It doesn’t get too much greener than this! Mountain biking is a clean, efficient and sustainable way to get around. Plus, exploring Utah’s cities, foothills, deserts and mountains by bike gives you a rush that fuels your muscles and your senses. Charging the trail, endorphins explode throughout your body, a powerful reminder that you’re alive!
Compete in your favorite sport—or try out a new one—at the 25th annual Utah Summer Games. By Molly Newman
All through the summer months, Utah plays host to dozens of marathons, cycling races and other competitions. But whether you're a serious athlete or a weekend warrior, one event stands out from the pack: the Utah Summer Games. From June 9-27 this year, nearly 10,000 athletes will come together in the southwestern corner of the state to try their skills in sports from archery to wrestling.
What makes the Summer Games different? For one, they're affiliated with the U.S. Olympic Committee. And for participants, that means a chance to experience the pomp and circumstance of the “real” Olympics, without the years of single-minded training. “The opening ceremonies [scheduled for June 10 this year] include an athlete march, fireworks and a torch lighting ceremony,” says Casey McClellan, executive director of the Games. “It’s a chance to come together with other athletes and celebrate the spirit of true, fair competition.”
The parks of the Wasatch are as varied as the peaks that surround them. Each resort offers freestyle terrain features of different skill levels to accommodate a wide range of riders.
When you mention Utah to most people, images of chest deep powder and sickeningly steep lines usually comes to mind. However, nestled in the Wasatch’s most popular resorts, is a microcosm of jibs, rails, boxes and pipes waiting to be shredded. In fact, riders from around the world come to Salt Lake and Park City every winter to immerse themselves in what these parks have to offer. Even Olympian Shaun White makes his presence felt when he soars above the 22-foot high walls of Park City Mountain Resort’s massive half-pipe. Don’t worry though; you don’t have to be a sponsored athlete to enjoy most features in Utah’s parks.
Since the early 1900s, when people began sliding around on skis for fun instead of transportation, people have come to Utah to find some of the best skiing on Earth. The steep alpine terrain and ample snowfall makes Utah a haven for professional and recreational skiers alike. But with the influx of new skiing residents and the ever-increasing hoards of tourists, the resorts are busting at the seams. During the holiday seasons it’s not uncommon to have a 40-minute wait looking for parking plus ticket and lift lines. Unless you’re an early riser or an insomniac, the likelihood of getting to the mountain before the masses is slim. Though good for the local economy, the hassle can be taxing. Fortunately there’s an excellent alternative available for those willing to work a little bit harder and learn a little bit more, the backcountry!
