CAMP WASATCH: Snow Not Needed

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We all knew Salt Lake City is special, not because of the particular religious sect here, but because of the mountain access. It is possible to spend a morning at work in downtown SLC, and then zip on up to the mountains for an afternoon run. Not too many metropolitan areas can claim that. But did you know the activities are even more vast and exciting in the summer?

A few weeks ago, Ski Utah, the state's winter tourism marketing arm, held Camp Wasatch for a number of ski reporters. Jess Kunzer, the Ski Utah communications director (a.k.a. counselor) offered her campers a whirlwind of fun. One of the four days offered these options: water ramping at Utah Olympic Park; training with athletes on the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Teams; alpine coaster ride at Park City Mountain Resort; Flying Ace All-Star show and bobsled ride at the Oly Park; food and wine festival at The Canyons; and finally a casino party held at the Mountain Center in Park City, where Rossignol, Roxy and Dynaster winter divisions are based. If that's not tiring enough, there were three other days. Below is a tour through what the SLC area has to offer -- in the summer. It's sad but true: Snow not needed, well, for now.

Deer Valley
What a place to start a four-day overnight camping experience, at the Grand Lodge atop Deer Valley Resort. So hot dogs and smores in front of a campfire? Yeah right, this is Deer Valley. More like a catered meal and nice wine. The Grand is exactly what you imagine when you think Deer Valley -- mountain living blended with luxury. Rates range from $1,250 per night for a two-bedroom condo up to $3,800 per night for a six-bedroom suite. www.resortswest.com. Ski bums don't panic, there are plenty of places to crash while visiting Deer Valley. Deer, also known for it's many mountain biking trails and fancy but relatively affordable food at Royal Street Café. www.deervalley.com.

Snowbasin/Wolf Creek/Brighton
Snowbasin is a place that the local rippers don't want to talk too much about because if they aren't skiing at Alta/Bird, they are here snorkel deep in pow. A 33-mile trip north of SLC, this place is just far enough away from the city crowds to be pleasantly cozy. It's a Sun Valley resort, too, which means it's deluxe. For example, gourmet cafeteria food, but unlike other ski areas, it's doesn't have any old cafeteria; it has a “dining room” at Needles. Summer fun includes a sweet Frisbee golf course and mountain biking galore, to name a couple options. The ski area recently took over the trails below the resort from the forest service, so that means 5,000-plus vertical from top to bottom of the mountain. www.snowbasin.com. After adventuring at the resort, Wolf Creek Adventures, based out of Wolf Creek Resort, picked up half the crew for a kayaking trip on the nearby Pineview Reservoir where there were osprey a flight and snakes a swimmin', oh my. www.wolfcreekresort.com. The other half of the campers headed to The Salomon Center in Ogden where they did some indoor sky diving and surfing in the wave pool. www.salomoncenter.com . Even after that long day, the crew headed to Brighton in Big Cottonwood Canyon to enjoy one of its outdoor summer concerts and hit up the popular Molly Green's bar. www.brightonresort.com.

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