With valley temperatures creeping into triple digits, getting away from the city and heading for the hills is more than appealing.
This year, Ski Magazine rated four Utah ski resorts among the top 25 in the nation this year: Snowbasin, Alta, Solitude and Snowbird.
While there's no snow on the slopes this time of year, the trails and lifts are still functioning.
Mountain bikers can descend the mountainside, hikers can climb the trails, and those wanting a scenic experience out of the stifling heat can take a ski lift to the top of the mountain.
For those looking to kick back and relax in the fresh (cooler) air, there are many ski lift rides available throughout the state. Here's a quick guide to get started.
Northern Utah
Tucked away in the east mountains of Ogden is one of Utah's best-kept secrets: Snowbasin Resort. The high-alpine bowls and gentle slopes welcome skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels in the winter.
And in the summer, their 26 miles of trails are a dream for bikers and hikers — especially when the Needles Gondola can transport them to the top.
At 8,600 feet in elevation, the reprieve from the heat is worth the short drive. Located about 40 minutes north of Salt Lake City, Snowbasin is one of the more accessible resorts.
If biking and hiking aren't on the itinerary, consider visiting for Sunday brunch. The restaurant is located at the top of the Needles Gondola, making the view and experience that much more memorable. Brunch is served every Sunday at the Needles Lodge from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The whole family can enjoy Snowbasin's summer activities, including mini golf, trail races, and the Blues and Brews festivals.
To buy scenic lift tickets or check out their summer activities, visit Snowbasin.com.
Southern Utah
Those in the sweltering summer heat in Southern Utah will love getting away to Brian Head's 9,600 feet. The resort boasts the highest base elevation of any ski area in Utah.
Unlike the Northern Utah ski resorts, you can relax and view the expansive red rock landscapes from Brian Head's Giant Steps lift. The high-speed quad chairlift can take bikers and hikers to the top of the mountain for a scenic and adventurous day.
Those who want a leisurely day at the resort can play an 18-hole disc golf course, take a ride on a mini zipline, practice archery, scale a climbing wall, go adventure tubing, and bounce around on a bungee trampoline.
Starting this month, Brian Head is open every day until Aug. 10. After that, Brian Head scenic chairlift rides will be offered on weekends through Sept. 29. Visit their website to buy your tickets and explore summer activities.
Cottonwood Canyons
Little Cottonwood Canyon
Snowbird, just a 40-minute drive from Salt Lake City, is known for its stunning views of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Taking the aerial tram ride up the mountainside is a must when visiting Snowbird. The tram climbs 2,900 vertical feet to the top of Hidden Peak, which sits at 11,000 feet in elevation. You might even feel a little chilly at the top!
From the tram, visitors can check out the beautiful wildflowers blooming in Mineral Basin. The adventurous can hike down the mountainside to the Peruvian Express lift.
There's something for everyone at Snowbird in the summer. Their alpine slide, mountain coaster, ZipWhipper climbing wall, ropes course, bungee jump, tubing, gem panning, climbing walls, fishing and more will keep the most restless kids (and adults) happy and busy.
Starting August 9, visitors can enjoy tasty German food, music, and entertainment every weekend through October 12 at the Oktoberfest festivals.
Check out the Snowbird website for tickets and more information.
Big Cottonwood Canyon
In Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton sits at the very top. If your car has a thermometer, watch the temperature steadily drop as you climb the mountain — sometimes as much as 20 degrees!
Brighton has no shortage of outdoor fun and scenery. There are plenty of hikes with beautiful mountain lakes at the top, including Lake Mary and Lake Catherine. Take the four-person Majestic Chairlift for wildflower viewing, hiking, or disc golf.
Catch a ride on the lift for $15 now through mid-September. Tickets for the bike park lifts are going quickly — reserve yours now before they're sold out.
Also located in Big Cottonwood Canyon is Solitude Mountain Resort. Their three ski lifts offer incredible views of the canyon, and the Sunrise lift even leads to a couple of free disc golf courses.
Good news for those with kids: Children 4 years old and younger ride free with the purchase of an adult lift ticket. So take the whole family up to Solitude for a day or night of scenic views and fresh air!
In addition to the lift rides, bikers will have a blast riding Solitude's new mountain bike park. You can take the lift to the top and coast down the mountainside on both challenging and scenic trails. If you don't have a bike, you can rent one (for adults and kids) at the base of the Moonbeam lift.
There's something going on nearly every day at Solitude this summer. Thursday night movie series, Saturday morning yoga and live music on Sundays are just a few. Check their event calendar for dates and further information.
Park City Area
Deer Valley
Catch incredible sights of Summit County and the entire Park City area at Deer Valley. The Silver Lake Express, Sterling Express and Homestake Express lifts run all summer long. Mountain bike, hike, or simply enjoy the views and cool air at about 8,100 feet elevation.
The Mid-Mountain lift starts at Snow Park Lodge and takes visitors to the Silver Lake Village area. For those wanting full access to all three lifts, get the Summit Lift ticket.
Right now, you can get one free kid's ticket (ages 5-12) with each paying adult!
In the summer months, a few of the many Deer Valley activites include:
- Paddleboarding.
- Adventure camps for kids.
- Mountain bike park.
- Twilight concerts.
- Horseback riding.
See the Deer Valley summer calendar for more information about activities, concerts, culinary tastings, and beer festivals.
Park City Mountain
Park City Mountain offers several scenic chairlift rides with the option to hop off and go hiking.
Catch a ride on either the Town, Payday or Crescent Lifts for a picturesque view of the valley. If you'd rather try the gondola, hop on the Red Pine Gondola from Canyons Village.
Lifts run daily in the summer months, and children 4 and under are eligible for a complimentary scenic lift ticket.
In addition to the lift rides, Park City Mountain hosts many other fun activities. There's a weekly farmers market on Wednesdays and various concerts at Canyons Village.
Kids and adults alike will love screaming down the side of the mountain on the Mountain Coaster or Alpine Slide. Ramp up the adrenaline with a ride on the zip line! Adults will love the 18-hole golf course at Canyons Village, and kids can practice their putting at the mini-golf nearby.
Utah Valley
Located up the winding Provo Canyon is the secluded and scenic Sundance Resort.
To escape the heat and immerse yourself in greenery, make the short drive from Provo to the resort. Not only does Sundance have their ski lifts running throughout the summer for scenic rides and mountain bike hauls, they also have the Full Moon Lift Rides.
Every month through October, the lift runs at night under the full moon—and only when there's a full moon.
When you're not hiking one of the nearby trails or relaxing on a lift, Sundance has plenty of other activities to keep you busy. Here are some of the many:
- Art classes.
- Spa treatments.
- Fly fishing.
- Horseback riding.
- Live music.
- Summer theatre shows.
- Zip lines.
- Mountain biking.
See their full list of events and activities happening this summer on the Sundance Resort website.
Schedule your scenic (and cooler) fun
Beat the heat with incredible views and fun activities this summer at one of Utah's incredible ski resorts. Most resorts offer ticket purchases online, which could save you time and possibly money.
To find a resort close to you, check out Ski Utah's list of all the ski resorts throughout the state.
