Articles

Mountain Biking in Moab with your kids. Story and Photos by Bret Edge The Whole Enchilada. Captain Ahab. Portal. Say “Moab” in the company of mountain bikers and they’ll drift off into thoughts of gnarly trails with massive exposure and technical moves that require precision, strength and a dose of finesse. But what if you’re a parent, and your budding young mountain biker isn’t quite ready to shred the gnar? Here’s a little secret – Moab’s got plenty of great trails with outstanding scenery for even the smallest riders!

When world-renowned snow gives way to high country warmth, Park City transforms into a green-hued playground. For starters, 400 miles of hiking and biking trails weave through aspens groves, conifers, and alpine meadows, filling grateful lungs with sweet-scented sage and evergreen. Preserving that green scene for both moose and mountain biker has become a local priority, making Park City a place where eco meets action – both in terms of extraordinary recreational opportunities and innovative environmental stewardship. Think e-bikes, open space conservation, and net-zero carbon emission goals. As a result, tapping into the local green scene has never been easier or more fun.

The San Rafael Swell sits dramatically in the southeastern section of Utah. Split by I-70 the Book Cliffs are to the east and the Henry Mountains to the southwest. The Swell is 80 miles long and 35 miles wide and is part of the Colorado Plateau.

My first trip to Moab happened in the late 1980's when my boyfriend asked if I would go on vacation with him to Moab. My reply was "Where is Moab and why do we want to go there?" and my imagination immediately traveled to an exotic sunny beach somewhere far away.

Ski City is much more than a single-season destination. Unlike traditional ski towns, where winter is the primary season for its existence, Ski City (a.k.a. Salt Lake) thrives throughout the year in all four seasons.

Just a few short years ago, if you asked Utah residents what comes to mind when they think of Southwest Utah, the answer was inevitably, "Zion National Park, sunshine, retirees, and endless rounds of golf." The St. George marathon was occasionally mentioned, but rarely did you hear ...

Carl Sandburg's "Chicago" is one of the best known works of 20th century American literature. Included in countless anthologies, this poem made famous the description of Chicago as "City of the Big Shoulders," celebrating its role at the time as the industrial capital of the United States.

I'm not going to lie, if you would have asked me where I'd be living at this stage of my life when I was younger, Park City would not have been the spot. I would have said, Sun Valley, Idaho, or Jackson, Wyoming, or somewhere a bit more "off-the-beaten-path."

Sleeping soundly, I'm suddenly startled awake by the early morning coffee call … After taking a few moments to orientate myself with my surroundings ... sleeping bag, tent, chill in the air…my thoughts race to the events of the previous day and a smile slowly lights up …

It's no secret that cities – particularly those that market to meetings, conventions and destination visitors – have worked hard to earn the right to be considered "green" in recent years.

Picture yourself gazing out your office window on a warm, late-spring afternoon. The majestic peaks immediately to the east are still blanketed with a deep layer of "The Greatest Snow on Earth." At their flanks are lush, green foothills that roll gently toward your downtown office building.

One of the most enticing things about a visit to Salt Lake City is the myriad of recreation opportunities right out the back door. Just 35 minutes from all that downtown has to offer are seven canyons cut into the Wasatch Mountains. Two of these, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, are some of the most popular areas for the perfect summer playground.

For many, summer vacation means heading to the beach, exploring southern Utah, going on a long road trip or checking out your local water park. What many summer vacationers don't think about are the endless options offered at Utah's 14 ski resorts during the summer season.

"Lean into your turn Mom!" my daughter yelled from behind as I soared through another smooth switchback! The golden fall leaves crackled under my tires as I tapped lightly on my brakes and easily coasted along.