Since his election in 2012, Mayor Mike Caldwell has carried the torch for Ogden, Utah’s revitalization (On Location, October 2014), creating more than 1,000 new jobs and bringing $10 million in grant money for the city that’s billing itself as the alternative ski town to Salt Lake, which is an hour south along the Wasatch Mountains.
And he has a reason to be so invested. From his childhood home on Ogden’s 9th St. and degree from Weber University, down to his identification as a former ski bum, Mayor Mike Caldwell is a true local to the north Wasatch city. So we caught up with the man who’s been racing bikes for 30 years and praying for blower snow in Ogden’s backcountry.
[Photo] Erin Hooley
Mike Caldwell: I obviously love where I live. I was a ski instructor at Snowbasin for five years when I went to college so I could afford to keep skiing. I’ve always identified myself as a bike geek and a ski bum first, and all these other things came in secondary. When this weird title’s gone, it will be back to the way it was before. I’ve seen Ogden come from a rough, blue-collar environment into this new millennium where outdoor recreation really matters and is wildly embraced.
BCM: What makes Ogden different?
MC: I think number one is its accessibility. And sometimes you go to a mountain town and it’s not real authentic. We’re not trying to be something we’re not. There’s no pretension.
BCM: How do you stay active?
MC: I’ve made a commitment for a transportation summit to ride my bike to work every single day in 2014. I haven’t missed a day yet. That’s been kind of fun. I got 25 days on the snow last year. I would love to see that inch up to 35 to 40.
BCM: Where do you do most of your skiing? What are you skiing on?
MC: Snowbasin, and I do some backcountry as well. I like to get out and tour. They’ve been kind of skinny seasons the last two years so we’ve got our fingers crossed that we get a good dumper this year. Right now I’ve got three pairs of Atomics and Black Diamond backcountry setup.
BCM: What’s your hope for Ogden’s future?
MC: To keep progressing the community. Ogden’s changed dramatically. People are very proud. I had someone come and tell me, “It’s like Ogden City was the high school football team that hadn’t won a game in four years and the new coach shows up and says, ‘We’re going to do this and we’re going to do that.’” To change the psychology of people who live here and want to raise their families here.
For more on the revitalized, northern Wasatch city that’s becoming a ski-industry hub, check out the October issue of Backcountry Magazine.
I was riding snowbasin and Powmow 12,13 years ago while going to school at Weber. snow is hit or miss. the town was a dump then and atmosphere depressive. Being a red state that chooses jobs over health, let a glass of water evaporate and see what is left over in the glass. Unless you’re Mormon, you’ll always be a minority in Utah.
i live seconds from my trailhead but anyone with the word “ogden” on their drivers license is under 5 minutes to killer trail. i can be skiing at my choice of 3 great resorts within 25 minutes from my office downtown, or just 20 minutes from my house. there were over 300 permitted special events in ogden this year alone, many rich in culture and diversity but most of them athletic events attracting world class athletes from literally around the globe (tour of utah). if you are bored around here, its probably your own fault. The town has an abundance of privately owned restaurants, museums and live entertainment venues. being an engaged, educated and active person i cannot think of a better place to live, work and Play. Kudos Mayor caldwell and the ogden community for making this town simply rad.
I’m an Ogden transplant & love it! Check out the Ogden Trails: https://www.facebook.com/OgdenTrailsNetwork.
Cheers!
Darren (not Mormon & loving UT)