Prior to its construction, Soldier Hollow was undeveloped. It was chosen as one of 3 new sites constructed specifically for the Olympic Games. Construction began in 1999 and was completed at a cost of $22 million USD. Because of its isolation from any major population centers, the Olympic organizers created a special Western Experience in the main plaza to entertain visitors in between events, which included a mountain rendezvous, pioneer reenactments, cowboy camps, Native American displays, and a wild mustang exhibit. The historic Heber Valley Railroad was hired to transport guests to and from the venue.
Following the Olympics, the resort was developed further for public use in cross-country skiing, tubing, and snow shoeing. In the summer it is used primarily for golf and mountain biking.
Location: Soldier Hollow is located up Provo Canyon in Wasatch Mountain State Park, west of Heber City. It is located near the northwest end of Deer Creek Reservoir at 2002 Soldier Hollow Drive, Midway, UT.
Cost: Cross-country skiing: $20/adult (18+), $10/youth (7-17), $15/senior (65+) for full day pass; for information on reduced rates for partial day (after 1:00 pm) or season passes, click here.
- Tubing: $22/rider (7+) or $12/rider (3-6) for a 2-hour session or $7 (7+), $5 (3-6) for a single run.
Time: The resort is open from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm daily from mid-December to March. Tube run sessions are every two hours starting at 10:00 on Saturdays and holidays and noon on Sundays & non-holiday weekdays. Plan on spending 2-4 hours.
Description: If you've never gone tubing down a snowy slope, you are missing out on one of the greatest thrills winter has to offer. Soldier Hollow has arguably the best tubing hill in the state. At 1,200 feet in length, they are definitely the longest runs. Since the half dozen lanes are wide, they also allow riders to link together with other tubes, allowing groups to either enjoy the ride together or individually.
Soldier Hollow also offers several other perks to its riders. Instead of having to trudge up the hill pulling your sled or tube, riders hook their tube onto a tow rope which drags them up the hill at a steady pace. The facilities also provide lights for night tubing and a sound system playing enjoyable music while you ride.
In addition to the tube runs, Soldier Hollow features a 31 kilometer trail system for cross-country skiing or snow shoeing in the winter, and hiking, mountain biking, or equestrian use in the summer. The state-of-the-art biathlon range used during the Olympics is still used for both summer and winter two-sport activities.
The beautiful, award-winning Soldier Hollow Lodge can be booked for wedding receptions, family reunions, or other special occasions.
Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)
Things You Should Know: - Children under 3 may not ride on the tube lift.
- If it is crowded, you may not want to wait in line for the lift. Pulling your sled up the hill the old fashioned way is perfectly fine too.
- Use of tubes and lift are included in your pass.
- Make sure you dress warmly (scarf, mittens, double layers of clothing, sweatshirt and jacket, cap, etc.). Also, bring sunglasses if it is sunny because the glare of the sun off the snow can be strong.
- They sell hot chocolate inside the lodge for about $2.50. We brought hot water in a thermos and hot chocolate packets to warm up after our session.
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| There's nothing like hot chocolate to warm you up after playing in the snow! |
- It is a good idea to buy your tickets ahead of time because they often sell out - especially on weekends. If you can go on a weekday, that is ideal because the lines are much shorter.
- Groups of 25+ adults may purchase tube passes for $17/person
- Private parties can't rent the facilities at discounted rates outside of normal public hours. Call (435) 654-2002 for more details.
Nearby: Midway Ice Castles, Deer Creek State Park, Brighton & Alta Ski Resorts, Park City
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