Spread Stoke » ski utah

The Return of the Wasatch

Casey Sowul — Mon, 29 Dec 2014 21:39:17 +0000

For 3 consecutive seasons, she’s been an elusive mistress who seemingly left her devotees abandoned to dwell in a land of dry and warm uncertainty. We were left wondering if she’d ever return. There were stories passed from locals to newly relocated transplants, sharing tales from when she was basking us in her glory, blanketing us in a blower heaven. There were non-believers, those that didn’t believe in the possibility of her return. The faithfully blind, almost to a fault, had nearly caved into the dark despair that the glory days were gone for good. But then it happened …

With the daunting high pressure ridge haunting Utah’s Cottonwood Canyons shunned into hiding, the magical snow machine of the Wasatch has returned and bestowed her beloved rage upon us. With a perfectly cooled 0-15 degree breath of fresh air, she blew in over 3 feet of snow last week and laughter was spread far and wide. Screams of joy were shouted from perfectly angled tree lines. Shouts of glee echoed across the ridge lines. Giggles, uncontrollable, heard from those who found themselves back in Trenchtown, USA.

She’s back, for now. Beg pardon for whatever work you might miss. Do whatever needs to be done to push aside the burn in your legs. Forgo the tempting distractions and responsibilities that will lead you astray.

Let your heart guide you into mountains and follow your soul into her lair.

Kevin Smith at Solitude Resort, Utah. Photo: Eric Dyer

Casey Sowul at Solitude. Photo: Eric Dyer

Tori Sowul at Solitude. Photo: Eric Dyer

Kevin Smith at Solitude. Photo: GoPro

International Women’s Ski Day at Solitude Resort

Casey Sowul — Thu, 04 Dec 2014 03:54:23 +0000

Living in a ski town is amazing for many many reasons. You get to skip school on powder days. You get to be surrounded by incredible people who are willing to live on couches, out of cars, and survive on PB & Js in order to follow storms across the country in their beat, but adored, Subarus. You ‘get’ what it is to be obsessed with the mountains and will do anything (including bail on relationships, career climbing opportunities, and steady cashflow) in order to make sure you’re able to take full advantage of every single damn winter! I know, sounds like paradise, right?

There is a small dilemma that comes with most mountain towns – and dudes have known this for years! They know that it’s not easy to find a plethora of ladies around town. Generally, this has certainly been in our (I’m speakin’ for the gals here) massive favor when it comes to dating. But – there’s more to it than that. Lookin’ for fellow female comrades to shred with on a daily basis can be tough, intimidating, and sometimes, downright frustrating. I’ve spent most of my life skiing with guys – and I love every damn one of them. Then there are days that are extra special, spent with my best girlfriends on the mountain while laughing, dancing, being silly, pushing each other harder than they boys, giving each other endless shit when we crash, talkin’ smack on the chair lifts. But, to be honest, meeting and connecting with other female riders can be tough when jobs, kids, sleeper pow days, boys and everything else in life gets in the freakin’ way. That’s why International Women’s Ski Day is super exciting!

Solitude Mountain Resort is hosting a massively awesome “Women of Winter” series and they are kicking it off with International Women’s Ski Day. This is the perfect excuse to get your butt out on the slope and meet some new friends, get a little wild with fellow female athletes, and simply celebrate being a chic. Below are details on the entire W.O.W series. Spread Stoke will be up at Soli next weekend for International Women’s Ski Day. So come say hi and meet the crew.

For more information on the incredible Women of Winter (W.O.W) Series that Solitude is putting on the entire season, check out their schedule of events here.

Snowbird’s New Big Mountain Trail: 3000 Vertical Feet & 7.5 Miles of Downhill Fun

Casey Sowul — Wed, 16 Jul 2014 21:03:33 +0000

Tram laps in the Summer? Dreams do come true! Snowbird Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon dropped a stoke bomb on mountain bike fiends this week announcing the grand opening of their brand-spankin-new Big Mountain Trail. Needless to say, we’re aching to get to Snowbird ASAP to do some laps on what will certainly be a premier must-do trail when visiting the Wasatch.

According to the Ski Utah video (see below), the trail is approx. 3000 vertical feet, 7.5 miles long, and takes about 1 – 2 hours to ride depending upon rider experience. So that means it’s a <10 min. ride up the tram for a massive descent back to the tram deck. CAN.NOT.WAIT! From the video, it looks like there are lots of smooth berms to rail, a few wood features, and a mix of high alpine and aspen single track to give even the most spoiled of riders a mega-fix of downhill fun.

Mountain Biking Snowbird's Big Mountain Trail

Video by SkiUtah.com

Here’s some beta directly from Snowbird.com about the trail:

Hours: 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Access: Hidden Peak (Tram MTB ticket required), Down-traffic ONLY after 11 a.m.
*Trail Rating: Blue (intermediate)
Distance: 7.5 miles from Hidden Peak to the Snowbird Center via Dick Bass Highway.
Trail drops 2,900 vertical feet with an 8 percent average grade. Wide-open straightaways, tight forested turns, small earthen tabletops, wooden bridges and amazing down-canyon views. Very little pedaling required. Helmets required.

Adult $19 Half-Day, $29 All-Day
Child $16 Half-Day, $24 All-Day
Snowbird season passholders (winter 2013/14 and 2014/15) $10 All-Day

For more information about Snowbird’s mountain bike trails, hours, and ticket prices, visit Snowbird.com.