Sometimes I think Salt Lakers and Utahns in general don’t know what to do with fall and Utah’s Fall Colors. Everyone plays so hard here—at first powder, we hit the slopes, we ski downhill and cross country, we snowshoe, we ride, we hike, we eat melty cheese and drink stout beer. We’re experts at bundling up and going at it, having fun with all our might. In summer, we SUP, we raft, we ski, we swim, we fish, we camp, we hike.
So in this in-between season, what should we do? I suggest we observe. Slow down a little (not too much) and really see the transition happening. Here are four great ways to see Utah’s Fall Colors from a different perspective. With just a touch of adventure, of course.
Take a helicopter ride and gain a whole new perspective. Look down on all the landscape you’ll be riding across this winter. See the colors of the changing leaves from above, like the Lord does. This year, Snowbird‘s Oktoberfest will feature scenic helicopter tours of Little Cottonwood Canyon from Powderbird. Make reservations at 801-933-2222. Tickets are $250 per person and available for all ages. The flights will run on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Can’t sit still? Take a ZipTour at Sundance Mountain Resort, one of the most exciting and scenic zip tours in the world, boasting over 2,100 feet of vertical drop — the most of any zip line tour in the United States. Guests can ride side-by-side on the zip line’s double cables and control their speed, cruising up to 65 miles per hour, or stopping mid-air to take in the views. Prices range from $79-$129. Book online or call 844-ZIP-TOUR.
Eat on a mountain top. Like a Viking. For the first time this year, the famous Viking Yurt was open all summer. Always one of winter’s best attractions, when you ride in a sleigh up the mountain to a luxurious yurt where you’re served an Alpine dinner with wine if desired at 8,700 feet. In summer and into the third week of September, you’ll experience the same thing at lunchtime, but your transportation is by the Crescent chairlift, or via biking or hiking (dogs welcome.) Or ride up and hike down. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 11:30am—3:30pm.
Watch the balloons loft at Autumn Aloft. The 2019 Autumn Aloft is Sept. 14-15, 2019 and features up to 24 hot air balloons and includes Saturday and Sunday morning launch events and a candlestick event on Saturday night set on Park City’s Historic Main Street. All Autumn Aloft events are free to spectators.
See more adventures here.
