Artwork at Crank SLC (749 S State Street, SLC)
Quickest Escape From the Wasangeles Crowd
The greatest blessing of the Wasatchβaccessβcan also be its greatest curse when you find the trails packed with other weekend warriors. Fortunately, an equally impressive mountain range lies just to the east, the Uintas. Instead of trudging along the Pipeline Trail for your next adventure, head out on Mirror Lake Highway to the Crystal Lake Trailhead and hike towards Notch Pass. Once youβre a mile or two in, itβll just be you and a few really ambitious fly fishermen taking in the incredible views.
Best Roughing It
Bryce Canyon Lodge is a fine example of the rustic design of the Westβs early national parks and a treasured piece of Americana.Β At the only proper lodging within the park, youβll have unrivalled access to ancient red rock formations, the parkβs famous hoodoos, and pine forests for days.The main two-story lodge was built with open log framing and showcases Arts and Crafts details and a massive stone fireplaceβwhere youβll warm up after a walk under the parkβs brilliant canopy of stars.
Most Finely Crafted Local Product
Some things in life just scream βOPULENCE AND EXCESS!β Enveβs carbon fiber mountain bike parts certainly fit the bill. The price tags they carry may make your eyes water, but all of the Ogden-based companyβs products are produced in-house, and theyβve been proven on the world stage under World Champion Downhillers and Elite Ironman Athletes alike.
690 W. 1100 S. Suite 4 Ogden, 877-358-2869, enve.com
Best Way to Ski Lots of Resorts Without Being an Oil Baron
The Mountain Collective Pass is the traveling skierβs best friend, offering two days at Snowbird/Alta, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Sun Valley, Mammoth, Whistler and more for just $399. Sure, the Epic Pass gets all the love for affordable skiing goodness, but we live in an extremely mountain-rich environment with more to offer than just PCMR. Utah is the best, but thereβs plenty to see in our neighboring states, too.
Best Ski Bum Vacation/Staycation
All-inclusive ski vacations are pretty difficult to pull off without having Kardashian cash, unless you head over to the Goldminerβs Daughter at Alta. Youβve likely stopped in there for a post-ski refreshment at some point, but you may not know the slope-side building has dorm-style sleeping arrangements and all-inclusive amenities that can clock in at well under $100 a night. Not bad when itβs only 50 yards to first chair.
10160 E. Hwy 210, Alta, 801-742-2300, goldminersdaughterlodge.com
Be a Revenant
BOSS Survival School in Boulder run by Josh Bernstein, former host of History Channelβs Digging for the Truth and Discovery Channelβs Into the Unknown with Josh Bernstein, is ideal for anyone who wants to get primitive. These skillsβmaking fire with sticks, foraging wild edibles, crafting primitive weapons, learning pre-GPS navigation skillsβmight come in handy should you find yourself in a Bear-Grylls-type scenario.
Best Place to Shut Up and Hang On
If youβre a two-wheeled speed junkie, thereβs no better way to test your mettle (and your lungs) than Contender Bicycleβs group rides for cyclists of the road, mountain and triathlon varieties. Expect a fun challenge (and a little bit of good-natured smack talk).
909 E. 900 South, SLC, 801-364-0344, contenderbicycles.com
Resort Expansion Most Worthy of a Fight
The Wasatch isnβt all that big, and we already have enough ski resorts dotting the landscape. Snowbirdβs planned expansion into American Fork Canyon would undoubtedly be good for business, but not so good for those who would like to keep some of Utahβs public lands just that: public. Many of you wonβt agree, but itβs important to birddog unfettered development these days. Visit American Fork Canyon Alliance to get involved.
americanforkcanyonalliance.org
Highest Concentration of People Without Fear
Their slogan is βRed Bull Gives You Wings.β Theyβd better be right because the folks riding mountain bikes at Rampage earn their pilot certifications in the Southern Utah desert near Virgin. The spectacle is watched around the world, and itβs likely the only place where you can get up close and personal with guys jumping mountain bikes over canyons large enough to make Evel Knievel shudder.
Best Volunteercation
How about a feel-good vacation? Sign on the Trash Trackerβa houseboat on Lake Powellβfor a week and be a part of collecting the trash (50,000 pounds and counting!) left behind by Lake Powellβs 3 million annual visitors. At the end of the day, youβll enjoy cookouts, beach time and the epic scenery found in the Glen Canyon Recreational Area.
www.nps.gov/glca/getinvolved/supportyourpark/trashtracker.htm
Best Canβt-Get-A-Permit-to-The-Wave Go-to
Just around the corner from The Wave, thereβs a hidden gem that offers stunning scenery in its rock piles (known as βteepeesβ), arches and fins. While a permit is still required, the oft-overlooked Coyote Buttes South sees far fewer travellers.Β Apply now for fall. Enter at Cottonwood Cove or Paw Hole and make sure you stick around for sunset to see the delicate desert colors turn kaleidoscopic.
For a permit: blm.gov
HOMETOWN HERO: Scott Groene
No organization has been more outspoken in Utahβs endless public lands debates and lawsuits than Southern Utah Wilderness Association. And within SUWA, no one more so than Executive Director Scott Groene. Calling Congressman Rob Bishopβs so-called Grand Bargain an βutter disaster for Utahβs wild lands,βΒ andΒ βlipstick on a pig and a Trojan Horse,β Groene has led the chargeβan all-in media and ground campaignβto raise awareness, gather signatures and lobby on behalf of wilderness.
801-486-3161, Suwa.org
