UTAH OLYMPIC PARK

While the Utah Olympic Park is best known for hosting the bobsled, skeleton, luge and ski jumping events during 2002 Winter Olympic Games, it is also known as an exciting, adrenaline pumping destination during the summer months.

On weekends from June to September, you can catch Olympians and the U.S. National Team soaring up to 60 feet in the air as part of their choreographed Flying Ace All-Star Freestyle Show. It may even inspire you enough to try it yourself—that’s an option!

Other adrenaline-inducing activities include extreme tubing (which shoots you down a ski jump on an inflated innertube), the alpine slide, extreme ziplining (a 50-mph ride from the edge of the K120 ski jump down the mountain), and the 65-foot tall drop tower, an advanced activity that starts with a 377-foot long zipline and ends with a freefall rappel. There’s also a number of challenging ropes courses for different skill levels, scenic chairlift rides and an air bag jump—all of which are included with the day-long Summer Gold Pass.

While the bobsled is a separate ticket item, it’s certainly worth the upgraded purchase. In the summer months, bobsleds are modifi ed to slide down the curving concrete track, but don’t expect that to slow down the ride. Ice or not, you’ll still reach speeds of 60 mph, pulling up to three g-forces.

For those who enjoy life in the slower lanes, guided tours of the park, nearby hiking and mountain biking trails and the George Eccles 2002 Olympic Games Museum and interactive Alf Engen Ski Museum are also options at the park.
utaholympiclegacy.org

SOLDIER HOLLOW

While perhaps best known by locals for its winter recreation—everything from its tubing hill to scenic snowshoeing and major international sporting events—Soldier Hollow is equally as exciting in the summer months when the venue transforms into a veritable playground for trail runners, mountain bikers, roller-skiers, adventure racers, and elite four-legged athletes.

Every Labor Day Weekend the Soldier Hollow Sheepdog Classic takes place. This event brings some of the world’s fi nest sheepdogs and handlers from Europe, South America, North America, and Africa to compete in this exclusive event. Other highlights include a high-flying splash dog competition, exotic animal show, raptors exhibition, training demonstrations and more.

Those on two legs can discover the thrill and challenge of an authentic biathlon experience on the 2002 Olympic Range. There’s also a week-long summer camp for kids where small but aspiring Olympians are coached by professionals to shoot with precision rifl es similar to those used during the Olympic Games.

Visitors can also take advantage of the nine-mile mountain bike loop and three-kilometer roller-ski loop or explore the venue on horseback. Soldier Hollow also boasts an award-winning day lodge which can be rented for weddings, conferences, family gatherings, and private events.

With so much going on at Solider Hollow, there’s no need to wait until Utah (hopefully) plays host to another Olympic Games. The venue is still active, relevant, and loaded with one-of-a-kind experiences all year long.
utaholympiclegacy.org/location/soldier-hollow

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