OR - Outdoor Retailer Ends, Mountain Time in Alta Begins

The 2008 Outdoor Retailer show wrapped up today here in Salt Lake City Utah. The show gets pretty quiet on the last day and booths shut down at 3PM. I did see this cool product while walking the floor. Yakima will be releasing a roof box that will have an interior LED light that is powered by a small solar panel on top. Even your roof rack can be green now.

Now that the show is over I have headed up into the mountains just East of Salt Lake City. Only 40 minutes from the SLC airport lies a beautiful mountain valley sprinkled with world class ski resorts. Alta is the name of the community, and let me tell you, Summer is a beautiful time to be here.

Visiting Snowbird Resort was first on the agenda here. Snowbird is a year round resort that has a comprehensive activity center for summer outdoor sports. A climbing wall, bungee swings, zip lines, mountain biking, hiking, and bird watching are just a sampling of the fun they offer. I took their tram to the 11,000 foot summit of Snowbird mountain. Your descent of this steep peak can take many forms. You can switchback down the snowcat roads on your mountain bike. You can meander the trails on foot. There are even ATVs you can rent and play with on the opposite side of the peak in Mineral Basin.

I dined at the Steak Pit tonight with a group. This is the resorts oldest restaurant. It is an award winning establishment and this is apparent with the first bite of one of the premium steaks they serve. I’m usually avoid red meat, but in this case I’d like to shake the chef and the meat suppliers hands.

Alta Lodge is a where I am staying tonight. This fixture was the first lodge in the valley, and was built in 1939. The lodge is still owned by the same family and a sense of pride swells when the staff relays the heritage of this unique place. This is the kind of joint where you won’t find a TV in your room, which is a nice way to relax and detach a bit. Don’t get the impression that the lodge is locked into a bygone era, it still boasts WiFi for those who want to stay in touch. They also have a great program of ski clinics and even yoga camps to keep you busy when you’re not taking in the amazing view.

Ski towns are often overlooked during the summer as families run to the beaches.That is truly a shame. There are so many amazing mountain activities that can be enjoyed in a village like Alta and if you get an opportunity it should be on your short list.

3 comments August 11th, 2008