Category Archives: Outdoor News

Outdoor Retailer Summer 2025 Hits Salt Lake City: Top Gear, Sustainability & Trends Unveiled

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crowd inside Salt Palace for the Outdoor Retailer Show

We’ll start by saying that the Outdoor Retailer Show will never be what it used to be in its heyday- before leaving Salt Lake City for Denver. But we can’t dwell on the past can we?

There have been quite a few tweaks made to this ‘new’ Outdoor Retailer Summer 2025 convention that takes place June 18-20 at the Salt Palace Convention Center. First off, the most awesomest day of the year- OR Demo Day- is not just “Industry Day”. A day of back-to-back panels and seminars instead of a fun day on the water demoing kayaks and paddle boards. Boo.

But with how shrunk the convention scene has gotten, what can you do? So now, the $1.2 trillion outdoor industry has matured and seemingly mellowed. This summer’s event will help connect nearly 300 brands and a few thousand retail buyers, media and guests.

This four-day networking platform will showcase the freshest gear, tech, and trends, but with a focus on wellness, sustainability, and innovation. It makes perfect sense for the show to return to Utah not just because outdoor recreation brings in $9.5 billion to the state (up 18% since 2022) and supports over 71,000 jobs, but because Utah’s got the accessibility and beauty. SLC International is 10 minutes from downtown, there are tons of reasonably priced hotels and BnBs, rich national forests surround the city, all within an hour’s drive or less.

You may have not paid too much attention if you live in a big city but there’s been a huge surge in outdoor participation. Over 175 million people (57.3 percent of folks six and up) got outside in 2023! The Show continues to be open only to those in the industry but if you have any friends with badges, and you really want to see some cool things coming to market for 2026, see if they can get you in. (But don’t tell anyone you heard it here.)

This summer’s highlights include the New Product Showcase, where brands like BabyBjörn, Ocean Bottle, Coulee Coffee, and Aska Outdoors unveil products built for health, sustainability, and inclusivity. Gear like collapsible solar panels, ocean-friendly skincare, and more women-designed adventure apparel.

Check out outdoorretailer.com for a list of exhibitors and industry updates.

Utah Ski Area Opening Dates

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park city with snow

Park City and the upper Wasatch range finally have snow! Utah ski area opening dates feel late even though it’s pretty much happening right on time. We’ve rarely had enough snow for decent skiing before Thanksgiving. Early is Halloween. Normal is now. Yet, for the first time- ever- Deer Valley moved their opening day up a week. Does that mean we’ve got a lot of snow? No, not at all; this one’s a headscratcher. Feel free to offer your explanation for this in the comment section.

I took a spin today at Canyons Resort and have to report that the experience was quite typical. High Meadow (the beginner area) and two intermediate runs, Kokopelli and Snowdancer. After five runs, the manmade was getting scraped off and we called it. The good news is that the weather forecasters are calling for 10-25 inches by Wednesday which would set up Utah resorts for a white Thanksgiving weekend and the ability to open up additional terrain.

Utah's ski area opening dates
Mayflower side of Park City- photo courtesy Bonnie Maclaurin

Sadly, a high pressure moves in for next weekend and possibly through the first week of December.

The moral? Don’t blow the confetti and horns just yet. Two seasons ago, those two or three early season, manmade, groomed trails, catering to thousands of hungry passholders became brown ribbons of death from exposed dirt and rocks that pretty much lasted through the Christmas holiday. Still, the ski stoke is running high in these parts now that the annual ski porn films have premiered, Park City has a white cap and most resorts have announced their “official” opening dates.

Utah’s Ski Area Opening Dates

Alta Ski Area

OPEN (Estimated close April 20, 2025)

Beaver Mountain

TBD

Brian Head Resort

OPEN (estimated close May 11, 2025)

Brighton Resort

OPEN (Estimated close May 18, 2025)

Cherry Peak Resort

TBD

Deer Valley Resort

November 30, 2024 (Estimated close April 28, 2025)

Eagle Point Resort

December 20, 2024 (estimated close April 3, 2025)

Nordic Valley

December 7, 2024

Park City Mountain

OPEN (estimated opening April 10, 2025)

Powder Mountain

December 6, 2024

Snowbasin Resort

November 29, 2024

Snowbird

November 28, 2024

Solitude Mountain Resort

OPEN

Sundance Mountain Resort

December 4, 2024

Woodward Park City

November 28, 2024

SKI UTAH PASSPORT – Prices Rise Nov. 30, 2024 so Buy Now!

The Ski Utah Passport program for 4th, 5th, and 6th graders is on sale now for $69. The pass is in its 26th year of offering three days at each of the 15 resorts in the state but there are some big changes this season.  Every kiddo, no matter if they live in Utah or Australia will get THREE days of skiing- even the 6th graders- at each resort but nine resorts will black out: Dec. 26, 2024 – Dec. 31, 2024 | Jan. 18-19, 2025 | Feb. 15-16, 2025. Six have no restrictions! Brian Head, Cherry Peak, Eagle Point, Nordic Valley, Snowbasin and Solitude Mountain Resort. For more information, check out 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Ski Utah Passport – Ski Utah.

Final Runs: Utah Ski Resorts Closing!

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traffic jam on 244 to park city winter 23/24

We’re coming into the homestretch for 2023/24 ski season! Season passes for 2024/25 went on sale a month ago while we were still arcing in the white room but, hey, what better time for folks to plunk down $1200-$2000 than when they are floating in euphoric winter bliss? So now that we are on the brink of Utah ski resorts closing, you need to make those last turns of the season count. Did you hit 30 days, 50 days, 100 days?

Sunday is your final chance to carve those last few slushy trails at Alta, Deer Valley and Canyons while Park City will keep a handful of lifts spinning until Monday (First Time, 3 Kings, Crescent, and Silverload). Park City began limiting their terrain a few weeks ago as seasonal workers headed home.

For those of you with an Ikon Pass, you’ll still be able to turn at Snowbasin Resort and Brighton until April 28, Solitude until May 6 and Snowbird until May 12. Brian Head Resort down south will close on Cinco de Mayo.

The 2023/2024 ski season in Utah has been nothing short of awesome. While it didn’t create the massive dumps that collapsed roofs and overwhelmed snowplow drivers like last season, and it started off miserably, Mother Nature blew in (eventually) to keep a consistent blanket of freshness on the slopes. Alta Ski Area received approximately 550 inches of snow, leading the pack with one of its strongest performances in a decade. Not far behind, Brighton Resort recorded over 500 inches, Snowbird tallied around 530 inches, and even Park City Mountain amassed a commendable 420 inches. Most of the state’s major water basins have reported snowpack figures ranging from 130% to 160% of the historical average.

Make the most of the dwindling ski days and then get ready for climbing and biking season! And make sure you plan ahead for next winter by buying those season ski passes while they’re still selling at “early bird” prices. Here are the links to save you time hunting them down individually-

Ikon Pass

  • In Utah- The Ikon Pass offers access to Snowbasin, Snowbird/Alta, Solitude, Deer Valley and Brighton. $969-1359

Epic Pass

  • Managed by Vail Resorts, in Utah, the Epic Pass offers skiing and riding at Park City and Canyons resorts. $731-982

Mountain Collective

  • The Mountain Collective offers a different take on ski passes, giving skiers access to 2 days at each participating resort (in Utah that’s Snowbird/Alta and Snowbasin), and then 50% off for each additional day. $605

Indy Pass

  • The Indy Pass is designed for independent and lesser-known ski resorts like Powder Mountain, Eagle Point and Beaver in Utah. If you’re looking for a more local or less crowded experience, this might be the pass for you. SOLD OUT for 24/25 but you can join their waitlist.

Power Pass

  • The Power Pass provides access to multiple resorts in the Southwest and beyond, including popular locations like Arizona Snowbowl and Purgatory Resort and Brian Head and Nordic Valley in Utah. $549-$749

Powder Alliance

  • With a qualifying season pass from a member resort, the Powder Alliance adds the ability to ski three days free at the other PA resorts (none in Utah). Free with your area season pass.

Vail Resorts Buys Swiss Ski Area

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A crowded Crans Montana base area

Guess we’re going to Europe next year! Vail Resorts just announced that they are making the moves on Crans-Montana Mountain Resort in Switzerland and those with certain Epic Passes (yay for employees!) will get to ski for free (we assume).
This second European acquisition is part of VR’s plan for world ski domination. Because the majority of skiers are in that part of the world, it only makes sense for the Colorado behemoth to tackle the massive Crans-Montana, a mere 2.5 hours away from their other ski spot, Andermatt-Sedrun. Not to mention that if the snow is bad in the U.S., they’ve got that part of the world to take up the financial slack.
You can reach CMMR from five different airports and by train. You’re two and a half hours from Geneva and less than four hours from Milan and Zurich. Just think of the Epic possibilities!
According to VR’s press release (believe me I tried to get this information on my own from the ski area’s website but it’s a hot mess), “Crans-Montana Mountain Resort spans over 1,400 meters (approximately 4,593 ft) of skiable vertical terrain, and a massive 140 kilometers (approximately 87 mi) of trails.”
CMMR has hosted ski and mountain bike World Cups, the Omega European Masters, and other championships, the Caprices Festival and more.

A crowded Crans Montana base area
“We believe Crans-Montana has a unique opportunity for future growth. We are committed to elevating the guest experience at Crans-Montana, the broader community, and region,” said Kirsten Lynch, VR’s Chief Executive Officer in her release. “Vail Resorts is planning to invest approximately CHF 30 million over the next five years in one-time capital spending.”

Vail Resorts purchased an 84-percent ownership stake in Remontées Mécaniques Crans Montana Aminona (CMA) SA, which controls and operates all the resort’s lifts and supporting mountain operations, including four retail and rental locations. The company is acquiring an 80-percent ownership stake in SportLife AG, which operates one of the ski schools located at the resort. Further, Vail Resorts will gobble up 100 percent ownership of 11 restaurants located on and around the mountain.

The deal should close this season 2023/24 but no changes will be made until 24/25. The Epic Pass currently works at Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis, as well as five days at Verbier4Vallées in Switzerland, seven days at Les 3 Vallées in France, seven days at Skirama Dolomiti in Italy and three days at Ski Arlberg in Austria. Find the detes at www.epicpass.com.

Solitude Mountain Resort Opens Today

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Full parking lot on opening day

There’s practically nothing on the slopes of Utah this week including snow yet Solitude Mountain Resort opens today. The Big Cottonwood Canyon resort is claiming their earliest opening in 10 years…even if it’s on one beginner run, on seven inches of manmade snow.

Huge lines at Solitude for opening day 2022

Those eager to stand in line and say they were there, can do laps on the Link lift this weekend starting at 10 a.m. Tickets are just $25 so it might be worth the bragging rights? Or use the opening as an excuse to pick up your Ikon Pass and get the storage wax off your bases. The mountain will even have a few terrain park features set up.

Lift tickets will be available at the Moonbeam ticket office. In observance of Veteran’s Day, Solitude is offering free lift tickets to all military personnel with a military ID on November 11. Parking is also complimentary throughout the weekend, no reservations are needed.

To be honest, it’s really no biggie to skip this limited weekend and head up for Solitude’s originally planned opening date of Nov. 17th. The longer you wait, the more coverage there will be. Unfortunately, there’s not much snow in the near forecast but a possible storm late next week could help to open more terrain. Still, you can do DJ and Donuts at Moonbeam on November 17.

Tons of Snow at Solitude in 2022

For real-time updates and live webcams throughout the season, visit Solitude’s website.

Utah Ski Area Opening Dates ’23/24

Alta Ski Area – November 17, 2023
Beaver Mountain – to be announced
Brian Head Resort – November 17, 2023
Brighton Resort – to be announced
Cherry Peak Resort – to be announced
Deer Valley Resort – December 2, 2023
Eagle Point Resort – December 15, 2023
Nordic Valley – December 2, 2023
Park City Mountain – November 17, 2023
Powder Mountain – to be announced
Snowbasin Resort – November 24, 2023
Snowbird – November 30, 2023 
Solitude Mountain Resort – November 10, 2023
Sundance Mountain Resort – December 2, 2023
Woodward Park City – November 18, 2023

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