Are you tired of running from your car into your home, then back to your car, then to school, work, or the grocery store for the past few months? Well, guess what? That part of the year is over!
The time has come to step into spring and rediscover the outdoor world, as our beautiful Heber Valley blossoms all around us. We call it “springtime,” but sometimes it feels more like ‘uncertainty season’ as our weather changes daily from sunshine to snow to rain and back to sun again. It’s a churning, and a season children in the valley look forward to, knowing they can finally start walking to school again wearing t-shirts, a windbreaker, and shorts. (However, you might want to pack them a coat, a hat, and some gloves, just in case. I hear there’s a chance of snow.)
Yes, it’s springtime folks! A season synonymous with rebirth, love, and feelings of renewal. A time we welcome the beauty of new flora as we anxiously await the arrival of the infamous, “snow-art-horse-head” on our side of Mount Timpanogos so we know when to plant our gardens. (If you’re not familiar with this spectacle, ask a local farmer or google it. It’s cool.) And to celebrate, here’s a few rides we suggest you take now before our summer tourists snag up most of the good reservation times!
RIDE A ZIP LINE
If you’re looking for team-building challenges for your gang, then consider Zipline Utah, a high adventure activity located on the shores of Deer Creek Lake. With the longest continuous zip line course in the world; this memorable activity will blow their minds. ziplineutah.com
RIDE IN A BALLOON
Skywalker Balloon Company offers daily flights out of Heber Valley Airport. Spectacular views with a vantage point that changes the higher you go! A calming experience that feels like you’re casually walking through the sky. skywalker.at
RIDE A GOLF CART
Heber has five beautiful public golf courses to choose from, including two at Soldier Hollow, two at Wasatch Mountain State Park, and one at The Homestead Resort. They’re all amazing and affordable. gohebervalley.com/golfhebervalley
RIDE YOUR BICYCLE
With endless trails to explore, and friendly roads to take you there, riding a bike is one of the quickest ways to experience the outdoors. There’s no barrier to entry. Just hop on your bike and start peddling. But please watch out for wet trails. If the mud is deep, turn around and let the trails dry out. And if your gear needs a tune up, visit Slim and Knobby’s. slimandknobbys.com
RIDE ON A HORSE
Enjoy riding on the back of a magnificent horse with Rocky Mountain Outfitters. With your personal, knowledgeable, guide leading the way; they’re country trail ready for you, whether you’re a novice (greenhorn) or an experienced cowboy. rockymountainoutfitters.com
FLY A KITE
Whether you create a one-of-a-kind pinterest worthy masterpiece, purchase one from your local grocery store, or dust off the one you’ve had stuffed in a bin in your garage for 10 years; Wasatch County is full of open spaces — and spring (usually) offers the perfect weather — so, ‘let’s go fly a kite!’ (100 points to the one who can channel ‘Mary Poppins’ while singing the entire song — by heart.)
On that note; remember most of these experiences can be enjoyed almost anytime (weather permitting), and some require advanced reservations so be sure to check ‘em out before driving out. And don’t forget to mark your calendars for these fun local spring-only outdoor events.
This year, over Easter weekend (April 14-16), Zermatt Resort will host their annual “Springtime Extravaganza” with an egg hunt and breakfast with the Easter Bunny! Reservations required. They also host a very popular Mother’s Day Brunch (May 8) inside their Z’s Steak and Chop House. zermattutah.com
KOHLER FAMILY FARM
In addition to daily milk barn tours, goat yoga classes (what?), and V.I.P. calf-feeding experiences (what? what!), the Kohler Family Farm will host Baby Animal Days April 22-23. Learn about farm animals, take a hay ride, and munch on some of their incredible homemade artisan cheese. If it rains you can always take it inside and participate in a mozzarella making class. hebervalleyartisancheese.com
Speaking of inside — here are a few great indoor activities to consider — for when that proverbial ‘spring-time snow storm’ decides to hit. And if it doesn’t come — oh well — do them anyway!
GO TO THE MOVIES
Whether in the comfort of your own home or at The Avon; There’s nothing like a good movie, and buttery theatre popcorn, accompanied by an ice-cold carbonated drink to shake you out of the bad-weather blues. hebercitytheatre.com
ENJOY LIVE THEATRE
Improv-comedy troupe, The Belvederes, will be performing on the last Saturday of every month, at the newly renovated Timpanogos Valley Theatre. High Valley Arts will be performing “Shrek, Jr” in April and “The Sound of Music” in July, while TVT is doing “Pirates of Penzance” in April. Yo ho, let’s go! timpvalleytheatre.com highvalleyarts.org
THE UTAH CRATER
One of Midway’s hidden treasures; this geothermal spring, 10,000 years in the making, stays between 90-96 degrees all year long. Not only is it a relaxing place to get away; it’s also one of the few places in the state where you can snorkel, swim, or dive to depths of 65 feet. People from all over the world come here to get scuba certified. utahcrater.com
WASATCH COUNTY EVENTS COMPLEX
There are several equestrian events happening inside our events complex, including the ZD Cattle “Luck of the Irish” roping event March 18-19, a Utah Barrel Racing Association competition April 22-24, and the Utah junior high and high school rodeo finals on select dates May 26- June 11. Spectators are always welcome to this family-friendly event. And don’t worry, cowboy hats and boots are not required. wasatchparksandrec.com/events
HOLIDAY LANES
Up for a little friendly competition with family and friends? Bowling is a fantastic mix between mild and fun exercise, amiable competition (well mostly-there’s always one overachiever in the group), conversation, good food, and delicious shakes! All for a reasonable price.
FIELDCRAFT SURVIVAL
If you’re not familiar with Fieldcraft Survival, may I suggest you look them up. With everything from survival and family/emergency preparedness online webinars, to in-person workshops, and live training courses — including cool indoor virtual courses for firearm and personal safety training — this is a great place to not only visit but learn something new too. fieldcraftsurvival.com
WASATCH COUNTY RECREATION CENTER
You could literally spend all day here! Perfect for self-care days, date night, family night, or a great place to get noisy and hang out with a group of friends — the rec center has a plethora of activities to choose from including: basketball, racquetball, volleyball, tennis, pickle ball or simply running around their endless fields of Astroturf! wasatchparksandrec.com
So, yes folks, spring is here! And regardless of our ‘uncertain weather’ I highly suggest doing ‘all the things’ whenever you can!
P.S. Don’t forget your jacket!
