Adventures

Utah has been selected for the U.S. qualifying events for the Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing Powder 8 World Championships this winter. Powderbird—the famed Utah heliskiing operation—will host a national championship qualifying event from January 22-24 and a world championship qualifying event at the U.S. Powder 8 National Championships from February 5-7. Thanks to its trademark Greatest Snow on Earth, the Wasatch Range is a natural fit and the perfect venue for a powder skiing competition that’s returning to prominence in 2020.

Photo Courtesy of Powderbird

A powder 8 competition is a synchronized freeride competition in which a pair of skiers make turns in unison down a powder-filled slope while attempting to leave perfectly uniform 8s in the snow. Powder 8 competitions were all the rage in the 80s and 90s after Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing launched the annual competition. Between the rise of the X Games and freeskiing’s inclusion in the Olympics, the powder 8 fell out of favor, relegated to anachronistic enthusiasts and people who grew up idolizing T.J Burke and Dexter Rutecki in Aspen Extreme. 2020’s World Championships look to resurrect the Powder 8s and return them to the glory of its heyday as the pinnacle of the freeskiing.

The Powder 8 Pre-Qualifiers will take place out of the Powderbird heliport at Snowbird from January 22-24, 2020. The one-day event will feature eight teams, which will be judged in a head to head competition. The top four teams will move on the Powder 8 U.S. Nationals, held between February 5-7 also out of Powderbird’s Snowbird location. The top teams from the U.S. Nationals will head to the Powder 8 World Championships in Blue River, British Columbia from March 31 through April 3. The two-day, 16-team event will see competitors from the United States, Switzerland, Germany, Austria and Canada.

For those of you who think you have what it takes to challenge for the Powder 8 crown, you can register for the pre-qualifiers at Snowbird by calling Powderbird at 801-341-2452. The cost for each team accepted into the pre-qualifiers is $500.

See all our outdoor coverage here.

After a promisingly frigid October yielded to serious November thaw, it’s finally snowing outside. With that unofficial reemergence of winter, comes the official beginning of ski season in the Beehive State. Brighton was first out of the gates, spinning their lifts for the public for the first time on Tuesday, November 19. Other resorts throughout the state have been diligently making snow while battling unseasonably warm temperatures and unfavorable preseason conditions to open their own White Ribbons of Death. Alas, after a cavalcade of adjustments and revisions, updated Utah ski resort opening dates have been announced and are quickly approaching.

Brighton is already open, Park City opens on Friday, November 22, and most of the remainder anticipate opening after Thanksgiving as conditions allow. Read on for complete Utah ski resort opening dates for the 2019/2020 season.

• Alta: Anticipated opening date November 29.
• Brighton Resort: First! Brighton opened on November 19
• Cherry Peak Resort: Anticipated opening date for Cherry Peak is still TBD.
• Deer Valley: Never one to be rushed into opening with a subpar product, Deer Valley will open on December 7.
• Eagle Point Resort: Eagle Point won’t be opening until December 20, but conditions should be favorable with continued storms from the south.
• Park City Mountain: For once Park City is beating Cottonwood resorts to the punch and opening on November 22. There isn’t much snow though, so terrain will be limited.
• Powder Mountain: Anticipated opening Date for Powder Mountain is still TBD.
• Snowbasin: Pre-Turkey Day Treat! Snowbasin will open on Wednesday, November 27.
• Snowbird: Anticipated opening date is November 29.
• Solitude Mountain Resort: Anticipated opening date is November 29.
• Sundance Mountain Resort: Anticipated opening date is December 6.
• Woodward Park City: Opening Day is still TBD. Staff is furiously working to open the new resort, but there remains lots to be done.

Utah as a state is known for many curious and wonderful things without question. For example, in August 2019 SLmag created a feature called the Field Guide to Our Mountains. We’ve got the greatest snow, it’s kinda why many of us are here. In addition, in May 2019 we included some Utah human history with the Golden Spike and the sesquicentennial celebration of the completion of the transcontinental railroad at Promontory Summit. And now look at us, we’ve got a major US Airport, hosted a Winter Olympics and we’re smoking-hot in the tech world, Silicon Slopes is a thing.

Air-Jetty

Found a heart-shaped rock and held it next to mine at the center of the Spiral Jetty, Great Salt Lake.

One of Utah’s finest destinations is often overlooked, the Spiral Jetty at Rozel Point, Great Salt Lake—is a wonder—and as a Utah landmark, exemplifies what is possible when natural and artificial physical features come together in an artistic way. The drive north from Salt Lake City is approximately 2.5 hours, and all modern conveniences and paved roads end at the Golden Spike National Historic Site Visitor Center. On the final 15 miles, expect a slow, bumpy gravely ride and roaming cattle. But what’s your rush? This road is taking you to the land before time.

“This place is awesome!”

Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty is a pathway 15-feet-across made of black basalt rock, sand and earth. Built-in 1970, it extends out toward the Great Salt Lake and coils inward another 1,500 feet. When visiting, questions will come to mind, like, “How on earth did they build this?” And, depending on the time of year you visit, the lake can rise up around the jetty, or like during our visit in mid-November, the lake was receded and the jetty was surrounded by walkable lake-bottom sand, coated with salt crystals. At the Spiral Jetty, the view of the tranquil waveless lake, the distant purple mountains, hills dotted with black basalt rocks, the most striking feature is how quiet it is. Take it in and enjoy it all. Questions aside with all the how’s and the why’s, just be glad it’s there.

We recommend you bring good walking shoes, clothes appropriate for the weather, wind and sun, hat/sunglasses/sunscreen, drinkable water and enough food for your stay. Leave no trace guidelines apply. As a Utah landmark, the land is leased by the Dia Art Foundation which also works with the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. We suggest you visit their site for events and other helpful resources here.

For other day-trip adventures from around our great state, look here.

After a significant public backlash following reporting that Backcountry (backcountry.com) was pursuing trademark infringement lawsuits against companies using the term “backcountry,” the Utah-based online retailer has posted a public statement from their CEO apologizing for taking “certain actions that we now recognize were not consistent with our values” and pledging to “reexamine our broader approach to trademarks to ensure we are treating others in a way that is consistent with the culture and values envisioned by our founders and embraced by our community.” In short, Backcountry is responding to pressure from their customer base, and at least somewhat are attempting to account for their actions.

A noteworthy development is that Backcountry will be dropping its lawsuit against Marquette Backcountry skis, in which they sought to overturn Marquette Backcountry’s 2010 trademark and secure fees that far exceeded the independent ski brand’s historical profit total. It shouldn’t be overlooked that the lawsuit against Marquette Backcountry included some pretty incendiary language requesting “punitive or exemplary damages … in an amount sufficient to punish and deter defendants and to make an example of them.”

Efforts to market “Backcountry” branded product like these climbing skins precipitated some of the trademark lawsuits.

While the full extent of what transpired between the two companies is unknown, the lawsuit’s language doesn’t seem to align with Backcountry CEO Jonathan Nielsen’s assertion the company “tried to resolve these trademark situations amicably and respectfully, and we only took legal action as a last resort.” While some will be appeased that Backcountry is relenting, their reformed outlook on the trademark issue is likely cold comfort to those like BDCo.—formerly Backcountry Denim Co.—and Backou eBikes—formerly Backcountry eBikes—which have already changed their names in the face of legal action.

Still, the statement from and moves by Backcountry are likely to be viewed as a victory for concerned consumers and outdoor community members over a company that had seemingly abandoned its founding values after being purchased by a private equity firm in 2015. It remains to be seen how Backcountry will navigate trademark issues going forward—especially with their ever-expanding house branded product lineup—and their week or so of relative silence in the face of public criticism will do little to quiet the feeling they acted only after it became clear the company’s bottom line was at risk. That’s a consistent byproduct of capitalism, however, and often the only cudgel consumers wield is the power to empty their wallets somewhere else. We’ll continue to update this story as it develops.

Read the full statement from Backcountry CEO John Nielsen below, and see all our outdoors coverage here.

“Dear Backcountry Community,

We have heard your feedback and concerns, and understand we fumbled in how we pursued trademark claims recently. We made a mistake.

In an attempt to protect the brand we have been building for nearly 25 years, we took certain actions that we now recognize were not consistent with our values, and we truly apologize.

It’s important to note that we tried to resolve these trademark situations amicably and respectfully, and we only took legal action as a last resort. That said, we know we mishandled this, and we are withdrawing the Marquette Backcountry action. We will also reexamine our broader approach to trademarks to ensure we are treating others in a way that is consistent with the culture and values envisioned by our founders and embraced by our community.

We only want what’s best for the whole community and we want every person and business in it to thrive. Backcountry has never been interested in owning the word “backcountry” or completely preventing anyone else from using it. But we clearly misjudged the impact of our actions.

We understand that this step we’ve taken may not be enough for some of you. The hope is that we can ultimately win back your trust, even if it takes time. We are grateful to be a part of your lives, providing you with great gear for your outdoor adventures, and all we want is to go back to doing what we do best. We intend to learn from this and become a better company.

Backcountry, the behemoth online outdoor retailer behind backcountry.com that has called Utah home for the past 23 years, is facing a deluge of criticism as word spread following reporting by the Colorado Sun about the company suing smaller outdoor brands for using the term “backcountry” in their name or product catalogue. Backcountry, which first trademarked the term in 2004 and has filed for additional usage trademarks in the intervening years, has since launched a legal offensive against at least 50 different defendants in a publicly available list from the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

Thus far the companies being sued for trademark infringement have ranged from a small independent ski manufacturer Snapperhead Inventions/Marquette Backcountry for their Marquette Backcountry Ski—which has been sold under the name since 2010—to avalanche safety course instructors Backcountry Babes to jean maker Backcountry Denim Co., now known as BDCO. Some companies, including Backcountry Babes and BDCO, have already settled with Backcountry, though terms haven’t been disclosed. Others like Marquette Backcountry’s founder David Ollila are gearing up for a legal battle.

Fighting back against Backcountry’s legal onslaught simply isn’t feasible for many targeted companies. Legal fees can quickly skyrocket, leaving them with few options but to acquiesce or be faced with financial ruin. It’s also not as simple as merely changing names for some. Backcountry is seeking punitive measures against Ollila and Marquette Backcountry, looking to overturn Marquette Backcountry’s own trademark in addition to requesting fees amounting to what Ollila told the Colorado Sun were more than three times the company’s lifetime profits. The lawsuit details Backcountry’s motives for the request. “Backcountry requests punitive or exemplary damages … in an amount sufficient to punish and deter defendants and to make an example of them.”

Will this “backcountry” terrain run afoul Backcountry’s trademark as well? Best be safe and refer to it as anti-front country until the legal dust settles.

Backcountry is unlikely to end up with a sympathetic public image after engaging in such legal strong-arming. The optics are that of a large corporate entity—Backcountry was purchased by private equity firm TSG Partners in 2015—bullying vulnerable, independent companies in the outdoor space. Complicating things is the fact the term “backcountry” has been in common usage for decades prior to the company’s founding, and many feel it’s unethical if not legally dubious for a company to try and secure exclusive rights to the term. As such the #boycottbackcountry hashtag has been spreading throughout social media with everyone from average consumers to professional athletes speaking out against Backcountry. A longtime Backcountry sponsored athlete we spoke with on condition of anonymity felt “blindsided” by the company’s tactics and lack of a public response, which has left them publicly facing scrutiny about legal proceedings they have no involvement with.

A Utah-based patent and trademark attorney we spoke with provided some context. He also asked to remain anonymous to avoid any professional backlash. “After some initial research and without knowing all the facts of the case, it looks like they’re trying to strengthen their trademark by getting others not to use it. There’s always a chance if you don’t enforce your mark, it could later become unenforceable. You have to think of a trademark as a sword rather than a shield,” the attorney says. “That said, there’s a case to be made it’s a generic term and trademarks shouldn’t be applied to generic terms. I’d be interested to see how that would stand up to further scrutiny. Backcountry’s first registration in 2004 says it was for ‘retail store services, mail order services and computerized online retail services,’ but it’s expanded a lot since then. They filed in 2018 for trademarks on items like avalanche probes and climbing skins. People have been making and selling ‘backcountry’ marketed items like those for a long time.”

Attorney with IPLA John H. Kim was the person who filed for the trademarks on behalf of Backcountry in 2018, and he is yet to respond to our request for comment. Backcountry has also not responded to multiple requests for comment on the issue. As of now, the company is forging ahead with a host of branded Backcountry items that could have huge implications for other industry members going forward.

We will continue to update this story as it develops.

See all our outdoors coverage here.

The foothills and canyons of the Central Wasatch Range are interwined with life here. We take a quick run on the Bonneville Shoreline after work. We wake up early on Saturdays to bag a peak in the Cottonwoods or to take fido up to Dog Lake in Millcreek. And as much as mountain life is part of what it means to be a Utahn, so is obsessing about gear. We outfitted Zack Petersen, Ashleigh Soedel and young Ethan Miller and pup Tugg with the basic kit. 

Photo by Adam Finkle / Salt Lake Magazine

Mountain Mama

Over The Top

Obsessive gear, need it or not, for the gear-obsessed.

CAMP BARISTA The Wanderlust Camp Kit ($95) Pink Elephant Coffee Roasters, Park City

GREEN POWER Goal Zero Nomad 7 Plus Solar Panel ($100) goal zero.com

SMOKELESS FIRE (REALLY) Solo Stove Bonfire Fire Pit ($300) rei.com

CAMP DJ Skull Candy Barricade Wireless Speaker ($80) skull candy.com

Hallie hat ($62) Gigi Pip, SLC; Nano Puff vest ($149) Patagonia Outlet, SLC; Tour De Earth shirt ($99) Title Nine, SLC; Clamber skort ($74) Title Nine, SLC; Trail running sneaker ($70) New Balance Union Park, Midvale.

Mountain Dad

Pacaya insulated jacket ($200) Cotopaxi, SLC; Monanock shirt ($65) Scheels, Sandy; Renegade pant ($89) Scheels, Sandy; Trail walking shoe ($155) New Balance Union Park, Midvale.

Mountain Kid

Light and variable hoody ($59) Patagonia Outlet, SLC; Better sweater ($79) Patagonia Outlet, SLC; Youth pants ($40) Scheels, Sandy; Kids trail running Shoes ($75) Scheels, Sandy.

Mountain Dog

PledgeAllegiance dog leash ($25) & dog collar ($20) Wolfgang Man & Beast, SLC.
All-in-one cast iron grill ($128) Barebones Living, SLC; Forest Lantern ($60) Barebones Living, SLC; Tarak Del Día backpack ($100) Cotopaxi, SLC; Arbor classic pack ($99) Patagonia Outlet, SLC; Maxfield 4 tent ($500) Klymit, klymit.com; KSB Double ($350) & KSB 35 ($170) sleeping bags Klymit, klymit.com; Moon Dog Bed– Large ($100) Klymit, klymit.com.

See more Outdoors content here.