Outdoor notes

SKI-SEASON KICKOFF

Ski Utah is hosting a party and everyone is invited.

Utah SnowJam 2006 will be held at the Gallivan Center on Saturday. It is, said Nathan Rafferty, president of Ski Utah, a party to kick off the upcoming ski season. The party in downtown Salt Lake City will be held from 4 to 10 p.m.

Utah SnowJam 2006 will be geared for skiers and snowboarders of all ages and will feature live music, Ski Utah Photo of the Year contest, ski and snowboard videos, gear demos, food and drink vendors and special gifts.

Local celebrity athletes will be signing posters in the Powder Lounge. Participating athletes include Sage Cattabriga-Alosa, Joe Pack, Grete Eliassen, Heidi Voelker, Graham Watanabe, Nikki Stone and Josh Madsen, to name a few.

There will be a Best '80s Ski/Snowboard Outfit Contest. The winner will receive new gear and clothing from Rossignol, Burton and Eider.

Those attending are encouraged to bring all their current and past season passes for a chance to win special prizes. Resorts will be giving away 2006-07 season passes.

For information visit www.skiutah.com.

BIGHORN FESTIVAL

Visitors to Moab these days will not only see bighorn sheep during the annual Bighorn Sheep Festival but will also be able to hear challenges by the mature rams.

The festival will take place Nov. 17 and 18. The sheep will, of course, be within sight much longer, but over the two days the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will be on hand to point out locations and to offer information about the animals.

There is no charge to attend this event. Those attending are encouraged to bring along binoculars or a spotting scope, along with snacks, beverages and a camera.

DWR biologists will guide participants to locations where bighorns have been recently observed. They will also have extra spotting scopes, binoculars and limited transportation.

The festival begins Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Moab Information Center, located 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 ecology and their life history. Bates studied desert bighorn sheep in the Moab area for his master's degree thesis. He will display skulls and horns of bighorn sheep and answer any questions.