Author: Outdoor Sports Guide Magazine

Get a start on spring training and beat the winter blues with this races series by Salt Lake Running Company. All the races start and end at their Sugarhouse store and are open to all ages and abilities. Work your way up from the 5K to the 15K and receive a Run SLC stainless steel pint glass for each race you complete. Get a fourth pint glass for completing the whole series! Fully supported with traffic control and aid stations to ensure a safe and enjoyable run for all. After the races they’ll have music, local vendors, and food trucks in…

Race in snowshoes on wooded trails and across streams at Mountain Dell at the Sports-am Snowshoe Stomp 5K, a winter 5K race you can run with snowshoes or just running shoes. Kids can participate in a snowshoe 1K held before the main event. Race held Saturday, January 11, 2016. If you don’t own snowshoes, $10 rentals are available at REI for participants. Post-race hot chocolate and pancakes provided by Blue Star. sports-am.com

Watch athletes from around the world compete in moguls, dual moguls, and aerials at this annual freestyle championship at Deer Valley on February 4-6, 2016. The fun begins with a FREE live concert on lower Main Street in Park City at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3. Competitions held on Friday and Saturday nights and followed by fireworks. Free and open to the public. Hob knob with athletes and enjoy Deer Valley’s famous cuisine by purchasing VIP Freestyle Fest tickets that include a buffet and drinks inside a slopeside heated tent. deervalley.com

By Matt Goodwin Skiing is a fast-paced sport that can be challenging to even the most seasoned professional. The uncertainties of the slopes coupled with high speeds and bountiful obstacles make every skiing trip unpredictable. That being said, exactly how dangerous is skiing? What are the true facts on ski injury? The sport has become increasingly more popular in the last couple of decades. Every year, skiing gets more attention and coverage, convincing more novice skiers to give it a try. However, the sport also receives plenty of attention for its risks and dangers. With a number of high-profile accidents and injuries…

40 Picks for Everyone on Your List By Melissa McGibbon, Rebecca Petersen, and Jenny Willden Outdoor Options Traveler Treats Runner Rewards Pedal Picks Gadget Gifts Stocking Stuffers Baby Bonuses (Moms Too) Child Choices

The Bookshelf Local outdoor journalist, Jared Hargrave, compiled nearly 100 backcountry ski routes in the Wasatch and Uinta ranges in his new book Backcountry Ski & Snowboard Routes: Utah. From pre-work dawn patrol to multi-day trips, Hargrave outlines detailed touring routes including driving directions, trail distance, skill level, estimated trip times, high point elevations, avalanche path notes, and more. His guidebook also includes resources for avalanche, weather and road conditions as well as land managers relevant to the routes, ski/snow reports, and general safety information with a foreword by one of Utah’s premier avalanche experts, Craig Gordon. Review by Melissa McGibbon.…

At the Deer Valley Celebrity Skifest, olympic ski legends are paired with television and film celebrities at this annual invitational ski event to fundraise for the environmental group Waterkeeper Alliance, which supports and empowers Waterkeeper member organizations to protect communities, ecosystems, and water quality. Come watch these celebrities compete at the giant slalom ski races on Sunday, December 6 on the Birdseye ski run. dvskifest.com

TUNA (The Utah Nordic Alliance) hosts their popular Nordic races series beginning in December at major cross country ski venues along the Wasatch. Two classic and three free technique races are offered with categories for age, gender, and ability level, so all can participate and compete. Points are accumulated throughout the season with prizes awarded to top three skiers in each class. Race dates: December 19, January 2, 16, 23, and February 20. utahnordic.com

If you prefer indoor running for your New Year’s run, join 350 runners and walkers on January 1, 2016 for a five-hour indoor running party at the Utah Olympic Oval. You’ll do as many laps as possible on the indoor track and the person with the most laps wins. NEW for 2016: 5K at 7:00 a.m. Random prize drawings are also held throughout the event. Cyclists can also participate on indoor bikes at the Revolution Ride, or mix it up and do a bike/run combo. newyearsrevolutionrun.com

Bring your bells and antlers to this run or walk for arthritis on Saturday, December 5 at Highland High School near Salt Lake City. Participate in competitive timed 5K, untimed 5K walk/run, or 1K kids’ run. Wear festive costumes and create a team so your friends can join you! Prizes for top fundraisers! arthritis.org/utah