ORC provides students with winter relief
If you have cabin fever, need a break from homework, or need to do something to avoid throwing your roommate in a big pile of snow, the Outdoor Recreation Center might have some ideas for you.
There are many different activities for students around campus, but the ORC has many activities beyond those in the Taggart Student Center.
One example is the cross country ski track the ORC has constructed on the HPER field, a large circle area groomed twice a week. This track is perfect for beginner cross country skiers because there are no hills, plenty of snow, and someone not very far away to give some pointers.
Starting Thursday, there will also be free demo testing on the HPER field. The ORC will bring every cross country ski available for the public to try out free of charge.
Cross country skis are also available to rent at a cost of $6 per day or $8 for the weekend.
There are many non-motorized places (closed to snowmobiles) that beginners can start near Logan.
Green Canyon has a four-mile trail that is good for beginners with gradual ups and downs, nothing too steep.
There is also access into the back country for more advanced skiers. This is the closest trail to Logan, with the trail head beginning at the east end of 1900 North.
Other places consist of Tony Grove Creek, about 19 miles up Logan Canyon. This trail is also non-motorized and recommended for intermediate to advanced skiers.
Bunchgrass Creek is another non-motorized trail, 20 miles up Logan Canyon. Skiers who decide to take this trail should be sure to take a map and a compass. The trail isn’t flagged or groomed, so it is very easy to get turned around.
The ORC has a yurt available for rent. A yurt is almost like a nylon igloo. It has enough room for eight people, a wood-burning stove, solar panel, and south-facing windows. There are also kitchen utensils and a toilet area.
The ORC’s yurt is located up Blind Hollow, where there is back-country skiing.
The yurt rents out for $50 per night during the week or $100 for the
weekend.
Snow shoes cost the same to rent as cross country skis – $8 for the weekend, $6 for a week day.
“Snow shoes are our bread and butter. When it starts getting into February, most all of our snow shoes will be rented out on the weekend,” said Emily Durant, in charge of renting, hiring, and training for the ORC.
Telemark skis can be rented for $15 dollars for the day and $20 for the weekend. Telemark skis are built to be able to ski both uphill and downhill.
“What we try to do is day trips once a week, and a multi-day trip once a month,” said Kevin Kobe, ORC director.
Kobe plans and coordinates the trips.
Each month the ORC plans a trip on a night with a full moon. They also try to hold non-credit workshops, like an avalanche safety course.
“This course is to teach avalanche safety, and how to recognize snow instability,” Kobe said.
The next full-moon hike will be Feb. 6. There will be three more day trips in February and a Telemark workshop at the end of the month.
-kcaustin@cc.usu.edu