Skiers and snowboarders ride the Moonbeam Express chair lift during President's Day holiday at Solitude Ski Resort last February. (Tribune file photo)

Utah's ski resorts have already received a winter sample and some got just enough to open for a bit. Solitude was first out of the chute with a Nov. 6 opening, but most other resorts are waiting for a fuller blast of winter. Here is a look at projected openings for the rest. They are, of course, subject to the weather -- earlier if it dumps and later if it doesn't: Alta, Nov. 20; Brian Head, Nov. 21; Brighton: Nov. 16; The Canyons, Nov. 27; Deer Valley, Dec. 5; Park City Mountain Resort, Nov. 21; Powder Mountain, Nov. 28; Snowbasin, Nov. 26; Snowbird, Nov. 21; Sundance, Dec. 11. Wolf Creek and Beaver Mountain have not announced opening dates.

 

Jordan River discussion

The Center for Documentary Arts is holding a free panel discussion titled "Reawakened Beauty: Jordan River Past, Present & Future" on Nov. 10, 7-8:30 p.m., at the Salt Lake Art Center auditorium, 20 S. West Temple, Salt Lake City.

The panel will be moderated by Alan Matheson, Jr., attorney and executive director of Envision Utah which recently conducted the "Blueprint Jordan River" community planning process. Panelists include Chris McCandless, president of CW Management Corporation and member of the Sandy City Council; Ted Wilson, former executive director of the Utah Rivers Council and mayor of Salt Lake City from 1976-84; Chris Cline, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service biologist; Tom Burdett, community development director of West Valley City; Vaughn Lovejoy, Tree Utah staff and coordinator of the Jordan River restoration project; and Ty Harrison, professor emeritus of Westminster College and consulting biologist for the restoration project.

The Jordan River runs for more than 40 miles from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake. The discussion will cover topics about the history and causes of the deterioration of the river; differing and competing management approaches toward the river today; and the vision and hopes for its future.

An exhibit of 30 platinum prints titled "Reawakened Beauty: Tillman Cranes' Jordan River Photographs" is on display in the Art Center street level gallery through Jan. 9.

Veterans Day program

The Ogden Nature Center, 966 W. 12 St., Ogden, is hosting a special Veterans Day program Nov. 11 at 3:30 p.m. Local veterans will discuss the history of Veterans Day and the nature center's bald eagle, Des Ta Te, will be there to honor the vets. Members and veterans are free. Non-members pay $4, $3 seniors and $2 children. Call 801-621-7595 or visit ogdennaturecenter.org for more information.

 

The dinosaur trail

Scott Sampson, research curator with the Utah Museum of Natural

Apa Sherpa
History and scientific consultant on the PBS kids' show "Dinosaur Train," will talk about his new book, Dinosaur Odyssey: Fossil Threads in the Web of Life , on Nov. 12, 7 p.m., at Judge Memorial High School auditorium, 650 S. 1100 East, Salt Lake City. A book signing will follow the lecture.

Sampson's book explores the ancient world of dinosaurs and the present world of dinosaur paleontology, combining current science with personal stories.

Meet the Everest champ

Apa Sherpa, the world record holder for most summits of Mt. Everest, will speak at an event to benefit Crossroads Urban Center on Nov. 15, 4:30 to 7 p.m., at the Acme Burger Co., 275 S. 200 West, Salt Lake City. A donation of $50 per person is requested. Reservations can be made by calling Jim (ext. 132) or Glenn (ext. 126) at 801-364-7765.

Apa Sherpa, a Draper resident and native of Nepal, has summited Everest 19 times. He will show a DVD of his recent climbing adventures. Crossroads Urban Center is a community service center in Salt Lake City that operates Utah's busiest emergency food pantry, a free/low cost thrift store, a regional food co-op, and a variety of other programs to combat hunger and poverty. All proceeds from the event will benefit the center.

Chevron is donating the food and will match all funds raised at the event. Acme Burger is donating the use of their restaurant, food preparation and service. Diamond Mold is underwriting the participation of Apa Sherpa.

 

Ski Utah Gold Passes

Ever dreamed of being able to ski at any of the state's 13 resorts without the need to stand in a lift ticket line? For $3,400 you can pick up a Ski Utah Gold Pass to do exactly that. The Gold Pass is good for up to 40 days at each of Utah's resort. The passes are fully transferable and may be shared. At Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons Resort, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, Alta Ski Area, Solitude Mountain Resort, Snowbasin and Sundance Resort, the pass offers direct-to-lift convenience. At Park City, it includes Fast Tracks privileges to cut lift lines.

There is usually a waiting list for Gold Passes, but several are available this year. Call 801-359-4644 or e-mail elizabeth@skiutah.com for more information.

 

Little Sahara passes available

Little Sahara Recreation Area passes for 2010 are now available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the BLM Field Office, 35 E. 500 North, in Fillmore, or at the facility's Willard R. Fulmer Visitor Center. The first vehicle pass is $75 and additional passes are $50. Also, campers at Little Sahara will not have access to water until Easter. The water was turned off due to a broken water main. Water will be available at the visitor center throughout the winter.

Ski Utah Passport/Snowpass Program

Ski Utah's popular 5th and 6th grade Ski and Ride Free program is back. For a processing fee of $25 for 5th graders and $20 for 6th graders, students may ski free at all 13 Utah resorts. The Passport program allows all 5th graders in Utah to ski or snowboard free three times at each resort. The Snowpass program allows 6th graders to ski or snowboard for free one day at each of the resorts. Visit www.skiutah.com for more information.

 

Wasatch Mountain Club events

The club hosts the following events for members. Contact the trip leader for more information. To learn more about the club, or to become a member, visit www.wasatchmountainclub.org.

Nov. 8 » Day hike, Pilot Peak; Brad, 801-278-2423 or bnyslc@earthlink.net.

Nov. 8 » Backcountry. Nordic ski tour in the upper reaches of the Uintas; Michael, 801-583-4721 or mberrycx@earthlink.net.

Nov. 12 » Day hike/snowshoe, Cottonwood/Millcreek canyons area; Norm, 801-266-3703.

Nov. 12 » Evening climb at a local climbing gym; Peter, 801-733-0313 or wmc-alpinist@hotmail.com.

Nov. 14 » Day hike/snowshoe, location TBA; Steve, 801-474-0031 or duncste@comcast.net.

Nov. 14 » Day hike, Graham Peak in the Silver Island Mountains; Brad, 801-278-2423 or bnyslc@earthlink.net.

To get your event listed, e-mail the information to brettp@sltrib.com or mail it to Brett Prettyman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 90 S. 400 West, Suite 700, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.