When I snow ski I want ski-in ski-out, staying in a resort at the base of the lifts so I can maximize vacation time. Utah's dry powder is world-famous - enthusiasts call it the "Greatest Snow on Earth." During recent years our resorts and facilities have matured and now offer world-class accommodations, including great dining, shopping and nightlife. There's not much better than spending a day skiing powder and then "coming home" to an exquisite room right at the resort - no need to drive miles, fight traffic and hunt for parking. Minutes after hopping off the lift you can be enjoying a gourmet meal or a soak in an outdoor hot tub. View our ski trip packages. Call our travel experts and let them customize a vacation for you: 1-888-881-1120

Flying Wakeboards & Footballs

Lake Powell is one of Utah’s most popular summer tourist destinations. It's hard to beat the silky-smooth water and radiant landscape found at Powell on a calm morning. I spent a few days there in mid-July and had a great time, as you can see from the photos that illustrate this newsletter.

There have been inaccurate news reports that the lake is closed because of low water levels. We’re getting calls from people wondering if you can still float a boat at Powell. You can! The lake is low but even at this level it is about 150 miles long and up to 300 feet deep. There's plenty of water for houseboating, wake boarding and fishing. And plenty of sandy beaches for camping.

The low water level has impacted launching at some ramps. See our Travel Headlines for the latest on conditions.

Powell is constantly changing and that makes each trip uniquely enjoyable. I go there often and no two trips are ever the same. For example, last fall the declining water revealed a water cave with a pot hole-type arch across the channel from the mouth of Lake Canyon. This June we explored further and the kids decided it was custom made for cliff jumping. (That activity carries considerable risk and we advise extreme caution.) The kids got the thrill of a lifetime when they dropped through the hole into deep, dark water.

I manned the camera – I don't jump off cliffs much now that I'm getting older and smarter. My favorite activity is fishing and this year is shaping up as one of the best ever. The smallmouth and stripped bass are in prime conditions, getting fatter by the day. Several conditions seem to be working together to turn Powell into one of America's best warmwater fisheries.

Mid and late summer are great times for fishing, wakeboarding and water skiing, and exploring Utah's high mountain regions like the Uintas, Boulder Mountain and Skyline Drive.

There's already talk of football on the airwaves and before long the school bells will be ringing and the footballs will be flying. Actually, fall is my favorite time to visit Powell. September and early October are prime months because the crowds are down, water temperatures are perfect, air temperatures aren't scorchingly hot and the fishing gets better by the day.

Houseboats are available for the fall season if you book now. Give us a call and we'll set you up: 1-888-881-1120.

It's now mid summer and, here at the office, we're already booking snow ski trips. There's been an amazing number of calls coming in from people wanting to be sure they get prime lodging at the resorts over the holidays. Last year Utah enjoyed one of its best ski seasons ever and this year may be even better. The resorts are in great shape and climatologists expect abundant snowfall this winter.

Better book soon if you want lodging near the slopes around Christmas and New Years: 1-888-881-1120.

— Dave Webb

Upcoming Major Events

Pioneer Day is July 24 in Utah. This is a major state holiday with parades and pageants in many cities. There will be a large parade and festivities in Salt Lake City. Some businesses will be closed.

Festival of the American West, July 30-Aug 7, Logan. This award-winning festival is known for its accuracy in offering a more realistic understanding and appreciation of our history. The Festival has twice been awarded the prestigious Freedom Foundation Award. Phone: 800-225-3378

Alta's Annual Wildflower Festival, Aug 2-Aug 3. A weekend celebration of Mountain Ecology, Culture and Music, with Wildflower Walks and Talks, Live Bird of Prey Exhibits, Live Music, Geology Discussions, "The Big Draw", Kids Zone, Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture and more. Phone: 801-742-0830.

Bear Lake Raspberry Days, Aug 5-Aug 7, Garden City. Taste the wonderful raspberry milkshake that Bear Lake is famous for. There will be entertainment, food, shows, crafts, contests and a rodeo. Phone: 800-448-2327

Park City Kimball Arts Festival, Aug 7-Aug 8. Come see over 200 of North America's top artists at the 35th Annual Park City Kimball Arts Festival. Enjoy art, food, live entertainment, and activities for children. Tickets are $5 or $8 for a 2-day pre-paid admission. Phone: 435-649-8882

DINOTRAX MOUNTAIN BIKE FESTIVAL, Aug 7-Aug 10 in and around Vernal. Dinotrax is a fun weekend of riding, parties and lots of free swag! Sponsored by Altitude Cycle, Red Canyon Lodge, Tri County Health Depart and as many wacky locals as we can round up. This annual festival showcases the awesome singletrack around Vernal. Phone: 435-781-2595

Golden Spike National Historic Site Railroader's Festival, Aug. 9 at Golden Spike National Historic Site. This, the 27th annual festival, will feature replicas, reenactments, contests and entertainment. Phone: 435-471-2209

WVC Native American Association Festival & Contest Pow Wow, Aug. 22 - Aug. 24 in West Valley City. Events will be at the Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 West 3300 South. West Valley City, Utah (6 miles southwest of Salt Lake City). Everyone is welcome; bring your own chairs. Sorry, no camping. Phone: 801-973-2078

Western Legends Round-Up, Aug 24-Aug 29, in Kanab. This is a celebration of the culture of the Old West. There will be a Wagon Train, Workshops, Film Festival, Quilt Show, Cowboy Poetry, Tent Revival, Indian Dancing, Quick Draw Contest, Working Displays, Fiddle Contest, and a Dutch Oven Cook-off, plus a Street Fair with art and food vendors, live cowboy music and a parade. Phone: 435-644-5033 or 800-33-5263

Bryce Canyon Rim Run, Aug. 28. The race starts and ends at Ruby's Inn, just outside Bryce Canyon National Park on Hwy. 63. Phone: 800-468-8660

Utah State Fair, Sep. 4 - Sep. 14 in Salt Lake City. Come see "More than you can imagine" this year at the Utah State Fair. Entertainment and information for all ages! Phone: 538-FAIR

Moab Music Festival, Sep. 4 - Sep. 18. Music in Concert with the Landscape. A unique series of chamber music concerts amidst the striking natural beauty of the red rock canyon country in Southeastern Utah, featuring internationally acclaimed artists. Phone: 435-259-7003

Park City International Music Festival, through Aug. 15. This is the festival’s 20th summer season. "As classical music festivals go, nobody does it better than Park City" wrote Deseret Morning News music critic Edward Reichel. Phone: 435-649-5309.

Utah Shakespearean Festival, through Sept 4 in Cedar City. This Tony Award-winning festival's is one of Utah's best-known cultural treasures. Six plays are presented each summer with a variety of free activities (literary, music, costume and actor seminars, play orientations, the very popular Greenshow) to create an exciting theatre vacation for the entire family. For tickets call 800-PLAYTIX or contact the Festival Box Office.

Downtown Farmers Market, through Oct 16 in Salt Lake City. The Farmers Market, held in Pioneer Park on Saturday mornings, is a natural gathering place to socialize and shop the more than 100 vendors that provide the freshest seasonal produce, flowers, baked goods, farm-style preserves and garden-related crafts. Arrive early for the best selections. Other similar markets are held in many towns around the state.

Check our comprehensive events listing for other activities.

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