Oscar Wilde once said, “Conversation about the weather is the last refuge of the unimaginative.” Clearly, Mr. Wilde didn’t live in Utah during the 2019 Spring That Never Was. Yes, there is still skiing to be had, desert season is in its prime and some lower elevation trails are accessible during brief glimpses of sunshine, but there’s only so many times a Utahn can stomach lacing up the running shoes for another soggy jog in dreary conditions. This isn’t Oregon, people! If cabin fever is setting in, check out these indoor adventures to help scratch your outdoor itch.
Indoor Rock Climbing
While stuck inside, you’ve probably watched Free Solo and feel like you’re ready to conquer the world like Alex Honnold with your own ropeless ascent of El Capitan. It couldn’t hurt to practice a little first at one of the many indoor climbing gyms throughout Salt Lake City. Momentum Climbing Gym in Sandy was the first facility in what’s become the company’s indoor climbing empire and features more than 20,000 feet of climbing terrain designed to mimic the type of rock found throughout Utah. Momentum has both roped climbing and bouldering routes for people of all abilities, as well as instructional classes for those who are brand new to the sport and yoga classes to help you stay limber. Adult day passes are $20 and Kids passes are $14.
220 W 10600S, Sandy, 801-990-6890, momentumclimbing.com/sandy
Spin Classes
The trails are muddy and the roads are wet, slippery and littered with distracted drivers. Still, mountain bikers and road warriors need to keep their legs in shape. I, like many of you readers, was a spin class skeptic until I went to Boom Cycle Room in Park City’s Kimball Junction and proceeded to have my legs torn during an early morning spin session with the studio’s owner Reagan. Boom’s classes feature alarmingly loud music and seriously high intensity intervals, which is just what’s needed to keep you engaged wile sweating profusely. Classes are available starting at $21.
If a more discipline-specific workout is what you’re after, head to the Spin Lab at The Bike Shoppe in Ogden. Their spin facility was originally built as a perk for their cycling-obsessed employees, but they now offer focused bike training programs for the public. A 30-day pass is only $30, which should tide you over until summer makes its appearance.
The Bike Shoppe: 4390 Washington Blvd, Ogden, 801-476-1600, thebikeshoppe.com
Boom Cycle Room: 1154 Center Dr #200, Park City, 208-881-6473, boomcycleroom.com
Trampoline Centers
Dreaming of finally landing that back flip on snow next winter? Fine tune your awareness with the safety of a trampoline and a foam pit before throwing caution to the wind and finding out just how deep that powder really is. Trampoline centers have been taking off throughout Utah over the past few years as skiers and snowboarders yearn to train new maneuvers without the broken bones normally accompanying progression. They’re also outrageously fun for anyone seeking to unleash their inner child—and coincidentally are a great place to let actual kids burn some excess energy. The Wairhouse in South Salt Lake and Get Air, which has locations in Salt Lake City and Kaysville, have trampolines, foam pits, dodgeball, slam ball and anything else you could want to train your kinesthetic sense while flying.
The Wairhouse: 3653 500 W, South Salt Lake, 801-266-5867, thewairhouse.com
Get Air: 5546 Van Winkle, SLC, 801-656-0238, getairsports.com/saltlake
SUP Yoga
Cruising around the Jordanelle or challenging the Mighty Weber atop your stand-up paddleboard this summer will seem a lot less challenging after you’ve bent, balanced and grunted your way through a yoga class while floating on a SUP. Park City Yoga Adventures has SUP Yoga classes in Midway’s Homestead Crater—which isn’t technically inside but is a 55-foot tall, weather-protected limestone cave with geothermally heated water, so semantics—and Basin Recreation in Park City has SUP Yoga classes in indoor pools until the weather is nice enough to get outside.
Park City Yoga Adventures: 415-695-4502, parkcityyogaadventures.com
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