First let’s cover the snow. If you’ve looked into skiing in Utah even a little bit, you’ve probably seen the eye popping statistic that we average 500” of snow a year! On top of that, we claim to have the “Greatest Snow on Earth”. This means Utah gets a lot of snow that is of a consistency that is great for powder skiing. This makes us a top destination for powder hounds. The grizzled vet salivates over this fact, but for the uninitiated, this is probably a little intimidating. If you’re new here, you might also be wondering how you are going to shovel all that snow. Well don’t worry, it’s not scary!

That 500” per year statistic actually only pertains to a relatively small area in the central Wasatch mountains. That area happens to be the heart of Utah’s ski industry which works out great for skiers, but if you live in the populated valleys, your house won’t get anywhere close to that much snow. In fact, the lower elevations sometimes get very little snow depending on the winter. The other thing to know, is that the ski resorts groom a selection of trails every day and skiers are out there skiing and packing the snow down every day. So you don’t have to be worried about constantly swimming in snow up to your eyeballs. If you’re just learning, you might want to avoid skiing during our most intense storms, but Utah also gets lots of sunny bluebird days where you’ll find miles of groomed trails to enjoy.

One thing you do need to be prepared for is getting to and from the ski resorts during the winter. Most of the ski resorts are accessed via canyon roads that have traction laws during winter storms. This means your vehicle needs to be equipped with 4 wheel drive, snow tires, and/or chains if you plan to drive during snowy weather. Alternatively, the UTA offers buses to most of the ski resorts if you aren’t equipped for winter driving.

Now that we have the weather covered, you’ll need some gear. If you plan to ski or snowboard more than just a couple times, season ski and snowboard rentals are a great way to go. You can rent the skis, boots and poles, or boots, board, and bindings for much less than it would cost to buy. You get to rent the gear and keep it all season also so you don’t have the hassle of picking it up and dropping it off at the rental shop every time you go. You get the benefit of trying out equipment that’s suited to your ability without being locked into a purchase for years. Each season you can choose different equipment as your skills progress. If you plan on skiing just once or twice to really just dip your toe in, you’re better off with daily ski or snowboard rentals.

For clothing, you will need ski pants and a jacket. Water proof is nice but not totally necessary around here. If its water resistant and you’d like to save some money while you’re figuring out if this sport is for you, that’s totally fine. You’ll also need a warm pair of gloves or mittens (mittens are warmer but offer less dexterity), a helmet, goggles, and a Buff/balaclava, is nice too. Layering is also key to keeping warm but also not overheating when the sun is out. Wool or synthetic long underwear is advisable for your next to skin layer because they help wick moisture and offer warmth even when wet, unlike cotton. You’ll also want an additional layer or two on top of the base layer and beneath your outwear. Wool or fleece sweaters or down/synthetic “puffy” coats are great for mid layers. Some gurus will tell you that you must have the clothing I just described, and it is really nice to have, but if you need to save some money, you can go with layers you already own. Just know that cotton doesn’t handle moisture well and loses its warmth when wet. A good pair of ski socks is highly recommended though. Spring for those before you worry about the rest of your clothing layers. They will help keep your feet happy and well worth it. One other bit of advice on the clothing is avoid jeans!

Now that you’re geared up where are you going to go? An overview of each of the ski resorts is beyond our scope here but pretty much all of the resorts have at least some beginner and intermediate terrain. For most of the population of Utah, your likely options are Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Solitude, Park City, Deer Valley, Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, or Sundance. All the resorts offer season pass options or multi-day ticket packs if you think you’ll only go a few times over the season. A good option to sample resorts in this area is to buy an Ikon pass. There are different levels of the pass are available which dictates access, but generally you will be able to choose from Solitude, Brighton, Snowbird, Alta, Deer Valley and Snowbasin.

Finally, if you’re just starting out, or even if you’ve skied before but the skills are a little rusty, it’s a good idea to take some lessons. This can really speed up the learning curve and help you enjoy your time on the slopes for years to come. You’ll want to sign up for lessons through whichever resort you plan to go to.

Hopefully that helps the folks who are looking to get into skiing here in Utah. While this certainly isn’t an exhaustive guide, hopefully you at least have a good starting point and idea of what to look more into. If you need some additional help, just reach out. We are always eager to help!

If money is no object for your next ski trip, no worries. Go have all the fun in the world. But if you are trying to watch your pennies, we have a few suggestions that could help you save some money. Our goal here at Canyon Sports is to help as many people get on the slopes as possible with ski rentals or snowboard rentals.

1. Rent Your Equipment Rather Than Buying

Our first tip is to save money on equipment by renting rather than buying. Canyon Sports offers both ski and snowboard rental by the season or by the day. You get the latest equipment kept in tip-top shape and supported by our team of experts.

Ski and snowboard rental is ideal if you are just trying winter sports for the first time. Renting means you don’t have to commit a tidy sum of money to purchasing equipment you might not want to keep once the season is over. It is also ideal for casual skiers unlikely to hit the slopes every week during the season.

2. Consider Night Skiing

The world-class resorts here in Utah tend to stay open late into the night. Night passes are usually a lot cheaper than full-day and half-day passes. How much cheaper really depends on the resort. As an added bonus, nighttime traffic on the slopes tends to be less.

Skiing at night is a more affordable experience with lower crowds to contend with. But there is a caveat: it can get pretty cold up in the mountains once the sun goes down. So be sure to dress warmly.

3. Weekday Passes Are Good, Too

If your schedule dictates that nighttime skiing is out, you can still save money on full and half-day tickets by planning your time on the slopes during the week. Remember that weekends are the busiest. So if you can ski Monday-Wednesday, you should be able to find less expensive tickets.

A lot of locals prefer to buy season passes. Now is not the time to do so given how expensive prices are at the start of the season. But come 2025, if you know you’ll want a season pass for next year, March and April tend to be the best times in terms of prices. Once May and June roll around, season pass prices start to climb again.

4. Ski the Smaller Resorts

As a company that specializes in ski and snowboard rental, we are fully aware that Utah offers some of the most popular skiing in the country. Some of our resorts are known around the world. But the most popular are also the most expensive. Why not save a little money by skiing in the smaller, lesser-known resorts?

Eagle Point, Nordic Valley, and Beaver Mountain are just a few of the more affordable resorts in Utah. Some of the best are independently owned and offer quite a bit of charm in addition to great skiing.

It is possible to ski Utah on a family friendly budget. Give it a try. If you need equipment rental, it starts here at Canyon Sports. Come pay us a visit and let us talk about getting you hooked up with skis or a snowboard for the 2024-25 season. It is going to be a great winter.

While you’re reading, bear in mind that Canyon Sports is your Salt Lake City destination for ski and snowboard rental. We also offer ski and snowboard tunes throughout the season. Let us do the maintenance of getting your equipment in shape while you get out and enjoy some of the other things SLC has to offer.

Downtown During the Holidays

If you are planning to visit at any point from late November through mid-January, you will appreciate downtown Salt Lake City being all lit up for the holidays. The downtown area is truly a warm and happy holiday movie come to life.

You will definitely want to take a casual walk through Temple Square to see the incredible light display SLC is known for. While you’re downtown, spend a bit of time ice skating under the lights at Gallivan Center.

Conclude your evening downtown with a warm cup of hot cocoa or your favorite drink. The downtown area features a variety of restaurants, cafes, and bars with something for everyone. Enjoy a delicious snack and maybe meet some new friends, too.

Take in Some Pro Sports

Many visitors to Salt Lake City don’t realize that it is home to some fantastic professional sports. We have two top tier teams: the NBA’s Utah Jazz and the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club. Both play their home games at Vivint Arena.

Incidentally, the Utah Hockey Club is playing its very first season in 2024-25. The expansion club came to be after the Arizona Coyotes folded at the end of the 2023-24 season. Why not be part of the inaugural crowd that cheers the team on this year?

Check Out Olympic Park

Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic Games at what is now Utah Olympic Park. Fortunately for us, the park has not remained dormant over the last two decades. It is alive and well, offering both locals and Utah visitors an opportunity to learn more about Olympic life with guided tours and an endless array of spectator opportunities.

You can even try your hand at being an Olympian – if you have the courage and moxy. But if you would rather watch other people do it, there are plenty of spots to keep an eye on the action while staying warm and dry.

Take in a Little Culture

As much as Salt Lake City is known for its winter sports, it is also a great town for culture. Spend a few hours at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts or the Natural History Museum of Utah. Both offer stimulating and fascinating experiences that might even cause you to forget that you are here to ski.

We have only scratched the surface of the many things to do in Salt Lake City when you’re not on the slopes. If you’re planning to visit our city this season, we sincerely hope that you feel welcome and appreciated.

While you are enjoying all the city has to offer, we will continue serving locals and visitors with industry-leading ski and snowboard rental. We invite you to stop by to check out Canyon Sports for yourself.

Fall is great time to go mountain biking in the Salt Lake area. Temperatures are usually very comfortable, the dirt is a little tackier, and the mountains are a blaze of autumn color. There is no shortage of trails in the Wasatch but the new Bonanza Loop Trail is an excellent choice for a fun leaf peeping excursion.

The trail just opened in late summer and is an intermediate 5.2 mile loop with about 650ft of climbing. It winds through Bonanza Flat which is a 1,500 acre conservation easement located just below Guardsman pass on the Park City side.

The latter half of September is usually peak foliage where the Bonanza Loop Trail sits at around 9,000 ft. It’s a very popular area during foliage season, so if you can possibly go during the week that would be preferable.

From Salt Lake City, we recommend taking the scenic drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon and over Guardsman Pass. The drive up and down Big Cottonwood is worthy as a scenic drive even if you aren’t going to explore the trails. About 2 miles beyond Guardsman Pass you’ll come to the Bananza Flat Parking lot on the right. As you get out of your car and get ready for your ride, soak in the spectacular views and fall colors. Right from the parking lot you’ll have views of the yellow orange aspens of Bonanza Flat and of Mt Timpanogos further south (Alpine Loop around Timp is another fantastic fall outing).

The trail is open to bikers and hikers however bikers are supposed to ride the trail counterclockwise while hikers should travel clockwise. To begin the loop on a mountain bike, enter the trail at the back western corner of the parking lot (hikers will start at the eastern corner).

After a short decent from the parking lot, the trail mostly climbs through meadows with nice views of Bonanza flat. The climb is mild to moderate on fairly smooth single track. The trail curves around and heads towards the aspen grove, which, if you hit if right should be a spectacular sea of yellow and orange. As the trail heads into the aspen grove it also gets more interesting. You’ll encounter some rock gardens, wooden bridges and fun twists and turns and you wind your way through the fall canopy. As you tackle the final climb out of the aspen grove, you’ll encounter another great vantage point to check out the colors and the scenic peaks to the south.

Overall the trail is fun for a wide variety of riders. The loop is relatively short without too much climbing, so it’s a quick casual ride for the seasoned mountain biker and approachable for those still learning and gaining fitness. There is enough moderate tech mixed in with the flowy sections to keep the trail fun and interesting. The trail bikes we rent at Canyon Sports are perfect for this terrain. If you’re looking for a bigger ride, you can access the 9k trail just across the street from the parking lot. An out and back on 9k would be a great addition to the loop but you can also connect with other trails off 9k and make it as big of a ride as you like.

Pack a picnic lunch or a cold beverage to enjoy after the ride and soak in the colorful views some more before heading back over Guardsman pass and down Big Cottonwood Canyon. Fall foliage season is a magical but fleeting time of year. As Labor Day comes and goes, make sure to start planning at least one or two good fall mountain bike rides!*Note this trail closes October through June for wildlife claving.

Ski and snowboarding season are rapidly winding down in Utah. For the team here at Canyon Sports, this means it’s time to start preparing for spring and summer. We have bike rentals on our minds. If you own a bike yourself, we hope you’ll consider us for a full tune up. Bike tunes are on the menu at Canyon Sports.

We encourage having your bike tuned before your summer adventures start. A bike tune is an inexpensive but effective way to guarantee your bike stays in good working condition throughout the season. You will enjoy a more comfortable ride as well.

The Basic Tune Up

A basic bike tune is something just about anyone can do at home with the right tools and knowledge. It shouldn’t take any more than 20-30 minutes. But if you don’t have the tools or know-how, we’d be happy to do the job for you.

A basic tune starts with the seat and seat-post. You don’t want the post to bond to the frame, so you’ll want to clean and lubricate it. This step is especially important if you are working with carbon fiber. After attending to the seat and post, you’ll also:

• Address the Chain – Clean the chain with a degreaser and cleaning tool. Then inspect it carefully. If it shows excessive wear, or any of the links appear damaged, consider replacing it. You’ll definitely want to lubricate the chain before putting it back on the bike.
• Clean Jockey Wheels and Cassette – Locate the jockey wheels and cassette at the rear of the bike. They often get clogged with dirt and grime. Use a degreaser and either a rag or stiff brush to clean them.
• Address the Brakes – Clean and inspect the brakes, paying special attention to wear and tear. Replace worn brake pads. Align the brakes so that there is equal distance between pads and rims, on both sides.
• Check the Tires – Last but not least, you’ll inspect your tires for wear, cracks, and cuts. Don’t hesitate to replace damaged tires. Also be sure that tires are inflated to the proper pressure before every ride.

Again, a basic bike tune doesn’t take long to complete. You can do it at home if you know how. Otherwise, bring it in and let us take a look.

The Complete Tune

If you would prefer a complete bike tune rather than just basic service, the job is best left to professionals. A complete bike tune includes all the basic steps along with more comprehensive service designed to maximize safety in comfort. A complete tune includes:

• Deep cleaning.
• Drive chain adjustments.
• Wheel inspection.
• Frame inspection.
• Headset and bottom racket inspection.

A professional bike mechanic has an advantage in terms of knowing what to look for. Professionals are especially attuned to spotting damage not easily seen with modern bikes. If for no other reason, the safety aspects of riding a bike demand that professionals handle complete tune-ups.

Why Do It Now

The whole point of tuning your bike before summer adventures begin is to avoid the problems associated with not tuning. A complete bike tune enhances performance, improves safety, leads to a smoother and more comfortable ride, and extends the life of your bike.

Not tuning before you start the summer season could mean spending more money later on. Why pay for repairs that could have been avoided with an affordable and easy bike tune?

Bike tunes are one of the many things we offer here at Canyon Sports. Before you start riding this spring, bring your bike in and let us give it the once over.

Whether you live locally or tend to visit Utah from out of town, spring doesn’t mean the end of ski season. It is really just a season to enjoy something different. So grab your skis or snowboard and get out there. On the way, consider our tips for the best day of spring skiing ever:

1. Plan to Make a Day of It

Spring brings with it longer days and warmer temperatures. We are guessing you’re going to spend more time on the slopes and less time in the lodge. To make it the best day ever, consider making the entire day about skiing or snowboarding. Plan to arrive as soon as the lifts start running. Don’t go home until the lifts stop.

You can make the day even more exhilarating by hooking up with family and friends. Bring out your entire gang, no matter how big or small you happen to be in number. Skiing or snowboarding with your loved ones is indescribable. Doing it while basking in spring weather is even better.

2. Plan to Stay Hydrated

Warmer temperatures mean you are probably going to sweat a bit more than you do during the dead of winter. When you sweat, your body loses water. So make a plan to stay hydrated. Whether that means bringing extra water bottles in your backpack or increasing your budget for purchased beverages, make sure you drink enough.

By the way, there is nothing wrong with stopping every now and again to enjoy a drink on the patio. Our resorts offer plenty of great drink options year-round. You are bound to find that perfect drink to enjoy while you’re taking a brief break.

3. Dress in Layers

One of the things typical of spring skiing is changing temperatures. It might be pretty cold in the morning, comfortably warm during the afternoon, and seasonably chilly once the sun goes down. The best way to stay warm and prevent hypothermia is to dress in layers. Wearing as many layers as possible lets you shed as you warm up and then put layers back on as you cool off.

4. Wear Sunscreen

Even though there is still snow on the ground and you have to dress in layers, the sun can still do a number on exposed skin. You can avoid a painful sunburn by using sunscreen on any exposed areas. Sunscreen is most important from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. That’s when you will be shedding layers anyway.

5. Use a Warm Weather Wax

Here at Canyon Sports, we recommend having skis and snowboards tuned for spring snow. We can take care of your equipment here at the shop. In the absence of a spring tune, at least be sure to apply a warm weather wax to your equipment. Otherwise, your runs down the slopes will feel sticky and sluggish. That’s caused by the suction effect, by the way. A warm weather wax overcomes that effect.

Even a lousy day of spring skiing is better than a day at work, right? But why settle for that? With a positive attitude and a few helpful tips, you can have the best day of spring skiing ever. Come see us if you need help tuning your equipment before you hit the slopes.

A lot of Utah skiers absolutely love spring corn. It’s softer and more slushy. It is more forgiving than the colder snow of winter’s peak season. But here is the thing: if your skis or snowboard are not properly tuned for spring corn, your trips down the slopes will be sticky and sluggish. That’s no way to enjoy a day of skiing or snowboarding.

What Makes Spring Corn What It Is

Snow is a fascinating thing. Everything about it is influenced by temperature and water content. On the coldest of days here in Utah, snow is lighter and fluffier. That’s because it has a lower water content. Contrast that to warmer spring days when snow is heavier and more dense. It has a higher water content.

Spring corn is the result of snow on the ground partially melting and then refreezing. This creates kernels of snow similar in size to corn kernels – hence the name. It is typical of spring because warmer temperatures and increased sunshine melt the snow during the daylight hours. Overnight, lower temperatures force the snow to freeze again.

Continual freeze-thaw cycles throughout the spring transform the slopes from top to bottom. And best of all, conditions are never exactly the same from one day to the next. Overall, spring corn offers a smoother and more consistent surface on any given day. But because conditions can change on the following day, skiing in spring corn can be more challenging.

Tuning for Spring Corn

Here at Canyon Sports, we offer ski and snowboard tunes throughout the season. We can definitely tune your equipment for spring corn. Without giving away all our secrets, the three main priorities for spring tuning are:

1. Adjusting the Base Structure

Maintaining decent speed without losing performance requires a more aggressive base structure during the spring. A more aggressive structure is achieved by grinding deeper and wider grooves on the bottom of the ski or snowboard surface. Doing so increases the contact surface between ski and snow.

2. Sharpening the Edges

Spring tuning calls for sharpening the ski or snowboard edges to increase grip and control. Dull edges will not carve through the corn so well, increasing your chances of slipping and sliding.

3. Applying a Spring Wax

Finally, spring tuning to accommodate corn conditions suggests applying a spring wax. Also known as warm-weather wax, it is a product that reduces the suction effect that normally occurs when skis or snowboards glide across wet snow. The wax overcomes the snow’s higher water content.

A Great Season for Skiing

Spring is a great season for skiing in Utah. Some locals love it so much that they have a separate set of skis for spring corn. These are wider skis that offer more stability and better flotation. But even without spring skis, you can still enjoy the slopes with the same skis you have used all winter.

If you are looking to get the most out of spring corn skiing, stop in and let us tune up your equipment. There is nothing quite like the experience of skiing on a mountain of spring corn in the bright sunshine and warmer temperatures. It is serious fun regardless of your skill level.

The point of the Skier Responsibility Code is to promote safety. It is to eliminate needless accidents that could lead to injury or death. Whether you’re new to Utah skiing or have been on the slopes for years, you and your fellow skiers and snowboarders are better off when everyone knows and follows the code.

Six Decades Old

The Skier Responsibility Code is nothing new. It was actually developed by the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) way back in 1962. In the more than 60 years since the code has been in effect, everyone on the slopes has been safer.

It is worth noting that the NSAA updated the code in 2022 to make it more in line with modern skiing and snowboarding. Prior to the update, the code included just 7 points. It now has 10. If you aren’t familiar with them, we encourage you to take the time to learn and understand them before you hit the slopes again.

The 10 Points

By now, we’re assuming you are dying to know what the Skier Responsibility Code says. We get it. Here are the ten points, borrowed directly from the NSAA website (thanks to the Association for publishing them):

1. Always stay in control. You must be able to stop or avoid people or objects.
2. People ahead or downhill of you have the right-of-way. You must avoid them.
3. Stop only where you are visible from above and do not restrict traffic.
4. Look uphill and avoid others before starting downhill or entering a trail.
5. You must prevent runaway equipment.
6. Read and obey all signs, warnings, and hazard markings.
7. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
8. You must know how and be able to load, ride and unload lifts safely. If you need assistance, ask the lift attendant.
9. Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
10. If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

As we mentioned earlier, all major ski resorts follow and enforce the code. We suspect that even lesser-known ski resorts have adopted it, too. How would you know? By looking for appropriate signage. The Skier Responsibility Code is normally printed on bright yellow signs with black text. The signs are also outlined in red.

An Extra One for the Road

Each of the 10 points in the code speaks for itself. However, we would like to offer one more for the road: shut off your devices while on the slopes. Consider skiing and snowboarding like driving. Keeping your devices off and safely stored in a pocket will eliminate any chance of having an accident while being distracted by social media or a text.

Along those same lines, a recent Ski Utah blog post recommends not using Bluetooth speakers to crank your music while you ski. Not only do other skiers not necessarily appreciate your musical tastes, but you also don’t need the distraction.

Know the code before you ski or snowboard. If you need ski equipment rental, know that Canyon Sports is the place to go. We still have single-day rentals available through the end of the 2023-2024 season.

While over on the Ski Utah website looking for information about the Skier Responsibility Code, we ran across a post discussing tree wells. You can read it here if you like. It is a fantastic post and one we would like to talk about here on our website. If you are a visitor to Utah and have never skied top-notch resorts before, tree wells are something you should know about.

Tree wells are found off trail for the most part. So if you don’t remember anything else from this post, remember this: the best way to avoid being harmed by a tree well is to stay on groomed trails. If you do happen to lose control and end up off trail, do your best to avoid walking near any trees.

The remainder of this post will consist of our take on tree wells and why they should be avoided. While you are reading, remember that Canyon Sports is your place for daily ski rentals in Utah. We can get you set up for a great day on the slopes regardless of the resort you plan to visit.

Tree Well Basics

Let us start by looking at the two words separately. We are all familiar with trees. As for the well, think of a deep hole from which you would draw water. Fall down that hole and you could be in a world of hurt. We can apply the same thing to the tree well.

A tree well is a hole created around a tree as a result of snow, debris, and low hanging branches. You’ll only find them when there’s snow on the ground. You obviously don’t find them in the summer.

Snow is fairly light. When it falls on unencumbered ground, it stacks up evenly inconsistently. But around a tree, this is not the case. Debris and low hanging branches prevent the snow from reaching the ground at a consistent rate. Therefore, the area immediately around the tree gets less snow. The snow is less compact and, as a result, less stable.

Easy to Fall In

Because the snow around the base of the tree is not as firm, it’s easy to fall through that top layer and into a hole that leaves you surrounded in snow. Based on the amount of snow we get here in Utah a tree well can be as much as 20 feet deep. That’s too deep to climb out of.

What’s more, trying to climb out could cause the snow around you to collapse. That would be bad. Getting out safely would be a matter of someone coming out to help you.

One last thing to know about tree wells is that they are hard to spot from even 10 or 15 feet away. You need to get right up on them to know they are there. But doing so is risky business. A general rule is to just stay away from trees in general.

Have Fun Out There

Tree wells are a real thing. They are also dangerous. Fortunately, the vast majority of people who ski Utah resorts will never have an up-close-and-personal experience with one. Most customers who take advantage of Canyon Sports ski rental will never have to heed the advice in this post. They will stay on the trails and that’s that.

If you do find yourself off the trail for any reason, do your best to stay away from trees. Doing so is the most effective way to guarantee you will never find yourself in a tree well.

As we approach the end of the 2023-2024 Utah ski season, thoughts of ski and snowboard tunes are gradually being replaced by planning for how we are going to store our equipment over the spring and summer. This time of the year makes both casual skiers and hardcore enthusiasts nostalgic about the early days of the season. For some of us, it is an opportunity to look back on how skiing has evolved over the years.

It is no secret that Canyon Sports recommends regular ski and snowboard tunes. We recommend taking good care of your equipment, storing it properly, and even making sure it’s all in good working order before you hit the slopes. Our recommendations come from a keen understanding of skiing and ski equipment. Fortunately, our knowledge base has expanded as skiing has evolved. The entire sport, and our understanding of it, has changed as technology has progressed.

A Very Old Practice

If you have ever wondered about the history of skis and what we now consider a sport, REI Co-Op has a pretty fantastic post on their site offering a brief history of skiing and ski equipment. We won’t get into all the details here, but there are some interesting highlights in the post we think are worth talking about – beginning with the fact that skiing is thousands of years old.

Apparently, the earliest known records of skiing date back to ancient China, Russia, and Scandinavia. The early adopters of skiing were not doing it recreationally. Skiing was a form of winter transportation that made it easier to hunt and harvest timber.

What eventually became the modern sport of skiing was born in the mid-nineteenth century when Norwegian wood carvers came up with the first bow-shaped, cambered ski. Their ski had an upward curve that made it more maneuverable. Not long after, a Norwegian laborer came up with the first heel strap binding.

Metal Skis and Rigid Bindings

The next major advancement in ski technology occurred in the early 1920s, when two important inventions were introduced. The first were metal edges added to skis for greater control on ice and hard snow. Adding the metal pieces also made skis more durable.

They were followed by the first rigid binding. It was a spring-loaded binding featuring a cable that could lock down around the skier’s boot. Ironically, the binding worked so well that it earned the nickname “the bear trap” because it held so tightly. Skiers and engineers alike eventually decided that this was not good because it led to an increase in injuries when skiers fell.

Into the Modern Era

Ski design has continued to evolve over the last one hundred years. The rigid cable binding was eventually replaced by new bindings designed to break away under the right conditions. The 1990s saw numerous design changes that made it possible for skiers to start doing tricks just like their snowboarding counterparts. We were introduced to rockers in the 2000s along with new designs rooted in the idea of getting rid of the metal and replacing it with composites, like carbon fiber.

What started as a form of winter travel, mainly for utilitarian purposes, has evolved to become a world class sport enjoyed by millions. We are thrilled to be part of it here at Canyon Sports. So while we finish up those final ski and snowboard tunes and start getting ready for spring and summer in Utah, we won’t ever forget skiing and snowboarding completely. We are already anticipating the 2024-2025 season and all it has in store for us.