Author Archives: Jill Adler

Utah Adventure + Gear Expo Starts Today

For those of you who didn’t get into the January Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City, there is the Utah Adventure + Gear Expo opening today and tomorrow for the first time. “We had the first-ever show back in May but this is the first fall show,” said UAGE’s Josh Christensen. “The motive is really to help promote all the great outdoor recreation companies and activities in Utah. Outdoor Retailers comes to town twice a year but is obviously business to business and we felt there was a need for [something] for the public with a strong Utah focus.”

The event is supposed to be the largest public expo in the state for outdoor action sports, recreation, outdoor gear, and resources. So you’ve got something cool to do tonight or tomorrow if you’re into skiing, snowboarding, cycling, mountain biking, running, camping, climbing, and adventure travel. The Southtowne Expo Center will be filled with more than 80,000 square feet of vendors and manufacturers with raffles and special deals on outdoor gear. There are also Fat Bike demos by Mad Dog Cycles, an indoor mountain bike track by Wasatch Indoor Bike Park and Alpine Trails, longboarding and half pipe demos, indoor climbing walls, and an avalanche safety clinic on Saturday by Black Diamond and Utah Avalanche Center.

Extreme sports athletes from the X-Games, MTV’s Nitro Circus, and Fuel TV’s Thrillbillies are scheduled to showcase their skills on a 30-foot mega ramp. There’s also a 15-foot mini-mega ramp jump to a cushioned air bag landing and the Thrillbillies base-jumping experience open to the public all weekend.

Mountainfilm on Tour

Sandy City has partnered with the Adventure + Gear Expo as Utah’s exclusive host of the Mountainfilm in Telluride Festivals’ Mountainfilm on Tour. Tonight and tomorrow from 6:30 – 9 p.m. The festival includes two films (Desert Ice filmed in Zion’s and Off-Width Outlaw filmed in Indian Creek). Also screening at the expo is El Sendero Luminoso, a film created by the local film company Camp2Collective.

FUN RUN

Runners, hurry and sign up for the free Light Up Sandy 5K Fun Run tonight at 6:30 p.m. The 5K run will begin on the north side of the South Towne Expo Center and continue south for 1.5 miles on the Porter Rockwell trail. Hit up the dollar store for glow sticks and anything that lights up.

Show Detes:

When: Friday, November 7: Noon–9:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 8: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

Where: South Towne Expo Center

9575 South State Street

Sandy, UT 84070

Admission: Adults: $10 at door

$8 online; Children 6–12: $5

Snowbird’s New Lodge Readies To Open

I reminded myself to breathe. It wasn’t the biting fall chill from the open ATV ride to the top of Hidden Peak but the excitement of seeing something I’d only heard rumors about since the 90s that made me hold my breath. Snowbird’s new lodge.


There it was; like a mythical bird hoarding its kingdom.

Ever since moving to Utah I had heard about Snowbird Resort’s plans to build a grand lodge at the top of their 11,000 foot-high tram; a revolving euro-restaurant crowning the 78,000 square-foot respite. But political maneuvering from various environmental groups delayed ground breaking year after year.

New Lodge

Instead, ever since the 90s, I’ve bashfully cruised by a makeshift shack that posed as housing for the extreme resort’s illustrious and hard-working ski patrol and the toilets I was often forced to use. These glorified port-a-potties are the only “facilities” at the top, outside of nature. As much as I love a stiff breeze spanking my bare bottom I’m not about to drop trou amid hundreds of the riding public whizzing by. My options were limited if I didn’t (or couldn’t) ski down to Mid-Gad or the tram plaza.

New LodgeNew Lodge

Visions of chrome and granite danced in my head; enough stalls to cover a tram-load of pinched bladders; self-dispensing soap and hand lotion; possibly a corner loveseat to hide out from the world if the altitude sneaks up on you; free, individually wrapped tampons.

New Lodge

The U.S. Forest Service ultimately approved Snowbird’s construction plans in 1999 after they agreed to shave off a few thousand square feet. Things didn’t start to rock and roll until spring 2014, however, when Ian Cumming (dad to John Cumming of Powdr Corp. fame) purchased the majority share in the resort and infused the area with capital.

The new 33,000 sf footprint lays east; adjacent to the tram terminal. You’ll still have to walk off the tram and into the building because basically housing the tram inside the building would involve stabilizing your dining experience every time the tram docked.

New Lodge

Inside will be a year-round coffee/pastry shop, Ski Patrol barracks, a cafeteria, 360-degree views of the American Fork Twin Peaks and the Wasatch Mountains from curved windows that eliminate glare, a table-service restaurant open for lunch and dinner, a basement level for kitchen and storage, 10,000 square feet of outdoor decking and ground-floor bathrooms (no stairclimbing). Hidden Peak Lodge (not the official name but I hope it sticks) debuts in winter 2015/16 at the same time the shack is leveled.

New Lodge

New Lodge

They say “Good things come to those who wait.” This is gonna be good!


Come For The Tickets; Stay For The Show! 2014 Warren Miller’s No Turning Back Shines

It’s not too late to see No Turning Back on the big screen in Utah. You may not have rallied for the world premiere in Salt Lake City or the sold-out shows in Park City but there’s still Logan and Orem. Why should you pay $20 to see ski porn in a crowded theater? Because you get a free lift ticket to Snowbird and a free ticket to Powder Mountain (a $100+ value); because it’s one of the best Warren Miller films since Warren Miller left the building; because it means you’re ready for winter.


From the heart-stopping first descent in Cordova, Alaska, to the speed riding segment that brought out the biggest cheers of the night at Abravanel Hall, NTB finally evolves. Instead of epic powder run after powder run and a handful of jibbing montages that frankly put me to sleep, this 65th installment tells tales. I never thought of skiing Greece but I am tempted after watching Tyler Ceccanti and Josh Bibby scale the mythical Mount Olympus, surrounded by 2,500-year-old ruins. Plus, taking a horse looks way cooler than riding a snowmobile to get there.


There have always been European segments that included Chamonix, France, but never has WM crafted a journey that immerses you in the why it’s the Holy Grail for ski mountaineers. There’s more oral storytelling as well, with the soundtrack enhancing rather than distracting from the sequences. “Is that straight down?” my eight-year-old asked as Points North Heli-Adventures dropped Chris Anthony, Ingrid Backstrom and Jess McMillan onto a spine on the southeastern side of the Chugach Range. Sage has been to every WM film since she was born but this was the first time she cared and the first time I realized that WM isn’t for me anymore, it’s for her.


Her eyes were riveted on Sierra Quitiquit and Julian Carr as they danced through the mom and pop resorts of Montana. Sage turned to me. “Can we go to Montana?” she whispered. I smiled and nodded. She wants to go places.

The athletes aren’t just ripping up the slopes or trying to make stupid skibum jokes. They’re talking about what brought them to the areas in the first place and, aside from the random snowboarding montage snoozefest in the second half of the film (where we have no idea where they are and who they are), the audience is listening.

This particular Warren Miller is one for the generations. Let’s hope they keep up the better work.

Catch No Turning Back tomorrow and Thursday in Orem, Utah, XanGo Grand Theatre at SCERA, 7:30pm and in Logan, Utah: USU, Kent Concert Hall, Friday, November 14, 2014 – 8:00pm

 

It’s in the Air, Not your Body- Fighting Cold and Flu During Ski Season

By Jill Adler

 


Photo by Ryan Freitas

 

It doesn’t matter what the medical journals say, the cold and flu season in Utah begins the day kids start ski school. Those little rugrats may be cute in their pink-flowered Obermeyer ski suit but they’re like one big floating virus spreading germs throughout ski resorts via their own contact with humans, mommy and daddy, their teachers, their playdates. We can no more get junior to wash his hands or blow his nose on his own than we can stop ourselves from skiing on a powder day.

Now, I’m not blaming kids per se for cold and flu viruses run amuck but it’s got to start somewhere, doesn’t it? And it’s best to blame the little people because they can’t argue with you. After all, they’re the ones hording the flu vaccine while we active recreators suffer. So now that we’ve got blame placed will that keep us healthier this winter? Hell, no. Regardless of where it came from, it’s out there, like a secret revealed, illness spreads without conscience. Just look at the Ebola trend.

Apparently it’s “normal” to catch four to six colds a year, but anyone who has ever tried to ski hard with a perpetual stream of mucus dripping from their nose and down their throat knows that even one cold could mean missing the biggest dump of the season. But how do you stay well in the white room?

If you stand in an enclosed space with 20 sniffling kiddies, will sickness naturally follow? Chances are high that you would get the virus but you might not get ‘sick.’ “Just because everyone else is sick doesn’t mean you will be,” said Dr. Michael Cerami of Utah Sports and Wellness. “Healthy bodies deal with infections without producing symptoms.” Some people just have better immune systems, capable of fending off foes. Therefore, having a healthy winter doesn’t depend so much on who you’re near but how well you are.

 

You can deal with immunity on two levels: preventative and reactive. Reactive involves drugs, bedrest and Kleenex. Preventative involves fortifying your immune system; that’s everything from washing your hands after every handshake to eating right, imbibing less, exercising, calming stress (to body and mind), and tossing the smokes. In other words, eat right, exercise, and get plenty of rest. Duh.

 

Eating right involves getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals for your system. This balance is very subjective so visit a nutritionist for specifics. What we know will make a difference is spicing up your life. Spices like coriander, ginger, black pepper, and cinnamon help raise your immunity and digestion. Allegedly, the oils in ginger and cinnamon cleanse your system and banish viral and bacterial infections. As for homeopathic remedies, Echinacea is said to increase T-cell activity and raise properdin levels to help neutralize viruses. Goldenseal sends more blood to the spleen to get it working more efficiently to release immune-enhancing compounds. Astragalus taken regularly also boosts your resistance to colds, flu and other viruses.

 

Yoga, Massage, Acupuncture and Chiropractics.

 

Some people groove on more holistic approaches to keep them healthy and although the benefits are largely uncharted, think about your options: sit around to see if you get sick or do everything you can think of to keep on riding. Acupuncture reportedly reduces fevers and boosts your immune system by strengthening your underlying weakness. There’s actually a “miracle” point for the common cold at the base of thumb. You find it by drawing an imaginary line down the middle of the index finger. If a cold is coming, this spot will be sore to the touch. Your sore throat can be eliminated or lessened with attention to the space between the ring finger and middle finger knuckles.

Yoga, Chiropractics and massage are powerful tools for balancing your immune system. Through relaxation, the nervous system can tell the immune system to fight the viruses and bacteria that multiply in winter. Immune systems, weakened from energy imbalances or poor digestion, allow bacteria to infect the upper respiratory system. That stuffy head cold could easily morph into bronchitis or pneumonia. Certain yoga postures like the Child’s and Cobra pose open the chest and slow the breathing, to let go and relax the nervous system.

Chiropractic medicine also helps by relieving stress on the nervous system, which in turn relieves the immune system. The brain and nerve system assembles and transmits information to the rest of the body to make it operate. When the pathways are blocked, pertinent information – like telling the body how to heal and prevent illness can’t be properly channeled. Cerami relieves stress on the nervous system with light force that allows the body to work in tune with the immune system to keep it balanced and healthy. As for massage, craniosacral bodywork also uses light force and pressure to strengthen the body’s ability to challenge sickness, stress and pain.

It makes sense that when your body and spirit are low, you’re more likely to get sick. But there are some basic, free preventive measures everyone can take to make it through cold and flu season without using your sick days for anything other than a day off to ski:

Wash your hands

Avoid sick people

Eat a balanced diet

Get regular exercise

Get plenty of regular sleep to allow your body’s immune system to motivate.

Drink water.

Limit alcohol intake – not only does it dehydrate but you lack the restraint required to avoid the hotty with a terrible cold.

Finally, listen to your body. If you feel less than tiptop, rest. The first thing to go when you’re tired or stressed is your immune system.

 

For Your Health:

 

Bag Balm


Add a little of this miracle jelly to your tissue the next time you blow to keep your nose from getting red and raw.

 

Yoplait Greek Yogurt


After winning a year’s supply of this stuff in a Twitter hashtag contest, I’ll never go back to the regular yogurt. The Mediterranean version is heavily strained to remove much of the liquid whey, lactose, and sugar. It’s nearly half the carbs and twice the protein, and has live bacteria cultures to boost your immune system. Just beware of the flavored stuff. Though super yummy they are more like dessert than breakfast.

 


 

Chronicling Ruby: Rehearsal

The rehearsal went well I think.

Chris Adler had posted on Facebook that he was looking for a woman in her 30s, cough cough, to play the mom in his 6-page script. Unpaid, festival project. Normally, I stay away from these general solicitations, especially if I don’t think I’m a match, so I suggested a friend of mine. Next thing I know I’m getting a personal invite from Chris to play the role and no he doesn’t think I’m too old! I’m a sucker for personal requests. It means I’m doing something right. Plus, I love helping friends out; and I love acting every chance I get. In fact, I don’t have money for those crowdfunding sites but if someone wants me to blog or act for support I’m all over it. (But please, please, don’t ask me to be an unpaid extra. I have to draw the line somewhere.)

We had a brief evening yesterday brainstorming with Chris about wardrobe, characterization and blocking but because we’ll be shooting in a different (i.e. creepier) space this weekend we could only do so much. It was fun to see Sadie and her daughter Skyler in their home. Sage and I run into them a lot at auditions.

Skyler Day. Photo by Sally Meyer.

Sadie’s like the perfect mom so it makes perfect sense to have her coordinating this shoot. She’s super concerned that 12-year-old Sky nails her character and it’s flattering that they look to me for advice. She’s doing great but she’ll need to know her lines inside and outside. The short film we’re about to roll on is basically one giant, twisted monolog for her. I get to sit in a chair and look terrified and tortured. My part is harder. J No seriously, how many people can actually relate to being physically tortured by their own child? Not to mention that if Sage tried anything like this I’d have her down on the ground in an instant. That’s why I was attracted to this Demon Chaser short. 

It’s not every day you get to put this kind of scene on your reel. I’ve died in three shorts (well, in one I wasn’t really dead) and one feature but I’ve never played a victim. It’s not in my nature. Hence the professional challenge. I was about halfway there during the rehearsal. A part of me didn’t want to give anything away. It’s hard to rehearse for a horror pic. You don’t want to lose the surprises and nuances that happen when the camera’s rolling. Tomorrow, you add the set, the makeup, the clothes and the intensity and voile you’re in the moment. At least I hope that’s the way it’ll be for Sky and me.

 

UPDATE:

So here’s how it turned out:

 

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