Why should elite-class Olympians have all the fun?

It was a question that is now ingrained in the very heart of the Utah Winter Games. And it's the main reason why the Games, for the past 20 years, have been giving Utah's amateur winter athletes a chance to win gold, silver and bronze medals.

And why, projections are, upward of 6,000 people could step into skates, skis, snowboards or winter boots to get a little taste of the Olympic experience.

The Games will start off with a full slate of clinics, many of them free to those registering, in early December.

The second stage is the competition in 17 different sports that runs from late December through April.

Some clinics are free, and those that aren't require only a nominal fee. For some clinics and competition, such as cross country and biathlons, equipment is even provided.

It is, after all, an opportunity for amateurs to step onto the podium and have a medal gracefully placed around their necks.

There are similar events held around the country, but none quite compares with Utah's.

"What makes it work here," said Heidi Hughes, executive director, "is we have something unique here. We have the coaches and all the venues that were part of the 2002 Olympics.

"We had what was arguably the best Winter Olympics ever, and now the Olympics are a part of what Utah is all about. So it makes sense that we keep the Olympic spirit going with the Utah Winter Games."

This winter, Hughes said, there will be 50 clinics and 30 different competitions.

Which is encouraging. Last year, about 3,000 people registered, which was double the number who registered for the Games in 2004-05.

"And the way things are going this year, we could very well double participation again this year," said Hughes.

After a number of successful years, the Games hit some rough water a few years back when longtime sponsor KUTV pulled out. As a result, events and clinics had to be scaled back.

"The way the Games are structured, they are very dependent on a media partnership. We struggled for a few years, but we're seeing some real positive things happening with the new partnership with KSL," Hughes said. "It's been a positive experience on both sides."

Looking down the list of clinics and events, Hughes said skiing and snowboarding remain the most popular.

There has been a rising interest in Nordic events in recent years, such as cross country skiing, the biathlon and the archery biathlon.

"Last year, all of those events were full, which led us to add more clinics and events this year," Hughes said.