SKI FILMS WANTED
The inaugural Wasatch Winter Film Festival is looking for amateur ski and snowboard films from around the Wasatch Front.
The White Room, as the film festival is being called, seeks to expose the local talent and cinematographers who catch snow-sport action on film. Both five-minute trailers and 20-minute shorts are being solicited. There are separate categories for age (middle school, high school, open); discipline (alpine, snowboard, telemark, mix); and setting (park, resort, backcountry). Entries are due by Saturday, Nov. 26, and can be mailed to FreeRide Media at 900 Bitner Road, G-11, Park City, UT 84098. They must be either DVD or VHS format. Questions can be directed to Mike Sharp at 435-940-0590.
The festival is presented by FreeRide Magazine, The Utah Ski & Snowboard Journal. The film festival will take place Saturday, Dec. 3, at Prospector Square Conference Center in Park City.
VIEW BIGHORN SHEEP
A chance to view desert bighorn sheep awaits participants Nov. 18 and 19 at the annual Moab Bighorn Sheep Festival. The event is free and sheep watchers of all ages are encouraged to bring binoculars or a spotting scope along with snacks, beverages and a camera. DWR staff will guide participants to locations where bighorns have recently been observed. DWR personnel will have several Ford Expeditions available for those who don't have the type of vehicle needed to reach the observation areas.
The event begins on Friday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. in the Moab Information Center, at the corner of Center and Main. Bill Bates, the DWR's wildlife manager for southeastern Utah, will present a PowerPoint program on bighorn sheep and answer questions..
At 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19, participants will gather again at the Moab Information Center, where they'll split into groups to search for sheep. A DWR wildlife biologist will guide each caravan of vehicles. All parties will be in radio contact, and the field trip should finish by early afternoon.
For more information, contact Brent Stettler at 435-636-0266.
JOIN DEER VALLEY TEAM
Deer Valley Resort again is sponsoring a junior developmental team for young freestyle skiers ages 6-20. The team will train on Deer Valley's terrain each weekend during the season, and the resort will provide skiers with discounted passes.
Freestyle Team coach Dave Berry said: "The team is focused mostly on moguls and the terrain park and is open to any child who is a strong parallel skier."
Participants will also help out with Deer Valley's annual FIS Freestyle World Cup, Jan. 13 and 14, 2006.
"Our team helps to build the mogul course," Berry said, "and they get to watch the best mogul skiers in the world compete."
For more information, contact team director Jon O'Brien at 801-272-7177.
WATER'S SHUT OFF
Officials have turned off the water at the Little Sahara Recreation Area for the winter. The water was turned off Oct. 28 and will be reconnected in the spring before Easter weekend.
The site is still open, and water for campers will be available at the Willard R. Fulmer Visitors Center. For information call 435-743-3100 or visit www.ut.blm.gov/recsite/little.html