For the Kids — First and Foremost
Shredder Indoor Snowboard & Ski School
New to Salt Lake County is Shredder Ski and Snowboard School. Your eyes stopped at ‘indoor’ and slowly moved over the rest. Parents not only cart their kids to school, sports and every other activity for 16 years, but then have to assemble and stake their camp chairs in position in 45-degree weather for two hours to watch their lovely offspring kick the ball into their own goal (because it's those moments that force a smile during adolescence). That said, “indoor”-anything takes priority in determining extracurricular activities.
Shredder offers indoor ski and snowboard facilities that let the kiddos learn and progress year-round. This means, when it’s time to hit the ‘real’ snow in winter, everyone can participate. Classes are designed for people ages one and older, a unique feature in the ski school industry. Shredder also offers birthday parties and group events. Make this year the one in which the entire family skis together.
Ski Utah 4th, 5th & 6th Grade Passport
Once kids get a taste for skiing and snowboarding, they’re going to want to ski…a lot. The Ski Utah 4th, 5th & 6th Grade Passport (starting at $89) provides any 4th, 5th and 6th grade student from anywhere access to three (3) days at each of Utah’s 15 ski resorts. This is 45 days of skiing on The Greatest Snow on Earth®.
For the Ponytail and Man-Bun Brigade
TrailHeads
Mangled manes, mashed man-buns, pulled ponytails, pigtails pressed into heads…If you have long hair, are married, dating or raising someone with flowing tresses, then you understand. Putting long hair into hats, ski helmets, or slippery ski beanies is right up there with wedging wide feet into custom ski boots in terms of function and comfort. And letting those strands go free is fine until the wind starts to blow or you get on the lift and start snacking on your hair. But where there's a need, clever companies will devise better solutions.
TrailHeads (from $28) has developed a collection of men’s and women’s hats and headbands for outdoor pursuits, with a specialized line for ponytails or man-buns (yes, we know the dudes will borrow them from their sisters anyway). With integrated loops and hidden slots, those sporting high or low ponies will not have to wedge their ties to some uncomfortable position or the mercilessly mocked '90s side pony. TrailHeads come in a variety of seasonal weights and patterns to take you from the lodge to the trail any time of year.
RipTies
Even if you have a slot for that ponytail or man-bun (yes, yes, we understand your needs) in a great cap, keeping that long tail or two from slapping across your face and goggles like windshield washers in a storm is a constant battle.
RipTies (starting at under $8) are the fashionable, functional answer. Born on the beach, these colorful two-color braided bands helped surfers keep their pony or pigtails in place…and free from tangles. (If you’ve ever tried to unbraid wet or frozen hair, you understand instantly.) Skiers, hikers, bikers and even lazy tweens now wrap them around their ponytails (yes, and buns) or through their braids in countless creative ways. However, the brilliance is in their function: RipTies keep hair looking good by staying put.
For the Travelistas
Packd Mailers
“If I just put my third pair of shoes in like this…” she says as she wedges the wedges into her second suitcase, minutes before the ride share pulls up. “But what do I do with the new jacket I bought?”
Packd to the rescue! This Utah company solved this common problem, virtually eliminating the stress and despair of what to leave behind. Packd is a prepaid, pre-labeled (with your home or any other desired address) shipping envelope that holds up to 10 lbs. of… whatever you can stuff into it! Hats, gloves, sweaters, jeans, toys… put them in, seal it, and hand it to the hotel’s front desk or pop it into a mailbox to send home. It’s that easy!
Keep Packd packed in your luggage for emergencies. Debating whether to purchase that cute sweater or the yellow puffy jacket is definitely a critical moment on any vacation. Make it an easy decision and pick up one or a box of three Packd mailing bags or gift them to a traveling friend today.
Stio Basin XT Carryall 35L
No one ever said, “I have enough tote bags,” but many don’t use the ones they have stuffed into that drawer underneath their dryer or tucked into yet more tote bags at the bottom of the closet. The Basin XT Carryall by Stio is the tote bag to rule them all.
Made of recycled poly ripstop material with a PFAS-free DWR finish, nothing is breaking through or getting wet in this one. Stash your gear, any gear, or take it to the grocery store. It will oblige. The wide straps make it comfortable to carry as much as you can, and with interior and exterior zipped pockets, your ski pass and ear buds will be where you left them for the next day or next season, even if you toss it into the back of the closet.
For the “I Just Got My Avy 1 Cert” Crew
Duct-Aid
Developed by a physician from Southern Utah who experienced a medical emergency while camping, Duct-Aid is an elegant solution to a simple problem. Actually, it’s a genius solution to about 100 problems.
“It’s the world’s first medical-grade duct tape…,” and it goes beyond anything you’ll find at the local hardware store. It’s designed for any adventure, from the trail to the playground. Each compact 10’ roll ($14.99) comes with 288 pre-printed bandage templates (including butterfly) and is skin-safe, waterproof and strong enough for many common medical emergencies. Keep one in your pack, purse or Porsche before heading out.
But there’s more! The folks at Duct-Aid have also developed a full-blown kit. The compact, ultralight Ultimate EDC First Aid Kit ($89.99) not only fits in your holiday stocking and backpack, but also makes your mom or spouse feel more secure knowing you have gear on hand just in case. With 74 essential items, including tape, OTC medicines, and first-aid tools, all rolled into a pack that can be converted into a sling. “No, Mom, I’ll never need to use any of it!” She’s getting you one anyway, just in case.
For the “Is it Time for Après?” Crowd
Ritual Trail Mix and Holiday Collection
Ritual Chocolate is a Utah favorite for good reason, it’s delicious! From the Willy Wonka-size bars (starting at $10) and drinking chocolates, featuring premium dark, milk and white chocolates and mixed with non-traditional flavors, including its limited-edition Holiday Collection (Cranberry Orange, Gingerbread Coffee Crisp and Cozy Cabin Blend Drinking Chocolate).
But it’s the Trail Mix that might, in fact, be this Park City company’s best-kept secret. Stick your hand into the box for a taste. This treat has a generous amount of chocolate chunks, a satisfying crunch of cacao nibs and nuts, a hit of slightly sour Utah cherries, all lightly coated in maple syrup with a hint of sea salt and cayenne. Now, try NOT to have another. Put a box in your loved ones’ stockings and stash one in a cupboard for yourself.
Ioulia Olive Oil
It’s not snacktime on the mountain these days without a bit of charcuterie, or charcuterski. Cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, meats, breads,…All that’s missing is a great olive oil, but no one is lugging a jug in their backpack or suitcase…until now. Ioulia Olive Oil is hand-harvested and cold-pressed by the Park City family, who have worked the lands in Kalamata, Greece for generations.
Why does it make a great stocking stuffer? Well, it’s delicious! It tastes like the land. It also comes in various sizes, including a portable, limited-edition 2-ounce bottle with a dropper ($10), so you can add just the right amount to your crusty baguette (stuffed in your coat all morning). This will be your favorite addition to your adventure snack pack.
