Snowbasin Blog

Endurance athletes from around the world will emerge as winners thanks to the XTERRA USA Championship weekend at Snowbasin Resort this September.

The XTERRA USA Championship off-road triathlon is set for Saturday, September 21, with the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship to follow on Sunday, September 22.

Both events will take place at the picturesque Snowbasin Resort – a world-class ski resort that hosted the downhill and super G races for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and more than 1,500 athletes from across the country and around the world will participate. Professional champions will be crowned, and amateur age-group athletes ranging from 10 to 80 will earn XTERRA National Champion status.

“Nationals” is the culmination of all 150+ XTERRA U.S. off-road triathlon and trail running events held in 2013 and both events will be filmed for nationally syndicated TV programs exposing the beauty of Utah to millions.

“We are thrilled to have the XTERRA USA Championship and the Trail Run Championships back in Utah, and feel these two events are a great fit for Utah,” said Jeff Robbins, president & CEO of the Utah Sports Commission.  “These events showcase the state’s natural beauty and world-class venues and provide significant economic impact and image building to Utah.”

Snowbasin Resort is located just 35 miles north of Salt Lake City and boasts an incredible collection of trails, which are nothing short of spectacular in late September as the fall colors start bursting in an array of red, pink, orange, and yellow.

“September is always a special time of year for us at Snowbasin as we look forward to welcoming an ever-growing international field of participants for a couple of great races that truly showcase the beauty of the resort and our mountain trails,” said Steve Andrus, Snowbasin Resorts sport event operations director.

Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell played a significant role in bringing the XTERRA USA Championship weekend to Utah. He is a past XTERRA competitor, and served as race director for the first XTERRA race in Ogden back in 2004.

In 2009, Odgen and Snowbasin were named hosts for XTERRA’s America Tour triathlon finale – the XTERRA USA Championship – and by 2011 the XTERRA Trail Run National Championship was added, creating the current weekend of events.

The Get Out and Live (GOAL) organization also plays a significant role in the weekend, providing hundreds of volunteers to assist during the events.

“XTERRA is a unique event for our community that has grown and progressed over the past eight years into a world-class event,” Caldwell said. “It is a huge part of our community’s DNA.  These athletes and race organizers have become part of our family providing an opportunity for us to form lasting friendships with people from all over the world. Not only do I enjoy the homecoming feel the event brings, it also has great economic impact for Ogden. Our hotels sell out and our restaurants fill up. XTERRA is proof that what GOAL is doing, works. I love XTERRA. It is the perfect fit for Ogden, and I look forward to this weekend every year knowing this year will be the best yet.”

The home-state Utah people are also invited to participate in the prestigious events, as there are open divisions for amateurs in both the triathlon and trail run.

In addition to the races, XTERRA will host an expo in downtown Ogden with free kids races, vendor booths, a Paul Mitchell hair cut-a-thon for charity, and evening dinner parties. Simultaneously, Ogden hosts its 12th annual Harvest Moon Festival with more than 25 family-friendly activities, including live music, kid’s activities, and downtown criterium races.

“We love bringing our entire XTERRA Tribe together in Utah; the energy level is off the charts,” said Janet Clark, president of XTERRA. “Ogden and Snowbasin are proven winners – between the facilities at Snowbasin, the great restaurants and atmosphere along Historic 25th Street in Ogden, the Harvest Moon Festival, and the unbelievably supportive community – we couldn’t have asked for a better situation.”

For more information and links to registration and live event coverage please visit www.xterrautah.com or call toll-free at 877-XTERRA-1.

We are excited to see so many people enjoying the trails at Snowbasin this summer! Please note that due to safety reasons, there are a couple trail closures due to events on the mountain. Thank you for your cooperation!

Saturday, July 21st- Snowbasin mountain operations will close at 4 pm for the Jazz in July concert.

Saturday, July 21st- Snowbasin “will not” be offering its Mountain Top Dining.

Sunday, July 22nd- Live Entertainment and BBQ are cancelled due to to an event.

Saturday, August 4th- Trails closed until 1 pm for the Intermountain Cup. Shuttle service will be running that day for scheduled pick-ups after 1pm.

Saturday, August 18th- Mt. Ogden50/100k at Snowbasin – All trails will be closed for the race. No bike shuttle service.

Saturday, August 18th- Snowbasin “will not” be offering its Mountain Top Dining.

Saturday/Sunday, September 22/23rd – XTERRA USA Championships – All trails will be closed for the race. No bike shuttle service.

For the second year in a row Snowbasin will be hosting a major concert as part of the Mt.Ogden100k mountain bike endurance race with Jeff Coffin & the Mu’tet. Coffin & his funky cohorts, collectively known as the Mu’tet, will perform at Snowbasin Resort Saturday, August 18th, at 7pm. Entry into the event is just $25 a carload!

For more event information please contact Snowbasin at 801.620.1000 or view the Snowbasin Events Calendar

The air is warmer, the flowers are coming out, and the wildlife is on the move.  Here are 10 things that are great to do at Snowbasin during the summer months.

1. On a weekend, take a ride up the gondola and enjoy the view from up top. From there choose how you would like to descend whether it’s another gondola ride, a bike ride, or a hike down the mountain.
2. Take on one of our three “hikers only” trails to the crest of the mountain bringing you a breathtaking view of the valley far below. (Strawberry Trail, Ridge Trail, and John Paul Trail)
3. Bike through aspen groves and glades of pines on a trail that best fits your biking level.
4. Sit out by the Plaza at Earls Lodge and listen to some live entertainment at one of our Sunday Concerts.
5. Enjoy the mountain and beautiful landscape while challenging your friends to a round of Disc Golf!
6. Take a Free Guided Tour and learn about the resort, the wildlife and the area you are in.
7. Make the memories last by taking a photo next to the Moose.
8. Grab a souvenir from the Grizzly Retail Store.
9. Find one of the many ponds that are at the resort.
10. Indulge in the Wildlife that this section of land brings to you.

Tune your bike and pull out your hiking shoes Snowbasin will be starting up summer operations Father’s Day weekend!  Needles Gondola will begin running on June 16th and will be open weekends only through early October.  Hours of operation are Saturdays 9 am to 5:30 pm and Sundays 9 am to 5 pm.  Food service at Needles Lodge will be limited to snacks and drinks until June 30th when we will offer a full lunch menu.  Don’t forget about our Saturday Night Mountain Top Dining beginning June 30th as well as our Sunday Entertainment and BBQs starting Father’s Day.  Snowbasin looks forward to seeing you on the mountain this summer!

On a Snowbasin guided tour you can learn about what the resort has to offer during the summer.  Discover Snowbasin’s extensive history, the science of snowmaking, or see what wildlife comes out when all the snow melts.   Meet your tour guide every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm at the Moose in front of Earl’s Lodge from June 23rd through September 2nd.  Come join Snowbasin for the chance to learn and experience our summer fun and deep history. Best of all its FREE!

*Tours meet Saturday & Sundays 1 pm at the Moose.  Bring hiking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, snacks and water. Tours last from 1-4 hours. Tours in the base area do not require a gondola ticket.

June 23^rd & 24^th: Avalanche prevention and science -with Frank Waikart

• Learn from the pro. Frank Waikart has 12 years of experience working in snow safety. Let Frank walk you thru the ins and outs of avalanches. Frank will show you what he looks for in snow conditions and the tools he uses. Have a chance to see a gun tower and hold a hand charge. 1.5-2 hours

June 30^th & July 1^st: All about Geo-caching (base hike) – with Tim Franchi

• What is Geo-caching? Tim Franchi will answer this, along with the etiquette and the how to of geo-caching. On this tour you never know what you could find.  If you have a GPS bring it or get a head start by visiting http://www.geocaching.com/ 1-1.5 hours

July 7^th & 8^th: Mountain Bike Tour – with Tim Eastley (Bike and Helmet Required)

• Your guide will take you along the Ogden Canyon Overlook trail with some great forest coverage mixed with wide open canyon views. A challenging ride with many scenic attractions. You must bring a mountain bike, helmet and water. This is not a how to mountain bike class. This is a ride for intermediate to advanced riders. 1-2 hours

July 14^th & 15^th: Snowbasin Disc Golf – with Tim Eastley and Lance Roylance

• Learn how to play disc golf.  This tour will give you the opportunity to learn a few tricks to this rapidly expanding sport. Your guide will walk you thru the 9 – hole course located in our bas area. 1 hour

July 21^st & 22^nd & July 28^th & 29^th: Wildflowers & Plants -

with Steve Larue & Frank Waikart (Lift Ticket Required)

• Enjoy Snowbasin’s diverse landscape with numerous wildflowers, shrubs and trees. Guides will help identify and describe many of the species of native flora and discuss effects of weather, location and wildlife on plants. This tour has something for everyone as the length and level of difficulty can vary. Depending on weather conditions many flowers and shrubs may be blooming. Come prepared to trek across varying terrain with your water, sunscreen, sturdy footwear and camera. 1.5-3 hours

August 4^th & 5^th: Beaver Dams (base hike) – with Tim Franchi

• This off trail hike will take you deep into beaver country. Make your way thru swampy conditions to experience beaver dams and lodges. But be quiet and sneaky for an opportunity to see native trout and potentially a beaver. Mosquito repellant, shoes that can get dirty, long pants and long sleeve shirts are recommended. 1-3 hours

August 11^th & 12^th: Science of Snowmaking (hike) – with Zac Alder (Lift Ticket Required)

• Have you ever wondered how we make snow? Learn about the different types of snowguns, snow qualities, wet bulb and much more. When you hike from the top of Needles to the snowmaking building. Tour the snowmaking building then hike to the base area. Wear your sunscreen, sturdy shoes and bring water. 2-2.5 hours

August 18^th & 19^th: Tour of the Cirques (hike) – (Lift Ticket Required)

• Come prepared because were going to the top. Hike from the top of Needles gondola to MountOgdenand back. This strenuous hike will give you a bird’s eye view to the valley below. Come prepared with water, snacks, sunscreen and appropriate shoes. 4-4.5 hours

August 25^th & 26^th: How a ski lift works – with Lift Maintenance

• We all ride them but what makes them spin? Come join us to tour lift terminals, motor rooms, lift shacks and the infamous parking garage. The Lift Maintenance exports at Snowbasin will take the time to explain the principles of ski lift mechanics and help us all appreciate our ride to the top. 1.5-2 hours

September 1^st & 2^nd: The dog days of Snowbasin (base) – with Brian Dubuque

• Have your dog by your side for this hike to the bottom of Strawberry. This two-hour round trip hike will allow you and your best friend to enjoy the beauty of Snowbasin together. Dogs should be on a leash. Water and bathrooms are available at the bottom of Strawberry. 2-2.5 hours

On a Snowbasin guided tour you can learn about what the resort has to offer during the summer.  Discover Snowbasin’s extensive history, the science of snowmaking, or see what wildlife comes out when all the snow melts.   Meet your tour guide every Saturday and Sunday at 1pm at the Moose in front of Earl’s Lodge from June 23rd through September 2nd.  Come join Snowbasin for the chance to learn and experience our summer fun and deep history. Best of all its FREE!

*Bring hiking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, snacks and water. Tours last from 1-4 hours. Tours in the base do not require a gondola ticket.

July 7^th & 8^th: Mountain Bike Tour – with Tim Eastley (Bike and Helmet Required)

• Your guide will take you along the Ogden Canyon Overlook trail with some great forest coverage mixed with wide open canyon views. A challenging ride with many scenic attractions. You must bring a mountain bike, helmet and water. This is not a how to mountain bike class. This is a ride for intermediate to advanced riders. 1-2 hours

 
Roll #1 – Start of the Race

Roll#2 – Hill Climb / Trees

Roll #3 – Final Lap

Roll #4 – Finish / Festivities

Photography by Bryan J. Smith, OgdenValleyMagazine.com

          Great turnout for a great race today at Snowbasin! Thank you to all participants and community partners for fun and successful event. For a complete listing of all race results, check out:  http://milliseconds.com/races/detail/1206

All participants for Pro Men

All participants for Pro Women

All participants for Overall Amateur Male

All participants for Overal Amateur Female

Hear ye’, hear ye! The great people of Ogden, world-class facilities at Snowbasin Resort and majestic Wasatch Range combined to do what no other venue in the history of XTERRA has done before.

First, they rallied the community into hosting an off-road triathlon. Then, they turned that race from a local grassroots affair into a major regional event on the XTERRA Tour. And now, they’re hosting the XTERRA USA Championship, the biggest race on the XTERRA America Tour. Indeed, the culminating event in the 60-race U.S. series.

Come September 26, some 50 pros – Olympians, Adventure Racing World Champs, Mountain Biking Legends alike – will be in town to race for $80,000 in prize money. Dozens of cameraman will position themselves around Wheeler Canyon to capture all the action for a nationally syndicated one-hour sports special. Amateur athletes from nearly every state in the union will travel here to chase their dreams and race for the XTERRA National Championship crown.

And the XTERRA Utah off-road triathlon, featuring a 750m swim, 19km mountain bike, and 5km trail run, will take place on the same day, at the same time (well, 20 minutes later), and on the same course.

Utah is where it’s at, and we want you to join us and make this thing the most rockin’ off-road tri festival ever. In addition to the off-road tris we’re putting on the XTERRA Wheeler Canyon 21k that runs from Pineview Reservoir to Snowbasin Resort, the XTERRA K9 Challenge owner-and-dog races, the Paul Mitchell Cut-a-thon, Kids Zone, Pro Clinics, Expo, party under the stars in downtown Ogden with highlight videos, great food, live music, and good vibes. It’s all part of the annual Mountain 2 Metro games which are running simultaneously with a host of activities and events for the whole family.

If you do one event this year, make this it.