33rd Annual Beat the New Year 5K Run Race takes place 11:30 p.m. on December 31 at Sugarhouse Park (2100 S. 1500 E.) Check-in is next door at Highland High School. Course is two laps around the park, and all runners who cross the finish line before midnight receive a plaque. slctrackclub.org
Author: Jenny Willden
Jenny Willden
Jenny Willden is the Managing Editor of Outdoor Sports Guide and a self-proclaimed gear and grammar nut. She's a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association and the Adventure Travel Trade Association. A lover of adventure and travel, she's happiest when riding horses or snowboarding in Utah’s mountains. Follow Jenny’s exploits on Twitter @jennywillden or Instagram @jlwillden.
Santa Skis Free! On Saturday, December 18, the first 50 guests who don St. Nick’s attire will ski or ride for free at The Canyons! Guests must be in FULL costume, no partial costumes will count. Registration takes place at the top of the Cabriolet in the Resort Village from 8 a.m.–9 a.m. thecanyons.com
Utah Winter Games Ready to learn a new winter sport? Try a variety at the Utah Winter Games. Just pick the sports you want to try and attend affordable clinics (between $5 and $35) to learn how. Clinics are offered in the sports of bobsled, cross country, curling, figure skating, hockey, luge, skeleton, ski jumping, skiing, snowboarding, speed skating and telemark. Events take place during December and January at local ski resorts and the Utah Olympic Park. To register online and see the full event calendar, visit the website. utahwintergames.org
Elevate Winter Indoor Triathlon Series #2 Complete a sprint triathlon this winter without freezing your butt off at Elevate’s Winter Indoor Triathlon! Race takes place at Elevate (147 West 400 North, Orem) The race runs from 7 a.m.–2 p.m., but you must call to schedule your own start time. This tri will feature t-shirts, SWAG, raffle prizes and post-race recovery snacks. You must provide your own bike. Call Elevate at 801-221-9060 for more information. Or call race director, Greg Phillips, at 801-830-8426 or email at greg@elevateutah.com. myelevateutah.com
FIS Freestyle International World Ski Championships This year Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort will team up to host the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships from January 30–February 7, 2011. Competition days will be February 2–5 and will feature aerial, moguls, dual moguls and ski cross competitions at Deer Valley Resort and the ski halfpipe competition at Park City Mountain Resort. The Opening Ceremonies will take place on Main Street on Wednesday, February 2 and include live entertainment and fireworks. All events are free to the public. deervalley.com
Editor’s Note Winter is in full swing in Salt Lake City, and the ski resorts are boasting the best early season conditions in years. Some resorts already have over 100 inches, and you can expect fresh powder up to your knees in many spots! Visit our local resorts and take advantage of this epic snow; you won’t be disappointed! But when you’re not out skiing or riding, curl up by a fire with this issue of Outdoor Sports Guide and read up on skiing with Park City’s Powder Cats, get an introduction to ice climbing, check out this season’s best…
Hot Winter Coats for Every Budget By Jenny Willden Photos by Jonathan Cracroft Say goodbye to flip flops and swim suits for another year. Old man winter is on his way, and in a few short weeks you’ll be unpacking ski wear from storage and driving on snow-covered roads. Get prepared for ski season in advance by updating your current coat with something new. With all the high-end features you can pack in a parka, they can get expensive quickly. So we selected coats from a wide range of prices, ensuring you’ll find a great one that fits your budget.
QuickPitch™ USA Pop-up Tent By Jenny Willden I love car camping in the fall. It’s as easy as loading your car with gear, driving up the canyon, making some tin dinners and pitching a tent. Ok, pitching a tent isn’t always easy. In fact, I loathe putting up most tents…especially in the dark. That’s where the QuickPitch™ USA Pop-up Tent comes in. I saw this tent at the Outdoor Retailer Demo Day and knew it was a great solution for anyone who car camps.
Mountainboarding By Jerson Hatch Unless you don’t get out much, you’ve probably seen people racing down roads, mountains or grassy hills on what looks like a cross between a snowboard and a large-wheeled, aggressive skateboard. You can see everything from beginners learning to turn or carve down a slightly inclined hill, to advanced riders practicing jumps, spins (rotating 180 or 360 degrees in the air) and grabs (reaching down and grabbing the board while jumping) on rough terrain or dirt courses.