Author: Jenny Willden

Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year, but dry weather means Utah’s leaves are changing and dropping earlier than usual. Make the most of this fleeting season with our guide to fall road trips (pg.10), cool-weather gear, undiscovered getaways, and fall family fun. Get even more content online, and follow us on Instagram @sportsguidemag to see all Utah autumn has to offer. Happy adventuring! Jenny Willden Comments, feedback, or complaints? Email or send mail to 772 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106.

A Near-and-Far Fall Bucket List Admit it or not, snow season is just around the corner. Instead of dreading the shorter days and cooler temperatures, embrace the changing seasons by doing all the fall things. From local Utah activities to father-flung jaunts, use this fall bucket list to check off the best autumn has to offer. Bag a Peak Millcreek Canyon lights up in fall, and one of the best ways to see the multi-hued palette of glowing gold and brilliant red trees is on a 5.5-mile hike to Grandeur Peak. The trail begins at Church Fork and winds through…

I don’t know about you, but I LIVED for summer camp when I was a kid. My parents weren’t outdoorsy or campers so summer camp was my one opportunity to get out and hike, explore, and adventure in the woods. As I got older, I realized that a lot of outdoor adventures are tough to figure out if you didn’t have parents or super skilled friends to guide you. I wanted to learn how to rappel through slot canyons and backpack into the wilderness but had no clue how to get started. That’s where Pursuit Series comes in. This two-year-old…

Alpen Aspirations – Mountain Biking Around Switzerland Happy cows dressed with clanging bells, brimming pots of fondue cheese, the world’s best milk chocolate, idyllic towns set against lofty peaks—Switzerland lives up to all its dazzling stereotypes. But these striking mountains aren’t just for the cows. This small country is quietly building a new claim to fame: mountain biking. Changing with the Land A fast-shifting climate means Switzerland’s iconic, snow-capped peaks are more often bare, leaving this famed wintersports capital to grapple with what to do as winter seasons grow shorter. Capitalizing on the mountain biking boom, ski regions are retrofitting…

Exploring Mesa Verde Country – 3-day Getaway Explore ancient cliff dwellings and see how Ancestral Puebloans not only survived in the desert—but thrived—on a weekend getaway to Mesa Verde Country. A 5.5-hour drive from Salt Lake City, many try to hit the area’s highlights in a day, but staying all weekend lets you explore beyond the national park. Make your basecamp Cortez, Colorado, the gateway town to the ruins of Mesa Verde and Hovenweep, and a hotspot for food, events, and even a bit of nightlife. Follow this itinerary to discover the prehistoric sights and take in the Cortez culture…

Utah ski resort adventures don’t stop when the snow melts. Head up the canyons for summer at Utah ski resorts with hiking, mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, kids’ programs, and thrill rides from now until September. Get full details on summer programs and events on resort websites or skiutah.com. Alta For the first time in its 80-year history, Alta is open for summer! Visit Alta in July for wildflower season and take the Sunnyside chairlift to access alpine lakes and blooming wildflower trails. Thorughout summer, enjoy live music every Saturday from 3:00-6:00 p.m. at Albion Grill. Its full menu is…

There’s nothing like the thrill of going someplace new. Last summer I skipped across the pond to Switzerland to experience its newly built mountain biking trails. The towering peaks, kind people, and of course, the biking, wowed me. This summer, cheap airfare is taking me back across the Atlantic to Ireland, but I’ll also be exploring destinations throughout Utah. Whether you’re traveling far or kicking it close to home this summer, our big Straycation Issue has something for you. Plan trips to Mesa Verde Country and Glacier National Park, or stay local at Utah’s best music fests. Looking to ditch…

Utah’s Best Wildflower Hiking & Summer Fun at Alta If fresh mountain air and wildflowers call your name, this news is your jam. For the first time EVER in its 80-year history, Alta is opening for summer with lift-served hiking to Albion Basin, on-mountain dining, live music, and educational events all summer long. And the wildflowers are in bloom now, so it’s the perfect time to visit! Alta’s wildflowers are some of our favorite in the state; don’t miss seeing them in person before they wilt. Lift-served Wildflower Hiking Instead of fighting for one of about 30 parking spots in…

Summer Getaways to Spice Up Your Relationship For outdoorsy couples, traditional vacations of sipping on margaritas at an all-inclusive resort or crusing to Ensenada just might not cut it. Instead of your usual Moab campout or another mountain biking trip to Fruita, put these seven adventurous summer getaways for couples on your radar. From yoga wellness retreats to wilderness backpacking and grown-up summer camps, you’ll stretch your limits and have fun—all while bonding with your boo. Space is limited on all these activities so book ASAP! 1. Camp BC  @ Tahoe City Basecamp, California; May 25-28 From camp bingo to writing workshops to…

National Park Week is April 21-28, held in partnership with National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, to celebrate America’s treasures. National Park Week is a time to explore amazing places and find your park! The theme for National Park Week 2018 is “Park Stars,” celebrating everything from starry skies to superstar volunteers, park features, and resources. Plan your next park trip with the National Park Foundation’s FREE Owner’s Guide series that’s packed with ideas for your adventure!  April 21 o   Fee-Free Day – free entry to all National Park Service sites. o   National Junior Ranger Day – some parks have special activities…