Did you know that a few days ago was the 70th anniversary of the start for Alta Ski Area? On October 19, 1938, the Forest Service issued the initial permit to construct a lift at Alta. That December Alta officially opened as a ski area with the first official day of skiing on January 15, 1939.

Since that opening day, Alta has gained a world wide reputation for deep powder skiing and amazing views that are only rivaled by resorts in Europe.

With its top elevation at 10,550′ and sitting up the famous Little Cottonwood Canyon, Alta seems to get the Lion’s share of snow each year with annual totals generally topping 500″ (that’s nearly 42 FEET).

The layout of the resort is unique and often holds powder stashes that only those in the know or those curious enough to explore will find.

Alta Ski Area Lodging Options

Staying at Alta is great if you’re all about the skiing but it can be somewhat limiting if you’re planning on eating out or if you’re looking for something larger than a hotel room.

There are a number of Utah Vacation Homes lodging options near the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon but here are two that I wanted to point out:

Oaks at Wasatch #7

The Oaks at Wasatch #7 (one of 7 unique properties at the Oaks that Utah Vacation Homes offers) is a very nice property just 15 minutes from Alta and close to some great dining locations.  You’re also only 20 minutes from Solitude Mountain Resort in Big Cottonwood Canyon so this location is primo!  With 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, and 3200 square feet, this townhome sleeps 12.

Kings Hill #4

Kings HIll #4 is a nicely furnished 1700 square foot townhome that is also 15 minutes from Alta. The 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths will accommodate 8 comfortably, but adjacent units can be rented to accommodate large groups.

With snow on the way I hope to see you at Alta this winter!

This is part of our “Hot Tub with a View” series which features properties whose hot tub has a view worth talking about.

When coming to Utah for skiing in Big or Little Cottonwood Canyon few locations give you better “front row” access to Snowbird, Alta, Brighton and Solitude than Canyon Racquet Club.  Located on Wasatch Boulevard a stones throw from the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, the Canyon Racquet Club is tucked away in a quiet setting with views of the valley and the immediate mountains to the east.

Utah Vacation Homes offers 8 different properties within Canyon Racquet Club and one of the most recent re-modeled units is Canyon Racquet Club B4.

When I first walked into this property to get the hot tub view images I was very surprised by it’s size and by the modern, clean look of the place.  Speaking of modern, the hot tub is a very new 7 passenger hot tub with back massage for each station.  It’s plush!

(Click above image for larger size)
B4 sleeps 10 and has 4 bedrooms, one of them perfect for families due to the bunk beds.  Other features of this property include:

Admittedly, the summertime view from this hot tub isn’t as phenomenal as say the Crossings at Solitude due to the trees (which provide some nice privacy), but in the winter when the trees have lost their leaves the views of the Wasatch Mountains to the east are hard to beat.   Add to that the new hot tub and very nice condo and you’ll be looking to remodel your own place when you get home!

Here in Utah the first snow has fallen but the warm autumn days have long since melted it away, bringing instead fall colors to the upper reaches of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.  Over the next few weeks the cooler nights and shorter days will help to spur the changing of colors.

I was up in Big Cottonwood Canyon the other day and saw that the leaves are already changing.

If you’re looking for a fall get away to enjoy the cool evening temperatures and beauty of Utah’s Wasatch mountains you should consider one of the Crossings at Solitude which is a very nice Townhouse in the Solitude Resort Village and just a couple miles from where the above images were taken.

It sleeps up to 14 in 4 bedrooms so the entire family or even two families could relax and take in the mountain views.

If you make it into the mountains and get some pictures of the fall colors, e-mail us an image to post on the blog - info@utahvacationhomes.com

Utah is known as a place of families so it only makes sense that it’s also a popular destination for family reunions. From the southern part of the state with the many National Parks to northern Utah with the Wasatch Mountains, there are so many options when it comes to activities.

If you’re going to be bringing together a large family and are looking for something in the Salt Lake Valley that will give you good access to the mountains, to Thanksgiving Point, to downtown Salt Lake or nearby golf and other recreation, then one of the premier Utah Vacation Homes properties that is a great fit for large family reunions is the Jordan Valley Estate.

The Jordan Valley Estate in the Salt Lake Valley gives your family a great place to house everyone with the closeness of everything Salt Lake has to offer while having enough space and things to do on site that you may never leave.

Consider the pool where your family could stay all day and all night. From the property description:

Enjoy the huge Las Vegas style swimming pool with 7 water falls, 30 ft water-slide, a grotto (cave) that you can swim inside, hot tub inside the grotto, mood lighting, and kiddie pool. This amazing pool will give you and your guests days of amazing pleasure.

Add to that the six bedrooms, 2 dining rooms, 2 living rooms and 2 kitchens and this estate will not disappoint. The master bedroom alone is bigger than many condos and will have you dreaming of a remodel when you get home!

Additional Jordan Valley Estate Features

Some of its features include:

• Game room with pool table, air hockey, foosball, indoor basketball game and more
• Theater room - state of the art projector and sound system
• Multiple outdoor living spaces with grills
• Outdoor pool with 30′ water slide and seven foot waterfall
• Outdoor fire pit
• Central location to a wide variety of outdoor

For a Family Reunion in Salt Lake that you’ll not soon forget, the Jordan Valley Estate is worth checking out.

Earlier this week I posted on how to beat the summer heat by going to Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon.  The activities in those areas are not limited to what was in the post and you can easily spend more time in either place. 

One thing I love about Big Cottonwood Canyon is the wildlife.  On several occasions I’ve seen moose, deer, and beavers.  This photo of a moose crossing a driveway was taken from Bear Trap Lodge.  

Bear Trap Lodge is a 5 bedroom cabin located approximately 13 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon not far from Guardsman Pass which takes you into Park City and the Heber Valley.   It is close to hiking, biking, fishing, and Frisbee golf and also has an abundance of activities on site including a game room with Pool Table and Ping Pong.  This cabin is ideal for a weekend getaway and works well for Family Reunions, Girlfriend Getaways, and Man-cations.

Another reason to stay at Bear Trap Lodge this summer is the hot deal running for the rest of the summer, which is $100 off the nightly rate.  This makes the nightly rate, $499,  hard to beat on accommodations for 24 people.

Getting to your vacation’s final destination should be the easy part, be it Park City, Salt Lake City or one of the Utah ski resorts. From the time you land in Salt Lake City until the time you leave, the transportation side of things should be your last worry. While renting a car is an option for some, for a seamless experience in getting you from point A to point B Utah Vacation Homes relies on Park City Transportation.

Although the company name is Park City Transportation, Utah Vacation Home guests have used PCT on many occasions in and out of Park City from their signature airport transportation to day trips to any of Utah’s world famous ski resorts like Snowbird, Snowbasin or The Canyons. They utilize a fleet of new and well maintained Chevrolet passenger vans. Having been in these shared ride vans from the airport to Park City I can attest that they are clean and comfortable in addition to being driven by courteous drivers.  It was also rewarding to know that aside from my personal car not being in use that a number of others who were in that van with me were also sparing the roads and the atmosphere one more vehicle in use.

If you are looking for something a bit more private for a family or group, check out their Elite service. Utilizing Cadillac Escalade’s for this service, you’re sure to enjoy a private and very comfortable ride wherever your final destination may be.  Bling included!

Utah Vacation Home customers can get Free Taxi service when booking a round trip service to Park City from Salt Lake International Airport just 35 minutes from Park City. Once in Park City you’ll have no need for additional transportation.  That way you’ll focus on the fun…your vacation!

–Check out all of Park City Transportation’s rates to determine what service you’ll book for your next trip to Utah.

It’s official, spring is here. Springtime in Utah is really something else. Definitely reason to travel weather you’ve had a winter vacation or not. Kids take spring breaks, why shouldn’t you? Plus, spring rates for lodging in the Salt Lake Area with Utah Vacation Homes are near rock bottom.

During springtime in Utah locals like to celebrate the passing of winter and the arrival of spring in one fail swoop with the Utah Spring Triathlon. It’s not the type of triathlon that you may be thinking. And while it’s not an organized sort of triathlon, there are plenty of participants.

Looking at the next 10 days forecast Sunday through Wednesday look ideal. You’d be wise to bring a crew of friends or family.

It goes something like this: Ski - Bike - Golf

Ski

Snowbird still has a 140″ base depth of snow! If like me you’re having a hard time picturing just how deep 140″ is let me put it into perspective for you. This would be like having Kobe Bryant stand on Shaq’s shoulders with Kobe’s head being the only thing showing above the snow. Yes, it’s still that deep!

With Snowbird open daily through May 11 and then Friday-Sunday until Memorial Day, getting a morning of spring skiing in is so easy given that Snowbird is only 15 minutes from Sandy where Utah Vacation Homes has plenty of homes available for rental.  You’re likely to have the mountain to yourself this time of the year so spread your elbows and enjoy the views.

Bike

The second leg of this triathlon is the bike.  The trails and roads are dry enough around Salt Lake this time of the year that regardless of what type of biking you’re craving there’s a destination waiting for. Mid day temps in the Salt Lake Valley are in the mid 60’s to mid 70’s this time of the year and will only be getting warmer as we slip into May.  If dirt is your thing, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is a good call this time of the year.

Golf

Finishing out the Utah Springtime Triathlon with a round of golf as evening arrives is a relaxing way to end the day. The sun doesn’t set until nearly 8pm so you’ve got time for at least a round of nine. Old Mill Golf Course, located near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon is affordable and close by. The back nine is definately more exciting and scenic. Either way you go I’d recommend getting a cart as the front 9 is long with a couple of hills that your legs may reject given you’ve skied and biked already today.

To cap the day grab a seat at the Porquipine Pub and Grill after which you can enjoy the hot tub at your rented condo or home, watching the sun set on another perfect spring day in Utah.