Author: Outdoor Sports Guide Magazine

Make a difference for those impacted by HIV/AIDS by registering to walk 2.5 miles with the Utah AIDS Foundation on Saturday, September 19 at City Creek Center at 9:30 a.m. Registration is free, but every donation helps to fight new infections and provide services to those living with HIV/AIDS. Bring your friends and family to this fun event! saltlakeaidswalk.org

Did you know you can participate in XTERRA Utah even if you didn’t qualify for the National Championship? XTERRA has an off-road triathlon that’s open to everyone on Saturday, September 19 at Snowbasin Resort in Ogden, Utah. Two distances are offered: full (1500M swim, 28K mountain bike, 10K trail run) and sprint (750M swim, 19K mountain bike, 5K trail run). Compete as a team or individual. 5K, 10K, and 21K trail races are on September 20 at the same location. xterrautah.com

Make it a Sunday Funday from now through late September at Snowbasin’s free summer concert series. The lawn and patio outside Earl’s Lodge are converted into a free music festival with a barbecue menu, cold drinks, and kids’ games. Enjoy tunes from nationally touring artists while lounging on a blanket or chair. Party starts at noon and lasts until 5:30 p.m. Kids activities include a Spider Jump and playground. Head up early and spend the morning hiking before the show! snowbasin.com

Oktoberfest at the Bird has grown into one of Utah’s biggest festivals, and the best part is that admission is always free! Enjoy German food, beer drinking, dancing, music and dance performances, beginning August 15 and continuing every Saturday and Sunday until October 11. While there enjoy scenic tram rides, hiking, and summer base activities. snowbird.com

You’re near the end of a beautiful trail in the evening twilight, with the clouds slowly turning pink on the horizon and the mountains casting reflections onto a glassy lake just ahead. The only thing that might make the moment better is a cold beverage in your hand, and thanks to the craft beer explosion of recent years, you have one from your favorite local brewery tucked away in your pack. As you crack it open and take a sip, you notice a family of mountain goats among the craggy rocks, and a fabulous sunset fills the sky. Okay, so…

Every Wednesday evening from now until August 26, head into the Cottonwood Canyons for post-work trail races at Alta, Snowbird, and Solitude Ski Resorts. Choose from 5Kish or 10Kish courses and register for $20 (includes post-race raffle entry). Races begin at 6:30 p.m. Free trail shoe demos are available at select races. runontrails.com

Utah’s beautiful trails and roadways offer some of the best cycling on Earth, and biking is a great way to explore while being active. Unfortunately, accidents are always a risk when riding on roads and mountain trails and they can lead to some serious consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that bicyclists face a higher risk of crash-related injury and death than occupants of motor vehicles. Almost 800 bicyclists were killed with an estimated 515,000 emergency department visits in the U.S. in 2010 alone. This statistic may alarm you, but you can reduce your risk of injury…

Watch live performances by The Kills, Run the Jewels, St. Vincent, and more acts at Salt Lake’s ever-growing outdoor summer concert series in Pioneer Park. Concerts take place every Thursday evening until the end of August. Admission is just $5 a show. Arrive early to avoid long security lines, shop the Twilight Market, and purchase meals from food trucks. twilightconcerts.com

Take a look at the digital version of the Outdoor Sports Guide Late Summer 2015 magazine.

By Chelsy Ranard In March of this year my boyfriend and I decided to adopt a dog. We were looking for a medium-sized dog that is good with cats and doesn’t require a ton of exercise or excessive grooming. When we saw a picture of Titan, a 7-month-old long-haired German Shepherd, we couldn’t help but take a look at him. Once he looked at us with his sweet, brown eyes we were in love. So we went home with a large dog that requires a lot of exercise and extensive grooming…but at least he’s good with the cat. To make…