This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Though it might seem as though summer will never come to Utah's mountains — as Snowbird is planning to be open for skiing on July 4 this year — the inevitable hot season will soon hit Utah.
Ski resorts and mountain towns such as Park City and Brian Head offer activities ranging from concerts to lift-served mountain biking to dining. Since summer is also the offseason for resort hotels built to handle winter crowds, some great lodging and dining deals are also available for Wasatch Front residents looking to stay close to home.
"One of the best parts of living in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas is access to the mountains," said Jessica Kunzer of Ski Utah. "Resorts provide a wonderful center for recreation and a haven from the heat in the summer. More and more of them are adding a variety of family activities. Because traffic to a lot of the lodges and hotels does decrease in the summer, you can find some really nice deals."
For example, Park City Chamber of Commerce communications manager Craig McCarthy said hotel rooms in his mountain town can cost 33 to 50 percent less than in the winter, with some deals even better for diligent shoppers.
"Everything is definitely open in the summer," he said. "All the restaurants are open, many with outdoor dining. There are special nights at some restaurants."
Park City also hosts a number of events throughout the summer, including the Silly Sunday Market, gallery strolls, an art festival, a farmers market, dining nights, the Kimball Arts Festival, a huge July 4 celebration, bike races and a Labor Day Miner's Day celebration.
"Historic Park City is a staple for locals and visitors," said Alison Butz, executive director of the Historic Park City Alliance. "It's an ideal setting to host large events and accommodate a lot of foot traffic. Because of its accessibility and variety of independent shops and businesses, thousands of people visit the Historic District during the summer."
The Deer Valley Music Festival and Big Stars Bright Nights Concert Series brings many nationally known acts to the mountain amphitheater, including Rosanne Cash on July 31, the Goo Goo Dolls on Aug. 18, and Melissa Etheridge on Aug. 20. The Canyons Resort also offers a summer concert series starting July 16.
Snowbird provides a number of special events in the summer including the Brewfest June 18 and 19, skiing on July 4 and Oktoberfest starting in August.
"We have some amazing deals," said Snowbird's Emily Moench. "We are encouraging families to come up."
Brian Head in southern Utah offers outdoor movie nights, an arts festival, a battle of the bands, a flower festival and a flea market, among other activities.
Utah County's Sundance has a popular summer theater series, with "The Sound of Music" being presented this year.
Many resorts are more low-key, offering hiking, lift-served mountain biking, disc golf, scenic lift rides, horseback riding and even camping, providing locals with a way to enjoy amenities once reserved for winter.
Twitter: @tribtomwharton —
Summer at Utah ski resorts
Alta • The area is open to the public for hiking and biking. Enjoy brunch on weekends at the Alta Lodge. The famous Wasatch Wildflower Festival will also take place July 29 to 31.
Beaver Mountain • The Logan Canyon resort rents its ski lodge, yurt and four 10-person tents for visitors, youth groups and family reunions. In addition, Beaver Mountain has a campground with tent sites and RV hook-ups.
Brian Head • This southern Utah resort offers scenic lift rides, mountain biking, hiking, disc golf and the new self-guided "Brian Head Family Adventure," which includes activities focused on earth science and natural history, ranging from orienteering to learning about petroglyphs. Brian Head also boasts extensive ATV trails, dining daily throughout the summer and various special events. These include the 17th annual Arts and Crafts Festival on July 2; a concert and fireworks, July 4; Grand Lodge Flea Market, July 24; Battle of the Bands, Aug. 7; the Fl'n Gravity Fest and Festival of Flowers and Brew Fest, Aug. 13; and the Town Bonfire and S'mores, Aug. 27.
Brighton • The Big Cottonwood Canyon resort offers summer colors with nearby Silver Lake, and the Brighton Store offering fishing, hiking and refreshments.
Canyons • Beginning June 17, Canyons will be open seven days a week. New this summer is the opening of phase one of a mountain bike park, a zip line circuit, a guided hiking program leading day and overnight hikes, paddle boating on the reservoir, and 18-hole miniature golf in the resort village. In addition to these new activities, the resort will continue to offer gondola rides, lunch at Red Pine Café, mountain biking, disc golf, hiking, events and free concerts. The Farm, Red Tail Grill, and Red Pine Café will be open for dining and the Park City Farmer's Market will remain Wednesdays from noon to 6 p.m. in the Cabriolet parking lot. Canyons will also host a July 3 celebration with a free concert and firework show, and starting July 16 through Sept. 3 free Saturday evening concerts. Concerts include Anmders Osborne, July 23; Alejandro Escovedo, July 30; The Infamous Stringdusters, Aug. 6; the Smooth Money Gesture, Aug. 13; MarchForth Marching Band, Aug. 20; Bo Deans, Aug. 27; and Jackie Greene, Sept. 3.
Deer Valley • The resort opens daily on June 17, and continues through Labor Day before reopening for an additional weekend on Sept. 10 and 11, conditions permitting. The resort features more than 60 miles of lift-served mountain biking and hiking as well as scenic rides on three chair lifts, the addition of Ruby Express chair lift and an expanded trail system. Ride the Silver Lake Express chair lift or drive to the Royal Street Café for a mid-mountain meal on the deck. Royal Street Café will be open June 17 through Labor Day, serving lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. New this year, Deer Valley Grocery~Café serves on-site and to-go fresh baked pastries, specialty coffee drinks, soups, chilies, stews, salads, paninis, homemade breads and other bakery items. Enjoy the view and mountain air while dining lakeside on the outdoor deck. A limited variety of gourmet grocery items, specially prepared take-away entrees and desserts as well as wine, beer and liquor are available. Deer Valley Grocery~Café is open daily and located in the Deer Valley Plaza building in the Snow Park area. The Deer Valley Music Festival runs from July 16 through Aug. 13 at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Scheduled events include the Utah Symphony playing the Music of the Eagles, July 16; The Von Trapp Children on July 22; Chris Botti with the Utah Symphony, July 23; Time for Three, July 28; Idina Menzel and the Utah Symphony, July 30; Holst's The Planets, Aug. 5; Broadway Rocks II, Aug. 6; 1812 Overture, Aug. 12; and The Music of Queen, Aug. 13. The Big Stars Bright Nights Concert Series at the Deer Valley Snow Park Amphitheater include Thriving Ivory, July 3; Rosanne Cash, July 31; Playing for Change, Aug. 7; Goo Goo Dolls, Aug. 18; and Melissa Etheridge, Aug. 20. The Mountain Town Music Community Concert Series runs Wednesday evenings from June through September at Snow Park Amphitheater as well as other locations. For schedule, go to http://www.mountaintownmusic.org.
Eagle Point • The resort located east of Beaver operates Friday through Sunday until Labor Day, offering guests its Adventure: As You Wish program. Stay at the condos at Eagle Point or visit for the day while enjoying hiking, biking, fishing, paintball, mountain disc golf and fine dining at The Outpost Grill. Visit http://www.eaglepointresort.com for information on live entertainment and special events on Saturdays at The Outpost Grill.
Park City Mountain Resort • Family activities include the alpine slide, ZipRider, alpine coaster, lift-served mountain biking and hiking via PayDay and Town Lift, scenic chair lift rides, a climbing wall, the legacy launcher, Little Miner's Park and horseback riding.
Powder Mountain • The resort's big summer event is the third annual Monster Energy Powder Mountain Motocross scheduled Aug. 18 to 21. Powder Mountain will also offer Summer Safari 4 X 4 Adventure Tours as soon as the snow melts. The Powder Mountain Hill Climb will be held Saturday, starting at Wolf Creek Resort and climbing 3,300 vertical feet in six miles.
Snowbasin • Snowbasin will open for summer adventure on June 25. Needles Gondola will be in operation on Saturday and Sunday through September 5, for scenic gondola rides and access to hiking, mountain biking and dining. Dine mountaintop at the Needles Lodge on Saturday and Sunday, or have lunch at Earl's Lodge on Saturday. A barbecue with live music and cool mountain air on Earl's Patio is scheduled every Sunday afternoon. Snowbasin's single-track trails are well maintained and wind through scenic aspen groves and gladed pines. All levels of riding are available from the base with more than 26 miles of trails that connect to additional Forest Service trails for nearly 50 miles of adventure. Enjoy lower trails with shuttle service back to the base on the weekends. Snowbasin also offers a 9-hole disc golf course utilizing natural terrain features. There are no green fees. Rentals of disc golf equipment and high-performance bikes are also available in the Grizzly Center. Snowbasin will host an endurance mountain bike race, the Mt. Ogden 50/100K, on Aug. 27. The XTERRA USA Championships Sept. 24 and 25.
Snowbird • Summer activities kick off June 18 with the Brewfest and run through fall. Activities include a new ropes course, Wasatch Mining Company Gemstone Mine, a climbing wall, ZipRider, a bungee trampoline, a mechanical bull and an air jumper. The resort will also continue running the Aerial Tram and Peruvian express chair lift and tunnel to provide access to Hidden Peak, where the resort offers mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding and ATV tours.
Solitude • Solitude Mountain Resort will offer lift-served biking, hiking and disc golf Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning in early July. Scenic chair lift rides and uplift for hiking and mountain biking takes place on Solitude's Sunrise triple chair. From there, visitors can explore miles of single track on Diggler Scooters or mountain bikes, or explore some of the most geologically diverse terrain in the state by foot. Solitude's high alpine course also offers 18 holes of disc golf. On Saturdays and Sundays, brunch and dinner will be served at Kimi's Mountainside Bistro, or follow a guide on a short alpine hike to the Yurt at Solitude, where a chef prepares a four-course meal while guests watch the sun set on the Wasatch. For lighter fare, the Stone Haus Pizzeria & Creamery is open Wednesdays through Sundays for lunch or dinner, serving hand-crafted pizzas, barbecue food, Starbucks coffee, gourmet ice cream, salads, snacks and more.
Sundance • The Utah County resort offers hiking, either on your own or guided. Sundance Mountain Outfitters takes visitors to some of Sundance's most stunning terrain. Whether guests want to hike from the summit or explore new ground on the back mountain, these hikes are sure to please avid hikers. Lift-served mountain biking will be available. Sundance also offers scenic lift rides, including full moon lift rides, horseback riding and fly-fishing. The resort also will be offering "The Sound of Music" as its Sundance Summer Theater offering, starting July 29 and the Bluebird Cafe singer-songwriter concert series July 8, 15 and 22.
Utah Olympic Park • The Olympic Park's Freestyle Training Pool in Park City is home to several multiday Freestyle and Freeride Camps throughout the summer season. These camps and programs offered by FLY, AXIS and others provide progressive instruction for those interested in pursuing freestyle or freeride. Youth Development programs are also offered at Utah Olympic Park this summer in bobsled, skeleton, luge and ski jumping. The Flying Aces All-Star Show will be held on Saturdays starting this week through Labor Day.
Sources: Ski Utah, Park City Chamber of Commerce. —
Park City summer events
Last Friday of the month • Art Gallery Stroll, includes special exhibits and art events. During the June 24 kickoff, locals and visitors are encouraged to bring their dogs along.
> parkcitygalleryassociation.com
June 25 • 4th annual Savor the Summit, savorthesummit.com
July 4 • Includes a festive summer parade down Main Street at 11 a.m. followed by entertainment and fireworks.
July 7-10 • Park City Food & Wine Classic
> parkcityfoodandwineclassic.com
Aug. 4-7 • 42nd annual Kimball Arts Festival
> kimballartcenter.org/events/arts-festival-2011
June-September • Mountain Town Music Community Concert Series
> mountaintownmusic.org
June 12-Sept. 25 • Park Silly Sunday Market, Sundays, an open-air market and street festival
> parksillysundaymarket.com
June through Oct. • Park City Farmer's Market at Canyons, Wednesdays
> parkcityfarmersmarket.com
Aug. 9 • Tour of Utah, six-day road bike event that begins on Main Street
> tourofutah.com
Sept. 5 • Miner's Day Celebration including Running of the Balls, parade and city park activities
> parkcityrotary.org