It was a victory for Bark City this month as the Park City Council unanimously declared that a large portion of the popular Round Valley open space will be an off-leash area for dogs. Though Rover has been cruising the 1,400 acres off leash for years, it’s finally legit. Signs go up this month to mark the area here and at the Park City Library field which will also be allowed offleash. That means Summit County holds the only two “official” off-leash, non-fenced, fee-free areas in the Wasatch.
The new freedom hinges on all dogs being under voice and sight control at all times, and owners having a leash with them. If you don’t think they’ll recall under every circumstance (including a bambi sighting), you need to keep them leashed. Dogs can’t chase people, wildlife or other dogs. It should go without saying that owners must pick up poop. Executive Director of Mountain Trails Foundation Charlie Sturgis said the biggest challenge will be educating people about the off-leash areas. For example, dogs need to be leashed at trailheads and parking lots.
But dog owners need to understand that this is a pilot program so everyone will need to be on their best behavior and self-police to the max to make sure this new off-leash program lasts.
Here are some basic rules of thumb:
Keep dogs close; not everyone is a dog lover
• Don’t let them chase wildlife
• Keep them home if they’re sick or in heat
• Everyone on the trail has the right of way before you and your dog
• Always bring a leash and poop bags
• Keep your dog on leash until you are at least 150’ past the trailhead
Make sure you have a dog license
A Few Sidenotes Regarding the New Ordinance:
• Highland trailhead is NOT an off-leash trailhead
• The Land of Oz is a no-dog zone (soon to be ski only, stay tuned for details)
• Electronic collars are legitimate
• If you or your dog don’t get along with other dogs, consider using the Yellow Dog plan. Yellow bandanas can be found at most trailheads.
HATE carrying a leash? Have the coolest dog in the land with the Ruffwear Quickdraw. Ruffwear sent one to me to try and now Takoda’s been wearing it for the past two years. It’s basically a leash that Velcros to itself so your dog carries the leash instead of you. Just reach down and grab the tab; voile he’s tethered. It’s simple but awesome.
I love Ruffwear and here are some more of our favorites:
It’s not official yet but the National Ski Areas Association may have a new Guinness Book of World Records record. On Friday, January 8, the entire U.S. ski industry came together to go for the “World’s Largest” coordinated ski lesson as part of National Learn to Ski and Ride month. Organizers are estimating at least 6,000 lessons were taught across the country from the East coast to Alaska.
Mary Jo Tarallo, spokesperson for the National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month said, “January is National Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month and we thought a fun event like this would serve as an ideal kick off and a way for us to get everyone talking about ways to stay active during the winter months.”
Utah transplants like Nancy Lynn actually waited through the holidays to take advantage of the event and Learn to Ski Month as a whole. “Anyone who loves being outdoors needs a winter hobby but I’m intimidated by skiing. The lesson was a great introduction,” she said. “I was scared in the morning getting dressed; I was lost at the resort but finally found the ski school and rentals. We had six in our group and the instructor taught us super basic stuff. It builds your confidence. Pretty soon you’re going up and down, learning to walk with these things on your feet and feeling ok if you fall. By the end, I didn’t want to stop or leave. The mountains are beautiful. It was worth it just to go there and be out in this beautiful scenery, doing something.”
While crappy snow in the east and midwest affected lesson numbers at ski areas there, nearly 150 of the original 164 locations were able to offer lessons in their local time zones. Ski Utah, in particular, partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to bring nearly 500 school kids out for a free, first-time lesson.
Learning to Ski at Snowbird. Photo by Nancy Lynn
“So far we’ve seen individual resort participation numbers ranging from just a few people to over 250 people,” said Hugh Reynolds of SNOW Operating and one of the organizers of the event. “This is the first year of the initiative, and to walk away with a new world record makes this all the more successful.”
The official Guinness World Record participation numbers are expected to be announced at the National Ski Area’s Association National Tradeshow and Convention taking place May 18-21 in Nashville, Tenn.
Those who missed out on Friday’s event, however, can still get massive breaks on lessons through the end of the month. Just check out these deals in Utah:
First-time local skiers only. A local is defined as anyone with a current Utah driver’s license. Without a Utah driver’s license, a photo ID accompanied by a current Utah property tax form, Utah utility bill or Utah business paycheck stub will be accepted
Clinic Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Cost: $45 for the package, per participant ($15 for a lift ticket, $15 for ski rental equipment and $15 for the clinic).
Helmets are optional and available at no additional charge. Limited to the first 55 registrants, 13 years or older. Anyone under 18 years, a parent or guardian must sign a ski Rental Agreement and Acknowledgement of Risks Agreement the day of the program, prior to the start of clinic.
Reservations must be made prior to January 28, 2016, by calling Deer Valley Resort at 888-754-8477 or 435-645-6648, referring to “Ski Utah Learn to Ski Program.” One lesson (clinic) per participant.
Check-in Time: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at Snow Park Lodge. Anyone checking in after 8:30 a.m. is not guaranteed a lesson and will not be able to receive the discounted lift ticket or ski rentals.
Sorry. Newbies. You had only one chance at a deal. If you missed the big January 8 group record day but still want to ski PC there’s a Full Day Never Ever lesson starting at $225 inc rentals and ticket.
Reservations are required. 801-745-3772 ext.127 or 128. The good news is that Powder offers a full day lift ticket so you can stick around and practice after your lesson is over. You must mention Learn to Ski Month promo at time of reservation to receive $45 price.
Must pre-register a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Offer is subject to availability. Must request this program when registering. Learner will receive a Learner’s Permit Pass” entitling the learner to five additional discounted adult group lessons ($75 instead of $110) subject to availability AND five additional days of skiing for half price! The Learner Permit is good for the rest of the current season only and is not transferrable. One per guest.
Ages 7-15 will get a $25 discount on follow-up Mountain Adventure lessons at the regular rate of $168.
Reservations Required: (801) 947-8222 or mountainschool@snowbird.com
2 1/2 hour morning lesson (lesson time will be from 10 am – 12:30 pm
Offer will be valid on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. January 19, 20, 26, 27
Must be purchased in the Ski and snowboard school office.
Guest will be asked to provide valid Utah Identification.
Guest will be placed in a 1st time (beginner) lesson.
Sage was born during the Outdoor Retailer Show – almost literally. I went into labor at 8 a.m. on Day 2 and had to cancel all of my meetings. The following Show I was pushing her around in a stroller. Every year, she attends with me for at least one day even if it means missing a school day. It’s kind of our “thing”. She’s also taken on the duties of reviewing kids gear. Here’s here latest take on the Hi-Tec St. Moritz Jr. winter boot:
My job really sucks sometimes. January is here and that means a slew of events that I just have to attend. The Outdoor Retailer Show (OR 2016), Sundance Film Festival and the SIA ski show in Denver, Colo., to call out the majority.
There is also teaching at Canyons over Martin Luther King weekend. Between OR moving their dates up by two weeks to accommodate retail buyers, and Sundance pushing back their first weekend to accommodate Park City ski tourism, I’m “forced” to do it all instead of having to choose. Oh, lucky me. Oh boo hoo, right? When SMAK PR and Allied Feather and Down invited me to a preview winter glamping event do you think I considered saying no?
Not one to miss an opportunity, I said yes and hopped on a Scott fat bike to begin my afternoon of adventure.
Starting Your Winter Glamping Adventure
Scott bought us all lunch at Park City Bread and Bagel to make sure we had the fuel for our ride on the snow-packed, East Canyon Ranch Road, just past the Jeremy Ranch Golf Course in Park City. I’ve never ridden a fat bike in the winter time and in general I’m not much of a biker so I was curious to see how sketchy it would be.
To my delight I had just the right number of layers to stay warm and the tires had just enough nubs to keep me upright. We rode for about an hour out and back, and the dog finally got the exercise he needed.
He was in heaven and it dawned on me that if ever there were a place to rent fat bikes it would be a great winter activity for us. Unfortunately the shops in Park City put away their bike gear in October and haul out the ski gear; never the twain shall meet. At least not yet.
When we wrapped up, we drove to East Canyon State Park to commence glamping. Deer dotted the landscape as the light waned on our snow-covered site near Henefer. I had no idea these yurts even existed.
The potbelly stoves were blazing and ample beds dressed with Allied down pillows and comforters provided the ultimate luxury winter camping stay. I would have fallen asleep right then had not the gourmet table been set and the cask uncorked.
Farm to table food was coming at us rapid fire, prepared by Allied’s own creative director and former sous chef Matthew Betcher you quickly forgot you were in a state park in Utah.
The Gear For Winter Glamping
The best part of the evening (aside from curling up in a responsibly sourced down comforter) is getting hands-on playtime with new products and gear:
An Allied Down throw (with a Track My Down QR code to see where my particular group of feathers came from and how it got to me) doubles as a seat cushion to keep our bums warm.
Helly Hansen balaclava, and YakTrax to keep us from slipping in the parking lot.
We retired to our yurts to play with our new toys. Eventually, it was lights out. I slept like a baby until the howling of distant coyotes wrestled me at 3 a.m. I donned the Uco headlamp and stumbled to the bathrooms to return unable to sleep. As I lay wide-eyed and staring at the bottom of the upper bunk I wasn’t frustrated.
Instead, I cherished the quiet night in the wilderness and my brief moment of stolen time before the chaos began. It was then I realized that ultimately this is what the OR Show is all about; giving us the tools for nights just like this.
The day I was supposed to be heading to Togwotee Lodge in Wyoming, my agent called and said I had a booking. The shoot for Zyto Compass would only take two hours and the pay was great. Of course, I was going to squeeze it in. I was in and out in less than an hour and on the road to Wyoming in no time.
