Winter Trail Fest | Park City, UT
There’s something magical about winter trails—the crunch of snow underfoot, breath visible in the air, and the way the sun slices through bare branches. This past weekend, I had the chance to capture all of that and more as a volunteer photographer for the Winter Trail Fest, an event that brings together runners and fat tire mountain bikers for a freezing, adrenaline-fueled adventure through the woods.
It was cold. Like, really cold. But the kind of cold that wakes you up and makes you feel alive. The sun showed up, too—casting long golden shadows across the snow, painting the trail in soft light that made every photo pop just a little more.
I stumbled into the Wasatch Trail Running community last year, almost by accident. One of their Instagram ads popped up while I was mindlessly scrolling, and something about it made me pause. I signed up for the series on a whim, not knowing what to expect, and definitely not ready for it no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise. Since then, I’ve run a few of their events, made some great trail friends, and started volunteering when I can—usually with my camera slung over my shoulder.
This Winter Trail Fest felt like the kickoff to something special. There was this energy at the starting line—part nerves, part stoke—that never really went away. Everyone was bundled up but smiling, and despite the temps, the trails were alive with laughter, cheers, and the occasional whoop as a biker zipped past.
As a photographer, it’s always rewarding to be part of events like this—to capture the grit, the joy, the little moments people might not even realize they’re having. I'm already looking forward to the next one. If you're on the fence about joining—whether to run, ride, or just hang out and snap a few photos—do it. You might find, like I did, that it’s exactly where you’re supposed to be.
