Park City's Wealth of Warm-Weather Activities

While Park City, Utah, is known widely as a wintertime playground for those in pursuit of the perfect, powdery slopes over which to ski and snowboard, this destination possesses plenty of year-round appeal.

The warm weather brings mountainsides and meadows bursting with greenery, flowers and an abundance of wildlife. Recreational activities in Park City are everywhere, especially for guests who're enthralled by the outdoors.

And, when you're all worn out and ready to retreat back to a luxuriously tranquil Park City hotel to recharge, a wealth of high-end accommodations stand ready to provide the ultimate in enviable amenities and services, offering day rates or residential options for those who could use an extended stay.

With over 8,000 acres of green space within Park City itself, there is no shortage of ways to soak up the sunshine, fresh air and majestic landscapes of "America's Favorite Mountain Town".

What better way to unwind than spending a few hours out in the fresh air perfecting your swing? You'll find that the mountain locale actually adds distance to your shot, so don't be too surprised when your ball flies further than you would've expected. Bask in the verdant beauty of the surrounding Wasatch Mountains at the Park City Golf Club, or perhaps a local championship course designed by William Neff or a Rees Jones. There are fifteen total golf courses available in Park City and the surrounding area-seven public and eight private-and all of them come with the promise of idyllic vistas and mild temperatures, compared to many other warm-weather golf destinations.

Park City Yoga Adventures incorporates the practice of yoga into a multitude of centering experiences in the great outdoors. Strengthen your body and pacify your spirit with a hike up to a remote yurt at 9,000 for a private yoga session, then head back lamplight under the stars. At the beautiful Blue Sky Ranch take part in a hike through the tranquil forest, followed by a moving meditation as you lie in yoga-silks hanging amongst old-growth trees in the Grove of Ganesh. Or, head to the Homestead Crater to immerse yourself in a 95-degree, mineral-water lagoon that's encased in ancient stone and sheltered from the outside elements, where you'll participate in a yoga session performed atop a stand-up paddleboard.

Park City's gorgeous lakes and rivers provide perfect opportunities for water-sport enthusiasts, or even first-timers, to enjoy the clean, refreshing white waters of the Weber or Provo rivers via raft, kayak or tube. Guided river-rafting and kayaking tours range in length from a few hours to a full day and can be tailored to all ability levels. On the lakes, stand-up paddling boarding (SUP) classes and excursions, even SUP yoga, are available; or perhaps you'd prefer to rent a jet-ski or learn to sail with the Park City Sailing Association. Floating atop the Jordanelle Reservoir, AQUA x ZONE is an inflatable water-sports park open to swimmers ages six and up, with slides, rafts, swings and more, where kids can create their own aquatic adventures.

In this journalist's opinion, there is no better way to connect with nature and embrace the spirit of the surrounding landscape than to experience it on horseback. Park City has several outfits, including the family-run and conveniently located Red Pine Adventures, which offer guided trail rides for riders of all abilities, from the greenest beginners to seasoned horsemen and women. Embark on an up-close, intimate exploration of these lush, mixed broadleaf and evergreen forests, dotted here and there with abandoned mineshafts that still remain from Park City's historic beginnings. In autumn, you couldn't ask for a better view of a variety of trees as their leaves begin to turn and blanket the mountainside in color.

Over 450 miles of public trails are ready to welcome cyclists throughout Park City's mountain landscape. There's nothing quite like an open mountain trail to ignite that feeling of freedom and exhilaration you've been searching for. There are plenty of vendors available for equipment rentals, and chairlifts or gondolas can carry you and your bike to elevations where you can begin your adventure. Whether you're an enthusiast looking for an intense climb, a novice content with an easy cruise along the trails, or are just seeking a way to get out and explore Park City's mountainsides, meadows, lakes and wildlife, a bike adventure may prove to be just the ticket.

Remember, when all that spectacular winter snow melts, it flows down to fill some of the most beautiful and pristine rivers in the Wasatch Mountain Range. By spring, Park City's fly-fishing season is in full swing. The Provo and Weber Rivers are both considered blue-ribbon fly-fishing locations, where running water carries a high concentration of fish per mile and shores are highly accessible. You also have the option of going still-water fly-fishing in a float tube or pontoon. The local Strawberry, Echo, Rockport, and Jordanelle reservoirs are well-stocked with fish and waiting for anglers in search of the big one. If you're not sure where to start, Park City has dozens of fly-fishing guides, outfitters, and bait and tackle shops that can help you find a prime fishing spot.

Utah Olympic Park, situated just up the mountainside from Park City proper, was the site of the 2002 Olympic Games, where ski, snowboard and ice-track events were held. Today, it still serves as a training center for Winter Olympic hopefuls, but it's also open to the public to experience some of the thrills and extreme-style fun that the facility has to offer.

No ice is needed for the Summer Bobsled Experience, which modifies the same style of bobsleds used in the Olympics with wheels to speed down the concrete track at up to 70mph. Don't worry, a professional pilot will be steering at the front of your sled.

In the absence of snow, some of the slopes at the Utah Olympic Park are transformed into the massive Slip 'N Slide you dreamed of as a kid, where you can go Extreme Tubing on two separate runs: the K60 or K90.

An Alpine Slide, Extreme Zipline, Freestyle Zipline, Climbing Wall, Ropes Courses, Drop Tower, Airbag Jump and Scenic Chairlift rides round out the adventure offerings, although there's also an onsite museum and, on Saturdays and Sundays, visitors are invited to view the Flying Ace Freestyle Shows. Park hours and attractions availability vary seasonally, so it's best to check the Utah Olympic Park website to plan your visit.

Head into historic Old Town Park City on virtually any given Sunday to experience the weekly Park Silly Sunday Market. A portion of Main Street is closed off to accommodate an effusion of tents where local artisans, vendors, businesses display their wares. Part of the street fair includes a sort of farmers' market, where you can find locally grown produce, preserves, specialty products and fresh-from-the-oven baked goods.

Expand your outing into an exploration of the Downtown District, where charming businesses and eateries occupy 47 buildings from the Silver Mining Era, which are included in the National Historic Register. The whole of Downtown Park City itself is actually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and you'll see plenty of evidence of municipal pride as you meander down Main Street.