Have you hung up your skis for the summer? Mine were hung up, loosely, but I knew that May would give me reason to once again pull them down off the rack. I had even gone far enough as to put my ski gear away for the summer. After the storm of these past few days I’ve since repented.

The skiing in Utah during May has been nothing short of amazing. Snowbird Resort is the last location to get some runs in and although many had hoped it would be a May filled with spring skiing conditions it has been more of a March style May with repeated storms throughout the month.

This past Friday as Snowbird opened the Peruvian Express, Mineral Basin Express and Little Cloud, I was there to enjoy the 17″ of new snow they had received. While the snow down low was a bit heavy by Utah standards the upper mountain was skiing like March with dry light powder to be had. “Fields of Powder” like in the image below was the norm all day with a small handful of skiers there.

Snowbird plans on staying open through June 1, 2008 and will open up the Tram on June 14 (weather permitting) for summer operations. Whether you plan on getting some spring skiing done or you’re anxious for some summer hikes the Wasatch Mountains are in great form right now.

Known as a premier destination for skiers, annually ranking top 5 for service, ski slopes, on mountain food and more, Deer Valley Resort is not to be missed.

Over the past decade Deer Valley has steadily added summer attractions like mountain biking, running and bike race events, and the not to be missed Deer Valley Music Festival. Yes, Deer Valley in the summer is not to be missed as a summer get away.

The Deer Valley Music Festival is an ongoing summer music festival often recognized as one of the premier outdoor venues to take in a symphony or more. The highlight for many is the July 4 Patriotic Celebration when the Utah Symphony performs “all of your red, white and blue favorites.” Like all of the

But don’t wait until July to get your tickets. They went on sale April 16 and there are still tickets available.

Although the July 4 concert is one many look forward to I’m personally excited to see the Utah Symphony on August 1st as they perform one of my favorite classical pieces - Dvorak’s New World Symphony. They will be joined by “Time for Three” for what I imagine will be an unforgettable evening. It should look a little like this:

Coming in from out of town for the Deer Valley Music Festival? Here’s a lodging option, walking distance from the concert.

Fawn Grove #3 is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath condo that can sleep up to 9. This is the view off the back deck. Hard to beat that!

As a follow up to my post the other day about the Triple Crown Girls Fastpitch World Series that is coming to Park City, I wanted to toss out a couple of lodging options.

These are larger accommodating options for families and/or teams who may want some extra space to stretch out and relax after the games:

Daly Avenue #2

Located just off of main street Park City this Daly Avenue #2 Townhome is close to the ball diamonds, shops and restaurants this is not only an affordable location but also hard to beat.

Features include:

• Sleeps 10
• Private hot tub
• 3 bath
• Washer-Dryer
• 3 TVs
• Wireless Internet

Bear Hollow #5

Located in between Kimball Junction and The Canyons Resort, Bear Hollow #5 is an easy 8 minute drive to the ball diamonds at the High School and provides plenty of space with views that will help the team wind down at the end of the night.

This home sleeps 12 with 4 bedrooms including a rare two master suites each with king sized beds. This is a great spot for a couple of families or half a team!

Other features include:

• Private Hot Tub
• 2 indoor jetted tubs
• Wireless Internet
• 2 big screen HDTV home theaters
• Foosball and Air Hockey tables in a game room
• Washer - Dryer

Regardless of where you stay for the Triple Crown World Series here in Park City, Utah Vacation Homes is sure to have a spot that will make you smile when coming home from the games, despite the final score.

Over the past few years the Triple Crown Softball tournament has come to Park City in the month of July. With summer temperatures in the 80’s, cool evenings, resort town feel and great facilities it’s an ideal location to play softball. Favor for Park City as a venue for tournaments built up over the years until in July of 2006 the World Series Girls Fast Pitch softball came to town.

This summer will once again welcome Triple Crown Girls Fastpitch World Series to Park City from July 7 through July 26. My sister grew up playing fast pitch softball and then went on to play in college for 4 years. Trust me when I say that this is a fun event, watching great young athletes with more enthusiasm and spirit than most other sports I’ve watched.

First up is the younger gals followed by the Skills Contests and then the the older girls take the stage with the College Placement All Star games finishing things up from July 22-26. It’s  a given that Park City will be a happening place during the month of July.

While a lot of teams will find lodging at a number of the area’s fine hotels, renting a house has become ever more popular given the schedule of the games and the desire to have a relaxed setting where an entire team could get together to eat, hang out, as well as prepare for upcoming games.  Check out Utah Vacation Homes for some additional options.

Let’s face it, extra space for a crew of players is a plus. Have you seen the amount of gear these girls bring to a tournament? You thought skiers were known to pack a ton of stuff. Hah!

image credit - the SportZoneIndy.com

For years Salt Lake locals and visitors have enjoyed Red Rock BrewPub and Restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City located on 200 West and about 200 South. It’s generally hopping during the lunch hour and evenings can mean waiting for a table, especially when large conventions are in town. Just over two years ago with the build out of the Redstone Center in the Kimball Junction area just outside of Park City, Red Rock made a great decision to open a second location to take advantage of the local and resort vacation scene.

I’ve easily eaten there a dozen times or more. Despite maintaining a steady stream of patrons, it’s pretty rare that I’ve had to wait for a table during lunch or evening hours. During the summer sitting on the patio is a great call to enjoy the sun with views of The Canyons Resort and plenty of people watching to be had.

Their burgers and sandwiches are great but I seem to migrate towards some sort of oven roasted pizza. Be sure to check the specials board for a creative pizza offering.

I was driving into Park City the other day and it was gorgeous outside with temperatures in the mid 60’s, blue skies with a few puffy clouds. I noticed the Olympic Sports park which was the location of the luge, bobsled, skeleton and Nordic jumping during the 2002 Winter Olympics. The ski jump is hard to miss when you’re on the outskirts of Park City heading into town or passing by on I-80 as I was.

Just below the jumps I saw Bear Hollow, a new neighborhood with homes and townhomes. Taking in the view of Park City, Kimball Junction and everything in between I thought to myself what an ideal vacation rental location it would make when visiting Park City during the summer or winter. Here are some benefits of staying in Bear Hollow:

• 2 minutes to The Canyons Resort for winter skiing or summer mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking and on mountain dining
• 2 minutes to the Olympic Sports Park to watch winter or summer jumping, bobsled, or you can check out the Utah Ski History Museum
• 2 minutes to Kimball Junction where there is dining at locations like Red Rock BrewPub as well as shopping and movies
• Speaking of shopping, you’re just 3 minutes from the outlet malls
• Immediate access to the Park City area trail system, one of the best mountain trail systems in the country
• 5 minutes to Park City for dining, skiing, summer concerts and other activities.

Since it’s a somewhat secluded neighborhood there is seldom many cars driving through giving it a private feeling. On warm summer evenings you can walk the neighborhood or hop on the public trail system.

Utah Vacation Homes has a number of townhomes and individual homes in Bear Hollow that are great vacation rental options. Properties sleep from 5 up to 11 people. Just because it’s not “in” town doesn’t mean you’re on the “outs” when it comes to having a premier place to stay.

While golfing and biking would be nice this time of the year, if May 1st dawns with 16″ of new snow at Snowbird there’s only one thing that should be done - go skiing.

Every year it seems that we get at least one good May powder day at Snowbird. As the longest open resort in Utah they are the benefactors of Mother Nature’s last effort to express her wintry self.

So after a digital session, cleaning out the inbox and getting a few things off the plate I headed up to delight in May’s arrival at Snowbird. A lot of the talk was about how awesome the spring skiing will be when spring skiing conditions finally arrive. Soon? Until then, I suppose untracked powder at Snowbird will have to do.

Sunsets this time of the year aren’t half bad either. A great finish to another great day in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains.