Night Owling (March 6 and 27) Join wildlife experts and live owls to learn about winter wildlife. Then venture out on a guided snowshoe tour where you’ll call and locate owls in the area. sundanceresort.com
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SNOWBASIN Demo Day (March 7) Demo skis, snowboards, and accessories from reputable brands for just $25. Proceeds benefit Ogden Valley Adaptive Sports. We Rise Women’s Camp (March 12–15 and March 14–15) Improve your ski skills at this women’s weekend that includes lessons, professional boot fitting, Rossignol demo equipment, video analysis, and fun après activities like a spa night, yoga, group dinners, après ski cocktails, and more. Choose from two- or threeday session. snowbasin.com SNOWBIRD Bird Banked Slalom (March 20–22 and March 27–29) Ski and snowboard-specific races on Snowbird’s banked slalom course. Snowboarders compete first weekend; skiers compete second weekend. Subaru WinterFest (March 6–8) Come celebrate your passion for winter at this free on-mountain festival. Enjoy live music, gear testing, prize giveaways, plus free coffee and s’mores. Easter at Snowbird (April 12) Sunrise service on Hidden Peak, pancake breakfast, and FREE Easter Egg Hunt for kids 11 and under. snowbird.com
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SOLITUDE MOUNTAIN RESORT Nordic Center’s Annual Spring Fling (March 14) Join in on Nordic ski racing, snow sculpture contest, live music, and food. Registration at 8:30 a.m. Event begins at 10:00 a.m. Dress in a costume for a chance to win great prizes. For more information, call the Nordic Center at 801-536-5774. 30th Annual Chocolate Lovers’ Festival and Solitude Downhill (April 4) Come get free chocolate treats by grabbing a Chocolate Lover’s Passport and visiting different stations on the mountain beginning at 9:00 a.m. Receive a stamp from each station and be entered to win great prizes. Completed passports due by noon; prize drawing at 1:00 p.m. Also from 9:00 a.m. to noon, visit the Solitude Race Course and take part in $5 cash race runs down the slope with prizes. Easter Egg Hunt (April 12) Bring kids ages 2–10 to a FREE Easter Egg Hunt at the Snowsports Academy in the Moonbeam Base Area. Event begins at 9:00 a.m. Stay to ride some spring ski runs with the Easter Bunny. Solitude Closing Day (April 19) Celebrate the end of the 2019-20 season. skisolitude.com
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WINTER CAMPING • 101 • 5 Essential Tips for First Timers
Photo Credit: Katie Botwin
By Jenny Willden
Bundled up deep in a sleeping bag, I can see my breath against the orange tent walls. Our campsite: a frozen lake, deep in northern Canada’s Limberlost Forest. While I’ve overnighted in an ice hotel and camped WAY too early in the season at Bryce National Park, this is my first purposeful foray into winter camping, and I’m not frozen yet. Sleep comes easily, and the next day brings breakfast on the ice followed by fat biking and snowshoeing around the lake. For me, it’s a perfect winter weekend. But if the easy access to winter adventures isn’t reason enough to try winter camping, consider the other perks. Imagine the solitude of camping without summer’s crowds, the lack of bugs and bears (yay hibernation), and the ability to ski or snowboard the backcountry right from camp.
“When you have warm feet, you have a warm heart, and when you have a warm heart, you can do anything.” -polar explorer Eric Larsen’s winter camping motto Turns out, plenty of adventurers want to winter camp, but don’t know how or have the proper gear. So this winter, I traveled with polar explorer Eric Larsen (the first person to reach the North Pole, South Pole, and Mount Everest in a single year) to Canada’s Camp Cold to learn the in’s and out’s of camping in the winter— without being totally miserable. Eric judges the quality of life but the number of nights he spends in a tent, so he’s just the person to teach me how to love it. From essential gear to proper layering, we’re breaking down the winter camping basics into these simple steps: 10«
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1. KNOW THE CONDITIONS Before spending a night outside, read the local weather (not the iPhone weather app—think NOAA) and avalanche reports (Utah Avalanche Center). High avalanche danger and roaring winds are great reasons to postpone your winter camping experience while others—like subzero temps—require extra gear and preparation. When summer camping, you can forget something at home and it isn’t a huge deal. With camping in winter, forgotten gear can make the night uncomfortable, even deadly. Create a packing list and check it twice before departing. Look up potential campsites/recreation areas to see what’s open and available during winter. Find at least one buddy to go with you, and let others know where you’ll be. Leave emergency contact information with someone at home, and know emergency numbers to use if something happens while you’re in the woods. Phones matters for more than photos in the backcountry. Preserve your phone’s battery life by stashing it in a cold-protected pouch at the bottom of your sleeping bag and pack a backup battery for recharging. If you’ll be out of cell phone service, bring two-way radios or a satellite phone. 2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT CAMPSITE Know what avalanche zones look (sites pitched more than 20 degrees) and avoid camping in those areas. For your first winter camping trip, choose an easily accessible, sheltered destination that‘s close to roads and civilization. That way you can get help if needed, or bail if things aren’t going well. An ideal winter camping location is one with firewood so you can build a fire (if needed) and access to running water. Watch for overhead hazards when pitching your tent like sagging tree branches or hanging icicles.
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Photo Credit: Katie Botwin
3. GET OFF THE SNOW The best way to stay warm is obvious: stay off the snow. This means doubling up your sleeping pads by using a closed-cell foam pad underneath your inflatable one to boost the total insulation rating. Store your sleeping bag in a waterproof stuff sack, and let it dry out in the morning before using it for another night. When cooking and eating meals outside, sit on your backpack or build a snow bench and put the closed-cell foam pad on top of it. For standing and walking on snow, come equipped with true winter boots that are temperature rated for the conditions. 4. EAT & HYDRATE RIGHT Cold weather burns calories, making a winter camping weekend the wrong time to go on a diet. For an easy night one dinner, pack hearty soup in a vacuum food jar to warm you up before bed. Drink plenty of liquids, and melt snow for water if necessary.
Start with a dry, moisture-wicking baselayer, add a warm midlayer next, and a wind- and water-resistant hard or softshell on top. When following this layering formula, stick to Eric's golden rule: avoid sweating. It seems crazy to think about being too warm, but if you exert yourself hiking in or by wearing too many layers, you’ll overheat fast. When you stop, that sweat turns ice cold. If you're getting warm, open zipper vents, take off your hat, and strip to your liner gloves to cool off. When you stop, put on your warm puffy to lock in generated heat. On cold, dry days, choose a softshell for its breathability. When it’s snowing, keep your hardshell on and just open its vents to prevent overheating. It’s better to strip off your inner insulation layers and wear a layer that will stay dry. Save your down puffy for chilling at camp as it will become wet and cold when you’re sweating. Still feeling chilly? Eric says the solution is simple: add a layer. Keep adding until you’re warm. Despite his love of polar exploration, he hates being cold. Eric always strives to be “just right” in the conditions and believes there’s no such thing as bad weather, just not enough layers.
Cook other easy meals (like one-pot or dehydrated meals) using a liquid-fuel (white gas) stove, which performs better in cold weather than butane. Eric says to up your fat intake, adding butter or olive oil to give you long-lasting energy. Don't fret about carbs, drink plenty of water, bring snacks that won't freeze, and packets of cider or instant coffee to help you feel warmer.
With these winter camping basics in mind, and a little planning, you can enjoy camping in the winter—without freezing to death. Use our detailed gear list to ensure you have the right supplies for the trip.
5. LAYER CORRECTLY What you wear on your body and feet is essential to staying warm. For multiple days, pack two sets of synthetic baselayers (one for being active and one for sleeping) and a few sets of fleece and Merino wool midlayers. If you run cold, bring extra insulating layers along. You’ll also need a warm hat, a neck gaiter, two pairs of wool socks, two pairs of gloves/mittens, sunglasses, warm waterproof boots, and snowshoes or spikes for hiking in. ¦¦¦
sportsguidemag.com
Jenny Willden is a Utah native and Managing Editor of Outdoor Sports Guide. She studied journalism at Seattle University but moved back to her hometown of Salt Lake City for sunnier skies and the Greatest Snow on Earth. When not exploring the Wasatch Mountains, you’ll find her traveling the world in search of tacos and outdoor adventures. Follow her on Twitter @jennywillden and Instagram @jlwillden.
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MUST-HAVE WINTER CAMPING GEAR If there’s ever a time when having the right gear matters, it’s winter camping. Don’t cut corners as having the right items (and knowing how to use them) makes all the difference in having a great or terrible polar camping experience. Heck, great gear can save your life. Here’s what you’ll need to pack: WARM BOOTS: Don’t skimp on footwear. Typically, boots keep my toes toasty while I’m moving but are freezing when standing still on snow. Baffin’s Flare boots were different. I can stand for hours on snow, they’re surprisingly comfortable for hiking, grippy in snow, and most importantly—warm down to -20 degrees. Stash boots in your tent and liners in your sleeping bag to make putting them on easier.
CAMP SLIPPERS: Keep your toes cozy in the tent with insulated slippers. Choose a set with a hard sole for midnight bathroom breaks. Eric says to never hold it when nature calls, it will only make you colder. Baffin Campfire Bootie
Baffin Flare Boots
INSULATED MUGS AND FOOD JARS: Keep food and drinks hot (or at least not frozen) with double-wall, vacuum-insulated stainless steel mugs. Make dinner a snap by cooking soup beforehand and sealing it in a Stanley food jar—it will stay hot for 15 hours.
WINTER TENT: Three-season tents work for most winter camping conditions, but especially cold, snowy weather requires a four-season tent. Remember: leave the zipper a crack open to avoid waking up damp. Quinzees (or snow caves) are often warmer than MSR Access Tent tents, but you’ll want to perfect this skill beforehand to avoid sleeping in a collapsed cave.
Stanley Food Jar and Mug
DOUBLE-LAYER GLOVES: You wear long underwear on your body, why not on your hands? Double-layer gloves protect your fingers, but allow you to strip to the liner when needed. As an insurance policy, pack hand warmers and backup gloves (in case yours get wet).
WICKING BASELAYERS: Sport wicking, synthetic fabric baselayers next to skin then layer up as needed. Synthetic layers tend to be better than Merino because they dry quickly.
Baffin Polar Mitt and Liner Glove
NECKWARMERS/BALACLAVAS: Use a synthetic or Merino wool neckwarmer or balaclava to protect your face. When the wind is whipping, Eric recommends layering a neckwarmer and hat over a balaclava for extra protection. Buff Merino Wool Headwear
Therm-A-Rest Polar Ranger
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HEADLAMP: Light your way (and tent) with a rechargeable headlamp. The red light setting preserves your night vision, and it does double-duty as a lantern when stuffed in an overhead tent pocket.
NiteIze Radiant Headlamp
DOUBLE SLEEPING PADS: The most cost-effective, warmth-boosting solution is adding a closed-cell foam pad under your current pad. It’s far warmer than an inflatable pad alone, but you can boost it further by adding a Therm-a-Rest NeoAir® XTherm pad on top. With the most warmth per ounce of any air mattress in the world, it’s the best combo for frigid weather.
WINTER SLEEPING BAG: While a -20-degree bag is ideal, there’s a hack if you’re not ready to invest in full polar equipment. Just layer a three-season rectangle bag over a mummy bag to boost its temperature rating.
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Baffin Baselayer
NeoAir XTherm and Therm-a-Rest RidgeRest Feature
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THE CASE FOR DOING SUMMER THINGS IN WINTER
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“There are no bad conditions, only poor preparation.” Or so the saying goes. The allure of glassy lakes, empty trails, and quiet crags makes a winter visit worth a little extra preparation and a couple more layers. This winter, I decided to take that mantra to heart by mixing my sport seasons up a bit. Plus, I would rather do summer sports in winter than vice-versa; skiing on sand just sounds too gritty for me. PADDLEBOARDING The water’s great; come on in, they said. It’ll be fun, they said. And they were right! Living just 20 minutes from several lakes (Jordanelle, Mountain Dell, East Canyon, and Rockport), we spend a fair portion of the summer out on the water. I wondered: how different might warm winter days be? So one sunny afternoon, we loaded up our paddleboards and dipped our proverbial toes in the water. We needed high rubber boots to walk through muddy and snowy shores, which took a bit of getting used to once afloat compared to my usual summer barefoot paddling. I did make a note to myself should I fall in these suckers would fill right up with water. So, one—don’t fall in. Two: if I did, I was prepared mentally to rip these galoshes right off. The only other tweak from my summer setup was to actually wear my life jacket. Utah law requires that a life preserver simply be on board, so typically I just lash it to my deck. This time I wore it snugly, for both added safety and an extra layer of warmth. Other than that, I pretty much dressed like any other normal winter day: jeans, flannel, and a light puffy jacket with a knit hat. Once I pushed off from shore I was shocked at how different the same lake sounded : no boats buzzing by, no groups partying on 14«
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Alternatives to Winter Activities By Nick Como
the beach, and not a soul in sight other than my wife. We had the place to ourselves, continually amazed by the immediate feeling of solitude. With no wind and the Utah winter sun shining bright, it was quite pleasant. All in all, we spent about an hour paddling the shoreline (just in case of an emergency slip in the drink) and had a blast. Rather than putting our inflatables away for winter, they’re sitting in the garage next to our skis awaiting the next spell of high pressure. MOUNTAIN BIKING Saying goodbye to my bike is always a difficult period for me. Skiing is my first and truest love, but man biking is fun! Once fall begins to give way to winter, those first few snows muck up the trails. And if lifts spinning are still several weeks away, I find myself getting creative to continue pedaling. In early winter, if I got out early I could avoid the mud and ride frozen singletrack, but those opportunities are few and far between. Once the snow really starts to fly, I sadly hang up my mountain bike. But, for those of you with a fat bike: the season really never ends. The number of trails you can ride in winter, both in Salt Lake and Park City, is surprising. The Corner Canyon area comes to mind in particular, as Draper City does an impeccable job at grooming trails for cross-country skiers and fat bikers. Check out trail conditions at draper.maps.arcgis.com. The Round Valley system in Park City does an equally great job of trail grooming in winter months for the Nordic crowds, as well as bikers. Reports can be found at mountaintrails.org/pc-trail-system/ round-valley-winter/. With a dozen or so trails to choose from, you can ride as many miles as your legs can handle on a variety of terrain. If you’re new to
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winter biking, take a spin on some of the easier trails before taking it up a notch as bikes (and brakes) handle a bit differently on snow. Once you have gotten the hang of it, you’ll be surprised how many of your favorite summer trails (think Rob’s, Glenwild, etc) you can ride up and down in winter. Dress-wise, I think of biking along the lines of backcountry skiing on a spring day. Usually a baselayer and windbreaker are enough, plus some light touring pants with ample ventilation. I wear a Buff under my helmet, and bring a few backups as it’s easy to sweat through a few of them. The three pieces of clothing I never leave home without are: gaiters, waterproof socks, and gloves. They are lifesavers in the comfort realm. If you’re in need of rental fat bikes, White Pine and Contender in Park City have you covered, and Hyland Cyclery in SLC has a fat fleet as well. HIKING This is the easiest sport of all to take up in the winter months, as you don’t need any gear than you likely already own. Snowshoes are great if you want to traverse deeper areas, but if hasn’t snowed in a few days, there are tons of trails that see enough foot (and paw) traffic that all you need are hiking boots. If I were to recommend one or two pieces of inexpensive gear, it would be gaiters to keep snow out of the top of your shoes and Yaktrax, or some similar traction device, for your soles. But honestly, I have hiked miles of trails in my typical hiking boots with no problem.
ROCK CLIMBING Late winter and early spring is an ideal time for south-facing climbs. I’ve enjoyed many a pleasant February and March day in Little and Big Cottonwood during high-pressure cycles, skiing corn snow by morning then onto some sunny rock by afternoon. This is a Utah biathlon of sorts for me. The sun does a great job of heating up the rock, and if you follow the shade line, it’s fairly easy to find routes conducive to climbing right until sunset. Mountain Project and similar sites do a great job with icons showing the exposure on many popular routes to gauge when they will be in sun (or shade in summer). Of course, a good ole compass and map work, same for just looking up from the trailhead and making a decision based on where the sun is and where it will be in an hour or two. With just a few minor tweaks to gear and clothing I’ve really enjoyed “scratching my summer itch” by keeping a few of my favorite activities going into winter. A few other tips: don’t forget the usual water, sunscreen, and snacks. Plus, winter weather can turn quickly, so bring a few extra layers, jacket, and gloves in a pack. I also always carry a headlamp (check the batteries) since that winter sun seems to dip below the horizon sooner than I expect.
Nick Como escaped the skyscrapers of NYC for the tall peaks of the Wasatch. Climber, skier, canyoneer, mountain biker, and lover of food. Just don’t think of offering him pizza with pineapple on it.
A great place to start is Millcreek Canyon, where a number of trail users keep the road surface compact. Neffs Canyon is another favorite, which is a bit more off the beaten path, but has just enough foot traffic to make the going easy. In Park City, you can walk through the winter wonderland on Road to Wos. ¦¦¦
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Stories of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue Team When wilderness injuries happen, volunteers are there to help By Connie Lewis
On January 21, 2007, the Korean Alpine Club of Utah sent climbers up snowy Mount Olympus—a 3,500-foot ascent from valley floor. During the climb, three club members fell on the ice and tumbled about 100 feet, requiring a rescue to get them off the mountain. Due to the peak's steep slopes, the only way to do it was sending a helicopter to the summit where six rescuers were dropped off and climbed down to stabilize the injured climbers. One climber had a suspected pelvic fracture; another was suffering from frostbitten toes. Unfortunately, the team couldn’t get them off the mountain before nightfall, and the rescuers had to spend the night with them in subzero temperatures. It wasn’t until morning that a Life Flight helicopter could reach the stranded team and extract the injured climbers while the rest climbed back down. This thrilling rescue is just one day in the life of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. VOLUNTEER RESCUE WORKERS If you’ve ever wondered who would come to help you if you were injured in Utah's mountains, it would be Mike Loyd’s team of volunteers. Mike is the coordinator for the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team—its only paid position—and the one who puts together a team of trained volunteers to rescue stranded hikers, injured skiers, and dehydrated adventurers. He’s most proud of the group;s record, “We’ve never had anyone die while we were with them. We have some national notoriety for that.” 16«
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Mike works under the direction of the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s office and coordinates about 35 volunteers to assist in searches and rescues. His volunteers are members of Mountain Rescue Association and must pass a test every three years to stay certified. In the winter, Mike also works in tandem with Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, a group connected to ski resorts, but independent from the Sheriff’s office. These rescue workers are made up mostly of onduty ski patrollers and assist in ski-related rescues. A RECENT RESCUE Mike’s team can gather quickly when the need arises to save lives in cases like the Mountain Olympus climbers, and more recently to rescue a teen in Millcreek Canyon. On January 2, 2020, a 17-yearold hiker from California set out on a 16-mile hike from Millcreek Canyon to Park City. He had family and friends in Salt Lake, but was not staying with them, and had planned to hike to Park City to join some friends for dinner. Though he’d packed plenty of food and water, he underestimated the time the hike would take, and its difficulty during the winter. The initial call reporting him missing mentioned that an Uber driver dropped the teen off in Lamb’s Canyon, but it was later learned the canyon was actually Millcreek—but the rescue still didn’t know exactly where. The report came in at 8:00 p.m. so, unfortunately, the search couldn’t start until the next morning.
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The Search & Rescue Team began looking at the canyon’s base and worked their way up the top. In the meantime, they tracked down the Uber driver and learned he’d dropped off the teen at the snowgate. This helped narrow the search, and they started concentrating on the Red Pine Jeep trail. Snowmobiling as fast as they could to the area, they found his boots. And after following his footprints, the team found some clothing strewn along the trail. This is when Mike started to worry. “When people start to shed their clothes that is an indication of hypothermia,” he says. “People usually don’t make it at that point.” The team sped up their pace, desperately trying to find him. Luckily, they caught up with him about two minutes behind a pair of skiers who spotted him first. Thankfully, the discarded clothing turned out to be excess he’d stored in his backpack. The hiker was wearing construction boots, rather than winter boots, and his hands became so cold that he couldn’t tie the leather laces. Once loosened by being left untied, the boots were sucked off in the deep snow. He couldn’t get them out, so he continued hiking in just his wool socks. The teen survived the night by building a make-shift snow hut under a tree. Once the team located him, they bundled him up and transported him to the hospital by helicopter. Considering he’d spent a night on the mountain, he was in pretty good shape, losing some skin, but no toes. After the rescue, the grateful teen told Mike he’d never hike alone again and would let people know his exact plans. TEAM EFFORT Ski injury rescues often require Search & Rescue to team up with Wasatch Backcountry to find and save an injured person. Mike remembers one such event from 2014 in the Tanner’s Gulch area of Little Cottonwood Canyon. After accidentally skiing off a fifteenfoot cliff, a skier broke his leg at an elevation of around 9,400 feet.
They patrollers reached the injured man first and started to stabilize him, moving him up and over the ridge because of dicey conditions. “The weather started setting in and we started to worry about avalanche danger,” says Mike. The County team moved him to a sked—basically a heavy piece of plastic that can be rolled around an injured person like a burrito—to transport him down the mountain. After packing him in a sleeping bag with warming pads, they loaded him onto the sked and set off down the mountain. Getting up and over the ridge involved some rope work, but once over the top they were able to ski with the sked to safety. To understand how lengthy and difficult on-mountain rescues can be, note that the call about the injured skier came in around 5:00 p.m. on February 7, 2014; the rescuers didn’t get him off the mountain until 1:30 a.m. With a concentrated effort between these two groups, the rescue was a success. While it’s comforting to know that the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Search & Rescue team has your back should you need a rescue in the wild, Mike has some advice to prevent yourself from needing one. “The biggest thing is to plan your hike and hike your plan. Make sure someone knows your plan. Don’t go alone,” he says. “Most accidents that happen are avoidable with proper planning and preparedness. Plan to spend the night just in case, and take a backup battery for your phone. Take water, and don’t deviate from your plan. Variables happen, but most of the time an accident is just poor planning.”
Connie Lewis attended Brigham Young University and the University of Utah, where she studied journalism. She has written for the past 35 years, more recently for Utah Stories, Black Belt magazine, and the Deseret News. She is an avid skier, part-time bicyclist, and jeeper who believes Utah is the ideal recreational destination.
“This was a tandem effort with Wasatch Backcountry Rescue,” says Mike. The on-duty ski patrollers from Wasatch Backcountry went to the top and worked their way down to the injured man while Salt Lake County Rescue came in from the bottom with all the heavy gear, such as splints, a sled, and heavy rope. ¦¦¦
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Four Season Paddle Challenge
Robin Cuff Makes Stand Up Paddleboarding a Year-round Sport
By Tirsea McNeal Photos By Robin Cuff Setting out at Deer Creek Reservoir.
The cold wind pushed the waves, sending them crashing up the snowy shoreline. Even with her wetsuit and layers, Robin felt the chill of Utah’s winter wind. Despite the weather, she snapped on her lifejacket, grabbed her paddleboard, and angled it into the water, watching as it bobbed in the shallows. Looking around at empty Willard Bay, she felt a thrill as she began paddling away from the shore. Maneuvering past clumps of ice, she focused on balancing as she paddled past snowy shorelines and mountains, thinking back to how she found herself here on a snowy January day. Like most water recreation, stand up paddleboarding typically takes place in the hot summer months. Mountain lakes and icy reservoirs are serene, quiet, and devoid of recreationists in winter months—except for my daughter, Robin. Robin is a Medical Assistant at a busy Utah clinic and a mother of three children ages seven to 17. Like most people, she balances a busy schedule, but it’s now even fuller as she’s challenged herself to SUP every month, even in winter.
about myself this last year. I’ve learned what I like, what I dislike… and my passion for the outdoors remains unchanged,” Robin says. “The first time I got on a board, I was hooked. It’s a release for me. When I’m out on the water, I have no worries.” Robin’s commitment to SUP every month of the year means her inflatable paddleboard is often stuffed in the trunk of her car, and she takes it with her when she travels. “I have a current streak of consecutive months of paddleboarding since March 2019, and would just like to go to as many places as I possibly can,” Robin says. She’s already paddled at many Utah reservoirs, Laguna Beach in California, and Ocean Shores in Washington with more trips in the works. In Ocean Shores, Robin paddled out into the choppy sea, and although rougher ocean waves proved challenging, she stood. Ocean SUP isn’t easy, and she and her dad were alone beyond the rocky barrier. Hazards proved more obvious, as currents can be swift and unforgiving if you misjudge. They stayed within sight of the shore, and eventually made their way against current and wind into the rocky barrier of smoother waters and back to a safe shore. But neither knew how difficult open-water paddling would be until they were out on the water.
Robin began SUPing in the summer 2017 when she visited East Canyon with her eldest daughter, Tahlia, for a cheer team boating activity. While they stood on the shore, waiting their turn, they decided to rent a paddleboard and try it out. “It was difficult to balance at first,” Robin says, “But after a few tries, I fell in love.” Since then, she’s taken all three kids throughout summer and enjoyed the freedom gained by her ventures on water. Out on the water, she is alone, finally. Robin finds her peace (and herself) when paddling “It’s the place I can be unapologetically ME and not worry what anyone says, or think, or does. My world can stand still for those few hours,” she says. “I’ve learned how strong I can be, and what I can actually accomplish by myself.” Robin believes her head clears when she paddles. The gentle rocking of her paddleboard’s become her therapy. “I’ve learned a lot 18«
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Paddleboarding Pineview in the off-season. ¦¦¦
Winter trips can be even tougher. In December, piled up snow made paddling at Ogden’s Pineview Marina nearly impossible. But with determination and a pair of snowshoes, Robin climbed up powder and snowdrifts until she came to the water’s edge. While most who SUP in winter bring specialized gear to stay warm, Robin braves the cold. “I just put my board in at an angle at a semi-deep part so the fins don’t scrape, then I climb on and push off,” she says. “I did buy some neoprene socks/booties, and I wear a wetsuit in case I fall in, but I’m just really careful.” Robin plans are to continue her quest to SUP all year long, adding pursuits like camping, backpacking, hiking, and snowshoeing to the mix—even bringing her kids along for some adventures. “My bucket list is getting quite extensive, but as far as paddleboarding, I’d like to plan an overnight- or two-day trip, down a river just me and my board,” Robin adds, “and maybe a friend or two.” Robin at Pineview Reservoir.
Robin at Causey Reservoir in the fall.
Tirsea McNeal is a retired writer and artist. She studied English at Weber State University and now lives in a remote home on the Washington Peninsula with her husband of 40 years and three dogs. She loves outdoor adventure and exploring Utah’s Uinta mountain wilderness, southern canyonlands, and deserts.
Ready for Deer Creek Reservoir.
TO G E T H E R , W E C A N S AV E O U R WAT E R , O U R P L AY G R O U N D S , OUR FUTURE. Join us at nature.org/utah
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GEAR OF THE YEAR Ski & Snowboard Buyer's Guide
SKIING
Ready to update your ski or snowboard gear? Late winter is prime time to buy. Why? Sales! Find great deals on current season gear from our favorite makers. If you’re shopping for new ski boots, flip to page 22 to get the proper fit before you buy.
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By Melissa McGibbon
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1. Burton Anon Nova MIPS Helmet Made of a hybrid 50-50 shell construction for durability and performance, this has the MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System) to protect your smart parts and the Boa tightening system for dialing in a perfect fit. $219 burton.com 2. Burton Anon Goggle and MFI Facemask Made to pair with the Anon Magnetic Facemask Integration (MFI) system, the mask seals to the goggles seamlessly and has triplelayer face foam for comfort. The Anon goggles feature Magna-Tech lenses that you can easily swap dependent on the conditions. $229–$299 burton.com
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3. Patagonia Capilene Air Baselayers Made from New Zealand’s finest merino wool and blended with Patagonia’s Capilene recycled polyester for all-day warmth and comfort. $85–$149 patagonia.com 4. Obermeyer Women’s Trine Jacket Features two-way stretch and HydroBlock Twill Weave technology, which uses fully coated hydrophobic laminations and a DWR polymer coating to keep you warm and dry…and let’s be honest, cute. $229 obermeyer.com 5. Arc’teryx Men’s Sabre AR Jacket Ideal for both resort and backcountry skiing, this storm-ready GORE-TEX shell is wind- and waterproof, breathable, and packed with bonuses: built-in Recco reflector, RFID pass pocket, and watertight zippers to keep everything dry. $625 arcteryx.com
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6. Salomon QST Snow Pant AdvancedSkin Dry fabric keeps you dry while AdvancedSkin Warm insulation keeps out the cold. Tailored at the knee for a comfortable, flattering fit. For men and women. $225-$275 salomon.com 7. Nordica Women’s Promachine 105 Boots Great for intermediate-expert skiers who want a slightly softer flex. The 3D cork fit liner molds to your feet without heat, and it’s Isotherm and Primaloft insulated to keep this slim boot dry and warm. $549 nordica.com 8. Volkl Men’s Katana V.Werks Skis A 3D ridge carbon design with full rocker make these lightweight skis fun to ride, but they can also speed down groomers. The early rise is very progressive so they float like crazy. $1,199 volkl.com 9. Leki Carbon 14 S Ski Poles Made of 100% pure carbon, these ultralight poles have aerodynamic, four-finger grooves, and you can mount your Leki GoPro adapter to them. $149 leki.com
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SNOWBOARDING
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By Jenny Willden
1 . Smith Men’s Level Helmet Protecting your head matters, and this helmet’s bells and whistles make it worth the cost. Constructed with strong, but lightweight, Aerocore technology, you can add-on MIPS liner for extra impact protection. smithoptics.com
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2. Native DropZone Goggles Swap your lenses with the press of a button. Opt for SnowTuned™ lenses for better views in changing light, incredible anti-fog coating, and perfect color filtration. $179 nativeyewear.com 3. Dakine Women’s Berretta Gore-Tex 3L Jacket Embrace the weather in this three-layer, stay-dry shell with chest vents for dumping heat, built-in pow skirt, and an interior goggle lens pocket. $450 dakine.com
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4. Helly Hansen Women’s Switch Cargo 2.0 Pants Corduroy is back, and now it’s coming to the mountains. The Switch features a more tailored fit, Primaloft insulation, and mechanical venting to keep you cool when working hard. $225 hellyhansen.com
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5. Black Diamond Recon Mittens Offering excellent cold weather protection, these Utah-made mitts are PrimaLoft® Gold insulated on front and back with durable, waterproof leather palms. $90 blackdiamondequipment.com 6. Outdoor Research Men’s Fortress Jacket Combining the power of a hard shell and puffy, this jacket is for cold, wet weather. Insulated with VerticalX™, a synthetic that’s breathable and warm when you’re sweating. For men and women. $350 outdoorresearch.com
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7. Black Diamond Boundary Men’s Insulated Pants Insulated for cold lift rides and frigid conditions, these pants stay warm when wet and feature 20K waterproof, breathable fabrication and an eco-friendly DWR that outperforms traditional solutions. $299 blackdiamondequipment.com 8. Smartwool Asym Baselayers Cut to fit without digging in, these heavyweight, 100% Merino layers keep you cozy while wicking sweat away and are surprisingly breathable. Top $125, Bottom $110 smartwool.com
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9. Keen Women’s Elena Apres Boots Go from mountain to town in this sneaker boot made with environmentally prefered leather, insulated with charcoal bamboo, and waterproofed with PFC-free repellant. $130 keenfootwear.com
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10. Vans Vjae Women’s Boa Snowboard Boots Improve your control in fresh boots designed with superior heel hold and improved flex. New PopCush footbeds support your arches while Vans’ signature Waffle Outsoles provide traction on slippery terrain. Breathable valves keep your toes dry—preventing frozen feet. $360 vans.com 11. Nitro Squash Snowboard Nitro’s award-winning, swallowtail Squash floats in deep pow, charges through chop, powers across flats, and carves like a dream thanks to its stable camber design. $424 nitrousa.com
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FUSS IN BOOTS
Photo: Image licensed by Ingram Image
HOW TO GET THE PERFECT SKI BOOT FIT By Melissa McGibbon
No doubt about it, ill-fitting ski boots are likely the reason many beginners give up trying to learn the sport. And any seasoned skier will tell you that having the right gear makes a world of difference in your skiing ability. While it’s easy to defer to the cushiest boots you fit into, they might actually hold you back. Most people buy ski boots based solely on the length of their foot, which is a mistake because there are many other factors that go into finding the best boots for your feet. Take into consideration the shape, length, and width of your foot, calf/ shin shape, and volume as well as your ability level, which will determine the flex (or stiffness) of the boot.
for everyone, they’re counting on consumers to get them further customized with options like shell heat molding. KNOW THYSELF Once you learn what your individual fit measurements are you’ll know what to look for when shopping for boots. Your bootfitter can recommend a pair of ski boots that match your biomechanics. Mondopoint: Most people use the Mondopoint sizing chart to convert your US shoe size to ski boot sizes; it’s basically the length of your foot in centimeters. For instance, a woman who wears a size 7.5 shoe will likely wear a size 23.5 or 24.5 using the Mondo chart. Shell Fit: A good way to determine if a boot is the correct size length-wise is to remove the liner and check the space between your heel and the back of the shell when your toes are grazing the front of the boot shell. There should be a roughly ½-inch gap between your heel and the shell.
To get a perfect fit, visit an expert bootfitter who understands how to measure your feet correctly. Find someone knowledgeable about anatomy and how the foot works in relation to skiing. If you go to someone for a boot fitting and they don’t ask you to show your knees and lower legs, turn around and walk away.
Boot Last: The width of your foot. Many people overlook the last when buying boots because they think it doesn’t matter, but it does. If you have a narrow foot and you’re in a medium or high-volume boot, your foot will slide around too much
One such local expert is Earl Middlemiss of The Sport Loft in Holladay. He and his son, Jeremy, have a combined 74 years of custom boot fitting experience. According to Earl, “The most important part is the hind part of your leg and foot, and if you don’t get that right the rest won’t work either. That’s where you get all the power, control, and steering.” They test every new boot from every manufacturer, every year to determine which boots ski the best.
Low Volume
KEY BOOT FIT FACTORS Footboard Ramp Angle: Controls the front and back hip placement and needs to be adjusted for each individual. 1.
Shaft Alignment: Enables the skier’s foot to be flat so the skier isn’t riding on the inside or outside edges. Works with the angle of the upper cuff to the curvature of the lower leg shaft for better comfort.
2. Forward Lean and Ramp Angle: Ensures proper stance and balance with the center of mass over the center of the ski.
Flex
Of course, the elements vary from skier-to-skier; that’s why it’s important to visit a boot fitting expert before you buy your next pair of boots. Since ski boot manufacturers can’t make bespoke boots 22«
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Width
Continued on page 24
AFTER A HARD DAY ON THE TRAIL RELAX WITH US!
Our new Hot Pools have jets and changing lights! A wonderful and relaxing experience!
Stay with Us!
Yurts • Cabins • Rental Houses • PoolSide Restaurant
Call for reservations and specials
208.897.5736 Pizza & Pool Deals • Steak & Soak Specials • New Hot Pools www.downatahotsprings.com
OTHER HELPFUL GEAR
Continued from page 22 and you won’t have as much control. The last measurement is taken on the width of your forefoot with a bit of diagonal across the metatarsal heads. Average lasted boots sit at 100mm or so, narrow lasts run from 97mm to 98mm, and wide lasts are above 102mm. Flex: Often referred to as stiffness, this number refers to how easy or difficult it is to flex the boot forward when you ski and corresponds with a skier’s ability level. The higher the number, the harder it is to flex. The numbers are slightly different for men and women. Flex ratings for beginner-to-intermediate skiers should be 50–80, intermediate-to-advanced skiers 65–100, and advanced and expert skiers 85–120.
Insoles: Ski boot-specific footbeds (insoles) of varying thickness can help support your feet. Superfeet (superfeet. com) makes ski-specific insoles that stabilize the foot and have responsive temperature control, thermal layers for warmth, heel cups for shock absorption, and high-impact closed-cell foam for cushioning. Boot Warmers: DryGuy (dryguy.implus. com) boot warmers aren’t just for drying your boots out at the end of a ski day. They can also warm up your boots before you head to the slopes, making them much easier to get into.
Cuff Shape: This measurement is often overlooked, but is important because cuffs that are too tight poorly affect a skier’s ability. Your custom ski bootfitter should take into account the size and shape of your calves (i.e. where the muscle attaches) and how that impacts the fit. Most boots have adjustable buckle ladders to help with this.
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Melissa McGibbon is an award-winning adventure travel writer. She is the senior editor at Outdoor Sports Guide Magazine and is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and the Adventure Travel Trade Association. Melissa also writes for Outside Magazine, Lonely Planet, Elevation Outdoors, TimeOut, and many more.
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Honda Generators. Power You Can Trust When You Need it, Where You Need It. EU2200i Super Quiet Inverter Generator
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• 2200 watts (18.3A) of Honda Inverter 120V AC Power • 30A receptacle allows easy hook up to RV with optional connector • Use optional cable to parallel with another EU2200i for additional power • 3-Year Warranty**
Kale Malone Powersports Heber 345 North Main Heber City, Utah 84032 435-654-7073
*10% more power (200 more watts) at max load than the EU2000i Honda generator. **For full warranty details, see your Authorized Honda Power Equipment Dealer or visit powerequipment.honda.com. Please read the owner’s manual before operating your Honda Power Equipment and never use in a closed or partly enclosed area where you could be exposed to odorless, poisonous carbon monoxide. Connection of a generator to house power requires a transfer device to avoid possible injury to power company personnel. Consult a qualifi ed electrician. © 2020 American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
BE A STEWARD OF YOUR POOP
By Rachel Jorgensen
Everyone poops. Even when we’re playing outside. Taking in Mother Nature’s artwork under the open sky while your pants are down is arguably one of the most liberating and fulfilling experiences you can have in the outdoors. However, human waste that has been improperly disposed of in the places we recreate is becoming a huge issue. As more and more people adventure in delicate places, this issue is exacerbated. In areas with snow, this improper waste disposal is creating visible, smelly problems. Plenty of articles can be found detailing how Mount Everest is becoming a human latrine and how as glaciers recede across the globe they’re exposing septic wastelands filled with human poop and toilet paper. Not only is this disgusting, but it’s actually a health issue. Human waste can carry disease and contaminate water sources—all while negatively impacting fragile ecosystems. Even though squatting in the woods might seem like the most natural thing in the world, human waste takes around a year to decompose. In the winter, the decomposition process of waste can be even longer, potentially increasing the chances of water contamination and the spread of disease. Plus, it’s just gross. No one wants to see pristine snowy landscapes dotted with browns and yellows. Properly disposing of poop during the winter should absolutely be an integral aspect of your backcountry routine. And it’s simple. There are plenty of ways you can properly take care of, pack out, and dispose of your waste. Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics (lnt.org) provide us with seven general steps for being decent humans in the outdoors. Anyone and everyone who steps out of the door should be familiar with these principals. You can find all seven principles here: lnt.org/ why/7-principles. Regarding properly disposing of human waste, we’re going to focus on 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare and 3: Dispose of Waste Properly. By applying these Leave No Trace Principles, you can join your fellow recreationists in being stewards of your poop and the backcountry. 26«
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Photo by Gabriel Alenius on Unsplash
HOW TO PROPERLY DISPOSE OF HUMAN WASTE IN THE WINTER
Before exploring how to properly dispose of your waste, it’s important to understand why you need to properly dispose of your waste. The four objectives of proper human waste disposal as laid out by the lovely folks at Leave No Trace include: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Minimize the chances of polluting any water source. Minimize the potential spread of disease. Minimize aesthetic and social impacts of human waste. Maximize decomposition of waste.
These objectives are straightforward enough. However, in the snow, they can be a little more challenging to implement than you might expect. This is why it is important to Plan Ahead and Prepare. Create a poo plan for yourself before you even begin your trip. Decide how you’re going to go, where you’re going to go, and what you’re going to do with it. When you need to go, like really need to go, the last thing you’re probably thinking about is how to do it in the least impactful way possible. But, if you’ve planned ahead and have methods already in place to take care of business, you can get it out while minimizing negative impacts. This leads us to Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly. ESTABLISHED TOILETS A lot of the time, the places where we recreate have established porta-potties at the trailheads. These are a great option if you crave privacy, prefer civilized comforts, and are really good at holding your breath. However, in the winter these convenient toilets are often closed. Be sure to research the area where you will be recreating to make sure you can use the established toilets if need be. CATHOLES When you are in the backcountry or away from the trailhead, catholes are a great, year-round option for taking care of your waste. However, and this is important, winter catholes are no different from summer catholes. You must dig a hole in an area that is at least 200 feet from a water source to avoid contamination. This area also needs to receive plenty of sun for quicker decomposition. The hole you dig must be six to eight inches deep and three to four inches wide in the soil. This means digging through the snow until you see the ground, ¦¦¦
GO ANYWHERE TOILET KITS Go Anywhere Toilet Kits, also known as Wag Bags, are becoming more and more popular—and for good reason. They’re lightweight, easy to throw into your pack, and are great in an emergency (like when you can’t dig a proper cathole). As the name implies, you can use them to go pretty much anywhere. They’re especially great for areas with delicate ecosystems such as high-alpine environments or in the desert where catholes aren’t a good option. Each bag is puncture-resistant and is filled with a NASA-developed “poo powder” that gels your waste and neutralizes odors for a safe and stink-free carry-out. Each kit also contains a hand wipe and a small portion of toilet paper to help you have a more comfortable experience. Once you’ve equipped yourself with your poo plan, be sure to execute it properly. If you are unable to find an established toilet, find a location 200 feet away, or about 70 adult steps, from the closest water source and dig a cathole. Fill the cathole when you are done and pack out the toilet paper. If you can’t dig a cathole, grab a Wag Bag. After you’ve finished, zip it up and pack it out.
Photo: Image licensed by Ingram Image
then digging an additional six to eight inches in the soil. If you do not do this, at the very least you’re planting an unpleasant surprise for someone to step in when the snow melts. Unless you’ve got your diet dialed and know you'll have enough time to dig a proper hole through frozen ground, maybe a cathole isn’t for you.
forever. Your waste will be around long after it has melted. Not only is exposed poop unsightly and causes negative social impacts, but human waste can be detrimental to the environment. Do your part as a decent outdoor recreationalist and properly dispose of your waste no matter the season. Future hikers, skiers, mountaineers, and all citizens downstream will thank you.
Rachel is a writer living in Salt Lake City who loves wearing sweatpants and would rather be outside. She’s often climbing or skiing, but more often than not is simply trying to tire out her wild rescue pup, Scuba.
While it may be tempting to just step off into the trees, do your thing, and cover it with snow, remember that the snow won’t last
We are in the know, for when you need to go
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CALENDAR
>> CAMPING, HIKING, BACKPACKING >> CLIMBING >> CLINICS AND EVENTS >> CYCLING >> FESTIVALS >>
CAMPING, HIKING, BACKPACKING
CYCLING
Rainbow Bridge Trail Supported Trekking Navajo Mountain, UT.
and experience Orange County's best bike ride! A ride distance for you no matter what your experience or fitness level may be. renegaderaceseries.com/ upcoming-events/44/saddlebackspring-classic-gran-fondobenefiting-pcrf
April 25–May 1
Hike and camp with llama packstock support on the traditional pilgrimage route to Rainbow Bridge, the earth’s largest natural bridge, and sacred place to the Navajo culture. The trip starts in Page, AZ with hotel stay and trip orientation first evening with CFI guide. We travel to Navajo Mountain by van the next day and do a half-day hike and visit a Navajo family, and camp or stay in their guest hogan. cfimoab.org
CLIMBING March 13-14
2020 USA Climbing: Sport & Speed Open National Championships The Front, 4140
South Main Street, Millcreek, UT. We’re pulling back the curtain on our newest location and welcoming over 100 of the country’s top competitive climbers and routesetters to break in our new walls at The Front South Main! Everyone is invited to celebrate with us and cheer on the climbers as we crown new National Champions in Sport and Speed and get ready for the 2020 Olympics and World Cup season. thefrontslc.com
April 10–11
Ogden Climbing Festival
Ogden, UT. Brings together climbers from all climbing disciplines. Includes two days of incredible events from educational climbing clinics for all abilities, stewardship and service opportunities, equipment demos, climbing competitions, and inspiring keynote speakers. weber.edu/ ogdenclimbingfestival
CLINICS AND EVENTS
FESTIVALS April 10
Cotopaxi Questival Salt Lake City,
UT. 24-hour adventure challenge. Win cash, gear, trips, and more. The 24-hour competition consists of tasks and challenges where teams rack up points based on the difficulty and intensity of the challenge. Free Luzon backpack for all participants cotopaxi.com
RUNNING March 7
Running Up For Air Series: Squaw Peak Provo, UT. Running Up for Air (aka RUFA) Squaw Peak is a 6-hour or 12-hour winter endurance challenge that takes place on Squaw Peak on the east side of Provo. Each lap starts and finishes at the Rock Canyon Trailhead 2620 North 1450 East, Provo, UT. Parking is available at the trailhead but we encourage participants to carpool. upforairseries.org
March 13–15
The Drift Pinedale, WY. A winter
race in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming, the largest mountain range in the state. Racers may ski, bike, or run on the snow-covered groomed trail. For 2020, there will be a 13-mile half-marathon, 28-mile marathon, and a 100-mile ultramarathon the highest-elevation winter ultramarathon in the United States). thedrift100.com
Pie Day 5K Salt Lake City, UT. Run
Kickoff to Dark Sky Week
Wasatch Mountain State Park, Midway, UT. Bring the whole family to enjoy stargazing! Learn why dark skies are important and how we can protect them. Learn about astronomy with hands-on activities, eat starry treats, and bring your luck for an opportunity drawing. stateparks.utah.gov/parks/ wasatch-mountain/events
Late Winter 2020
Saddleback Spring Classic Gran Fondo Irvine, CA. Come out
March 14
March 8
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March 21
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and then eat some pie. pieday5k.com
March 28
Southern Utah Half Marathon
Highland Park, Washington, UT. Offers amazing views of the sun rising over Zion National Park in the distance. Race proceeds quickly downhill through City of Washington to the scenic Virgin River Trail. This paved trail offers a gradual decline grade for the remaining 9 Calendar
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miles of the race. 5K also offered. southernutahhalfmarathon.com
March 28
BYU Rex Lee Run Provo, UT. Join the throng of about 1,000 for the 5K run, or enjoy a bit more elbow room in the 10K, typically drawing just a few hundred runners. Organized to honor former BYU President Rex E. Lee who passed away that year as a result of cancer, this run continues to be sponsored by the Simmons Center for Cancer Research with the help of the BYU Cancer Awareness Group. The run provides not only an opportunity to recognize the cancer fighters in our own lives, but presents an opportunity to support cancer research in our own community. The proceeds from the race go to fund cancer research fellowships at the BYU Simmons Center for Cancer Research. rexleerun.byu.edu
April 4
REVEL Mt. Charleston Marathon & Half Las Vegas, NV. This incredibly fast,strong, and remarkably beautiful road race takes runners from the forests of Kyle Canyon on Mt Charleston to Las Vegas, Nevada. Featuring a smooth downhill slope and spectacular scenery in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, this race will be sure to help you set your PR and finally hit that Boston Qualifying time as it is the fastest marathon and half marathon in Nevada. REVEL in speed. REVEL in beauty. REVEL down Mount Charleston! runrevel.com/rmc
April 13
Hero Half and 5K The Shops at
the Riverwoods, Provo, UT. First-ever Hero Half race. There is no better way to get yourself back in shape than by running this nice and easy 5K. Later in the year in honor of our veterans, we will be hosting the Hero Half and Hero 5K! The goal of these races is to raise support for the heroes of our community. Proceeds will be used to help the families of veterans and first-responders families. theherohalf.com
April 17
Desert RATS Trail Running Festival Fruita, CO. A weekend of
fun and running on beautiful trails. The weekend includes a pasta dinner. Saturday is the trail marathon and 50K, followed that night with a racer party at a local brewery. Sunday’s events include a 10K, half marathon and kids’ races. Sunday’s races did sell out in 2017, so get in early. geminiadventures.com
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April 18
Salt Lake City Marathon Salt Lake City, UT. Starting at the Olympic Legacy Bridge, this gorgeous race takes you past the towering Wasatch Mountains, through and through some of the most iconic parts of the city before it culminates at the finish line in the heart of downtown. Then it’s time to reflect on what you just accomplished and enjoy the after party with friends and family. There is something for everyone - Full and Half Marathons, 5K, 10K, Bike Tour, 10k Skate and a 1k Kid's Marathon! Beautiful? Yes. Challenging? Absolutely. And being Beautifully Challenging is what makes the Salt Lake City Marathon a race you need to see—and run—for yourself. saltlakecitymarathon.com
April 25
Muddy Dash Salt Lake City
Erda, UT. A few miles of fun. You can expect about a dozen Muddy Moments where, in order to move on, you will need to run, walk, crawl, wade, slip, or slide. Our Mud Experts will take you through the experience and you never know who you will encounter along the way. Mud pits won't be any deeper than waist deep, so you don't have to worry about actually swimming. Muddy Dash is all about having a good time; so you don't have to worry about competition or timing. Costumes are always welcomed. muddydash.com
May 1–3
Run•Away Weekend Cedar
Canyon, UT. 2 nights, 3 days, 5 meals, new friends, and 18-20 miles of some of Utah’s most scenic trails. greatbasintrailrunning.com
May 16
Zions Bank Ogden Marathon & Half Ogden, UT. This race has gained local and national attention as one of the most scenic Boston Marathon qualifying courses. A combination of the area's scenic beauty, worldclass volunteer support, and race organization has made it a mustdo race! Races include: marathon, half, relay marathon, 5K, Granite Kids 1K, Mayor's Walk and mor ogdenmarathon.com
TRIATHLON & MULTISPORT March 21
South Davis Spring Indoor Triathlon Bountiful, UT. 15-min
swim, 10-min transition, 25-min indoor bike on the facility’s spin bikes, 5-min transition, 20-min run
CALENDAR
>> RUNNING >> TRIATHLON & MULTISPORT >> WINTERSPORTS >>
on indoor track. southdavisraces.com
come together to share their love for all things winter. snowbird.com
April 4
March 7
Lake Mead National Park, NV. bbsctri.com/rage
Brighton Resort, UT. Utah's largest amateur ski and snowboard contest is back. brightonresort.com
Rage Triathlon Boulder Beach,
April 13
Timp Triathlon & 5K Orem Fitness Center, Orem, UT.A Splash distance triathlon which includes a 5k Run, 12-mile Bike, and 350-meter Swim in that order. t3triathlon.com
WINTERSPORTS March 6–April 5
Park City Spring Gruv Park City Mountain, UT. Under bluebird skies, you’re invited to feel the beat of concerts on the village stage, join a deck party at Pink Park City, test your creativity at the annual Pond Skimming Competition and so much more. parkcitymountain.com
March 6–8
Subaru WinterFest Snowbird,
UT. One-of-a-kind concert and mountain lifestyle tour where skiers, snowboarders, friends and families
SLUG Games at Brighton
March 14
Solitude Nordic Center Spring Fling Solitude Resort, UT. Enjoy a
Nordic ski racing, snow sculpture contest, live music, and food. Registration at 8:30 a.m. Event begins at 10:00 a.m. Dress in a costume for a chance to win great prizes. For more information, call the Nordic Center at 801-536-5774. skisolitude.com
March 19–22
Return to Nature: Women’s Backcountry Ski Hut Trip
Sawtooth Mountains, WY. Guided women’s backcountry ski hut trip by And She’s Dope Too. Great food, backcountry skiing, mindful practices, and more. andshesdopetoo.com
March 22
Snowbird, UT. Snowbird is known for its deep powder and challenging terrain. Now, it will be known for its banked slalom course. Join us for Snowbird’s second annual Bird Banked Slalom and put your snowboard skills to the test. snowbird.com/event/bankedslalom/
March 28
Steve Young Ski Classic Snowbird, UT. This event benefits Wasatch Adaptive Sports, a non-profit based at Snowbird that provides lifechanging recreational programming to children, adults, and veterans with adaptive needs in order to promote independence and active living. All proceeds from the event enable over 90% of lessons to be awarded on scholarship each year. snowbird. com/event/steve-young-ski-classic/
April 12
Solitude Easter Egg Hunt
Solitude Resort, UT. Bring kids ages 2–10 to a FREE Easter Egg Hunt at the Snowsports Academy in the Moonbeam Base Area. Event begins at 9:00 a.m. Stay to ride some spring ski runs with the Easter Bunny. skisolitude.com
April 4
Chocolate Lovers Festival & Solitude Downhill Solitude Resort,
UT. Start your day by grabbing a
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ARMY NAVY OUTDOOR “Get into The Outdoors For Less!”
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“Chocolate Lovers Passport” from Club Solitude or any participating booth. Follow the map on your passport to stations on and off the mountain, each offering complimentary goodies throughout the morning. Get a stamp from each station and be entered to win great prizes! Stations will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. While you’re out, stop by the Solitude Race Course between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. for the Solitude Downhill. For $5 per run (cash only), you can measure your progress or compete against others for the chance to win the grand prize, a $50 Solitude gift certificate. skisolitude.com
The Bird Banked Slalom
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FROZEN FUN 3 Sports to Try This Winter (That Aren’t Skiing) By Kevin Jones
While downhill skiing gets all the glory when those snowflakes start falling, there are great alternatives for those who want to get outside without the lift ticket costs. Instead of staying inside this winter, venture out and try snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and fat biking in Utah’s mountains. Photo Credit: ChiccoDodiFC/Shutterstock.com
1. SNOWSHOEING Snowshoeing has been around for thousands of years as a way for people to be mobile in the winter. Nowadays, it’s an enjoyable and versatile recreational activity. If you can walk, then you can snowshoe. This makes the skill level needed to learn and enjoy the sport much less than most other winter activities. All you need is a pair of snowshoes that will hold your weight and a pair of hiking poles.
WHERE TO SNOWSHOE AROUND SALT LAKE CITY There are spectacular snowshoeing trails all over northern Utah, but a few of our favorites are: Millcreek Canyon, Big Cottonwood Canyon, Antelope Island, Round Valley in Park City, and Ogden Canyon up north. The best part about this sport is you can do it anywhere there is snow and it’s free (once you rent or buy snowshoes).
easy to get the basics on your own, but taken a lesson will help you perfect your form. WHERE TO CROSS COUNTRY SKI AROUND SALT LAKE CITY Cross country skiing is most enjoyable when done in areas specifically groomed for it. Near Salt Lake, try the Solitude Nordic Center, Millcreek Canyon, and Sundance Nordic Center. Alta Ski Area also has its own track between the Albion and Wildcat base areas. Near Park City, buy a day pass to the White Pine Touring Nordic Center, Mountain Dell Golf Course in Parley’s Canyon, or Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway. 3. FAT BIKING Fat biking was deemed the hottest new wintersport by Forbes in 2016, and it’s only gained popularity since. That’s because fat biking is a fun way for bike enthusiasts to stay active throughout the year. The extrawide tires let you ride on trails you normally couldn’t in snowy weather. If can’t stomach the high purchase price of a fat bike, rent one at most local winter sport shops. WHERE TO FAT TIRE BIKE AROUND SALT LAKE CITY Park City is a mecca for winter biking, and we love riding in winter on the Lost Prospector and Round Valley trailheads. Most of the recommended winter trails require climbing, but the views make it totally worthwhile. If you’re just starting out, try fat biking on the snowy closed road at the top of Millcreek Canyon to practice your balance and braking in snow. Utah has so much to offer for every season. Don’t let the cold keep you from getting outside and enjoying it. Try one (or all) of these sports, and you might actually be sad when springtime rolls around.
2. CROSS COUNTRY SKIING Cross country skiing, or Nordic skiing, is a classic Scandinavian sport that has been around for over 5,000 years. It too originated out of necessity as a way to move overland during winter months. If you’ve ever downhill skied, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how light and narrow cross country skis and poles are. Cross country skiing requires a certain amount of finesse for balancing while coordinating your arms and legs to move in a forward direction. It’s 30«
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Last Word
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sportsguidemag.com
Kevin Jones is a health and fitness blogger and regular contributor to a number of fitness websites. He writes for NordicTrack. During his free time, he likes to be active and spend time with his wife and two children shredding the slopes of Park City, Utah or chasing down Salt Lake City’s Korean food trucks. Connect with him online; LinkedIn - Twitter.
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