From Yurts to Desserts If, like me, you’ve been mostly cooped up during the pandemic and not venturing out very much, maybe now is the time to do so. I’m ready to get back in gear and explore some of the more unique winter dining destinations at our local resorts — options ranging from Mongolian yurt dining to a raw bar ensconced in a cabin. Here are five can’t-miss picks for … [Read more...]
Eight Great Winter Dates in Utah
From coffee to cocktails, birds to bitters, and sled dogs to sunsets, there's a December activity for everyone. Instead of burrowing yourself deeper into the couch cushions this winter, why not spice up your dating routine or family night with one of these cold-weather date night ideas? From meeting dog sled pups and learning how to curl like a Canadian, to visiting the … [Read more...]
The Story of Snowbird Ski Resort
Ted Johnson and Dick Bass built a recreation legacy. Snowbird’s millionaire oil tycoon and financier Dick Bass was an outdoor icon. Bass jet-setted the world’s highest peaks, summiting seven of them in his fifties. Bass not only set world records, he also started a trend that other aging, adventurous multi-millionaires would follow. John Krakauer’s famous Everest expedition … [Read more...]
Mountains of Money: What Happened to Utah Ski Resorts?
For better or for worse, our beloved ski resorts are full of high-speed quads, trams and gondolas. They race skiers atop mountains in less than half the time of the old rope tows or clunky, slow regular chair lifts. But there is just one downside ... Powder days have become powder mornings or even powder hours. With a huge abundance of skiers on the mountains (thanks to the … [Read more...]
100-Year-Old Wasatch Mountain Lodge Hidden in Dense Forest of Big Cottonwood Canyon
If you’ve ever skied Brighton Resort, chances are you’ve glided right past the two-story, almost 100-year-old Wasatch Mountain Lodge without even knowing it. Located on the hillside above Brighton Inn, just a few hundred yards from the Milly Express lift, this large, log structure is hidden in dense forest. “I first became acquainted with the Lodge three years ago. It was … [Read more...]
Four Must-Do Weber County Hikes
It’s no secret that some of the best things about Utah are the winsome mountains that straddle our state. Utah’s mountains play a significant role in the charm and activity base we have here. But what adventures do our mountains truly hold for us? The best way to discover your local mountains is by hiking! Here in Weber County, there are dozens of trails to choose from. I … [Read more...]
The Top Five Lakes in the High Uinta Mountains to Visit
I have been an avid backpacker and angler of Utah’s Uinta Mountains and its 600-plus fishable lakes for 55 years. As a teenager, I became addicted to fishing the mountain lakes closest to the Mirror Lake Byway with my cousin, who is now considered an expert, as he has visited so many lakes over the decades. Early on though, I decided we needed an approach to scoring lakes … [Read more...]
Neff’s Cave: Utah’s Best-Kept Subterranean Secret
Sometimes the best-kept secrets are hidden in our own backyard. For example, if you were to ask an experienced caver from France to name 10 of the top technical caves in the world, he would more than likely include Neff’s Cave among them. He might even tell you where it is. He may have even been there. On the other hand, if you were to ask random Salt Lakers about … [Read more...]
Why Should You Drive to Provo to Get Your Rock Climbing Equipment?
Outdoor sports are one of the biggest reasons to live in Utah. People come from all over the world to ski, mountain bike, rock climb, and pursue a plethora of other adrenaline addictions that bring them face-to-face with raw nature. The geographic wrinkles that rise up all around us in this beautiful state, sculpted and carved by wind and water, offer a view from just about … [Read more...]
Burn Scars – Restoration Work Continues to Revive Land After Bald Mountain and Pole Creek Fires
March 12, 2020: A year-and-a-half after the Bald Mountain and Pole Creek fires combined to burn over 120,000 acres in southern Utah County, restoration efforts are well underway, but there are still many years of environmental work ahead. In September 2018, the lightning-caused fires forced the evacuations of nearly 6,000 people in Woodland Hills, Elk Ridge, and several … [Read more...]