46From wine varietals to panoramic vistas, on the ground or in the air, the “Wasatch Back” offers tremendous trekking opportunities for all ages and abilities. From the backcountry to historic Main Street, travel guides offer adventures for foodies, historians, athletes and those interested in seeing Park City from a completely different angle, like the air! Whatever your interest, these
top-notch tour guides will customize experiences and help you make lasting memories in the mountains.

SkiUtah offers the Interconnect tour. According to local backcountry skier Kara Brechwald, “It is the only way to ski six areas in one day with access through pristine backcountry.” With expert guides trained in snow safety, this is a perfect adventure for advanced to expert skiers. Private tours are also available.

Rob Newey, of Park City Ghost Tours, describes the former mining town’s spooky haunters: “No one lived a rougher life than the miners. Many of our early residents died untimely and difficult deaths; some of them are still hanging around.” Based on personal histories and real-life ghost encounters, city strolls begin nightly in Miners’ Park. Reservations required.

Tour Utah’s National Parks with professional pilots from Utah Airways. From the Heber Airport, it’s just a few hours to the monuments in southern Utah. This day trip gives guests the opportunity to experience all of the magnificent scenery in the state — from the snow-covered mountains to red rock terrain.

Surrounded by 10+ miles of trails, snowshoeing at the Swaner Preserve is a naturist’s dream. Guests can take a self-guided or docent-led tour through the Preserve’s EcoCenter, which also features a wetland- themed indoor climbing wall.

46bAscend through the crisp air in a hot air balloon to see what’s really up in Park City. Family-owned and-operated PC Balloon Adventures accommodates groups from 2-30. The balloon is able to fly low enough to take-in both the expansive landscape and its native wildlife, including moose and elk.

Utah Wine Tours takes you out and about to taste locally crafted wine, beer, and spirits. Your hosts will pick you up and drop you off to ensure a relaxed and safe adventure. Wendy Giamchetta notes, “It’s all about celebrating the local folks and a little history with great food, too.”

Park City Food Tours conducts walking tours of historic Main Street for a real “taste” of Park City. Escorting guests to the most renowned restaurants in town, the
guide points out galleries and shares town trivia. Locals and visitors alike agree that “this is a food tour worth traveling for.”

47bLuna Lobos Dog Sledding and Pawsatch Mushing offer dog sled rides through beautiful trails and mountain meadows. Their four-legged athletes include Alaskan Malamutes, Huskies, and Iditarod rescue dogs. Both kennels provide opportunities to meet and greet the dogs, learn about the sport, and have fun.

47High West Distillery recently celebrated the grand opening of its 30,000-square- foot, world-class western whiskey distillery. This third location is on Blue Sky Ranch in nearby Wanship
— a 3,500-acre working cattle ranch (luxury accommodations and venues are in the works). In the meantime, check out Blue Sky’s new yurt camp. Educational tours and a visitor center (with tastings!) are now open.

With oft-changing weather in the Wasatch Back, all of these tours are dependent on the snow conditions. Please check with individual tour operators to make reservations.

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