5 Reasons We Love Alta in the Summer

There’s plenty of reasons to love Alta in the winter — obviously, it’s a ski-lovers paradise. But Alta’s wonders don’t stop when summertime starts. The region comes alive with natural beauty — and summer activities and events (like our annual Lawn Games) make sure there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Plus, for the first time in Alta’s 80-year history, you can now enjoy lift-served hiking. Talk about a view! Here’s a look at a few of our “staff favorites” for enjoying the Alta summer.

1. Mountain Biking at Snowbird: Snowbird Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon offers two single-track loops. Or, you can ride the gravel tram road to the top of the mountain for a climbing challenge. Beginner and intermediate riders will like the Easy Loop. Whether you’re an expert rider, beginner or love a great climbing challenge, there’s a trail for every skill level. Don’t forget to slow down and enjoy the view!

2. Wasatch Wildflower Festival: The Wasatch Wildflower Festival is a four-day event hosted at the four Cottonwood Canyon Ski Areas to celebrate the beauty and diversity of wildflowers. Guided walks and activities are designed to reinforce careful stewardship and awareness of the ecology of the watershed environment. The festival comes to Alta on Saturday, July 28, where both children and adults can enjoy guided walks and live music in the great outdoors.

3. Yoga in the Mountains: Breathe in the beauty, breathe out your worries. This one-hour yoga class encourages a breath-to-movement flow accompanied by meditative poses that stretch and strengthen — uniting mind, body and spirit. Held Mondays at Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge, it’s a beautiful way to commune with nature … and let it all go.

4. Camping in the Albion Basin: Albion Basin Campground, just 15 miles from Sandy, Utah, is set among shady white pines and aspens in its beautiful namesake basin in Little Cottonwood Canyon. The basin is renowned for its vivid summer wildflowers and tranquil surroundings — moose and deer frequent the basin, and mountain goats can often be seen on the steep face of Devils Castle, just south of the basin’s campground. Pitch a tent, go for a hike and revel in the ultimate natural escape.

5. Fishing in the Cottonwood Canyons: The Wasatch Front is a mecca for hiking trails in Big and Little Cottonwood canyons. And while taking in the natural splendor of a sea of wildflowers is a draw, locals like to shake things up and spend the day fishing the many lakes found in the area. In addition to reeling in a great catch (Silver Lake, for example, is regular stocked with brook trout and rainbow trout), two of the most popular wildlife attractions for hikers and anglers are the occasional Shiras moose and the many mountain bird species found along the trails.