Summer on the Slopes

Utah boasts a global reputation for the finest winter recreation on the planet. But when The Greatest Snow on Earth™ melts, it reveals lush meadows full of wildflowers and miles of scenic trail to be explored. With such easy access, there’s no better way to beat the heat of summer than a quick trip to the mountains. Summer is magical at Utah’s ski resorts, and whether you’re in to mountain biking, hiking, camping, live music, great food, or scenic lift rides, there is something for everyone.

Beaver Mountain Resort

“The Beav” as locals call it, sits in the heart of beautiful Logan. In addition to abundant mountain biking and hiking options, Beaver Mountain hosts the multi-day Beaver Mountain Music Festival in mid-August, featuring 13 bands including nationally touring acts. The event includes a children’s learning village with hands-on music, art, and nature education, as well as a DJ, hip-hop & spoken word lounge, and mountain bike races. Camping is easy with several tent and RV sites, and lodge or yurt rentals are also available. skithebeav.com

Cherry Peak Resort

New to the scene and located just minutes north of Logan, Cherry Peak is in its second year of operations but is already offering one of the best summer concert series in the state, featuring national artists like Andrew McMahon, Maddie Wilson, and Scotty McCreery, to name a few. Open Saturdays throughout summer, Cherry Peak also offers lift-served mountain biking, waterslides, hiking, and horseback riding. skicherrypeak.com

Summit Powder Mountain Resort

While lift-served mountain biking is not currently offered, Powder Mountain has invested heavily in world-class mountain biking trails, creating over 15 miles of fast, flowy singletrack that’s among the very best in Northern Utah. Bike rentals are available at the Hidden Lake Bike Shop, where you can also refuel with tasty street tacos and an ice-cold PBR. Future plans at Powder Mountain include lift-served gravity parks and many, many more miles of brilliant cross-country singletrack. powdermountain.com

Nordic Valley

This affordable family favorite located in scenic Ogden Valley offers lift-served mountain biking, hiking, disc golf, and bungie trampolines. Work up a sweat then cool off with something quite unique: a 400-foot slip-n-slide that’s sure to delight the entire family. nordicvalley.com

Snowbasin Resort

Home of the 2002 Winter Olympic Downhill and Super G skiing events, Snowbasin’s world-class pedigree extends to its summer activities as well. Snowbasin offers lift-served mountain biking, hiking, disc golf, scenic lift rides, and much more. Snowbasin’s weekly Blues, Brews, and BBQ draws thousands from the Wasatch Front to relax on the grass and enjoy outstanding live music and great food in the cool mountain air. For you foodies out there, Snowbasin is renowned for its excellent cuisine and offers several special culinary events throughout the summer as well. snowbasin.com

Park City Mountain Resort

Few towns in the West can match the year-round outdoor recreation that Park City has to offer, and Park City Mountain certainly does its part to keep summer hopping. With activities like one of the world’s longest alpine slides, a 4,000-foot alpine coaster, multiple zipline adventures, bike parks, lift-served mountain biking, and the Canyons Golf Course and miniature golf – all in addition to hundreds of miles of adjacent hiking and mountain biking terrain – it’s virtually impossible to get bored in Park City. As a bonus, the Resort also offers activities specifically for children weighing between 30 – 100 lbs, like the Kid’s Zipline, rope course, and tubing, making it the ideal summer destination for families. parkcitymountain.com

Deer Valley Resort

Also in Park City, Deer Valley is becoming one of the premier lift-served mountain biking destinations in Utah, investing heavily in world-class, precision-built flow and gravity-oriented trails that rival any in the West. Deer Valley also offers their highly-acclaimed outdoor concert series, featuring numerous national acts from all genres ranging from symphony to classic rock. Pack some wine, roll out the blanket, and enjoy award-winning music under the stars at Deer Valley’s legendary Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. deervalley.com

Solitude Mountain Resort

Big Cottonwood Canyon is home to Solitude Mountain Resort, which currently offers full-service mountain biking with over 20 miles of outstanding alpine single track, as well hiking, scenic rides, and disc golf. Quick access and great lodging options make this resort ideal for easy weekend getaways. skisolitude.com

Snowbird

Snowbird is another full-service resort that makes summer vacations a breeze. Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird’s family-oriented summer offerings are extensive with mountain biking, gemstone mining, mountain coaster, alpine slide, zipline, rope course, climbing wall, bungee trampolines, scenic rides on the Aerial Tram, and much more. Fall gets even better at Snowbird with their perennial Oktoberfest, voted one of America’s 10 Best by Men’s Journal Magazine. Running every Saturday and Sunday from mid-August to mid-October, Oktoberfest attracts over 60,000 visitors and has grown to become one of the largest festivals in Utah. snowbird.com

Sundance Resort

Sundance delivers some of the most brilliant alpine scenery in the world. Nestled below the stunning grandeur of Mount Timpanogos, every experience at Sundance is breathtaking. Music is an integral part of Sundance’s soul, as evidenced by their renowned Bluebird Cafe Concert Series. Each year, Sundance partners with the original Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to bring renowned singers, songwriters, and musicians to a unique, quaint mountain setting. Visitors will also enjoy excellent mountain biking, ziplines, and some of the most scenic lift rides and hikes imaginable. Outstanding lodging, shops, and eateries complete Sundance’s impressive summer résumé. sundanceresort.com

Eagle Point

Eagle Point sits high in the majestic 12,000-foot Tushar Mountains of Central Utah, making it the ideal place to enjoy incredible scenery and miles of excellent alpine mountain biking, hiking, and ATV trails that are completely free of crowds. Full rental and retail services are available in addition to great lodging and restaurant options. If you are looking for a quiet, intimate mountain escape and stunning scenery in one of Utah’s lesser-known mountain ranges, Eagle Point is a sure bet. eaglepointresort.com

Brian Head Resort

Utah’s southernmost resort is also its highest incorporated city: Brian Head Town rests at 10,000 feet, offering a cool mountain reprieve from the blazing Southern Utah desserts in summer months. Brian Head is a true mountain biking destination, with miles and miles of buttery alpine singletrack, full service shops, lodging, restaurants, and mind-blowing scenery. Cedar Breaks National Monument is directly adjacent and offers brilliant hiking with unique, eye-popping views and stunning vistas that you have to see to believe. Brian Head also offers an archery range, zip-line course, tubing, and a climbing wall. brianhead.com

Worth Mentioning

Two of Utah’s ski resorts, Alta and Brighton, do not offer commercial summer activities, but that’s not so say they aren’t worth visiting. Nestled high in the Cottowood Canyons, these resorts feature several high-alpine lakes, cirques, and gorgeous wildflower-filled meadows that are accessible via Forest Service trails. If a peaceful, scenic hike in a wilderness setting is more your speed, Alta and Brighton are the answer.

SkiUtah.com

By Greg Scothern