Author: Jenny Willden

Test your endurance and backcountry ski skills in this intense race featuring an 11-mile course with 6 climbs totaling 6000’ at Brighton Resort on Saturday, March 9. The recreational division is a bit shorter with a 6.5-mile course and 4 climbs totaling 3,500’. The race offers male and female divisions, AT/Tele and splitboarding. You’ll see stunning views and get a calorie-torching workout followed by a post-race barbecue, awards ceremony, and raffle at the Millet Chalet. New this year is a Friday night sprint race! wasatchpowderkeg.com

One Friday each month during the ski season Brighton will be offering free smore’s, hot beverages, and giveaways while gathering around the firepits at Alpine Rose during night skiing. Come hang out with other riders at these socials on February 8, March 22, and April 19. brightonresort.com

Support Utah High School Cross Country and race a winter obstacle 5K or 10K race at Timbermine Restaurant (1701 Park Blvd.) in Ogden on February 23.
For the obstacle portion, you get to choose to do an uphill climb or you can go with the steeplechase barriers. Finish line features food, raffle prizes, and kid’s gift bags. kwahaten.blogspot.com

Get inspired by outdoor films on hiking, skiing, and kayaking with some of the most spectacular views you can imagine. Performances in Utah are scheduled for February and March 2013. Salt Lake’s screenings are February 19–21 at Kingsbury Hall. Logan’s are February 14–15 at Utah State University Recreation Center, Ogden’s are February 16–17 at Peery’s Egyptian Theater, and Moab’s is March 11. Find detailed information and buy tickets online. banffcentre.ca

Experience Bryce Canyon in winter over President’s Day weekend (February 16–18) at this annual festival! You’ll avoid the summer crowds and enjoy cross-country ski races, archery clinics, biathlon competition, free snowshoe tours, photography clinics, snow sculptures, kids’ events, and much more! Event sponsored by Ruby’s Inn. rubysinn.com

Come chase Cupid on a fun 5K route throughout Gardner Village, West Jordan streets, and the Jordan River Trail on Saturday, February 9. Bring your friends and hope to be a chaser who wins a prize along the course! After the race enjoy soup, hot chocolate, giveaways, and other surprises. Costumes encouraged! Begins at Gardner Village. lonepeakevents.com

Partner up with a skiing or boarding buddy and spend Saturday, February 2 navigating, traversing, and skiing your way through Park City Mountain Resort in a battle to the finish. Your path will be tracked with a Flaik GPS, and you must visit checkpoints and take specific runs while skiing around the mountain. Prizes awarded to top teams. Registration is $90 per two-person team, which includes two Helly Hansen baselayers. bigmountainbattle.com

Ski Resort Dining By Rachael Hodson and Jenny Willden Alta They did away with the curly fries at the Goldminer’s Daughter, but when you want something more than soup and burgers, the GD Slopeside Cafe at the base of Collins still delivers. Order with the cashier then sit down and wait for your number to be called. Locals dig the roasted pork or grilled chicken sandwich, fresh spinach or Caesar salad, and the soups. You can also start your day with a fresh hot breakfast and skip lunch altogether. alta.com Beaver Mountain The Beav might not have the expansive terrain…

A History of Brighton Resort By Richard Cheski Brighton Resort, a local favorite for skiers and snowboarders, wasn’t always a recreation hot spot. Here’s how this quiet mining town became the promised land for powder hounds.

Family Getaways in Brian Head By Jenny Willden Utah is home to the Greatest Snow on Earth, but you’d be crazy to think our fluffy powder is only a Wasatch Front phenomenon. Head south and experience it for yourself at Brian Head, a town set high in Utah’s mountains at 9,800 feet and home to just 83 year-round residents. Their scenic ski resort boasts Utah’s highest base, an annual snow total surpassing 360 inches, and powder skiing without the crowds.