Utah’s Ski Resorts After the Greatest Snow on Earth Disappears. By Brooks Stevenson Touting Utah’s piste as the Greatest Snow on Earth takes some moxie. But it’s not bragging if you can back it up, right? Well, now it’s time to extend that same self-proclaimed winter greatness to summer recreation. That’s right, there’s more to Utah’s ski areas than five, six (or sometimes more) months of powdery heaven.
Utah’s top resorts have made good use of their winter presence and are offering more and more summer activities to draw visitors to their temperate mountain climes and keep the locals coming back year-round.
Wolf Mountain Resort, The Canyons and Sundance Resort, and are three fine examples of how to take the part-time passion of skiing and turn it into a full-time feat of outdoor recreation.
 Up, up and away! p. Monique Beeley
Located an hour from Salt Lake City in the mountain valley of Eden, Wolf Mountain Resort offers incredible views, outstanding recreation, fine dining, and best of all, peace and quiet. What this resort lacks in size, it makes up in solace. Wolf Mountain is one place that hasn’t been affected by traffic and overcrowding. The atmosphere is relaxed, the accommodations are down-to-earth yet comfortable, and the scenery is second-to-none. To take a line from their marketing material: There isn’t even a single traffic light in town! It’s a place where a family can gather to focus on what’s really important, or individuals can simply focus on themselves. Wolf Mountain has partnered with Wolf Creek Resort for summer recreation and features one of Utah’s most beautiful 18-hole golf courses. One million dollars in renovations have recently been completed, making the course a first-class links experience. The front and backsides are both classics, yet vastly different. Mountain biking and hiking trails abound in and around Wolf Mountain. You can also get an up-close and personal view of the valley on horseback or from the confines of a hot air balloon tour. When it’s time for grub, the Rusty Cactus is the place to be for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Enjoy panoramic views of the valley in this casual restaurant and a fine cuisine of American and Tex-Mex favorites. If you’re up for something a little more classic, the Wolf Creek Grille offers traditional American cuisine with a full beer, wine, and liquor menu. This year Wolf Mountain is featuring a family camp from July 13-15. The event includes camping, golfing, movies, a day at nearby Pineview Reservoir, picnic lunch and a special concert by the Utah Symphony. Also on the event calendar are several outdoor concerts including artists Jon Schmidt, Brian Booth and the Jazz 5, the Joe Muscolino Band, and Tad Calcara and the New Deal Swing Band. Mark the dates August 17 –19 for the colorful Ogden Valley Balloon Festival. Bring the whole family for fun balloon rides, arts & crafts, live entertainment and food booths. For more information on lodging, dining, or recreation at Wolf Mountain, visit their web site at wolfmountaineden.com or call 801-745-3511.  Wasatch Crest-Part of Geart Western Trail - p. Adam Barker
The Canyons is one of the country’s largest winter resorts; but don’t let that fact keep you from making a summer visit to this Park City-based resort. The Canyons provides a bevy of recreation and entertainment options from active to relaxing.
The Canyons offers some of the finest mountain biking and hiking in the area. You can ride the scenic gondola to access the Mid-Mountain or the famous Wasatch Crest trails, explore the single track all on your own, or sign up for a guided hiking tour through All Seasons Adventures (435-615-4848). Trail maps and bike rentals for the whole family are available at Canyon Mountain Sports.
If you’re more interested in the scenery and less interested in breaking a sweat seeing it, consider an early morning hot air balloon ride and access to the breathtaking views of the Wasatch Mountains. Or book passage on Flight of The Canyons, the resort’s gondola, to provide you a scenic ride to Red Pine Lodge at the mid-mountain point. The Red Pine Grille, located at the Lodge, is a great way to break up your sightseeing and enjoy the solitude of the mountain.
If you’re halfway between lazy and stir-crazy, consider a guided fly fishing trip to one of the West’s best trout streams, the Provo River. Trout Bum 2 is nearby, 877-878-2862 or in town Jan’s 435-649-4949. Or hop a ride on the gondola and plays a few holes on The Canyons new nine-hole disc golf course, located at mid-mountain. Pick up a course map, scorecard, and discs at Canyon Mountain Sports.
Free Saturday concerts also highlight the summer, along with a booming July 3rd fireworks display, the Park City Food & Wine Classic on July 12-14, a local farmer’s market every Wednesday afternoon, and more.
Dining options are plentiful in Park City, but why leave the peace and quite of the resort when you have two wonderful gastronomically appealing options nearby? The Cabin restaurant and The Red Pine Grille offer fine dining throughout the summer. The Cabin, located in the Grand Summit Hotel, features an eclectic cuisine of the American West and recently won Wine Spectator Magazine’s Award of Excellence. And accommodations leave little to be desired; the Grand Summit Resort Hotel and the Sundial Lodge offer all the amenities you could imagine.
For more information on lodging, dining, or recreation at The Canyons, visit their web site at thecanyons.com or call (435) 649-5400.
 Stewart Falls at Sundance - p. Monique Beeley
Pampering and pleasure, recreation and relaxation; it’s the combination of all these things that makes Sundance unique. World-famous for the yearly film festival of the same name, Sundance brings the best of culture and recreation together, making it hard to decide what to do first. Conde Nast Travel Magazine, in the prestigious Reader’s choice Awards, recently ranked Sundance 6th for U.S. Top Resorts and 2nd for activities and service.
Start by wetting a line in the Provo River’s many deep holes and see if you can outsmart that wily trout. Several guides are available for day trips, or explore the blue-ribbon trout stream on your own. Catch and release, of course. If the trout wins the battle of wits, which is often the case, shed the waders and lace up the hiking boots. Whether it’s the Ridge Trail or the Great Western Trail, or one of many others, the gorgeous scenery and exercise will enchant you. Hire a guide or self-guide your way around the backside of Mount Timpanogos or out to spectacular Stewart Falls. If hiking isn’t your style, mix some gears in there and hit one of the resort’s many buffed singletrack mountain bike trails. There are 25 miles of lift-served trails and several races are held here throughout the summer. Rentals are available at the resort and a mountain biking school is available for beginners.
Now that you’re sufficiently exhausted, it’s time for a leisurely horseback ride. Rides range from one hour to all day, including some reservations for overnight pack trips. If you still haven’t seen enough, hop on the resort’s lift and take quiet ride up and down the mountain.
You’ve probably worked up an appetite by now, so relax and enjoy fine dining at one of four restaurants. The elegant Tree Room is just what it sounds like, and here, dining is an art form. More laid-back dining options include the Foundry Gill, the Sundance Deli, and the Owl Bar.
To finish off an evening, and rejuvenate yourself for the next day of fun, stop in at the Spa at Sundance and experience a place inspired by the Sioux concept of Hocoka — a sacred environment for the restoration and healing of the body and spirit.
Manicures, pedicures, skin care and massage are all part of the experience after a long day at Sundance.
Concerts and film festivals are also regular occurrences at Sundance, leaving no detail out of a great resort vacation. This year’s Outdoor Film Festival will be held every Wednesday evening from July 11 until Aug. 22 at 9 p.m.; the Food & Wine Festival will be held on Sept. 2 this year; and the Children’s Festival will be on June 16. A bevy of other activities can be found on Sundance’s web site as well.
And after your long day, retire to one of the many lodging options available, from the Sundance Studios and Sundance Suites, to the Mountain Homes and Mountain Suites.
For more information on lodging, dining, or recreation at Sundance Resort, visit their web site at sundanceresort.com or call 1-801-225-4100 or 1-800-892-1600. |
