things to do

It’s not a rare occasion, in the stunning Heber Valley, to wake up to beautiful blue skies. Nor is it rare to see beautiful spots of colored balloons soaring through those peaceful mornings. Perhaps you enjoy watching our valley’s hot air balloons glide through the air, or maybe you have a desire to see the valley from above in one of those wicker baskets. Whoever you may be, you can’t deny the intriguing questions these fascinating aircraft bring to mind. So, let’s dive into everything you need to know about hot air…

The Heber Valley Sits Comfortably At Just Over 5,500 Feet Above Sea Level. If You’re Coming From A Lower Elevation, There Are Steps You Can Take To Ease The Transition To A Higher Altitude. A few years ago, my husband and I spent a week in Newport Beach, California, and needed to be in Aspen, Colorado the next day. As we raced through the states, we hardly noticed the uphill drive. Arriving in Aspen, we settled in. However, we soon noticed headaches, dizziness, and nausea. It took a day before we realized what was…

Fall Harvest is that special time of year where outdoor activities start to have a snap of chill in the air, and being social takes on new life indoors once the outside fun ends. The Wasatch Back has plenty of space to take your friends for a cocktail or mocktail happy hour with plenty of small bites to compliment your drinks. Our favorite places to snag a drink in this ole’ town are many, but you can just as easily make your favorite concoction at home with some ingenuity and in-season fall ingredients. Here are a few…

The leaves crunch under-tire as the crisp air greets and awakens your senses. Fall in all its colorful splendor is finally here! And, what better way to welcome autumn than with a bike ride in good company? Slim and Knobby’s Bike Shop has been hosting group road and mountain bike rides for the last few years. On Tuesday mornings and Thursday evenings, a group of road bikers makes their way around the valley by riding in a big clockwise loop. Making mostly right turns Thursday evenings, they’ve dubbed their ride; Thursday…

It is hard to imagine that more could be written, said, or conveyed about The Sundance Resort. With over 50 years of history, it has a life force of its own that is well-known around the world. Reviews abound for this timeless spot along the Wasatch Back, but then again, the elegance of Sundance is its uncanny and vigorous ability to be exactly what you need, when you need it — a true chameleon while simultaneously an intimate and metamorphic experience. The nuance of Sundance is — it is always this way each time you visit.…

The lost art of a “staycation” needs to be dusted off and put back into circulation, and this summer is just the time to do it! For most, vacation means experimenting in new parts of the world. It goes beyond discovering but rather immersing ourselves in a pocket of memories carved out in one to two-week increments. The Wasatch Back is incredibly fortunate to be situated within minimal driving distance of everything from a quaint bed and breakfast to a swanky 5-star resort. Throw in some incredible scenery, and what…

Many parents are aware their kids are spending too much time indoors using electronic devices. A recent study by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that the average eight to eighteen year old spends 7 hours and 38 minutes of electronic screen time per day. Let’s go outside! Outdoor play time helps to balance a child’s day and provide mental and physical health benefits. Did you know that most experts agree that 4-6 hours of playing outside each day is optimal for child health? Here are 25 fun ideas to get you going!…

Once there was a delicious soup. It was created with homemade recipes, and people loved it. They loved it so much that a big factory was built to make more of it. As people ate more and more soup, the factory tried to keep up with the demand. Finally, Bear Creek Country Kitchens moved the soup production elsewhere. What would happen to the enormous soup factory that had housed the facilities? According to Amaria Scovil, Director of Wasatch County’s Joyce & M. Anthony Burns Recreation Center, “When they decided to sell…

Several winters back, Jennifer Thorne climbed the north ridge of Mount Nebo through waist-deep snow until she crested its 11,861-foot-high summit. During a time of year when most folks are cuddled up in front of a fire with a good book; Jennifer and two of her friends stood atop the highest mountain in the Wasatch enjoying the priceless 360-degree view of snowy mountains and grassy valleys. Removing skis from their backs they tackled a technical ski descent down one of Utah’s most imposing mountains. Would anyone believe…

If you’re one of the brave men and women who regularly don this delightful article of clothing, then you may have heard the saying, “It takes a real man to wear a kilt.” It’s a phrase often spoken — in a comical attempt at sounding Scottish — in our home every time our son wears his kilt — which is pretty much every day! In 2019 we adopted a new saying, one that jumped out from the tag on a newly acquired Commando Kilt from Sport kilt. “A man in a kilt is a man and a half!” My son’s obsession with kilts began years ago —…

Covid restrictions may change the way we gather and participate in events, but that shouldn’t stop us from living our best lives in 2021. When in doubt, get outside!

“Variety’s the very spice of life that gives it all its flavor,” said the poet William Cowper.

Gather your kids, friends, and family to discover different cultures and the food they eat. Try out a few new recipes, and prepare them together. Participate in a festivity you've never celebrated before. Eat new foods. Share and create a new tradition!