Outdoor Sports Guide by Outdoor Sports Guide

EARLY WINTER 2014/15

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 6

FREE

UTAH’S

RESORT SCENE

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 61

Present Picks

The Best Trails, Terrain, and more…

WHY

WEIGHT TRAIN?

ways it improves your fitness

WWW.NORDICVALLEY.COM NEW TRAILS | NEW MENU | NEW MANAGEMENT

what’s inside 10

LATE WINTER 2014 VOL. 32 NO. 6

22 PUBLISHER Dan Miller ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Paula Bell MANAGING EDITOR Jenny Willden

6 Starting Line

Editor’s Note, International Women’s Ski Day, Wasatch Citizens Cross Country Race Series, Commitment Day 5K, New Year’s Revolution Run, Deer Valley FIS Freestyle Championship

Report 8 Resort Holiday Events at Utah Ski Resorts By Jenny Willden

CIRCULATION MANAGER/OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Cynthia Bell Snow ASSOCIATE EDITORS Melissa McGibbon, Molly Newman CONTRIBUTORS Nick Como, Jim Harris ART DIRECTOR/PRODUCTION MANAGER Jackie Medina GRAPHIC DESIGN Leslie Hanna, Ken Magleby, Patrick Witmer REGIONAL ADVERTISING SALES 801-467-9419 Paula Bell, Karen Malan, Paul Nicholas

10 Feature Where the Winter Things Are:

NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES Brook Gardner, Jeremy Solomon

12 Gear

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Kyrsten Holland

Utah Ski and Snowboard Resorts Roundup By Melissa McGibbon Holiday Gift Guide: 61 Finds for Everyone on Your List By Melissa McGibbon, Jenny Willden, and Staff

22 Travel

Winter Canyoneering in Southern Utah By Nick Como

26 Fitness Why Weight?

The Whole-Body Benefits of Strength Training By Molly Newman

Calendar

Winter Races and Events

OFFICE ASSISTANT/DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Jessica Snow Distribution Inquiries Call 801-467-9419 DISTRIBUTION Rick Springer, Paige Silva, Jenny Willden

Find us on Many of the activities covered in the Outdoor Sports Guide are action sports carrying significant risk of personal injury or death. Outdoor Sports Guide, including its writers, photographers and other staff and management, does not recommend that anyone participate in these sports unless they are supremely expert, knowledgeable about the risks and willing to personally assume all responsibility associated with those risks. Also, the views herein are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the magazine’s management or ownership. Outdoor Sports Guide welcomes story, art and photo contributions. We will consider, but assume no responsibility for, unsolicited proposals, manuscripts, art and photographs; all such material must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope or it will not be returned.

EARLY WINTER 2014/15

VOLUME 32 ISSUE 6

FREE

UTAH’S

RESORT SCENE

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 61

Present Picks

Early-Winter-2014-cover.indd 1

The Best Trails, Terrain, and more…

WHY

WEIGHT TRAIN?

ways it improves your fitness

11/14/14 3:11 PM

ON THE COVER Brody Leven skis below Wildcat Chair at Alta Ski Area, Utah. Photo by Jim Harris (perpetualweekend.com) Instagram: @perpetualweekend

MILLS PUBLISHING, INC. retains reprint rights, including affiliated internet site reprints, but contributors retain all other rights for resale, republication, etc. Outdoor Sports Guide is not responsible for unsolicited contributions, lost or damaged photo material. Send contributions to Outdoor Sports Guide, c/o Mills Publishing, Inc., 772 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84106, 801.467.9419; email editor@sportsguidemag. com. For advertising information please call 801.467.9419 or email info@sportsguidemag.com. Published by: Mills Publishing, Inc. Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2014 by Mills Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

starting line FROM THE EDITOR ‘Tis the season of Santa shuffles, powder turns, and doubling your caloric intake from pie consumption alone. Along with the added treats is the extra responsibility of finding gifts for everyone on your list. Thankfully—if your friends and family are as outdoorsy as you are—we’ve basically done the shopping for you by picking the best gifts at every price for our Holiday Gift Guide. This beauty features picks for campers, cyclists, kids, runners, and more. Flip to page 12 to find the perfect present…or a little something for yourself. Just giving gift cards this year? Plan your winter with our ski resort roundup (pg. 10) that provides info and updates for Utah’s 15 ski resorts, or skip the cold and head south for a winter canyoneering adventure (pg. 22).

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 from December 6-7 on the Birdseye ski run. dvskifest.com

SOLITUDE’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S SKI DAY

This women’s ski and snowboard gathering is a fun way to mingle with women riders while getting half off a lift ticket! Held Saturday, December 13 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and begins with “girlbombing” Sunshine Bowl with the group reconvening at 3:00 p.m. for giveaways, mingling, and avalanche beacon drills. Sponsored by Outdoor Women’s Alliance and She Jumps. skisolitude.com

Happy holidays! Jenny Willden Comments, feedback, or complaints? Email editor@sportsguidemag. com or send mail to 772 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106.

SALT LAKE JINGLE BELL WALK OR RUN FOR ARTHRITIS

Bring your bells and antlers to this run or walk for arthritis on Saturday, December 6 at the Gateway Mall in Salt Lake City. Racers are invited to wear festive costumes and don jingle bells on shoes or clothing. Create a team and get your friends to join you! Prizes for top fundraisers! arthritis.org/utah

WASATCH CITIZENS CROSS COUNTRY RACE SERIES

TUNA (The Utah Nordic Alliance) hosts their popular five nordic race series beginning in December major cross country ski areas along the Wasatch. Two classical technique and three free technique races are offered to provide the balance local athletes need to prepare for national and international competition with categories for age, gender, and ability level, so all can participate. Points are accumulated over the entire season, and special prizes are awarded to the top three skiers in each class. Race dates: Dec. 20, Jan. 3, 17, 24, and Feb. 21. utahnordic.com

SALT LAKE TRACK CLUB BEAT THE NEW YEAR RUN Ring in the New Year in your running shoes as you race around Sugarhouse Park beginning at 11:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. This year ALL finishers receive a commemorative plaque! Pre-race raffle held around 10:45 p.m. slctrackclub.org

LIFE TIME FITNESS COMMITMENT DAY 5K

Start 2015 on the right foot at this New Year’s Day 5K run or walk sponsored by Life Time Fitness. The family-friendly run begins at Life Time Fitness (10996 S. River Front Pkwy, South Jordan) on January 1, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Kids 12 and under race FREE with a paying adult. commitmentday.com

NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION RUN

If you prefer avoiding cold conditions for your New Year’s run, join 350 runners and walkers on January 1, 2015 for a five-hour indoor party at the Utah Olympic Oval where you’ll do as many laps as possible on the indoor track. Most laps wins, and random prize drawings are also held throughout the event. Cyclists can also participate on indoor bike, or mix it up and do a bike/run combo. newyearsrevolutionrun.com

6 | EARLY WINTER 2014 sportsguidemag.com

DEER VALLEY FIS FREESTYLE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Watch athletes from around the world compete in moguls, dual moguls, and aerials at this annual freestyle championship at Deer Valley on January 8–10, 2015. The fun begins with a FREE live concert on lower Main Street in Park City at 7:00 p.m. on January 8 and continues nightly with competitions 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

RESOLUTION RUN 5K AND 10K

Start your year off with a commitment to fitness by running a 5K or 10K on recently developed trails near Boondocks in Kaysville. Held January 3, 2015 beginning at Boondocks, meaning you can get a round of Skee Ball in before racing! The run benefits the Hess Cancer Foundation. Overall winners of the 10K and 5K receive prizes from Boondocks Fun Center. Race won’t be canceled due to weather. Just $25 for 5K and $35 for 10K. utahenduranceevents.com

THE BACKCOUNTRY SOURCE

GARRETT GROVE

starting line

Featuring a huge selection of top brands and the latest TELEMARK, TOURING and SKI MOUNTAINEERING GEAR and CLOTHING, the Black Diamond store is your local source for all things backcountry.

For the best selection, friendly staff and local knowledge, visit the Black Diamond Store—your backcountry source. BlackDiamondEquipment.com/store 2092 East 3900 South Salt Lake City, UT 84124 801-278-0233 Hours: M-F 10-7, Sat 9-7, Sun 11-5

SALT LAKE TRACK CLUB WINTER SERIES

Held snow or shine, this winter racing series offers three distances on three different weekends: 5K, 10K, and 15K. Everyone who signs up for a race gets a long-sleeve shirt, but only those who complete all three races receive a medal. Races held January 31, February 14, and February 28 at The Great Saltair in Magna, Utah at 10:00 a.m. Blizzard conditions are a possibility, so plan your race-day attire AFTER checking the weather report. slctrackclub.org

DOWNTOWN SALT LAKE CITY WINTER FARMERS MARKET

Shop local for spreads, snacks, juices, and more at Salt Lake's Winter Market at Rio Grande Depot. The market is open every other Saturday until April 2015. Vendors include Parker Farms, Blue Spring Farm, Crumb Bros., Clifford Farms, Canyon Meadows Ranch, Laziz Spreads, Amour Spreads, Vive Juicery, and a host of food trucks that park outside. slcfarmersmarket.org

sportsguidemag.com

EARLY WINTER 2014 | 7

HOLIDAY FOOD & FUND DRIVE

ANY BAG WILL DO! Utah Food Bank isn’t sending donation bags with your newspaper anymore, but you can still help fight hunger statewide during the holidays:

• Bring any bag filled with non-perishable donations to one of our statewide drop-off locations • Fill a virtual bag at utahfoodbank.org

You have the green light to give! SPECIAL THANKS TO:

resort report By Jenny Willden

Deck the halls on a mountaintop with our comprehensive guide to free Santa skiing, torchlight parades, and Kris Kringle visits at Utah’s 15 fantastic ski resorts. ALTA New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade Ring in 2014 at Alta’s annual New Year’s Eve torchlight parade. The parade follows the main cat track from Watson Shelter to the base of the mountain. To participate you must be an intermediate skier or above, and you must have goggles. Lifts load at 5:15 p.m. The parade and fireworks begin at 6:00 p.m. Bring nonperishable items to donate to the Utah Food Bank. alta.com BEAVER MOUNTAIN Beaver Mountain is closed Christmas Day, but open on New Year’s Day. skithebeav.com BRIAN HEAD New Year’s Eve Celebration Ring in the New Year in Southern Utah with a Torchlight Parade and fireworks on the slopes. brianhead.com BRIGHTON RESORT Quad Wednesdays Ski or ride for just $20 on December 3, 10, and 17 by supporting charitable organizations with your donations of toys (Dec. 3), winter clothing (Dec. 10), and canned food (Dec. 17). Santa Skis Free Day Dress as Santa and ski for free on Christmas Eve! Partial costumes don’t count, so come dressed head to toe as St. Nick to ensure you get a lift ticket! brightonresort.com CANYONS RESORT Santa Skis Free Be one of the first 50 people to show up in a Santa suit at Canyons on Saturday, December 20 and ski or ride for free all day! Guests must be in FULL costume, no partial costumes will count. Dressing as Mrs. Claus, an elf, or a reindeer is also allowed. Registration at 8:00 a.m. in the Resort Village. Caroling from Park City Treble Makers After your ski day ends, gather in the Resort Village to listen to your favorite Christmas carols sung by the Park City Treble Makers from 4:00–5:30 p.m. Santa on the Slopes From December 24–25, Santa will ski at Canyons, delivering candy and treats to everyone on the Nice List. Look for Santa at the Ski Beach and throughout the entire resort from 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. If you miss him during the day, catch Santa from 3:30–4:30 p.m. both days in the Resort Village. New Year’s Eve Celebration Participate in family-friendly activities on New Year’s Eve along with a concert, DJ, and Torchlight Parade down Doc’s Run followed by Canyons’ massive fireworks display at about 7:30 p.m. canyonsresort.com DEER VALLEY Santa Claus Visits Deer Valley Come on Christmas Eve and visit Santa in the Snow Park Lodge area from 9:00–11:00 a.m or from noon– 1:30 p.m. in the Silver Lake Lodge area. Bring a camera and have your picture taken with Santa.

Torchlight Parade Begins at about 6 p.m. (dusk) on December 30 on Bald Eagle Mountain’s Big Stick ski run. Complimentary hot cider and cookies will be served on the Snow Park Plaza. For more information, please call 435-649-1000 or 800-424-DEER (3337). deervalley.com EAGLE POINT Santa Claus Visits Ski on Christmas Day and visit with Santa as he passes out goodies to everyone on the mountain! New Year’s Eve Ring in the New Year with a delicious Prime Rib buffet in the Canyonside Lodge followed by the New Year’s after party hosted by resident DJ Jay Kapp. Reservations required for the buffet. eaglepointresort.com PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT Holiday Season Kick Off Welcome Santa, Rudolph, and the other reindeer to Park City on December 13 at 5:30 p.m. at the Towne Lift Plaza. The evening features free hot chocolate, holiday treats, and caroling as you wait for Santa to fly in on the Town Lift. Torchlight Parade and Christmas Eve Celebration Get in the holiday spirit on Christmas Eve by listening to holiday music while enjoying hot beverages and cookies on the Resort Plaza after skiing. At 5:30 p.m. the ski and snowboard school ski down the PayDay trail in a traditional torchlight parade. Free admission and refreshments. parkcitymountain.com SNOWBASIN RESORT Christmas Eve Celebration Ski with Santa during the day, then enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner at Earl’s Lodge from 4:30–8:00 p.m. Santa arrives at 5:30 p.m. for photographs with the kids. Dinner followed by a torchlight parade at 6:30 p.m. and fireworks at 6:45 p.m. All viewing festivities are free! No reservations accepted, so come early to get your spot. snowbasin.com SNOWBIRD SKI AND SUMMER RESORT Santa Skis the Bird Ski on Christmas Eve and you may see Santa and Mrs. Claus on the slopes! They’ll hand out treats and share good cheer throughout the day. Stick around after for the Torchlight Parade. Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks   Bring the whole family to the Plaza Deck for bonfires before the Torchlight Parade at dusk on Christmas Eve. Followed by Santa rappelling from the Tram, fireworks display, and Candelight Christmas Eve Service at 7:00 p.m. in the Snowbird Center. New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks   This free event begins with a Torchlight Parade at dusk on New Year’s Eve at approximately 6:00 p.m. Fireworks display after followed by New Year’s party in the Wildflower Lounge. snowbird.com SOLITUDE International Women's Ski Day Join other ladies for a ski day with activities and prizes on Saturday, December 13. Participants who sign up in advance receive 50% off their lift ticket that day, and are entered into a prize giveaway! Sign up at: skisolitude.com/IWSD/

8 | EARLY WINTER 2014 sportsguidemag.com

WHERE THE

Utah Ski & Snowboard

Winter

Resorts Roundup By Melissa McGibbon

THINGS ARE

hough there has been much vicissitude in Utah’s ski industry over the past year or two, what hasn’t changed is that Utah remains a spectacular place to ski. With the addition of Utah’s newest resort, Cherry Peak in Cache Valley, we now have 15 easily accessible resorts with slopes to slide down. Nevermind the lawsuits and exchange of property deeds—focus on waxing your shredding devices and building up your quad muscles because very soon we will be blessed with that white fluffy stuff that falls from the sky. Snowbird

Alta Ski Resort

Alta is best known for the quality and quantity of snow as well as the scenery and wide variety of terrain with ample cliffs and chutes. Alta remains one of the last three snowboarding-free resorts in the country. Alta’s loyal community members are part of the group, Altaholics Anonymous, and proudly admit to a deep powder addiction. Open: November–April ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year Opened: 1938 Number of Vertical Feet: 2,020 feet Average Snowfall: 551 inches Classic Runs: Alf’s High Rustler Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 25% Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 40% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 35% Terrain Parks: None Number of Runs: 116 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 7 Price for Adult Season Pass: $1,199 Price for Adult Day Pass: $84

Beaver Mountain

Beaver Mountain is the last remaining resort that is still owned and operated by the same family who opened it in the United States. Guests at Beaver Mountain often remark that they feel like they are part of the family while visiting, perhaps because by your third run the lifties have learned your name. Open: December–March/April ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year Opened: 1939 Number of Vertical Feet: 1,600 Average Snowfall: 400 inches Classic Runs: Harry’s Hollow, Stan’s Bonanza Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 35%

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Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 40% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 25% Terrain Parks: 2 Number of Runs: 48 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 4 Price for Adult Season Pass: $535 Price for Adult Day Pass: $48

Brian Head Resort

Brian Head Resort is now celebrating its 50th season and has just opened an express quad. The resort rests among the red rock canyons in Southern Utah and has outstanding views of Cedar Breaks National Monument. This low-key, family-friendly resort is great for newbies and has one of the most affordable day lift ticket prices in the state. Open: November–April ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year Opened: 1964 Number of Vertical Feet: 1,320 Average Annual Snowfall: 360 inches Classic Runs: Engens, Bear Paw Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 30% Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 35% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 35% Terrain Parks: 3 Number of Runs: 71 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 8 Price for Adult Season Pass: $679 Price for Adult Day Pass: $35–$60

Brighton Ski Resort

Brighton is a family-friendly resort, but also beckons some of the steeziest snowboarders and skiers around. Many-a-nativeUtahn learned how to ski or snowboard at Brighton’s Ski School. For those who are avy-savvy, there’s also great sidecountry access. Brighton fans love the après-work Athlete: Dave Sunde @heartbeatfasterz Photographer: Evan Lewandowski

10 | EARLY WINTER 2014 sportsguidemag.com

turns option with 200 acres of night skiing terrain available. Open: November–April ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year Opened: 1936 Number of Vertical Feet: 1,475 Average Annual Snowfall: 500 inches Classic Runs: Backdoor, Western Trail Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 20% Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 45% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 35% Terrain Parks: 5 + 1 Half-Pipe Number of Runs: 66 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 6 Price for Adult Season Pass: $899 Price for Adult Day Pass: $72

Canyons Resort

Canyons is the largest resort in Utah and has 4,000 lift-accessed skiable acres. Unique to the resort is the Orange Bubble Express—a heated chairlift. Every spring, the resort hosts Spring Grüv, 10 days of events including an epic Pond Skimming Contest, the Canis Lupis Challenge, and a series of free concerts in the Resort Village that draw thousands. Open: November–April ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year Opened: 1968 (Park West) 1997 (Canyons) Number of Vertical Feet: 3,190 Average Annual Snowfall: 355 Classic Runs: Murdock’s Bowl, Doc’s Run, Ninety-Nine Ninety Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 10% Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 44% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 46% Terrain Park: 3 Number of Runs: 182 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 19 Price for Adult Season Pass: $589 (Epic Local) $769 (Epic) Price for Adult Day Pass: $105

Deer Valley Resort

Deer Valley is known worldwide as a classy ski resort that offers excellent customer service and attention to detail. The founders of the resort wanted to create a place where skiers could receive the kind of service you might expect at a five-star hotel. Deer Valley also does not allow snowboarding and limits daily lift ticket sales to 7,500 to prevent overcrowding on the slopes. Open: December–April ØØ Y ear Opened: 1946 (Snowpark Ski Area) 1981 (Deer Valley) ØØ Number of Vertical Feet: 3,000 ØØ Average Annual Snowfall: 300 inches ØØ Classic Runs: Ontario Bowl, Stein’s Way

sportsguidemag.com

ØØ Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 27% ØØ Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 41% ØØ Percentage of Expert Terrain: 32% (27% Black, 5% Double Black) ØØ Terrain Parks: None ØØ Number of Runs: 101 ØØ Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 24 ØØ Price for Adult Season Pass: $2,320 ØØ Price for Adult Day Pass: $114

Eagle Point Resort

Eagle Point opened its doors in 2010 with the intention of creating a boutique ski resort with modern amenities, lively entertainment, and opportunities for fresh tracks all day. This resort is never crowded and has some of Utah’s steepest runs. Open: December–April ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year Opened: 2010 Number of Vertical Feet: 1,500 Average Annual Snowfall: 450 inches Classic Runs: Vertigo, Big Horn Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 25% Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 30% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 45% Skills Park: Yes Number of Runs: 39 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 5 Price for Adult Season Pass: $409–$489 Price for Adult Day Pass: $30–$58

Nordic Valley

With more than 100 skiable acres, Nordic Valley is famous for its night skiing and familyfriendly atmosphere. The resort dominates night skiing with 100% of the mountain terrain under lights. Nordic Valley is a budgetfriendly 500-acre boutique ski area. The resort is currently cutting new runs so total vertical feel will increase to 2,200. Open: November–March ØØ Y ear Opened: 1968 (Nordic Valley) 2005 (Wolf Mountain) 2014 (Nordic Valley) ØØ Number of Vertical Feet: 1,000 ØØ Average Annual Snowfall: 300 inches ØØ Classic Runs: Ephraim’s Revenge, Stray Dog ØØ Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 36% ØØ Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 45% ØØ Percentage of Expert Terrain: 19% ØØ Terrain Parks: 1 ØØ Number of Runs: 22 ØØ Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 3 ØØ Price for Adult Season Pass: $395 ØØ Price for Adult Day Pass: $39

Park City Mountain Resort

Park City Mountain Resort is considered one of North America’s most popular premier family resorts. It earned national recognition

EARLY WINTER 2014 | 11

in 2002 as one of the venues for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games where the men’s and women’s giant slalom, men’s and women’s snowboarding parallel giant slalom, and men’s and women’s half-pipe events were hosted. Open: November–April ØØ Y ear Opened: 1963 (Treasure Mountain) 1966 (Park City Mountain Resort) ØØ Number of Vertical Feet: 3,100 ØØ Average Annual Snowfall: 360 ØØ Classic Runs: Silver Skis, Comstock ØØ Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 17% ØØ Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 52% ØØ Percentage of Expert Terrain: 31% ØØ Terrain Parks: 4 + 1 super-pipe + 1 mini-pipe ØØ Number of Runs: 116 ØØ Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 16 ØØ Price for Adult Season Pass: $589 (Epic Local) $769 (Epic) ØØ Price for Adult Day Pass: $104

Powder Mountain

Powder Mountain has more than 2,800 liftserved skiable acres and 4,200 cat skiing acres together totaling more skiable terrain than any other area in the United States. The extra 20-minute hike to the summit of James Peak (9,422 feet) from the top of Lightning Ridge is well worth it. Powder Mountain also offers all-day Snowcat Powder Safaris, Single-Ride Cat Skiing, and backcountry guided tours. Open: December–April ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year Opened: 1972 Number of Vertical Feet: 2,000 (Lift-Served) Average Annual Snowfall: 500 inches Classic Runs: James Peak Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 25% Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 40% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 35% Longest Run: James Peak Terrain Parks: 2 Number of Runs: 144 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 4 Price for Adult Season Pass: $965 Price for Adult Day Pass: $69

Snowbasin Resort

Snowbasin Resort is one of the oldest continually operating ski resorts in the country. The resort underwent a major facelift before hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic alpine skiing races. At Snowbasin, skiers and snowboarders can get powder turns, ride groomed terrain, and practice park skills from the same run—Needles to Sweet Revenge to Bear Hollow. Open: November–April

ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year Opened: 1940 Number of Vertical Feet: 3,000 Average Annual Snowfall: 300 inches Classic Runs: Wildflower, Grizzly, Elk Ridge Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 20% Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 50% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 30% Terrain Parks: 6 Number of Runs: 104 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 9 Price for Adult Season Pass: $1149 Price for Adult Day Pass: $86

Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort

Snowbird features much steep and deep terrain and is the only place you can ski inbounds in Utah on the 4th of July. Though that has only been possible three times, the Bird is still unrivaled for longest ski season because they are usually open through Memorial Day Weekend. The Peruvian Tunnel is a 600-foot long conveyor belt that provides access to Mineral Basin and is the only ski tunnel in North America. Open: November–May ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year Opened: 1971 Number of Vertical Feet: 3,240 Average Annual Snowfall: 500 inches Classic Runs: West Baldy, The Cirque Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 27% Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 38% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 35% Longest Run: Chips Run Terrain Parks: 1 Number of Runs: 168 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 13 Price for Adult Season Pass: $1,199 Price for Adult Day Pass: $95

Solitude Mountain Resort

Solitude is aptly named. Skiers and snowboarders delight in the short or non-existent lift lines and the down-to-earth atmosphere. Locals rank Honeycomb Canyon high for powder stashes. Solitude’s Challenger Trail is the steepest groomed run in the Wasatch. Open: November–April ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year Opened: 1957 Number of Vertical Feet: 2,047 Average Annual Snowfall: 500 inches Classic Runs: Challenger Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 20% Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 50% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 30% Longest Run: Woodlawn Terrain Parks: None Number of Runs: 66 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 8

12 | EARLY WINTER 2014 sportsguidemag.com

ØØ Price for Adult Season Pass: $799 ØØ Price for Adult Day Pass: $77

Sundance Resort

Sundance is the go-to resort for skiers and snowboarders at the south end of the Salt Lake Valley who like wide bowls and steep terrain. It has some of the most profoundly beautiful scenery because it’s set against the backdrop of Mount Timpanogos. Robert Redford founded the resort in 1969 with a vision for a community committed to the balance of art, nature, and recreation. Open: December–April ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ ØØ

Year opened: 1969 Number of Vertical Feet: 2,150 Average Annual Snowfall: 300 inches Classic Runs: Far East, Bearclaw Percentage of Beginner Terrain: 20% Percentage of Intermediate Terrain: 40% Percentage of Expert Terrain: 40% Terrain Parks: 1 Number of Runs: 44 Number of Quads/Chairlifts: 4 Price for Adult Season Pass: $599 Price for Adult Day Pass: $65

Melissa McGibbon is an Editor for Outdoor Sports Guide Magazine, a Lolë Ambassador, and a member of the Society of American Travel Writers. She is usually skiing, climbing, biking, practicing yoga, flying, surfing or diving—and is always in pursuit of adventure, travel or some daring combination of the two.

Powder Mountain

EARLY WINTER 2014 | 13

gear

Holiday Gift Guide

61 Finds for Everyone on Your List By Melissa McGibbon, Jenny Willden, and Staff

Gadget Gurus ❶

❷

1 Gwee Sport Guppy®

Attach this microfiber cleaning cloth to your shirt when active to quickly clean touchscreens or sunglasses while keeping headphone cords tamed. 2 for $13 gogwee.com

2 E-Case iPhone Case

This waterproof case’s sophisticated SealLock zipper closure can withstand one meter of water for 30 minutes; the material technology allows full access to phone functionality while it’s sealed in the case. $34 e-case.com

❸ ❹ ❻

REI Dual Converter Kit Features an auto reset fuse and variable settings to pair with electronics ranging from 50 watts to 2000 watts. Includes travel pouch and four international adapter plugs. $39 rei.com

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Black Diamond Ember Power Light Charge hand-held electronics with this rechargeable portable power device’s USB port, or light your ways as it doubles as a flashlight providing 150 Lumens of light. $50 blackdiamondequipment.com

❼ ❽

OlloClip This quick-flip device turns your smartphone into a mobile photo studio with a 4-in-1 lens that enables fisheye, wide-angle, 10 X Macro, and 15 X Macro lenses. $69 olloclip.com

earHERO Headphones Listen to your music safely while adventuring with audiologist-designed earphones that let noise like passing cars and barking dogs in to keep you aware in your surroundings. $149 earhero.com

Polaroid 10-Megapixel Instant Print Digital Camera with Zero Ink Printing Technology Anyone who likes cameras, photos, or fun will love this. It prints 2-inch by 3-inch images instantly in full color and can record HD videos that are immediately viewable on the camera screen. $179 polaroidstore.com

Fugoo Bluetooth Speaker Enjoy tunes all weekend long on your next camping trip with this durable 40-hour battery life Bluetooth speaker. 360-degree sound means your whole campsite can rock to your jams. $199 fugoo.com

Backcountry Buffs ❷ ❶ ❸

Chuao Oh My S’mores Chocolate Bar Fires not allowed at your campsite? Bring Oh My S’mores bars. They’re packed with smashed graham crackers and topped with marshmallows for a flavor that’s (almost) as good as the real thing. $6 chuaochocolatier.com

MSR Strike Ignitor Every outdoorsman needs a firestarter, and this one beats a Bic! Produces 5,000° Farenheit sparks to light stoves and fires quickly, and a bottle opener is conveniently built in. $16 msrgear.com

❹

❺

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Eagle Creek Make-a-Pillow Stuff this quilted pillow cover with clothing to make a cozy camp pillow without taking up extra space. Or use it to cover airline pillows on flights. $18 shop.eaglecreek.com

Grand Trunk Single Parachute Nylon Hammock Introduce a loved one to the joy of hammock ownership. This high-strength, mildew-resistant parachute nylon has triple-stitched seams and nautical-grade hanging carabiners so it can hold up to 400 pounds. $54 grandtrunk.com

REI Flexlite Chair Cush your tush after a long day backpacking with this lightweight, quick-to-setup camp chair that uses aluminum tent-type poles for the frame. $70 rei.com

Helle of Norway Olakniven Knife This multi-functional fixed-blade tool has a sleek birch handle for a comfortable grip and maximum dexterity. The triple-laminated steel blade comes with a black leather sheath. $89 helle.no

Chaco Natilly Boots Chacos aren’t just for summer anymore! Though made for casual wear, these boots offer enough arch support and tread for short hikes and are ideal for cold campsites. $135 chacos.com

Travelchair Sleeprite Cot Easy setup and compact storage makes this cot a dream come true for campers unsatisfied with sleeping on the ground. Supports you in all the right places and weighs just six pounds. $198 travelchair.com

14 | EARLY WINTER 2014 sportsguidemag.com

gear Frequent Fliers ❶

Platypus Soft Bottle This reusable water bottle has a dual-valve HyperFlow cap, is 100% BPA-free, and comes with a clean-taste guarantee. $8 platy.com

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Hari Mari Scout Flip Flops Pack these memory-foam injected flip flops in your suitcase for your next warm-weather vacay and let your feet revel in break-in free comfort with plenty of arch support. $60 harimari.com

Smith Colette Sunglasses Subtle and beautiful, this style flatters most women’s face shapes. Splurge on ChromaPop lenses for mind-blowing color and clarity. $80, $208 with ChromaPop smithoptics.com

Merrell Women’s Captiva Buckle-Down Waterproof Boots Boots that are waterproof and stylish? Yes! They’re comfortable and casual, but also offer a rugged appeal to match an outdoor lifestyle. Made with a full grain leather upper, breathable mesh lining, and a women’s specific sole cushion. $200 merrell.com

Cotopaxi Men’s Bengal Canvas Jacket Utah-based company, Cotopaxi, just released their first apparel collection—and the Bengal is a standout. Made of waxed canvas to repel water and insulated with Polartec Alpha for warmth without bulk. Purchase benefits Radiating Hope. $267 cotopaxi.com

PackTowl Robe Towl A robe and towel in one—genius. Any traveler will appreciate the super absorbent, quick drying, and packability of this 2-in-1 piece, which is perfect for trips to the beach, hostel stays, and hotel hot tub commuting. $74 packtowl.com

Brenthaven Medina Weekender Bag The ultimate carry-on bag, the Medina stows your laptop, tablet, books, snacks, and anything else you need in-flight. Integrated power pockets keep cords organized. $295 brenthaven.com

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Free Country Girls’ Blossom Vest It can be pricey to outfit growing kids in winter wear, but Free Country makes affordable apparel like this 80% natural duck down vest in fashion-forward styles your kids will love. Available for boys as the Power Vest. $40 freecountry.com

Patagonia Baby Hi-Loft Down Sweater Bunting So adorable you’ll wish they made these in adult sizes. This is Patagonia’s warmest one-piece bunting and is insulated with Traceable Down 600-fill-power duck down. It’s lightweight and wind-proof with a DWR (water repellent finish). $149 patagonia.com

Kelty Pathfinder 3.0 Make family hikes fun with the luxurious Pathfinder. No-Pinch hinges, padded straps, and a contoured waistbelt help mom or dad feel as comfortable as the little one riding along. Built with high-end extras like a sunshade, auto-deploy kickstand and zip-off daypack. $300 kelty.com

EARLY WINTER 2014 | 15

gear Belaying Believers ❶

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Mountain Hardwear Women’s Whipped Butter Hoodie Made from Butter Jersey fabric, it’s not only comfortable; it has great stretch for those reachy routes, moisture-wicking properties, and an antimicrobial finish. $80 mountainhardwear.com

Five Ten Rogue VCS Climbing Shoes These climbing shoes feature Five Ten’s Comfort Range Slingshot and Active Arch technology with a premium leather upper that conforms to the foot. For inside and outside climbing. $100 fiveten.com

Patagonia Men’s Down Sweater Vest This 800-fill-power Traceable Down Sweater Vest is lightweight, windproof, and made from 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell. This staple will keep his core warm and his smile big. $179 patagonia.com LL Bean Women’s Ultralight 850 Down Jacket Weighing just one pound, it’s made with premium 850-fill goose down, is specially coated with DownTek, and has a nylon shell to protect her from the cold while she is belaying. $219 llbean.com Black Diamond Viper Ice Tools Made for all types of ice and alpine climbing, this technical tool is built with a hydroformed shaft to increase stiffness, reduce weight, and maintain exceptional balance. Available with an adze or hammer. $239 blackdiamondequipment.com

EARTH

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16 | EARLY WINTER 2014 sportsguidemag.com

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Tasc Women’s Advance Tank Breathable, odor-resistant bamboo fabric makes this an ideal baselayer under winter run wear. Plus, the full-coverage haltertop style and built-in bra keeps the girls under wraps when in motion. $54 tascperformance.com

Brooks Pure Project Men’s LS Pure Project apparel blurs the line between sport and style, and this geometric shirt is no exception. Built in an everyday style from runnable, wicking fabrics with smart details like seam-free shoulders and reflective accents. $75 brooksrunning.com

New Balance Men’s Heat Tight Fitted and thermal, these fleece-lined tights keep muscles warm on the coldest days. Ankle zippers makes putting socks on easy too. $75 newbalance.com

7 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2015 Photos ©

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Brooks Winter Vanguard Sneakers Brooks winterized their popular heritage sneaker just in time for the holidays by re-constructing it in rich full-grain leather with textile fabric to create an amazing post-run kick. For men and women. $90 brooksrunning.com

New Balance Women’s Chameleon Jacket Ditch the dreadmill and run outdoors with the Chameleon. Winter weather is no match for this Polartec® Alpha® fabric jacket that feels and warms like a down puffy, but breathes to wick away sweat when you heat up. $150 newblance.com

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PROBAR Bite Epic powder days call for nonstop turns, so bring PROBAR’s new snack—Bite—for the chairlift. This gluten-free, dairy-free bar has healthy ingredients with fewer calories than its meal replacement predecessor. $2 theporbar.com

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POC Retina WO Ski Goggles Designed for women’s faces, these goggles feature triple-layer foam for an optimal fit. The double lens has optical grade polycarbonate 2 FOOTbrake BOOTbrake and special anti-fog and anti-scratch Banish your boots during ski breaks and slip on these ultralight sock covers to keep toes dry treatments. $125 pocsports.com as you pad around the lodge. Small enough to 7 Chandler 4 Corners Chalet Collection stuff in a coat pocket! $35 footbrake.com Pillow Surprise a snow lover with a 100% knit wool 3 Mountain Hardwear Men’s Trekkin pillow with Nordic motifs. Each is velveteen Insulated Shacket The latest rage in men’s apparel—The Shacket. backed and filled with a feather down pillow. Available at Southwestern Expressions in Park It’s part jacket, part shirt, and combines the City or The Garden Store in Salt Lake City. look and versatility of a shirt with the warmth and protection of a lightweight synthetic, wind- $125 chandler4corners.com and water-resistant shell. 8 Dakine Fall Line Double Ski Travel Bag $80 mountainhardwear.com This fully padded ski bag offers full protection with zippered exterior pockets, high-quality 4 Icebreaker Oasis Base Layers urethane wheels, dual-end carry handles, and Once you’ve discovered the magic of Merino lockable zipper cars. $130 dakine.com wool, there’s no going back. Share the joy of these baselayers that are lightweight, naturally 9 Helly Hansen Men’s HH Warm Flow FZ odor-resistant, breathable, and quite dreamy. Hoodie $99 Top, $89 Bottoms icebreaker.com Not your typical baselayer, this shirt’s interior open weave pushes moisture out to keep 5 Sanuk Soulshine Chill Great for après-ski and everyday comfort, sass, your skin dry and you warm. The Merino wool and style. These suede slip-on booties feature exterior is so insulating that you can skip the mid-layer altogether. $140 hellyhansen.com

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Troy Lee Designs Men’s MTB Shorts These 2-way stretch lightweight, breathable mountain biking shorts are great for all types of mountain riding and offer a fully ergonomically comfortable cut and fit. $135 troyleedesigns.com

SealLine Urban Shoulder Bag For the rain-or-shine cyclist or fans of functionality, this waterproof messenger bag is lightweight and built to last. It features a light loop, gusseted interior pockets, and convenient, camp buckleadjusted shoulder strap for added versatility. $169 sealinegear.com

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Garmin Edge 510 Bike Computer Live tracking, social media sharing, and weather reports are just a few features of this advanced bike computer. Uses GPS to track distance, speed, ascent/descent, and a variety of other metrics through wireless data. $329 garmin.com

CARVE IN SOME TIME FOR NEW SKILLS. SPECIALTY SKI INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS Conducted by Deer Valley’s professional ski instructors, these innovative programs involve students in planning the focus of the day. The programs offer stance, balance and alignment analysis and test skis. Advance reservations are necessary and lift tickets are included for the Mahre Training Center Ski Camps. MEN’S / WOMEN’S WEEKEND (ADVANCED BEGINNER AND UP) February 6-8, 2015. Three full days. WOMEN ON WEDNESDAYS (ADVANCED BEGINNER AND UP) January 7, 14, 21, 28; February 4, 2015. Five consecutive Wednesdays. Full days. MEN ON THURSDAYS (ADVANCED BEGINNER AND UP) January 8, 15, 22, 29; February 5, 2015. Five consecutive Thursdays. Full days. STEEPS & STASHES (INTERMEDIATE TO EXPERT) March 6-8, 2015. Three full days. Co-ed participation. MAHRE TRAINING CENTER SKI CAMPS Three-day ski camps offered December 12-14, 2014, January 30 - February 1, 2015, and February 27 - March 1, 2015. Five-day ski camps offered December 15-19, 2014, and January 12-16, 2015. Participants must be 12 years or older. Ask about our Children’s Specialty Programs as well. deervalley.com | 435-645-6648 #SkiTheDifference

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Winter Canyoneering " Southern Utah By Nick Como

ÂŠ juancat | / Dollar Photo Club

arly winter in Utah is a magical time, as the first few hundred of inches of fluffy snow begin to pile up on the slopes in the Wasatch and powder days become a top priority. Oft forgotten, however, are the canyoneering adventures the southern part of the state continues to offer.

22 | EARLY WINTER 2014 sportsguidemag.com

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While the days are certainly shorter and morning starts colder, there are several advantages to “going underground” this time of year. I’m particularly fond of not sweating away half my body’s weight on approach hikes, only to be near hypothermic once in the canyon, before returning to a scalding hot exit hike. Winter canyoneering in dry canyons, meaning no more than ankle deep water, allows for a more temperature-controlled and enjoyable experience. A bit of additional preparation and equipment—plus thorough research on canyon selection and condition—can make winter canyoneering rival summer adventures.

PREPARATION

Once you have a canyon or area in mind, checking the upcoming weather is as important as checking the past as well, in order to gauge whether or not the canyon will be dry. I try to keep tabs on the last month’s worth of precipitation and use online resources such as climbutah.com and the ACA Message Boards for recent trip reports and local knowledge/beta. This is helpful for the canyon itself, but also for the rough roads usually required to drive to a canyon’s start. Looking beyond rainfall amount is imperative: snow and ice can encase anchors and make rappel ledges dangerously slippery. If average daily temps haven’t been well above freezing, I’ll look elsewhere to a different canyon system. I’ll also read through the route description and topo to see where more than ankle deep water could be, plus its relation to the first rappel, in case I need to pull the proverbial ripcord and retreat. Even though I plan to stay dry, layering and alternate clothing is key to staying warm. The most important article of clothing I pack is a winter hat that fits under my helmet. Since a warm head is a happy head, a hat is this bald guy’s best friend. Going from head to toe, I 11:12 AM also bring several extra pairs of socks, including a set of neoprene socks for sections of shallow, standing water. Depending on how much water I expect to encounter, I may pack a second pair of shoes and designate one pair to wear through water and the other for a dry hike out. Switching shoes, coiling ropes, adding or removing a hat slows the pace down a bit, which can drop body temps very quickly—sometimes less than a minute. For stops of more than 60 seconds, I keep an oversized, but not bulky, puffy coat at the top of my pack. I like the Eddie Bauer First Ascent StormDown because it’s highly compressible and has a hood. ($199 eddiebauer.com) The first thing I do when I stop is throw this blanket of feathery goodness on to stay toasty warm while messing with gear or shoes. Walking with your hands in your pockets comes at the cost of balance and reaction time: I have more than one trip and fall to prove it. A thin pair of leather gloves works well for both rappelling and keeping my digits warm walking through the canyon.

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24 | EARLY WINTER 2014

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strength, our bodies work the same way. In addition to snacks I pack two thermoses. One is for coffee, the other for piping hot tomato soup. Coffee is a diuretic and could make you colder, but in my opinion a few warm sips here and there from my Stanley Vacuum Bottle ($38 stanley-pmi.com) over the course of a day keep the cold at bay.

EQUIPMENT

Not having to haul a wetsuit or drysuit in your pack allows for an extra margin of safety items in their place. Normal safety protocol for canyoneering is to bring three times the length of rope as the longest rappel expected, in case of a stuck rope or rescue situation. This extra rope can also come in handy for swapping rappels. Ideally, I like to be in a group of four and split into two teams, which allows one team to swing ahead and work on setting up the next rap while the tail group is pulling and coiling ropes from the previous drop. The first extra things I pack are mechanical ascenders, such as the Black Diamond NFORCE ($79 blackdiamondequipment. com). In summer, I opt for a tibloc or some simple prussiks in case I need to make an emergency ascent of a rope. In winter, however, I like to leave the rope strung from the first rappel and explore downcanyon to the second rap to confirm the potential water condition is as expected. If I see more than just puddles around the next bend or over the next drop I can use mechanical ascenders to retreat, which is far more pleasurable than using just cord. Bringing a headlamp should go without saying, and I double and triple check it works and the batteries are fully charged. I also carry an extra set of fresh, dry batteries in my pack.

CANYONS

One of my favorite winter descents is Birch Hollow, on the eastern environs of Zion National Park. This sinewy slot serves up some long, fluted, rappels and can easily be completed in the shorter daylight hours. There may be a trickle of water in the slot, but nothing more than ankle deep, thought the same cannot always be said for the miles of dirt (read: frozen mud) road approach drive. Other areas that don’t swell with icy cold water in normal years are in the San Rafael, some of the slots in Grand Staircase, and north of Lake Powell. What I typically look for is a canyon with an “A” rating, as far as its normal water condition. A rated canyons are typically dry, with not much more than shallow, standing water. Anything more than that and serious cold water protection—such as a dry suit—is the only way to go. Nick Como escaped the skyscrapers of NYC for the tall peaks of the Wasatch. Climber, skier, canyoneer, mountain biker, and lover of food. Just don’t think of offering him pizza with pineapple on it.

sportsguidemag.com

EARLY WINTER 2014 | 25

training

Why Weight?

The Whole-Body Benefits of Strength Training

By Molly Newman o stay fit for running, biking, or skiing all year-round, you T already know the importance of keeping up regular cardio workouts. But you may be missing out on another core element of a balanced fitness program: weight training (or “resistance training,” as it’s known to fitness researchers).

Beyond weight training’s obvious muscle-building power, it offers great—and sometimes surprising—health benefits for your entire body. Plus, you don’t have to be a full-on gym rat to get these benefits; most of them are achievable with as little as two twentyminute sessions a week. Whether you work out with free weights at home or with specialty equipment at the gym, adding a little iron to your training diet can make a lifelong difference.

Trimming Down

exercises that are especially helpful for increasing BMD in the bones of the hips and legs.

Balancing Blood Sugar

With nearly 30 million Americans diagnosed with diabetes and another estimated 86 million with pre-diabetic conditions, this tough-to-treat condition is the seventh most common cause of death among American adults. Fortunately, strength training is proven to be an effective way to regulate blood sugar (and, by proxy, diabetes symptoms). Muscles require glucose to operate, and the more frequently and vigorously they’re exercised, the more receptors they develop to help transport glucose into their cells. The result: Better control of blood sugar levels, even among individuals who already have reduced insulin sensitivity.

It’s a matter of basic math: Increased muscle mass means increased caloric burn. A pound of muscle simply requires more energy for maintenance than does a pound of fat. Plus, recent research shows that a vigorous strength-training workout revs your metabolism for up to 40 hours as your body repairs tiny tears in your muscles. Whether you’re looking to shed a few pounds, maintain your waistline, or simply justify a plateful of holiday treats, regular resistance training can help you achieve your weightwatching goals.

Heart Health

Building Bones

To keep your memory stronger for longer, you might want to add weight lifting to your regimen of crossword puzzles and stimulating conversations. A recent study of senior adults with mild to moderate memory problems showed that strength training—but not cardio exercise or light toning—helped stave off the development of full-blown dementia. Though researchers aren’t sure why strength training showed this protective effect, its overall benefits to memory are undeniable.

Especially for women, weight training is a critical part of maintaining healthy bone mineral density (BMD) over time. Though most people don’t begin losing BMD until their 50s or 60s, building strong bones earlier in life helps minimize age-related bone conditions such as osteoporosis and hip fractures—the top cause of mobility loss and nursing home admissions in senior women. Squats, weighted lunges, and step-ups are all simple

Until just a few years ago, cardiac patients were advised to avoid weight lifting for fear of causing a heart attack. But recent research shows that regular strength training boosts cardiovascular health in a number of ways. Compared to aerobic exercise, lifting weights produces a 20% longer-lasting drop in blood pressure. It also widens blood vessels, allowing a less restricted flow of blood, and raises HDL (good) cholesterol while reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Maintaining Memories

26 | EARLY WINTER 2014 sportsguidemag.com

Boosting Moods

Feeling low? Grab a set of hand weights and snap out a few bicep curls. A study by Harvard researchers showed that a combined program of cardio and strength training reduced depression symptoms as effectively as prescription antidepressants. Study participants also reported better sleep, improved body image, and lower stress levels overall. Even after the study period ended, participants who kept up their new exercise habit reported less depression ten months later than those whose depression was treated with medication alone.

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Getting Started

Ready to add strength training to your regular workouts? Check out these online resources for getting started safely and effectively. • Want to work out at home? Invest in a set of free weights, then turn to the tutorials at TeachPE.com for step-bystep instructional videos. • Prefer getting pumped at the gym? Show up equipped for success with the printable machine workout schedules from fitnessblender.com. • Can’t stand being stuck indoors? Take your workout outside with the fullbody playground equipment routine at bodybuilding.com. Molly Newman lives in Portland, Oregon, where she hikes, walks, and runs whenever it isn’t raining—and often when it is. A contributor to Outdoor Sports Guide since 2009, she also hosts regular trivia nights and homeschools her two sons.

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December 1–23

CHRISTMAS CRUISE Provo, UT. Come enjoy a lighted riverboat ride along the lower Provo River. Thousands of lights with holiday scenes along the shore and Christmas music on the boat. Boarding location is at C.L.A.S. Ropes Course, 3606 West Center Street, Provo. Closed Sundays and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. www.clasropes.com

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For a calendar of events, operating hours and admission prices, including Hogle Zoo member discounts, visit hoglezoo.org.

Expires: December 31, 2014

FIRESIDE AVALANCE CHAT Black Diamond Store, 2092 E 3900 S, Salt Lake City, UT. blackdiamondequipment.com/en/ utah/retail-store.html#visit

January 7

FIRESIDE AVALANCE CHAT Black Diamond Store, 2092 E 3900 South, Salt Lake City, UT. www.blackdiamondequipment.com/ en/utah/retail-store.html#visit

December 5–January 30

December 6

LEARN TO POWER KITE Snow and Water Kite lessons taught on a weather dependent basis from Cloud 9 Toys. Free “learn the basics” clinics taught once a week. Contact Cloud 9 or friend us on Facebook for updates and times. www.paragliders.com

December 4

WOMEN’S FREE BEACON CLINIC Albion Grill, Alta, UT. www. utahavalanchecenter.org/classes/ womens-free-beacon-clinic

December 11 & 13

Offer valid: Sundays through Wednesdays only, November 30–December 31. Not valid with any other offer. One coupon good for up to four (4) admissions. Coupon must be presented to ticket window. No cash value. No photocopies.

December 16

January 8

BACKCOUNTRY 101 FOR SNOWSHOERS REI, 3285 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT. utahavalanchecenter.org/classes/ backcountry-101-snowshoers

any regularly-priced ZooLights! admission ticket with this coupon.

Try the latest in ski and snowboard technology from various brands and learn more about activating your EpicMix account. www.canyonsresort.com

CHRISTMAS CRUISE AT CLAS ROPES COURSE 5:30 PM–9:00 PM 3606 W. Center Street, Provo, UT. Come and enjoy a lighted Christmas riverboat ride on the Provo River. What you can expect: Thousands of lights reflecting off the water. Cruise boat seating up to 40 people. Holiday scenes along the shore. Christmas music, Santa visits. Round trip taking approx. 20 -25 minutes. Departures every 15-30 minutes. Since the boats are uncovered, blankets and warm clothes are strongly encouraged. Walkins welcome. www.clasropes.com

December 8

RECEIVE $2 OFF

➧ clinics & events ➧ running

BACKCOUNTRY 101 Red Butte Gardens 3000 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT. www.redbuttegarden.org

December 12-21

DECEMBER FEST AT THE CANYONS Kick your holidays off by heading to Canyons for DecemberFest, a new tenday festival including morning and après musical acts, village entertainers, a resort lighting ceremony, and more! www.canyonsresort.com

December 13

DEMO DAY & EPICMIX ACTIVATION DAY - CANYONS

28 | EARLY WINTER 2014

BACKCOUNTRY 101 FOR SNOWSHOERS REI, 3285 E. 3300 South, Salt Lake City, UT. utahavalanchecenter.org/classes/ backcountry-101-snowshoers

January 29

BACKCOUNTRY 101 Red Butte Gardens 3000 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT. www.redbuttegarden.org

RUNNING 2014 SANTA RUN - PROVO - ALL RUNNERS WEAR SANTA SUITS! 4:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M. The Shops at Riverwoods - Provo, UT. The Jolliest 5K in Utah. This fun event starts and ends at The Shops at Riverwoods, Provo. All registered runners get a full and complete Santa Suit to run this 5K in. Along the course you will find milk and cookie stops (with water) to aid the Santa’s on their journey. Christmas Music plays over head. This race is followed by a Christmas Concert and is a lot of fun. www.runsanta.com

December 6

SALT LAKE JINGLE BELL WALK OR RUN FOR ARTHRITIS Wear a holiday themed costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. a 801-536-0990, vpetroeschler@ arthritis.org, www.arthritis.org/utah/

December 6

DEATH VALLEY TRAIL MARATHON & HALF MARATHON 8:00 A.M.–3:00 P.M. Death Valley National Park, Death Valley, CA. This scenic wilderness trail run is on a gravel jeep road from Beatty, NV through the picturesque Titus Canyon, finishing in Death Valley (entire run is in Death Valley National Park). The desert is beautiful this time of year with mild temperatures; lows at night between 30 and 40 degrees and highs during the day

sportsguidemag.com

calendar from the low-60s to mid-70s. This is our most spectacular trail event of the year and well worth the weekend away. Truly, an experience you won’t forget. The event is limited to 300 participants and sells out months in advance so don’t wait too long to register online at envirosports.com!

December 6

WINTER SUN 10K 10:00 A.M.– 1:00 P.M. Moab, UT. A fast course, great raffle prizes and delicious finish food make the 32nd annual Winter Sun 10K a good reason to visit Moab when the air is crisp and the skies are blue and sunny. www.moabhalfmarathon.com

December 13

UTAH INDOOR MARATHON & HALF 6:30 A.M.– 3:00 P.M. Utah Olympic Oval, 5662 Cougar Ln, Kearns, UT. Not your average marathon. With high-end service, top-level medals, t-shirts, and attention to detail at every turn – and with a 442-meter track and 96 laps that’s a lot of turns! Limited to only 200 Runners. utahindoormarathon.com

December 31

January 1, 2015

NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION RUN 2015 Kearns, UT. Start your 2015 off with a bang by joining 300 runners at the Utah Olympic Oval. Run as many laps as you want during a 5-hour block of time on the climate-controlled 442-meter running track. www.newyearsrevolutionrun.com

January 3, 2015

RESOLUTION RUN 5K AND 10K Boondocks, Kaysville, UT. www.utahenduranceevents.com

➧ running ➧ winter sports a fun way to mingle with women riders while getting half off a lift ticket! From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and begins with “girlbombing” Sunshine Bowl with the group reconvening at 3:00 p.m. for giveaways, mingling, and avalanche beacon drills. Sponsored by Outdoor Women’s Alliance and She Jumps. www.skisolitude.com

January 1, 2015

LIFE TIME FITNESS COMMITMENT DAY 5K Start 2015 on the right foot at this New Year’s Day 5K run or walk. 10996 S. River Front Pkwy, South Jordan,UT. www. commitmentday.com

January 10, 2015

SPORTS-AM 5K SNOWSHOE RACE Kids: 9:30 A.M. 5K 10:00 A.M. Mountain Dell Golf Course, Parleys Canyon, UT. Kids 1K. Check website for updates. www.sports-am.com

January 9–11, 2015

SKI TO LIVE CAMPS If you’re the type who gets curious, who wants to constantly try new things, to learn, to grow and solve problems as the come up. Here are some problems that Ski to Live solves: -you’re not having the experience you want -you’re having the experience you want, but want to enhance it -too much fear or self doubt, in life or when you ski -not feeling the same motivation you once had -you love skiing but can’t translate that amazing feeling into your regular life -you’re getting older, things are changing, what now? -you just feel something’s off, are not sure what it is, and need help getting unstuck If any of these strike you or even if you’re simply curious, consider a camp this year. www.kristenulmer.com

January 8–10, 2015

December 13

FIS FREESTYLE SKI WORLD CUP EVENT All competitions will be held at night under the lights at Deer Valley Resort. Men’s and women’s aerial events will be held on the White Owl ski run on Thursday, January 8, 2015. Men’s and women’s mogul and dual mogul events are scheduled on the Champion ski run on Friday, January 9 and Saturday, January 10, 2015. Finals for all disciplines will take place in the evening, with a fireworks display concluding each night. www.deervalley.com/ WhatToDo/Winter/FISWorldCup

sportsguidemag.com

EARLY WINTER 2014 | 29

January 31–February 28

WINTER RUNNING SERIES 5K Saturdays at 10:00 A.M. The Great Saltair, Magna, UT. Organized by Salt Lake City Track Club and sponsored by New Balance Salt Lake, this is the a three-race series. The course is an out-and-back starting near the Saltair parking lot. www.slctrackclub.org

WINTER SPORTS SOLITUDE’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S SKI DAY This women’s ski and snowboard gathering is

fun & fr lic

consignment shop

your renewable resource for fun-loving, easy-living gear, clothing, accessories & GIFTS

All jewelry 20% off through Dec. 24th Includes vintage, locally-made & artisan Other gifts on sale weekly throughout December. Updates posted on facebook ~ friend us at “fun & frolic consignment shop.”

2066 South 2100 East - SLC 801.487.6393 NOW ACCEPTING WINTER OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL CONSIGNMENT

Details about consigning & our Community & Conservation

efforts can be found on the web @ myfunandfrolic.com

SKI AND SNOWBOARD FOR

25% LESS

WITH THE SNOWBASIN EXPRESS CARD

snowbasin.com | 801.620.1000 Express Card Ad 8.98x5.75_v1.indd 1

10/31/14 10:58 AM

no one does more for as many. adopt one. help thousands.

utahhumane.org

Mountain School

January Learn to Ski from $45! Lessons make fantastic holiday gifts

(801) 947-8222 or snowbird.com/mountain-school Reservations recommended: (801) 947-8222 or mountainschool@snowbird.com. January 4-31. Must pre-register a minimum of 24 hours in advance.

THERE WILL BE AN ONGOING BATTLE BETWEEN THE MOUNTAINS, PARKS AND THE FINISH LINE OVER WHICH ONE YOU’LL REMEMBER MOST. The Salt Lake City Marathon is the kind of event you need to see to believe. Starting at the Olympic Legacy Bridge, this gorgeous race takes you past the towering Wasatch Mountains, through the Federal Heights neighborhood, Memory Grove, Sugar House and Liberty Parks until it culminates at the finish line between Library and Washington Squares. Then it’s time to reflect on what you just accomplished and enjoy the after party with friends and family. Beautiful? Yes. Challenging? Absolutely. And being Beautifully Challenging is what makes the Salt Lake City Marathon a race you need to see—and run—for yourself.

APRIL 18, 2015 | REGISTER TODAY SaltLakeCityMarathon.com