Outdoor notes

FUND-RAISING SKI DAY

SUNDANCE — Canyon Sports and Sundance Ski Resort are combining their efforts to raise money and awareness for the Christian and Stephanie Nielson family.

Today at the Sundance Resort, a fundraising ski day is being held for them, and all proceeds will be donated to the Nielsens' recovery fund.

On Aug. 16, Stephanie and Christian Nielson were in a small plane crash along with their flight instructor, Doug Kinnear, near St. Johns, Ariz. Kinnear passed away soon after arriving at the Maricopa County Hospital. Christian sustained burns on more than 30 percent of his body, and the body of his wife, Stephanie, was burned over 80 percent of her body. Their hospital expenses have far exceeded their insurance coverage.

For the past four years, Stephanie, a former ski instructor at Sundance, has maintained a blog, the NieNie Dialogues, about her life at home as a wife and mom. It has become extremely popular and, since the accident, it has been receiving 30,000 hits per day.

The Nielsens' misfortune has been the subject of reports on the KSL-TV evening news, the "Today" show and in People Magazine.

With a donation of $100, an individual can enjoy a day on the slopes today along with a complimentary lunch from the Pizza Factory as well as ski/snowboard rentals from Canyon Sports.

SNOWMOBILE SAFETY WEEK

National Snowmobile Safety Week is Jan. 10-18. For this eight-day observance, and throughout Utah's snowmobile season, off-highway vehicle education specialist Ann Evans is stressing helmets, safety and education.

"Because of the recent snowstorms, thousands of Utahns are heading to the mountains," said Evans. "We want everyone to ride safely and know the laws and rules before they go. Be educated and be prepared." She encourages riders to check avalanche, trail and weather conditions and share their itineraries with family and friends.

Utah law requires youths ages 8 to 15 to complete the Utah State Parks and Recreation "Know Before You Go!" OHV education course before operating on public lands, roads or trails. Anyone 16 or older must have a valid Utah driver's license or a safety certificate to operate snowmobiles on public land. It is illegal for any child under age 8 to operate an OHV on public land.

All youths under age 18 are required by law to wear a properly fitted and fastened helmet approved by the Department of Transportation. Utah Department of Health and Utah State Parks strongly recommend that all riders wear helmets, especially parents, who set an example for children and other riders.