At Soldier Hollow, sit back and enjoy the ride as a tow rope takes you to the top of the hills! My kind of tubing!

We recently enjoyed a fun family day tubing at Soldier Hollow. It was our first time there, and is an experience we will be talking and laughing about as a family for years to come! We stayed the night before at the Zermatt Resort and Spa in Midway as part of our Tubing and Lodging package. READ OUR REVIEW of the Zermatt.

When you arrive, you have a two hour time slot in which to enjoy the tubing hills. Because they limit the amount of people per time slot, it doesn’t get over crowded. Even when there are a lot of people, it doesn’t seem overwhelming. I recommend reserving your spot ahead of time. Tickets can be purchased in advance with a credit card at (435) 654-2002 or in person at the Lodge. We rarely had to wait in line for the tow rope or the tubing hill, and we went on a Saturday morning. Our time slot was 10am to noon. In that time, we were able to experience all six tubing lanes. My 9 year old daughter was a little bit nervous, and only tried lanes one through three, but my 7 year old son was adventurous and tried all six lanes with me. Our favorites were lanes five and six.

Make sure that you arrive about 10 minutes before your start time in order to get in as many runs down the hills as you can. Get checked in, suited up, and ready to go by the time your tubing time begins. You will have to sign waivers for each person in your group, so make sure you allow yourself enough time to get all of that done. Make sure the kids all use the restroom before heading over to the tubing hills!

I remember going tubing and sledding as a kid, and dreading the walk up the hill carrying my tube. At Soldier Hollow, you connect your tube to a tow rope that takes you up the mountain to the top of the hill. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride up! No walking and getting tired on this tubing hill! A sound system playing fun tunes adds to the enjoyment.

The tubes are included in the price you pay for tubing, and you can pick and choose which tube you want to use. Don’t like the tube you just went down the mountain on? Trade it for another one! They have a spot where they are all laying in a pile, so picking out a new one is easy.

Tubing hills are groomed each day, making it a safe alternative to going out and finding your own hills for tubing. Make sure to wear heavy-duty boots, because towards the bottom of the hill you will see orange cones; start dragging your feet when you see these so that you can stop before you get to the bottom. At the end of each hill, there are nets to catch you from going too far if you are going so fast that you can’t stop. A friendly staff member is positioned in many different spots of the tubing hill, and ready to offer assistance if needed. To prevent too many people from going down at once, they communicate with the staff member at the bottom of the hill to make sure it’s clear and ready for the next person.

This was one of our favorite family adventures we have ever experienced, and we can’t wait to go back and bring our family and friends!

About Soldier Hollow:

• Website
• Directions
• Lodging and Tubing package
• Like Soldier Hollow on Facebook

I was provided with four complimentary tubing passes at Soldier Hollow for my review. I was not compensated financially, nor was I persuaded to write any specific type of review. The opinions and views expressed in this review are all my own. 

More Winter Family Fun:

• Winter Bingo
• Winter Sailboat Ride Of The Great Salt Lake (For a limited time, use checkout code admiralsue to receive 25% off!)
• FREE Winter Events In Utah
• Utah Grizzlies hockey games – FUN for the entire family!

Zermatt Resort and Spa in Midway, UT

We escaped to Midway for a weekend mini-vacation, and stayed at the Zermatt Resort and Spa for a night. The Zermatt Resort is a high-value, four-diamond luxury resort that provides guests a Swiss escape at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. Even though it was just a quick, weekend getaway, it is one of those vacations our family will be talking about for a long time! We had an absolute blast, and can’t wait to go back!

Instead of just booking a room, and paying separately for entertainment, check out the vacation package deals offered. We chose the Tubing and Lodging package, and spent the next day tubing at Soldier Hollow. READ MY REVIEW of tubing at Soldier Hollow.

My kids loved the giant chess board.

At the Zermatt Resort and Spa, my kids were immediately drawn to the giant chess board out front and the Swiss music playing over the speakers. The complimentary valet made unloading our luggage and parking our vehicle very convenient. We had read reviews online that the Zermatt has fabulous apple cider in the lobby, so we were excited to try it, but unfortunately they had ran out for the evening.

Our room was on the fourth floor of the main building, and it was absolutely breathtaking. The fireplace was a great touch, especially with how cold it was outside!

We ate dinner at Matty’s Bistro inside the Zermatt. Even though it was a nice, fancy restaurant, it was still kid-friendly. The staff was extremely accomodating, and the food was cooked beyond our expectations.

Our room had two fluffy bathrobes in the closet, which were perfect for throwing on to walk down to the pool. The pool is and indoor/outdoor pool, with a waterfall cascading into the indoor hot tub. The outdoor pool was open, and you don’t even have to get out of the indoor pool to get to the outdoor pool; swim down a small pathway, and it will lead you right outside. At night, the ceiling changes color, making you feel like you have escaped to a tropical island during sunset.

In the summertime, they have a merry-go-round on the grounds of the Zermatt. Because it was winter, it was closed up, so we will have to return again when the weather is warmer so the kids can take a ride on it.

Another fun activity while staying at the Zermatt is the sleigh rides. Because we went swimming at night, and tubing at Soldier Hollow the next day, we didn’t have enough time. That is another activity we are looking forward to the next time we return.

In the morning when we checked out, the staff was friendly and made sure our stay was all that we expected. We asked about the cider again, and they said we were a few minutes early. They have complimentary coffee in the lobby until 9am, and then they switch it over to apple cider. It as barely 9am when we were checking out, so we are looking forward to visiting again, and hopefully getting to try the cider then!

Before heading to Soldier Hollow for tubing, we grabbed a quick breakfast at the Backeri and Eis Cafe on the grounds of the Zermatt. I ordered an Egg Muffin, and expected it to be a small breakfast sandwich, similar to the ones you get at McDonalds. It was three times the size of what I expected, and was the perfect choice to fill up before spending the morning tubing.

With unique features such as the Crater, Spa, restaurants and the beautiful winter wonderland with fun, family activities, the Homestead and Zermatt Resorts are the perfect place for a family getaway.

2013 Valentine’s Day Packages available:

• Zermatt – $399 one night, $549 for two nights: Includes luxury accommodations, one couples massage, dinner for two in Z’s Steak and Chop Haus and a swim/soak in the mineral spring waters of the Crater for two.
• The Homestead – $329 one night, $459 for two nights: Includes luxury accommodations, one couples massage, dinner for two in Simons and a swim/soak in the mineral spring waters of the Crater for two.

More about the Zermatt Resort and Spa:

• Like them on Facebook
• Follow them on Twitter
• Website
• Zermatt Resort & Spa was awarded AAA’s Four Diamond distinction for maintaining a high level of quality in both service and luxury.

Zermatt Resort & Spa was named after the village at the base of the Matterhorn in Switzerland. The name sought to draw a parallel between the breathtaking views of Switzerland and the open valley of Midway, Utah, which lies at the base of the 13,000-foot-high Wasatch mountain range. Zermatt provides luxurious lodging, dining and spa services in a beautiful mountain valley setting in Midway, Utah.

I was provided with a complimentary one night stay for two adults and two children at the Zermatt, and a complimentary dinner for four at Matty’s Bistro for my review. I was not compensated financially, nor was I persuaded to write any specific type of review. The opinions and views expressed in this review are all my own.

More Family Vacation Spots:

• The Homestead
• Bear Lake
• Crystal Hot Springs
• Rockport State Park

"Ice fishing fun!" Photo courtesy of Zach Gines

On Saturday, January 26th 2013, there will be a FREE ice fishing clinic at Strawberry Reservoir 8:30am to 4:30pm. Strawberry Reservoir is just off U.S. Highway 40, about 20 miles southeast of Heber City.

Adam Eakle, host of KSL television’s “Outdoors with Adam Eakle” show, has teamed with several partners, including the Division of Wildlife Resources and Strawberry Bay Marina, to host the free event.

Volunteers will be on hand to teach you the techniques of ice fishing, and even drill holes in the ice for you.

Employees from KSL television will also be on hand, cooking hotdogs, providing hot chocolate and giving out prizes.

Read complete details on the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website. For more information about the clinic, call the DWR’s Central Region office at 801-491-5678.

More Winter Fun:

• 14 Utah Winter Date Night Ideas
• FREE Winter Activities in Utah
• Winter Bingo
• Enjoy Utah’s guide to Winter Fun!

On Saturdays and Sundays from September 1st to September 23rd, you can get your family out of the house and up to Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway to pick your own apples in their historic apple orchard.

You must have a reservation, so call the park Visitor Center at (435) 654-1791 to reserve your two hour time slot and for complete details.

The historic Huber Grove apple orchard was planted in the late 1800s by Johannes Huber. It started out as a family orchard with 350 apple and other fruit trees, and grew from there. Huber was the first to ship apples out of the Heber valley.

Most of the orchard is now gone, but approximately 80 of the original trees still remain and are still producing apples.

Learn more about Huber Grove.

Historic Huber Farmhouse

More Fall Family Fun activities for September:

• Fall Hikes Close To Home: Red Butte Garden
• Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
• The Oogieloves – a movie that is 100% appropriate for young children
• Salt Lake City Cemetery Self-Guided Tour
• My family’s “Must Do” Fall List
• Where to view Fall leaves in Utah
• STAY TUNED for a list of Labor Day Weekend activities and events!

Stay for two nights at the Goldener Hirsh Inn for $289. That is a 61% savings. This also includes a three course dinner for two–an additional savings worth over $150.

My husband and I just took advantage of this deal for our 20th anniversary. It was a half hour drive and yet sort of felt like we escaped to some European country. The Goldener Hirsh is modeled after a hotel in Austria–so I guess we were in (English speaking) Austria? We had one of those big clunky keys that you check in at the front desk when you leave to bike or hike. And when you come back, you don’t even have to tell the hotel clerk which room number is yours, because he, and everyone else there, knows your name and couldn’t be happier you are staying there.

And by the way when I say everyone, I am not talking about a lot of people–because hardly anyone was there. It is the way off season in Park City and seemed as if we had the whole mountain to ourselves.

The staff said they are also going to offer a similar deal in December. I wish we could go there once a month. I am going to keep watching for more deals.More on Today’s Mama:

Lagoon Discount Tickets

Look What’s New at Wheeler Farm

Art Exhibit Kids Can Run Through in Downtown Salt Lake

Day Out With Thomas offers an opportunity for children and their families to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and to meet Sir Topham Hat, the Controller of the Railway.

The event will be this Memorial Day weekend, May 25-28.

The Heber Valley Railroad is running a contest on the Heber Valley Railroad Facebook page May 1-14 to find the biggest Thomas the Tank Engine fan to be named the honorary conductor. This honorary conductor will be selected from video submissions on theFacebook page (an example of a video submission will be posted). The honorary conductor will be the first on board and will get to pull the train horn and say, “All aboard!”

Details for honorary conductor contest:

• May 1-14, post a video on Heber Valley Railroad’s Facebook page of your little conductor and why he or she is the biggest Thomas fan.
• Get others to “like” your video submission.
• One winner will be selected each week for a family four-pack of tickets to Day Out With Thomas.
• One winner will be selected on May 15 to be named the honorary conductor and win a family four-pack of tickets to Day Out With Thomas.

About Day Out With Thomas

Day Out With Thomas offers an opportunity for children and their families to take a 25-minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and to meet Sir Topham Hat, the Controller of the Railway. Every event has a Thomas & Friends Imagination Station with Thomas-themed activities, including stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts and crafts, and a Thomas storytelling and video viewing area.

Activities Include:

Giant hay bale maze
Miniature golf course (putt-putt)
Balloon tying clown
Musical entertainment by “The Pied Piper of Percussion”
Motor-car rides
Magic shows
“Imagination Station” play area
Temporary tattoos
Storytelling and video
Bubbles and sidewalk chalk

Times:
Friday and Saturday
Event Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Train Departures: 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (Train departs from the Depot every 45 minutes.)

Sunday and Monday
Event Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Train Departures: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Train departs from the Depot every 45 minutes.)

Length of Train Ride: 25 minutes round trip

Ticket Price
$18 per person (All seats are General Admission. Ages 2+ require a ticket.)

To Purchase Tickets: Tickets are available through www.TicketWeb.com.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit http://hebervalleyrr.org/excursions/day-out-with-thomas/

Fishing at Rockport

This is the first-ever Rockport Fishing Contest, by Rafter B convenience store.

Catch a tagged rainbow trout at Rockport Reservoir and win up to $10,000 in cash and prizes, including $2500 cash, sporting goods, generators, golf vacations and other great prizes.

Rockport State Park is working with local businesses to host the first annual Rafter B Tagged Fish Challenge.

It’s easy to play, just go fish! No registration is needed.

Rockport Reservoir is currently stocked with over 50 tagged trout. If you catch a tagged fish, take your tag to Rafter B convenience store and fuel center at 2246 South State Road 32 in Wanship. They’ll tell you what you’ve won and how to redeem your prize.

Rafter B Tagged Fish Challenge has been extended until May 31, 2012 at midnight.

Please Note: For your safety, please do not park on the west side of Highway 32. Enter Rockport State Park to access the reservoir.

View complete rules on their website. Information taken from the Utah State Parks website.

Learn more about Rockport State Park.

Contest sponsored by:

Rafter B, Wanship
Ace Hardware
Blue Sky Adventures
Browning
Four Seasons Fly Fishers
Heber Valley Railroad
Intermountain Bobcat
Jan’s
Kamas Auto Service, Kamas
Kamas Food Town
Park City Anglers
Reams
Rockport Sports
Trout Bum 2
Sportsman’s Warehouse
Summer Merc, Coalville
Timberline, Heber
Uinta Auto Parts, Kamas
Utah State Parks and Recreation
Weller Recreation

Photo taken from the Wasatch Mountain State Park website

On Saturday February 18th, the Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway is offering a Daytime Moon Snowshoe Adventure. From 10am to noon you will snowshoe with a guide and learn why the moon has phases and how the moon affects wildlife.

This is a fun and educational Saturday afternoon activity for the entire family!

Space is limited, so register ASAP by calling (435) 654-1791 or email kathydonnell@utah.gov.

This is a FREE event! Bring your own snowshoes; if you don’t have snowshoes, they will be available for only $5 per person.

How to get there: From Salt Lake City, take I-80 eastbound up Parley’s Canyon. Continue until you see the Heber exit. Take that exit and head South towards Heber. Watch for the signs leading to Midway. The first redlight you will come to before Heber, you will turn right. Continue Westbound and watch for the Wasatch Mountain State Park signs.

Other family fun activities:

• 2002 Winter Olympic Games anniversary celebrations
• Disney On Ice: Toy Story 3
• Winter Bingo
• Salt Lake City Cemetery Self-Guided Tour
• Ice Skating

Cross country skiing and snowshoeing are always fun family adventures for all ages! Sometimes it’s a little overwhelming knowing where to start when heading out on a snowshoe or cross country skiing adventure. Below are tips to get you and your family out having fun in the snow:

Where to begin?

• First off, you are going to need skiis or snowshoes if you don’t have your own. HERE is a list of places where you can rent equipment.
• What about lessons? The great thing about cross country skiing and snowshoeing is that because most of the terrain is going to be flat, or slightly “hilly”, you can go without having a formal lesson. I remember my parents taking us cross country skiing when I was about 12, and we just went, put on our skiis, and learned by experience. We had many laughs falling down at first, but by the end of the day we were pretty good at staying up!
• Check the weather and avalanche warnings.
• Review Winter Mountain Survival tips.
• Make sure you have appropriate clothing and are dressed warm! The Survival Mama has great tips on dressing warm for kids and dressing warm for adults.

Where to go? Should we go with a guide, or on our own?

• Like hiking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing are activities you can easily do on your own if you don’t want to hire a guide. Just remember that a well-trained guide can show you the best trails, and local wildlife to see.
• Here are places that you can go, with or without a guide (thanks Utah Travel Center for most of the info!). If you are wanting to go with a guide, these are the best places to look. They can also offer you trails to go off on your own without a guide:
• Wasatch Mountain State Park (Midway)  435-654-1791, Cross-country skiing is popular here. Visit their website for more info.
• Soldier Hollow at Wasatch Mountain State Park (Midway) 435-654-2002. 26 km of groomed trails, site of the Cross-country, Biathlon, and Nordic Combine Olympic competitions. Lessons and rentals available.
• Jordanelle State Park (by Heber) Call: Hailstone: (435) 649-9540 or Rock Cliff: (435) 782-3030. Their non-motorized cross-country ski trail offers access to the Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park.
• White Pine Touring Center (Park City) 435-649-8701, 435-649-8710, 18 km of groomed trails, lessons, rentals available, and tours offered.
• The Homestead Cross Country Ski Center (in Midway/near Park City) 435-654-1102, 800-327-7220. Features 12 km of groomed trails, lessons and rentals available.
• Sherwood Hills (near Logan), 435-245-5054, 800-532-5066. 20 km of trails – 5 km groomed, lessons by prior arrangement, rentals available and night skiing.
• Solitude Nordic Center Provo Canyon (east of Provo) 801-225-4107, 800-892-1600. 15 km of groomed trails, lessons, rentals available and night skiing.
• Of course, you can always just rent your skis and snowshoes, and head up one of Utah’s famous canyons! (For a list of great canyons for cross-country skiing, visit this link and scroll down to Activities and Attractions, and Sports and Recreation.)

Jim Church, a "resident" of the Glenwood Cemetery (photo obtained from the Glenwood Cemetery website)

This is an event we are looking most forward to this year for Halloween! The Glenwood Cemetery is a historic cemetery located in Park City, UT. On Sunday October 30th, 2011, from 12pm to 2pm, the “residents” of this cemetery will “come alive” to tell you their story, and the history of Park City.

While walking through the cemetery, meet each person who is buried there, and learn of their tragedy and triumph in old Park City.

This is a free event, but donations for the cemetery upkeep are greatly appreciated. This event is suitable for the entire family, and is a great opportunity for the family to learn some history as well as enjoy an educational Halloween event.

To get to the Glenwood Cemetery, go into Park City and follow the signs to Park City Mountain Resort. Park in the parking lot across the street (East across the street) and walk up Silver King Drive.

Other Halloween events you might be interested in:

• Fort Douglas Cemetery Tour
• The Homestead Scarecrow Festival
• Utah Halloween Events
• Halloween River Cruise