Outdoor Retailer has summoned the forces of public transit, water management and the Snowbasin resort to make this year’s Open Air Demo an historic adventure. For the first time, the demo will allow retailers to paddle whitewater and scale real live granite at Snowbasin sites. To add to the sense of adventure, attendees can travel free by light rail, a new commuter rail, conventional shuttles and a gondola to reach their destinations. A record 94 exhibitors will have gear on hand for testing at the demo, which runs 2 pm to 7 pm Wednesday and 8 am 2 to 7 pm Thursday.


Below is a lowdown on logistics and highlights for the demo and the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market show that follows Friday through Sunday.


Transportation. It will be easier getting between downtown hotels, the Salt Palace and the Open Air Demo (OAD) this year because anyone with a show badge will be able to ride the Trax light rail line and new FrontRunner commuter rail to Ogden for free. You can pick up Trax at multiple locations downtown and take it to the end of the line at the Salt Lake City’s Central Station. There you catch the new FrontRunner line to Ogden-about an hour’s ride. In Ogden, transfer to Outdoor Retailer shuttles that will be running to and from the OAD at the Old Port Ramp Property at Pineview Reservoir. Plan on two hours for the whole journey.


For those less adventurous, Outdoor Retailer is still offering free shuttle service from the Salt Palace to the site on a much more restricted schedule. 


Wednesday, 2 pm. Climbing clinics for both beginners and experts are offered. You can either enroll in clinics that will be offered at Pineview Reservoir by Ogden Climbing Parks or hop another shuttle to the base of Snowbasin, where you will travel by gondola to Needles Lodge. There you can assault four pitches of moderate high-country grante. Ogden Climbing Parks will provide all gear, including shoes, but bring a pack to carry your own rain jacket, fleece and water bottle. Go to booth 15 at OAD upon arrival to sign up for the clinics. Clinics will be repeated at 11 am on Thursday, as well.


Thursday, 10 am to Noon: Wasatch Whitewater Chute-Out, the show’s first ever whitewater venue and event, is sure to be a hoot. It will pit dealers against pros in the dreaded “8-ball sprint.” Six kayakers will paddle their way down a Class III+ stretch of the Ogden River, trying to avoid pro-athletes and other celebrity paddlers, who will be waiting in eddies to ambush the lead sprinters. Outdoor Retailer has worked with local authorities to arrange a dam release on the Ogden that should ensure Class III+ rapids. Shuttles will be available to transport you about 15 minutes to the site of the contest from the main OAD site. Spots were still available at press time for paddlesports buyers.