During the summer, southern Utah is alive with all types of recreation, festivals and activities. Surrounded by national parks, secret hiking trails and mountains to climb, adventurers can always stay busy. However, what activities are possible in winter?
Many people think the outdoor season is finished when snow starts to fall. Arguably, that’s where it begins. Anyone willing to press on and explore the snow will find a large host of activities, including snowshoeing, skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing, snow caving, ice climbing and more. Activities like these open up the adventurer to countless amazing sights, experiences and relationships.
How does one get started? The first and most important thing to understand about recreation is preparation. When out in the cold, a fun evening can quickly turn dangerous if the participants are ill-prepared.
Being prepared starts with gear. Each activity requires something different, but a base of warm clothing is always a must. This includes warm coats, jackets, gloves, hats, snow pants and proper boots.
Durable, puffy jackets are recommended for snow-activity; however, it is important to judge temperature ratings off of exertion. The higher the exertion, the less clothing is required to maintain a healthy body temperature. For example, a fast-paced snow hike does not need a full puffy coat since such clothing can cause overexertion and an increase in sweat. Instead, a mid-warmth jacket will suffice.
Layering helps adventurers stay prepared for any temperature or level of exertion, allowing them to shed or add clothing to maintain proper body temperature. Whether sitting down or running, layering allows the user to adapt. Becoming wet from sweat or snow is incredibly dangerous in the winter because moisture pulls away warmth and inhibits the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
Despite their best efforts, most people will still sweat or get soaked with snow during their activity. This is why a change of dry clothes is imperative. For close, short-term activities, a change of clothes can usually be left in the car. For activities that last all day or travel a long distance, like camping, a change of clothes should be carried and kept dry.
Beyond clothing, survival items like plenty of food, water, fire-starters and first aid should always be included in a winter pack. Snow storms can sometimes occur randomly and having the means to survive for a few extra hours or even days can save lives.
Finally, never explore in the snow alone. Not only does a buddy system make things safer, but it also is much more fun. There is so much to see and do; so many mountains to climb and slopes to ski down. Why do it alone? Now is the time to get out and explore the beauty of the snow-covered areas near Cedar City.
Author: Caden Wiegman
Photographer: Lukas Hassell
Editor: Lily Brunson
outdoors@suunews.net
