Local Area Guide: Things to do / Activities / Attractions

YOUR RECREATION GUIDE

Skiing and snowboarding.  The Valley boasts 3 ski resorts, each with its own personality. Snowbasin (http://www.snowbasin.com, 888-437-5488, Snow Report: 801-620-1100), A Sun Valley Resort was the site of the 2002 Olympic alpine speed events.

 Powder Mountain (http://powdermountain.com, 801-745-3772, Snowline: 801-745-3771) has the most skiable terrain in the United States and only relies on Mother Nature for snow.  Wolf Creek Utah Ski Resort, (http://www.wolfcreekutah.com/the-mountain.php, 801-745-3511) a much smaller resort, targets families and learners. 

Looking for more adventure?  Heliskiing is also available in the Valley with Craig Olson of Diamond Peak Heliskiing (801-745-4631).  Diamond Peak (801-745-0101) is also your source for ski/snowboard equipment rentals as well as bicycle rentals during our fair weather seasons!

Snowmobiling.  The Monte Cristo area east of Huntsville is one of the most popular snowmobiling sites in Utah with miles of groomed trails.  There is room to park your trailer while you explore spectacular back country terrain, or you can rent snowmobiles on site or through Club Rec (http://www.clubrecnorth.com/, 801-614-0500)

Snowshoeing.  Many of the dozens of trails winding through the valley are suitable for snowshoeing.  Check out the Weber Pathways map   interactive map (http://www.weberpathways.org ) or printed copies are available within the in room vacation guide and at most valley retailers for information on trail location and difficulty.  Or, when the ice is thick, take a trek across Pineview Reservoir.  

Cross-country skiing.  Many of the summer hiking trails are suitable for cross-country skiing.  However, if you don’t want to break your own trails, there are two excellent venues for groomed trails.  Snowbasin offers 26 kilometers of trails that are groomed for classic and skate-style skiing.  Equipment rental and instruction are available at Snowbasin.  North Fork Park  (http://www.ogdennordic.com/north-fork-park ) in Liberty also offers 20 km of groomed (classic style) trails.  Although there is no charge for cross-country skiing, the Ogden Nordic, the volunteer group that grooms the trails at North Fork, asks for a voluntary donation. 

Water sports.  Pineview Reservoir is popular for motor boating, sailing, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, swimming and jet skiing.  Boats can be launched from the Port Ramp, Cemetery Point and Anderson Cove.  The most popular swim beaches are Cemetery Point, Anderson Cove and Middle Inlet.  Club Rec (http://www.clubrecnorth.com,  801-614-0500) is your source of watersport equipment rentals.  Whitewater kayaking is popular in the Weber River near Morgan.  When the water is high, the Ogden River offers great whitewater through Ogden Canyon.  There is also a kayak park in nearby Ogden. 

Golf.  Wolf Creek Resort’s championship golf course (http://www.wolfcreekutah.com/lifestyle/golf.php   801-745-3365) has been the site of numerous championships, including the 2005 Utah State Amateur and the Utah Tournament of Champions.  It is open to the public on a daily green fee basis, and memberships are available.  While staying with Valley Escapes, Discount golf rates are available.  Golf instruction is available from Wolf Creeks PGA pros and we can provide discounted golf rates.

In addition to Wolf Creek, there are a dozen or more courses within a short drive of the Valley. 

Fishing.  Fly fishing for Rainbow and brown trout is especially popular along the North and South Forks of the Ogden River as well as the main branch through Ogden Canyon Pineview Reservoir has been designated a Utah Blue Ribbon Fishery due to its high quality of public fishing.  The reservoir is home to trophy-sized tiger muskies as well as large and small mouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, bluegill, black bullhead and carp.  Causey Reservoir east of Huntsville is home to rainbow and cutthroat trout as well as Kokanee salmon.  In addition to these major areas, local anglers seem to be able to find fish anywhere.  They are often successful fishing in irrigation ditches and small, unnamed streams.  Utah fishing licenses are required, and can be purchased by residents and nonresidents for 1, 7 or 365 day durations.  http://www.utah.com/fish/northern_utah_fishing_waters.htm.  

Hiking and mountain biking.  An extensive trail network is available for hiking and biking. Weber Pathways  publishes an excellent map of all the trails in Weber County  (including Ogden Valley) with descriptions of the surface and difficulty of each of them.  Copies of the map are available from many Ogden Valley businesses.  The Sierra Club also publishes a book describing major trails in the area.  Both Wolf Creek Utah Ski Resort  and Snowbasin offer lift-assisted mountain biking and hiking.  Please contact the resorts for hours of operation.

Horseback Riding.  Most of the local hiking trails are open for horseback riding.  There are a number of outfitters in the valley that arrange trail rides. Red Cliff Ranch  (http://redcliffranch.com, 801-745-6900) also has a café!

Off Road Vehicles.  There are a number of areas where off-road vehicles are allowed.  The most popular of these are Monte Cristo, Skyline Trail (motor bikes only, no ATVs) and Avon Pass.  Check out  http://www.ogden.travel/visitors_outdoor_offroad.asp for directions and more information

Snowkiting.   This relatively new sport is gaining increasing popularity in Ogden Valley.  Popular riding areas include Powder Mountain, Monte Cristo and Pineview Reservoir.  The Valley is home to the first and only PASA Certified snowkiting school in Utah.  http://ovba.org/utah-kite.html

Shopping.  There are several gift shops in the valley (Shop around the Corner and Chic Style)  but a short drive into Ogden provides access to a full range of shopping venues.  Historic 25^th Street  (http://www.historic25.com )  is known for its specialty shops while Newgate Mall (http://www.newgatemall.com ) and the Riverdale area are home to a large selection of major retailers. 

Music.  Summer is high season for music in Ogden Valley.  Music in the Mountains at Wolf Creek Utah Ski Resort is the premier concert series of the summer.  This popular series includes a variety of performers from classical (including the nationally renowned Utah Symphony) to big band, to pop rock – you name it!  And the price is right – the concerts are free and parking is just $20 per car.  Food is available for purchase, or you can bring your own picnic. 

Free concerts are offered at Snowbasin, Wolf Creek and the Huntsville library all summer long.   Snowbasin and Wolf Creek also sponsor après ski concerts in the winter.  For information about dates, times and performers, check the calendar section of the Ogden Valley Business Association (www.OVBA.org). 

Art.  Ogden Valley is home to a number of talented artists.  Their work is displayed in a number of local businesses.   The local art gallery, Wilkerson Fine Art, (http://www.wilkersonfineart.com)  sponsors periodic art shows.  The valley is also popular with Plein Air (French for “open air”) painting.  During the Ogden Valley Balloon Festival, painters come to the valley for a Plein Air competition.  At the end of the day, the artists bring their creations to the Huntsville Park for judging and an auction. 

The Monastery is a Trappist-Cistercian order of Catholic monks, founded in Huntsville in 1947.  The monastery is self-sustaining through the farming of cattle, hay and barley.  There is also a book store and gift shop featuring the famous Trappist Creamed honey in 14 flavors.  For more information and a schedule of religious services, see  http://www.holytrinityabbey.org. 

European artisan cheeses handcrafted from the famous French Lacaune, East Freesian and Icelandic dairy sheep breeds grazed on high mountain pastures in the heart of ski country in Eden, Utah. Our handcrafted sheep cheeses consist of delicate and delightful camembert style brie, a rich and smooth classical bleu cheese, a hard rind Mountain Tomme, and a smooth Danish style Fontina aged through our winter months high in the Rocky Mountains.

Come and learn about all the farm animals - see how they all live together and make a fun farm at Carver’s Cove Petting Zoo (801-745-3018).   The  farm includes the following animals:  Cows, Pigs, Chickens, Ducks, Turkeys, Rabbits, Goats, Sheep, Donkeys, Llama, Horses, Kittens and Dogs.