On September 19–20, 2026, some of the world’s best mountain bikers will descend on Soldier Hollow for the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series presented by Scott Sports. Athletes from around the globe will compete on the same mountains that have made this valley a destination for elite outdoor competition—and they’ll be doing it right here in our backyard.

And while the racers are the stars of the show, this is about more than bikes.

It’s an opportunity for Heber Valley to welcome the world.

From Olympic Legacy to Mountain Bike Mecca

Soldier Hollow has been welcoming world-class athletes for more than two decades. As one of the primary venues for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, it hosted cross-country skiing and biathlon and established itself as a place where extraordinary athletes come to compete.

Today, that Olympic legacy continues—on two wheels.

The Soldier Hollow mountain bike course will put elite athletes to the test with steep climbs, technical terrain and high-speed sections. The weekend will feature two disciplines: Cross-country Olympic (XCO), a mass-start, multi-lap race that typically lasts 80–90 minutes for elite competitors, and Cross-country Short Track (XCC), a shorter, faster race lasting roughly 20–25 minutes.

In other words: bring your cowbell. This is not your average Sunday bike ride.

The event also builds on Soldier Hollow’s successful hosting of the 2024 Pan American Mountain Bike Championships, further establishing the venue as a premier destination for international cycling competition.

A Big Weekend for a Small Valley

When an international sporting event comes to town, the impact reaches well beyond the course.

Athletes arrive with coaches and support teams. Fans travel to watch their favorite riders. Media members need places to stay, eat and work. Visitors fill gas tanks, grab coffee, shop, explore and experience everything the valley has to offer.

That makes an event like the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series an important local economic opportunity—and a chance to showcase the Heber Valley businesses that make our community special.

Our hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, retailers, outfitters, service businesses and attractions all become part of the welcome.

This is what it looks like when our community becomes the destination.

And for visitors arriving from around the country and around the world, a mountain bike race may be what brings them here—but the Heber Valley experience is what they’ll remember.

Cheer on the World

The best part? You don’t have to travel across the globe to experience world-class competition.

It’s coming to us.

Head to Soldier Hollow on September 19–20 and watch Olympic-caliber athletes battle their way around the course. Cheer for the Americans. Pick a favorite international rider. Bring the kids. Bring your friends. Bring plenty of enthusiasm.

Among the athletes with a special connection to our region is Haley Batten, the Park City native and Paris 2024 Olympic silver medalist who has trained at Soldier Hollow. Her presence is a reminder that some of the very best athletes in the world have deep roots in Utah’s mountains.

For young cyclists in Heber Valley, seeing that level of competition up close can be especially meaningful. Today’s spectators may be watching tomorrow’s Olympians.

A Heber Valley Welcome

There’s something pretty wonderful about watching the world arrive in a place we get to call home.

We know these mountains. We know the trails. We know the drive through the valley, the views from the Wasatch Back and the little places worth stopping along the way.

Now, for one September weekend, we get to share it.

So let’s give these athletes, teams and visitors the kind of welcome Heber Valley does best.

Welcome to Heber Valley.

Come for the racing. Stay for the mountains. Explore our businesses. Eat local. Shop local. And while you’re here, cheer on some of the most talented mountain bikers on the planet.

The world is coming to our backyard. Let’s show them what makes Heber Valley special.

WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series
September 19–20, 2026
Soldier Hollow Sport Discovery Center | Midway, Utah

For event and spectator information, visit the official WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series event page

Learn more about our local Team Soldier Hollow Mountain Bike Team https://hebervalleylife.com/dream-big/

Around the Heber Valley, Team Soldier Hollow riders have become a familiar sight: a colorful pack of young mountain bikers grinding up a climb, racing down a singletrack trail, or rolling together toward their next challenge. Based out of the Soldier Hollow Discovery Center, the team trains anywhere ther’s trail, putting in the miles that eventually show up on race courses across Utah and beyond.

But ask the riders what keeps them showing up to work hard, and the answer isn’t simply racing. It’s the team itself—and the confidence, friendships, determination, and love of the outdoors that grow along the way.

The team’s mission is simple: “Developing Champions in Sport and Life.”

“Here in Heber Valley, we’ve got a high school team, but the Soho program is more like a competitive club,” explains Head Coach Scott Preston. “Some are doing different races to prepare them for the NICA (National Interscholastic Cycling Association) season, and then there’s a more competitive aspect that’s focused on a national and even international level.”

That range is part of what makes the program unique. It can serve as a bridge between seasons for high school athletes competing in the NICA circuit, a place for dedicated young riders to take their training to the next level, and a competitive pathway for athletes with aspirations reaching far beyond Utah.

Perhaps most importantly, it brings riders of different ages and abilities together through a shared love of cycling.

More Than a Summer Sport

For many young cyclists, mountain biking can look like a seasonal sport. Team Soldier Hollow takes a different approach.

The team generally begins training in January and wraps up its formal program in late May, using the winter months to build strength and fitness before the trails are ready.

“When we first started, I don’t think any kid on the team had really ridden more than 25 miles before,” says Senior Sports Manager and Head Elite/ETG Coach Gerrit Garberich. “Within the year they had ridden 100 miles.”

Winter training at the Soldier Hollow Olympic venue includes Nordic skiing, strength training and indoor riding, with more time on the mountain bikes as conditions improve. Skiing provides valuable cross-training while giving riders a break from the repetitive stresses of cycling.

The group typically gathers three or four times a week, with additional individual training based on each athlete’s goals and commitment. A typical winter week might include lifting, skiing, and a longer weekend ride. Once spring arrives, the ski day becomes another mountain bike day.

And because Soldier Hollow’s trails can hold snow well into spring, the athletes take advantage of trails throughout the region, traveling to places such as Utah Valley University (Wasatch Campus), Park City, Deer Creek, and Provo when conditions are better elsewhere.

The training is serious, but it is never all work and no play. Team camps are a big part of the experience, allowing athletes to get away, pile on some miles, and, just as importantly, spend time together. This year, the group traveled to California, where riders trained on a velodrome, completed long rides, and visited Disneyland. “It’s like you do something crazy hard together, and it makes it easier,” says Garberich. That shared experience is a recurring theme. The hardest days often become the best memories.

Building a Team, Not Just a Race Result

There is no shortage of competition in mountain biking, but Team Soldier Hollow places just as much emphasis on creating a positive culture.

Team-building activities can be as simple—and hilarious—as an icebreaker in which athletes rotate through speed-dating-style conversations with each team member. Other activities are more intentional, such as an exercise involving a large rope where athletes share something positive about one another before opening up about something vulnerable.

The goal is to help young athletes recognize the people around them as teammates, friends, and supporters. That culture becomes particularly important when the training gets difficult. One of the group’s favorite concepts is what Coach Preston calls “Big Mo”—big momentum. The idea is straightforward: small efforts add up. “You put in a little effort today, and it compounds, and it snowballs into bigger and better, each time,” Garberich says. “But you’ve got to put in that effort today!”

The coaches encourage athletes to think of their progress as stacking bricks. One workout may not seem significant. One ride may not feel transformative. But over time, those individual efforts create something substantial. Eventually, an athlete looks back and realizes just how far they’ve come.

Dream Bigger Than You Thought Possible

That progress has been dramatic. Athletes who once wondered whether they could compete at the varsity level are now racing nationally and internationally. Riders who had never imagined completing an endurance race are tackling 50- and 100-mile events.

“Dream big,” Garberich says. “Because what you might think is a big goal today can become a small goal really fast.” That philosophy has already produced some remarkable results.

At the Whiskey 50 in Prescott, Arizona, Team Soldier Hollow riders took on a demanding 50-mile backcountry singletrack race. At Leadville, athletes faced several days of racing and thousands of feet of climbing each day. Others tackled a 150-mile road race through Utah and into Wyoming.

At the national level, the team had an extraordinary showing in Roanoke, Virginia, with multiple riders finishing among the top competitors in the junior field.

And then there was the moment at Soldier Hollow when Jude Marsden won a Pro Cup race in a Team Soldier Hollow jersey. “Winning a Pro Cup race for the first time in a Soho suit was…pretty exciting to see,” Preston says. “It was special.” For the coaches, however, the medals are only part of the story. The significance is clear. In Preston’s words: “It’s not just about the bike,” he says. “It’s about life.”

A young athlete who learns to climb through a brutally difficult race—sometimes tackling more than 10,000 feet of elevation gain—endures exhaustion and finishes something that once seemed impossible gains more than fitness. They gain proof that they are capable of doing hard things. “It gives them the confidence to know, ‘Hey, I’ve done something hard, and I can get through this,’” Preston says. “Whether it’s in a relationship, whether it’s a job, whether it’s high school, college…whatever it is.” He describes the experience as building a “suitcase of courage.” It’s a pretty great thing for a kid to carry into the rest of life.

A Team for the Whole Community

Despite the elite aspirations of some riders, Team Soldier Hollow isn’t exclusively for the next generation of professional cyclists.

The program includes middle school athletes as well as master riders in their 50s. Some adults participate through remote training plans while still joining the group for rides, camps and events. At one point, riders ranging from eighth-graders to 55-year-olds came together to ski, train and race as a team. That inclusivity reflects something the coaches love about mountain biking: there is room to begin wherever you are.

And the sport’s accessibility is one reason mountain biking has exploded across Utah. The state now has thousands of young riders participating through the Utah NICA League, a dramatic increase from its early days. Trails and cycling infrastructure have expanded alongside that growth, giving kids opportunities to ride practically from their own neighborhoods.

In the Heber Valley, that accessibility is particularly evident. A young rider can pedal to the new Southfield Park pump track, ride local trails, and gradually progress into increasingly challenging terrain.

The community surrounding the sport matters, too. “Having the parents involved in a lot of ways makes a huge difference,” Preston says. That family involvement is certainly true for the Prestons. Scott and Karilyn’s shared passion for cycling has been woven into their family life for more than two decades. “It’s where we first met. It’s changed our families,” Preston says. “It’s changed me personally…It’s changed my girls. And it’s changed a lot of these kids.”

Watch for the Pink and Blue

The unmistakable Team Soldier Hollow jerseys are more than a fashion statement—they’re a rolling invitation to pay attention. The design took countless iterations, but the final result has accomplished exactly what a team jersey should do: stand out.

Around the Heber Valley, those jerseys have become a calling card: Come and join something special.

And there is plenty more to watch for. Soldier Hollow will host the WHOOP UCI Mountain Bike World Series, September 19–20, and will continue hosting the World Cup annually over the next several years. That creates an extraordinary opportunity for local athletes to experience world-class racing practically in their own backyard.

This year, high school athletes will have an opportunity to race on the same weekend as the professionals, while the team is already looking ahead to having local U23 athletes competing at Soldier Hollow. The goal is ambitious: within the next few years, Team Soldier Hollow hopes to see a local athlete step into that international spotlight.

Given the team’s track record, it’s hard to bet against them. But perhaps that is exactly the point. Team Soldier Hollow isn’t simply chasing podiums. It is teaching young people to chase possibilities. “It’s about having fun together,” Preston says. “It’s about accomplishing your goals. It’s about becoming better than you were yesterday.” And yes, winning is fun, too.

But the real victory is what happens along the way—the friendships, the confidence, the grit, the miles, the laughter, the sore legs, the impossible climbs, and the moment an athlete realizes that the thing they once thought they could never do is now simply the next challenge.

So, the next time you see a pack of pink-and-blue checkered jerseys flying down a Heber Valley Road, give them a little extra room—and maybe a big cheer.

They’re not just riding.

They’re building momentum.

teamsoho.org

TEAM MANAGEMENT:
Scott Preston, Head Coach  |  Gerrit Garberich, Team Soldier Hollow Senior Sports Manager and Head Elite/ETG Coach
Karilyn Preston, Team Support  |  Melanie Lake, Strength Coach

Wait… Skiing Without Snow?

Yes, really. Roller skiing swaps snow for smooth pavement and replaces skis with narrow, wheeled platforms that mimic the feel of classic or skate skiing. Add poles, a good pair of boots, and suddenly you’re carving up bike paths and quiet roads like it’s mid-January.

And honestly… who needs snow to ski?

A Quick Trip Back in Time

Cross-country (Nordic) skiing dates back thousands of years, originating in the snowy regions of Scandinavia as a means of travel, hunting, and survival during long winters. Over time, it evolved into a sport known for endurance, technique, and that unmistakable glide.

Fast-forward to the 20th century: athletes didn’t want to lose their fitness when the snow melted. Enter roller skiing—a clever, slightly wild-looking solution that allowed skiers to train year-round. What started as a niche training method is now a sport in its own right—and one of the best ways to stay ski-fit through the off-season.

The Gear: Simple, Sleek, and Surprisingly Addictive

Roller skiing doesn’t require a ton of equipment, but the right setup makes all the difference:

• Roller Skis: Designed for either classic or skate technique, with built-in resistance to simulate snow.
• Bindings & Boots: The same style you’d use in winter—so your muscle memory stays sharp.
• Poles: Slightly shorter than winter poles, with durable carbide tips for pavement.
• Helmet: Non-negotiable. Think bike helmet, with lots of ventilation.
• Gloves: Save your hands (trust us).
• Eye Protection: A bug in your eye can spell disaster. And a good pair of visors can protect your eyes from dust, wind, and sunlight fatigue.

Pavement is Your “Snow”

Unlike winter skiing, where you can wander onto a trail and go, roller skiing depends on smooth, well-maintained pavement. Think bike paths, quiet neighborhood roads, or dedicated training loops.

Not all pavement is created equal—rough chip seal can feel like skiing through peanut butter. Smooth asphalt? That’s your perfect “corduroy.”

Safety First (but still fun)

Roller skiing is exhilarating—but it comes with a learning curve, especially around balance, stopping, and terrain awareness.

A few ground rules:

• Start on flat terrain until you’re comfortable.
• Avoid traffic-heavy roads whenever possible.
• Always wear a helmet (seriously).
• Use bright, high-visibility clothing so drivers can see you from a distance.
• Ski with a partner or group when you can—it’s safer and more fun.

You’ll feel a little awkward at first. Then, suddenly, it clicks—and you’re gliding.

Learn it the Right Way

If you’re new, the fastest way to fall in love with roller skiing (without literally falling too much) is to learn from professionals.

That’s where Team Soldier Hollow comes in. Based at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway, this program is known for developing strong, confident Nordic skiers—whether they’re just starting out or chasing competitive goals.

During the summer months, their training shifts seamlessly onto pavement. Athletes learn proper technique, balance, and safety in a structured, supportive environment. Coaches break down the movements, help you build confidence, and (importantly) teach you how to regulate speed and stop without panic.

It’s not just for elite athletes, either. Although they sure do make it look easy, it’s not for the faint of heart.  Beginners are welcome, and there’s something uniquely motivating about learning alongside a group that’s equally excited to be out there.

Why Roller Skiing is Worth Trying

• It keeps your ski fitness alive year-round so you’re ready to hit it hard on opening day.
• It builds balance, strength, and coordination.
• It’s a killer cardio workout (in a good way).
• It’s something new that you probably haven’t tried—yet.

And maybe the best part? That familiar rhythm—the push, glide, breathe—doesn’t disappear with winter. It just changes scenery.

So… Ready to Roll?

Summer doesn’t have to mean the end of ski season. With roller skis under your feet and a stretch of smooth pavement ahead, it might actually be the beginning of something new.

If you’ve ever been curious, this is your sign: grab a helmet, throw on something bright, and give it a go—with a little help from the pros at Soldier Hollow.

Because skiing is life, and it isn’t just for winter anymore.

Join Team Soldier Hollow in Midway this summer to learn: utaholympiclegacy.org

Next Monday and Tuesday the 8-week Kickers and Gliders programs begins with an entry-level cross-country ski program for those ages 6-11. Both sessions are two days a week. The first session is on Mondays and Wednesdays, and the second session is on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Soldier Hollow has a great snowpack with 5 kilometers of skiing on an 18-plus inch base, thanks to snowmaking operations.  The team has more coaching staff than ever this year to best meet the needs of all levels of skiers. Scholarships are available for those need financial assistance. Participants are provided with skis, boots, and poles to use at no additional cost during practice and get a season pass to ski on their own time after practice.  There are also 25 free transportation spots from the Soldier Hollow Charter School on Mondays and Wednesday and from Midway Elementary on Tuesday and Thursdays.

Team Soldier Hollow |   Kickers & Gliders Program

Monday and Wednesday, register here: https://bondsports.co/activity/programs/CO_ED-youth-SKIING/2578/season/2024%20Mon%2FWed%20Kickers%20and%20Gliders%20XC/21234

Tuesday and Thursday, register here: https://bondsports.co/activity/programs/CO_ED-youth-SKIING/2581/season/2024%20Tues%2FThurs%20Kickers%20and%20Gliders%20XC/21237

In October 2003, the vibe in the Heber Valley was still a bit of a 2002 Olympic hangover. The community had expected a massive change in growth and property value in the wake of the Olympic games, and it had become apparent that it wouldn’t happen as anticipated. The community was fractionally the size that it is today. Heber City was limited between South Fields Road and Mill Road, 500 N to the Crow’s foot on South Main. There was a buzz about the ‘massive’ new development called Timp Meadows that stretched Heber City from the traditional boundary of 500 E eastward to Mill Road, connecting the homes in Valley Hills in the north to Center Street in the south. This controversial development effectively coined ‘Old Town’ Heber by its construction. Timberlakes was so distant that it might as well have been in another county, and there was very little, aside from random farm properties, between the Heber Valley’s eastern bench and Heber City limits. Interlaken, Hideout, and Independence did not exist as townships. Mainly generational residents still populated Daniel, Charleston, and Wallsburg, and if you lived there, you likely knew everyone in town on a first-name basis. Midway had just started to spill outside the historical limits of the city with communities such as Dutch Fields, Valais, and Pine Canyon Road. Several cabins were up on the western bench, up Snake Creek Canyon, and the resort community northwest of the town was established, but that was about the extent of the population. Fracking was not a financially viable means of gas and oil extraction, so there was minimal truck traffic on US Highway 40 between Vernal and the SLC refineries. You could make left turns without the aid of a traffic signal on Heber Main Street. There was a healthy (and somewhat bitter) rivalry between Wasatch and Park City High School, and the teams competed against each other regularly. The Provo River Restoration Project was only 25% complete and had just started construction south of the Bunny Farm (River Road). Fishing pressure was minimal. Deer Valley Resort still had a celebrity country club reputation, and most locals avoided skiing there because they did not want to be perceived as an intermediate-ability tourist skier. I was introduced to the Heber Valley with that Olympic-era wave of move-ins and, having been western Colorado-based for just shy of a decade prior, thought I had landed in a ‘pre-John Denver’ time warp to a literal mountain paradise.

Moving forward to 2023, the growth phenomenon predicted during the excitement of the 2002 Olympic Games has become a reality. Many have become outraged about the recent development trend in our community. This growth has been anticipated for decades. Utah’s growth is several decades behind similar western states, such as Colorado. The Utah growth trend started to gain momentum in 2006, which was stifled by the economic recession beginning in 2009. We have seen consistent year-over-year growth in the Heber Valley since 2013. The ‘work from home’ trend has accentuated the growth curve of recent years. One of the only variables that historically kept destination resort populations from exploding across the globe is the lack of financial opportunity at those locations. When one can work virtually — the option to live anywhere with internet service opens up.

Heber Valley citizens must maintain two principles if we are to sculpt the community into its best possible outcome. The first is a grounded understanding and acceptance of the relationship between growth and decay. Secondly, we must accept an implementable vision compatible with the demands of who we are and what we want to become.

My hometown of Saint Louis, Missouri, is a prime example of what can happen to a community when there is a lack of vision for growth or redevelopment. Saint Louis was once proudly touted as “The Gateway to the West.” The location was a hub of commerce for the westward expansion movement and carried a larger economy than Chicago, respectfully, at that time. Saint Louis hosted the World Fair in 1904, and was showcased as one of the greatest American cities for the world to observe. The city’s first significant error was siding with the riverboat trade instead of the railroad. Nevertheless, a sustainable growth trend held its course for decades. The city attracted business due to its centralized location in the nation. It became a hub for aviation. Certain populist social trends began to become policies in the late 1970’s. These policies effectively drove business away, first from the city center and then from the region. If you visit Saint Louis today, the downtown district is narrowly maintained by the support of professional sports teams, some riverfront bars, and a federally maintained national monument. Downtown’s appearance outside the ‘tourism district’ is that of a third-world nation. All growth has been pushed to the outside edges of the county for decades because the policies downtown have become so prohibitive that nobody wants to locate there. The net result is a dilapidated city center that has significant crime and poverty issues directly related to a general lack of opportunity. If a historic community is going to survive, it has to accept the correlation between economic growth and decay and create policies that encourage a healthier long-term outcome.

The Heber Valley once had a thriving economy and was a destination getaway for residents of the Wasatch Front. This is why Heber City Main Street was once filled with drive-in restaurants and motels, and Midway with quaint nightly rentals. Our economic downturn happened in coordination with the recession of the 1970s, the improvement of the Provo Canyon highway, and shopping malls being developed in Utah County. Having ‘given up’ on the viability of local businesses, our city officials believed we could be nothing more than a bedroom community, regardless of the long-term economic implications associated with that status. They needed to service resident commuters — hence the fast food, auto part store trends, and welcoming of franchised chains that could offer outside economic subsidies to sustain a Heber location. Jobs in local government seemed to be the only way to support oneself within Wasatch County limits throughout those years. Over time, our civic visions ultimately become a reality. This is why it is so important for a community to understand and align on a logical and implementable vision.

My professional role in the Heber Valley has allowed me to be at many discussions over visioning for the future. We have so many incoming opportunities to be grateful and excited about. However, the identity issue for most of the HV is still under considerable debate. This fact, coupled with in-progress commercial developments and the inevitable international attention that will accompany them, gives me a bit of ‘marketing heartburn.’ Still, I respect the process and welcome the discourse that comes with varied opinions. Our higher elevation identity problem is that we have so much to offer that it is difficult for our strong-willed population to unify on a single path to travel. While there are many identity assets to focus on, I would like to riff on one particular variable, given the season and circumstances.

An undeniable and overlooked identity asset that Heber Valley has, and one that most communities would sacrifice greatly to claim, is that we are a Winter Olympic destination with an active facility and quickly becoming the hub for cross-country skiing and biathlon in the United States. US Biathlon relocated this autumn to Soldier Hollow from New Gloucester, Maine. Soldier Hollow will be the only US destination for the International Biathlon Union World Cup competition in March 2024. These events fill grandstand stadiums in Europe and are consummate sporting event parties. The discipline of biathlon exemplifies the “I’m big in Europe” t-shirt and is dramatically overlooked by US citizens. What could be more ‘American’ than guns, strength, speed, and technical excellence? We are societally missing the target on this winter sport. Biathlon is the only Winter Olympic discipline the US has never medaled, which needs to change. We must also remember that our local venue will likely host another Olympic event in 2030 or 2034. The Soldier Hollow Nordic Center facility is regularly used for training by, quite literally, the top Nordic athletes in the world, including our own US ski team. The Heber Valley is an internationally recognized winter sports destination. I challenge the Heber Valley citizens to unify on this one simple thing: learn about the Nordic disciplines and support the IBU World Cup event at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center this March. The world will be watching. Let’s show them all we know a thing or two about throwing a party.

I love the Heber Valley. This fact is the predominant reason Heber Valley Life magazine exists. If you have taken the time to read or analyze this note, I hope you have learned a little bit about our past, and can more actively participate meaningfully in directing future growth. Better yet, if you appreciate the effort we invest every quarter to publish this collection of articles, please consider a financial sponsorship in the book or through a purchase in our online store. These little tokens, by our community, for our community, keep the project alive. Please enjoy our winter 2023 edition of Heber Valley Life magazine.

RYAN D. BUNNELL
Publisher, Heber Valley Life magazine

Team Soldier Hollow serves XC Skiers and Biathletes from the Heber Valley and surrounding communities in Utah. Team Soldier Hollow is based at the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Nordic Venue and now encompasses programs for ages 5 years and up.

VISION

Developing Champions in Sport & Life.

MISSION

Teach the sports of Nordic Skiing and Biathlon and develop regional, national and internationally competitive athletes, all while encouraging a life-long love of sport.

ABOUT SOUP & SOHO

Soup & SoHo is an annual fundraiser to celebrate and support Team Soldier Hollow athletes. The fundraiser has been happening for over 20 years and features soups and other goodies from several of our fantastic regional restaurants/chefs.
This year will be an online auction beginning October 30th at 6 am and culminating on November 4th during the gala from 6-8 pm. The auction will feature a broad selection of fantastic auction items that our athlete families and coaches procure from local businesses.
The funds raised from the auction directly support Team Soldier Hollow and help offset 70% of program costs that are not covered by athlete tuition. Our goal this year is to raise $15,000 for athlete development programs!

• Supporting Member: Any business donating an item (or cash) up to a $250 value will be
  • Recognized on the virtual bid sheet during Soup & SoHo and
  • Listed on the TeamSoHo.org wall of supporters.
• Bronze Sponsor: Any business providing a $250-999 value will be
  • Recognized on the virtual bid sheet during Soup & SoHo and
  • Listed on the TeamSoHo.org wall of supporters as a Bronze Sponsor
  • Included on Team Sponsor Banner that travels to local & regional events
• Silver Sponsor: Any business providing a $1,000-4,999 value will be
  • Recognized on the virtual bid sheet during Soup & SoHo
  • Listed on the TeamSoHo.org Wall of Supporters as a Silver Lever Sponsor and
  • Included on Team Sponsor Banner that travels to local & regional events
  • Placed on the Team SoHo trailer as a Silver Level Sponsor.
• Gold Sponsor: Any business providing a $5,000 value or higher will be
  • Recognized on the virtual bid sheet during Soup & SoHo
  • Listed on the TeamSoHo.org Wall of Supporters as a Gold Lever Sponsor
  • Included on Team Sponsor Banner that travels to local & regional events
  • Placed on the Team SoHo trailer as a Gold Level Sponsor.
  • Displayed in the Soldier Hollow stadium during summer & winter events

Team Title Sponsorship – Please inquire with program leads.

TEAM CONTACT:     

Gerrit Garberich
+1218-839-6340
ggarberich@uolf.org

Buy tickets here.

Cheer on 65 of the best Para athletes from 18 countries including the United States, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.

Athletes scheduled to compete for the United States include 17-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters, 3-time Paralympic gold medalist Kendall Gretsch, 7-time Paralympic medalist Dan Cnossen and 4-time Paralympic medalist Jake Adicoff.

Admission is free for spectators. See details and schedule below.

Race Schedule

• March 1 – Cross-Country Classic Sprint
  • Qualification | 10 am
  • Rookie Race | 11:15 am
  • Finals | 12 pm

• March 2 – Cross-Country Skate 5k
  • 5KM Sitting | 10 am
  • 5KM Free | 12 pm
• March 3 – Official Training
• March 4 – Biathlon 12.5k Individual
  • 12.5KM Sitting | 9:30 am
  • 12.5KM Vision Impaired | 11:45 am
  • 12.5KM Standing | 2 pm
• March 5 – Biathlon 7.5k Sprint
  • 7.5KM Sitting | 9:30 am
  • 7.5 KM Vision Impaired | 11:30 am
  • 7.5 Standing | 1:30 pm
• March 6 – Official Training
• March 7 – Biathlon Sprint Pursuit
  • Sitting | 9:30 am
  • Vision Impaired | 11:30 am
  • Standing | 1:30 pm
• March 8 – Cross-Country Skate Mass Start 20k
  • Sitting | 10 am
  • Standing and Vision Impaired | 12 pm

Initially, the combined skills of skiing and rifle marksmanship were developed for the region’s militaries during the 1700s. In 1776 the first recorded biathlon competition took place along the border dividing Norway and Sweden; it was between patrol companies. The first biathlon club, the Trysil Rifle and Ski Club, was established in Norway in 1861. The biathlon was included as a demonstration event at the first Winter Olympics in Chamoinix, France, in 1924 and in 1960 the biathlon was added to the Winter Olympics as an official men’s event. International biathlon competitions for women began in 1981. Today, the biathlon has become a popular sport for men, women, and children with programs and clubs all over the world — including our own Team Soldier Hollow in Midway.

If you were competing in the 1960 Olympic biathlon, you likely carried a rifle loaded with either .30-06 or 7.62x51mm NATO rounds1. (Which interestingly enough, or not, considering the biathlon origins, is the choice round for many hunters.) For those who have never fired such a rifle, to do so accurately requires skill, finesse, and calm. When every muscle of the core, back, arms, and legs is converting oxygen and glycogen to raw power in order to move your skis across snow, the idea of lying on the ground to calmly shoot a target with a rifle conjures a certain echelon of human.

Historically, skiing can only be traced so far before the trail evaporates into time ethereal. Etched by someone 5,000 years ago on the wall of a famous cave in Norway, the image of a person on skis is testament to the mysterious, prehistoric nature of skiing. In Norway, skis were part of the hunting implements.

In today’s competitions, biathletes use .22 caliber rimfire cartridges. The rifle is sighted using “peep sights,” a pairing of an aperture in the rear and a pin at the muzzle. Finally, a skier’s rifle must weigh a minimum of 3.5 Kilograms. Rifles are carried using a split sling, allowing it to go over both shoulders; centering the rifle over the back with minimal sway while the skier races up and down the track; keeping the hand and arms free to use their ski poles.
At intervals the biathlete stops at firing ranges to shoot five targets located 50 meters (164 feet) away. Most races require the competitors to shoot from both standing and prone (lying on the stomach) positions. Target size varies depending on the skier’s position; when standing, shooters aim at an 11.5-cm (4.5-inch) target and while prone contestants shoot at a 4.5-cm (1.8-inch) target. Biathlon’s have been governed by the International Biathlon Union (IBU) since 1993. The IBU authorizes six types of biathlon events—individual, sprint, relay, pursuit, mass start, and team.

Racing traditionally takes place on groomed, snowy tracks. However, as devoted skiers learned to train in summer months using “roller skis” on dry pavement rather than skis over snow, someone figured that biathlon was no longer a winter only event. During the warmer months of the year spectators can watch biathletes compete from the comfort of a warm bleacher with a cold beverage rather than in a parka with a hot cocoa.

It has become increasingly more common, during spring and summer, to see Nordic ski athletes training around the valley, especially near Soldier Hollow and the road around Midway. Soldier Hollow Nordic Center located at Wasatch Mountain State Park is known locally, and internationally, as the site for many of the Nordic ski events of the 2002 winter Olympics. Even their phone number ends in “2002.” Did you know that World Cup and Olympic level athletes train there? As far as biathlon goes, it boasts a very specific shooting range that matches a Nordic facility standard around the world. Heber Valley is often host to some of the world’s top athletes because of this world class Nordic facility; earning the title ‘world class’ is no easy feat. In 2017 Soldier Hollow was awarded the bid for a World Cup Cross Country Ski event. This helped lay the foundation for reaching the top.

Soldier Hollow boasts several coaches with international training. As of this writing, one of those coaches was currently in Sweden at an IBU conference. Zach Hall, the Head Biathlon Coach, shared that, while Soldier Hollow coaches and trains the most elite athletes and maintains the highest coaching standards, it really is about community. Soldier Hollow offers three biathlon programs; the Devo/Devo plus Flex Biathlon, Comp Flex Biathlon, and Masters Biathlon Team. It’s pretty amazing to think that our local kids have the opportunity to not only learn to ski and shoot on the same field as many international elite athletes, but also carry on a tradition that started 300 (or more) years ago — right here in our very own back yard!

Skijoring is not a new sport. Reindeer skijoring occurred in the Nordic Games of 1901, and it was used as transportation for hundreds of years before that. Skijoring behind horses made its way to North America in the early 1900’s.

Brian Gardner and his friend, Joe Loveridge, had seen the sport in Colorado and decided to introduce it to Utah. According to Gardner’s nephew Gavan, “It’s popular out in Colorado where [Brian] used to work, so they kind of took things that they saw out in Colorado and brought a little bit of that back here.” In 2017, the first Utah Skijoring competition occurred in Midway. Its popularity has grown since then, and tickets available for this year’s event sold out in 24 hours!

The Skijoring Utah website explains that it “combines Utah’s signature ski heritage with its cowboy roots, creating a wild, fast-paced, and spectacular event.” Aside from racing, the competition also includes a “big air contest,” where participants try to jump the farthest. Winners of the annual event receive belt buckles, cash, and other prizes.

Park City locals James and Ed Clissold both participated as skiers. “I think competing is fun and the atmosphere here, just hanging out and having everybody here cheering everybody on. It doesn’t matter if it’s the 12-year-old or somebody cruising, it’s just fun to cheer them on,” said James. Ed added, “To combine my two favorite sports of horses and skiing is just an awesome way to spend the day.”

Competitor Cub Keller, from Lehi, was participating with his three boys, including his 4-year-old. “It’s the outdoors, it’s cowboys, it’s skiing, it’s competition, it’s everything all packaged into one event,” he commented.

A full list of 2021 winners, along with photos of the event, can be found at https://www.facebook.com/skijoringutah.