Utah Adventure Journal

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  Beyond the Iron Curtain of refinery smokestacks in North Salt Lake, there lies ample opportunity for mountain bikers to explore developing trail systems and escape the crowded core of the central Wasatch.  The drive to Davis County is often performed by commuters searching for a paycheck rather than by bikers with an eye for […]

Snow and avalanches are an enduring part of the mountain environment that affects the livelihood of many operations throughout the world.  In the western hemisphere, the scientific study and monitoring of these little understood phenomena began in the small town of Alta, Utah.  Situated nine miles up a glacially carved canyon in the heart of the Wasatch […]

  The Proliferation of Lift Accessed Mountain Biking In The Wasatch   Photos by Jay Dash   4,457,575. This figure represents the number of people who visited Utah during the 2015/2016 ski season to explore the varied terrain of our world-class resorts. Last season broke all previous attendance records and the state realized a 10% […]

Photos by Jay Dash A faint beam of light filters through the thick canopy and strikes a plume of dust as tiny fragments of earth diffuse through the air. A sole rider emerges from the forest and straightlines a rocky slope at top speed just before shutting it down and banking a hard left-hand berm […]

The world just got a bit smaller, literally.  Fat-tire mountain bikes have come on the scene over the last several years and have made a huge impression on the industry.  These wide tracked behemoths allow riders to float over terrain and their prowess in the snow is unmatched.  You may have seen a fat bike […]

  Vast and rugged, the terrain of the Wasatch is prime territory for mountain biking.  The “greatest snow on Earth” melts into the streams and rivers every spring and unveils a plethora of riding opportunities for cyclists of every ilk.  Countless threads of single track weave through the landscape as if carefully pulled towards a […]

  The hour is growing late and a small group of backcountry skiers are facing some critical decisions.  Their companion has just sustained a fall and appears to have a broken leg.  It’s clear that he will not be able to negotiate the difficult terrain ahead and they’re deep in a drainage that has seen […]

The simple pleasure of riding a bicycle is one that everyone on this Earth should enjoy.  From the young to the old, a bicycle has no prejudices or preconceived notions of who you should be.  Whether you are cruising neighborhood streets at twilight, or rolling along sun-kissed ridges high in the mountains, there is a […]

“When the well is dry, we learn the worth of water.” –Benjamin Franklin With a record-breaking winter and the subsequent water associated with over 700 inches of snow, hydrology and flooding has been on everyone’s mind this spring and summer.  Living in a high desert, the retention and management of life-giving water is a high […]

“17 black, put it on 17 black,” shouts Ben over the drone of the slot machines.  Our crew of five has just made the slog from SLC to Las Vegas after a long day of work, and we need to blow off some steam. The gaming floor of the Imperial Palace seems like the best […]

“As long as it snows and blows in Utah, there will be avalanches.”  I am not sure who said this, but their wisdom resonates louder than their words ever could.  The combination of epic Utah terrain and copious amounts of annual snowfall, coupled with the fact that there are over a million people with easy […]

As the clouds grew closer, we knew it was time to seek shelter. But where? We were standing in the middle of a boulder field on the Eastern flank of King’s Peak and there was no safety in sight. The morning had started off clear and calm, with only a few lingering clouds on the […]

Sport has always been intertwined with our state’s history. From recreational pursuits like skiing, climbing, and paddling, to the 2002 Winter Olympic venues, Utah’s dynamic geography and stunning beauty has made it the likely choice for sport-centric people worldwide. However, until recently, Utah’s place in professional cycling has been minimal. That all changed in 2004 […]

“What do you think is the most fun we can have?” The words of Dr. Geoffrey Tabin as I sit waiting to begin my interview. He is conversing with one of his good friends about the possibility of skiing ten resorts in one day. “We’ll see what the avalanche danger is, but I think we […]

The History of Avalanche Control in Utah Into the predawn darkness they march. Packs loaded, they tiptoe along corniced ridges and wind-loaded slopes. Through this ominous landscape they continue on towards their goal. They are the avalanche hunters. All around them, hidden dangers lurk, ready to strike at any time and without notice. Their only […]