Many a local will tell you they first came here because of the winters, but stayed for the summers. And for good reason. By late June, the much needed spring rains subside, and azure blue skies become the norm, with only a handful of rainy days all summer. Cool morning and evening temperatures provide plenty of time for serious workouts, while the warmer days invite water sports of all kinds. Pineview Lake, a popular weekend destination, belongs to the locals from Sunday evening until mid-day Friday, and every possible adaptation on the term water sports unfolds. Water skiing, wake boarding, paddle boarding, kite boarding and tubing and are all common pursuits. The morning’s glassy conditions make for ideal trout and Tiger Muskie fishing, and the calm water offers perfection for paddling a canoe or kayak from one end of the lake to the other. The flows slow in the South and North Fork of the Ogden River, providing ideal fly fishing conditions from late June into fall. Almost like clockwork, the winds start blowing each day at about 2 p.m., offering an ideal, four hour window for sailing small boats or Hobies.
Both Snowbasin Resort and Wolf Mountain host season long concert series on weekends, and many local restaurants feature live music on their outdoor patios. Summer’s big events include the very traditional July 4th parades, celebrations and fireworks, with Huntsville leading in popularity. Eden and Liberty each host their own small town Independence Day activities and the smell of barbecue fills the night air.
Races for runners and bikers are held just about every weekend, with the grand finale of the summer season is the Ogden Valley Balloon Festival in mid-August. This three day festival kicks off at dawn each day, when 20 – 30 hot air balloons fill Eden’s skies. There’s all day entertainment, arts & crafts, kids games, mountain man rendez vous and a serious Plein Air art competition.
The ski resorts start selling their season passes and much cooler morning temperatures trigger the onset of fall. Long Indian Summers are very common, lasting well into September, when the Xterra Triathlon offers the final competitive event of the season.
