Salt Lake vs Park City | Where to Live for the Best Outdoor Adventures | Backcountry Skiing & Nordic/XC (Part 2)

People that live in Salt Lake City believe that Park City is just another suburb of Salt Lake. The locals that live in Park City know that’s simply not true. And so it goes, the endless debate (and rivalry) on which town/city is better to live in. Either Park City, where the mountains are at your fingertips because you live in the mountains, or Salt Lake City that sits right at the foot of the beautiful Wasatch Front Mountains. And through this series of posts, I hope to help those that are looking to move out west to Utah, on …

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Salt Lake vs Park City | Where to Live for the Best Outdoor Adventures | Resort Skiing (Part 1)

People that live in Salt Lake City believe that Park City is just another suburb of Salt Lake. The locals that live in Park City know that’s simply not true. And so it goes, the endless debate (and rivalry) on which town/city is better to live in. Either Park City, where the mountains are at your fingertips because you live in the mountains, or Salt Lake City that sits right at the foot of the beautiful Wasatch Front Mountains. And through this series of posts, I hope to help those that are looking to move out west to Utah, on …

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Local Guide | Best Ways to Ski and Snowboard Park City Mountain Resort & Canyons

So you’re making out to Park City, Utah to do some skiing or snowboarding and are looking to maximize all you can ski in the short time you have in town. Well you’ve come to the right place. I’ll brake down the best way to maximize your turns on your skis and snowboard while on some of the greatest snow on Earth. Remember to be honest with yourself and your abilities, because every mountain in the world grades their runs differently. A black diamond back on the East Coast, like Pennsylvania and West Virginia might only be a Blue Square …

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Backcountry Skiing Couloir off Lake Peak in Wasatch

This season has been wild so far, with regards to our snowfall and snowpack her in Utah. We got dumped on in October, which is never a great start for any snowpack to prevent a season-long persistent weak layer. November followed with not a single flake of snow, which lead to a rotting snowpack from the early season snow. Then came a record-setting December which gave us nearly 10 feet of snow in some areas. But then a freakishly dry January rolled in, where it hadn’t snowed past the 7th and combining with warm temperatures, we had incredibly safe avalanche …

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Backcountry Skiing Gear Recommendations | Backcountry Skis

As a heads Up, this is not an extensive list of newest backcountry skiing gear, but rather a recommendation on the type of gear to get and an explanation of other versions out on the market. This is basically a jumping off point for gear recommendations. My philosophy in the backcountry is that you need to prepare for the uphill, where lightweight is the priority, and downhill, where performance and fun is the priority. Backcountry specific skis, do they really exist? Yes. Are they different than resort downhill skis?Technically yes. In here I will try to break down the difference …

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Backcountry Skiing Gear Recommendations | Gloves

As a heads Up, this is not an extensive list of newest backcountry skiing gear, but rather a recommendation on the type of gear to get and an explanation of other versions out on the market. This is basically a jumping off point for gear recommendations. My philosophy in the backcountry is that you need to prepare for the uphill, when your body is generating heat, and the downhill when you’re moving fast and not generating much heat. Beyond skis, I really do think gloves are the most critical piece of equipment that I bring into the backcountry. Simply put, …

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Tagert Backcountry Ski Hut in Colorado Review

Tagert Hut, tucked away deep in the backcountry of the Elk Mountains, just outside of Aspen, Colorado, exceeded the unbelievably high standards I had held for my first hut ski trip. From picturesque panoramic views of massive snow capped peaks that surrounded the hut, to the cosy, efficient cabin architecture within the hut. So when my 4 buddies and I skied the 5 miles up Pearl Pass road to the hut, we were ready for a trip of a lifetime. Getting There Named for Billy Tagert, an Aspen pioneer and teamster who hauled supplies to mining camps in the Elk …

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Backcountry Skiing 101: Video Series

In this Backcountry Skiing 101 Series, I’m going to breakdown all the little pieces that go into a day backcountry skiing or snowboarding. We’ll touch on going uphill, transitioning to the downhill, working with your avalanche equipment, rescue scenarios, and fun backcountry powder skiing. This series is not intended to replace official AIARE or Avalanche Safety Courses offered by professionals. This is merely a series for those who are sticking to resort touring, or might have some questions about ski touring and need some help. Please reach out if you have any questions, comments, or helpful tips that you’d like …

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Ski Touring at Night |Park City Mountain

As you climb up the ski run, that you’ve skied downhill so many times, you begin to enter the flow state. The lights from the base area begin to disappear, and the darkness around the beam of your headlamp becomes the new normal. Without the constant alertness required when traveling in avalanche terrain, you can allow your brain to wonder. The climb begins to hit a rhythm as you find a good pace to slide over the icy surface. One foot, sliding in front of the other, and repeat. It becomes, sort of like a meditation. Only when a fellow …

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Microadventures | Ski Bike-Tour

Big adventures to high peaks and far off places that require maximum effort will always top my list as favorite things to do. Microadventures; however, fall at a close second. What are Microadventures you might ask? Well I guess there are different for everyone, but by definition it’s not an adventure until something goes wrong.  To me, an adventure is going out to do something that you are unsure you’ll be able to complete. That’s why a weekly run or ride isn’t really an adventure, it’s just an activity. So where does a microadventure fall exactly? Rather than extravagant trips …

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