Head to the mountains of Utah for an adventurous summer retreat. – By Ashley Breeding
Adventure and culture seekers looking to escape the the coast this summer need look no further than Deer Valley Resort. Nestled peacefully in the Wasatch Range in popular Park City—famed for its outdoor recreation, rich history, art and music scenes, fabulous shopping and bustling nightlife—the alpine ski resort is the ideal location to relax and explore, with an abundance of upscale amenities.
While the area may be best known among winter sports enthusiasts for its exhilarating alpine slopes (a site of the 2002 Winter Olympics, the nearly 400-acre Utah Olympic Park now serves as a year-round competition and training ground for high performance athletes), there is just as much to enjoy during the warmer months, when many of the area’s ski lifts and runs are converted into miles of magical hiking and biking trails. Thrill seekers will find their adrenaline rush on the elevated alpine coaster—think winding downhill roller coaster with mountain views, zip lines through some of the area’s most spectacular scenery, hot air balloon rides and 300 miles of world-class mountain biking terrain.
Those in favor of outdoor fun—sans the fright—can enjoy more mellow activities such as golfing, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking and fly-fishing at the nearby Jordanelle Reservoir and Provo and Green Rivers, which are at their most beautiful in the summer months. Snowmelt also makes for some exciting summertime rapids for water adventurers who want to white water raft or river kayak.
Immerse yourself in the city’s culture with museum and gallery tours, and by tuning into the local music scene on historic Main Street, where you’ll find more than 100 quaint restaurants and pubs, including Utah’s first microbrewery (Wasatch Brew Pub) and the state’s only whiskey mill. A deeper look into the town’s history can be observed at the Park City Museum and local mining trails, but even the façade of the old storefronts in town gives a glimpse into the days of yore, when Park City was a silver mining town. The season will also play host to the 10-week Deer Valley Music Festival outdoor concert series, boasting entertainment from the Utah Symphony, Broadway and opera stars. Dubbed as the arts capital of the Rocky Mountains, Park City will also showcase an array of talented artists from Aug. 2 – 5 during the Kimball Arts Festival, in addition to the work of many that can be found in Main Street’s many art galleries. Performing arts-lovers can also visit The Egyptian Theater, which produces a variety of musicals and other theatrical productions throughout the season.
As charming as the town itself are the many shops and boutiques that dot its streets. Since the 1800s when merchants began selling to miners, Main Street has remained Park City’s prized shopping district. Find everything from fine fashion apparel, ski attire and jewelry to antiques, souvenirs and books from more than 70 of the area’s retailers. LBM
