WASATCH STATE PARK — The Olympic playground at Soldier Hollow in Heber Valley — once the busiest venue for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games — has proved to be popular with not only winter-loving Utahns but summer visitors as well.
According to Park Naturalist Wendy Wilson, the crowds just keep coming to cross-country ski, snowshoe and tube on the trails used for Olympic biathlon and cross-country ski competition in 2002.
Visitors are also lining up to run, hike, mountain bike and ride horseback.
"They've been really busy here," Wilson said. "We're working on being a year-round facility."
A new 36-hole golf course, the second in the state park system, just opened.
The 1,200-foot controlled tube runs offer thrills without the spills for the entire family. Music is piped in and a tow lift pulls people up the hill for return trips.
More than 29,000 visitors went tubing in 2004. To assure a quality experience, tubing tickets are limited so pre-purchase is recommended for holidays and weekends.
The Heber Valley Historic Railroad offers a package known as the "Tube 'n Train" that combines a ride on the vintage train with stops at Soldier Hollow.
Soldier Hollow offers 16 miles of trails that wind through the trees and slopes that are part of the 22,000-acre preserve. The cross-country trails are divided into two sets with one being among the toughest to traverse in the world.
There is also a high-tech competition center and lodge that offers food, beverages, souvenir items, ski rentals and a place for festive occasions.
For those wishing to traverse the Olympic trails at a slower pace, or for those wanting to explore another aspect of Soldier Hollow, or for a nature photographer capturing the raptors or moose that frequent Soldier Hollow, snowshoeing is a good alternative.
Soldier Hollow Equestrian Center, in partner ship with Rocky Mountain outfitters, now offers equestrian adventures. Trail rides leave daily and are available year-round.
Riders can ride high on the south slope or climb to the Crow's nest, an original hunting camp of the Ute Indian tribe. Another options is a visit to a pioneer cabin on a picnic lunch ride.
Trail rides, chuck wagon dinners, lunch outings and wagon rides are also available.
If you go
Where: Take U-189 through Provo Canyon to Heber, turn off at Route 113, follow the signs.
Cost: $15 for two hours on the tubing hill, under 6 is $9.
Hiking: free
Biking: $5 trail use fee; helmet and bike rentals available
Horseback riding: various prices, see www.rockymtnoutfitters.com, or call 435-654-1655.
Green fee for 36 holes: $38 with cart
Cross-country trail pass: Adults $17 full day, $14 after 2 p.m.; Juniors $9/$6; under 7 free.
Snowshoe trail pass: adults $5; youths $3
Ski/snowshoe rental: $5
For more information: 435-654-2002 or visit www.soldierhollow.org
E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com
Sharon Haddock is a former full-time writer and editor for The Deseret News. She currently does freelance writing from her home in American Fork where she lives with her fellow journalist husband Marc Haddock. They have 12 more ..
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