You’ve probably heard of Soldier Hollow, Utah’s premier 2002 winter Olympic cross-country ski venue, but did you know that this world-famous winter sport site also boasts Utah’s longest tubing hills?

Complete with 8 tubing lanes and lift service for those of us who love the thrill of sledding, but dread the hike to the top, Soldier Hollow offers a thrilling winter afternoon or evening of activity!

Located in Wasatch Mountain State Park near Midway, Utah, Soldier Hollow’s 1,200-foot sliding lanes with lift service are open seven days a week: weekdays from noon to 8 p.m., Saturdays and holidays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Sessions run every two hours beginning with the opening hour of the day.

Plan ahead to experience the tubing rush at this winter location — sledding is divided into 2-hour sessions and tickets sales are limited for each session, keeping waiting in line to a minimum and sledding fun to a maximum.

"Soldier Hollow limits the number of tickets it sells per session so that you don’t spend all of your time waiting in line and everyone is guaranteed an enjoyable time. Without the sales cap, the quality of the experience wouldn’t be there," said Howard Peterson, Soldier Hollow general manager.

I made reservations two days in advance for myself and my children and their teenage cousins who wanted in on the fun!

Excitement was high as we arrived. An Olympic sign marks the entrance and serves as reminder of the world-wide renown reputation that Soldier Hollow now enjoys for its cross-country skiing and facilities.

After picking up our tickets, we enjoyed panoramic views of the Wasatch Mountains from within the warm and open sitting areas inside the Soldier Hollow lodge. Several groups of visitors relaxed on couches by a cozy fire and munched on snacks. Peterson invites such a scene. "We encourage groups and families to brown bag. You’re welcome to bring food and drink," he said. Larger groups can even have pot-luck dinners (reservations necessary).

Although my kids and I weren’t eating, we did have to take a few photos of the lodge and fireplace — because (this is the cool part for all of your teen and pre-teen kids) this lodge is actually the site where the opening scene from the first High School Musical movie was filmed. Just tell your kids it’s the New Year’s Eve Party/karaoke scene and they’ll know exactly what you’re talking about (when I initially couldn’t picture the scene, my two daughters quickly — and excitedly — filled me in on all the details!). So, if the thrill of tubing down America’s longest tubing lanes is not enough, standing by the fireplace where Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgins first sang together will be!

After leaving the lodge, we headed to the base of the hill to grab our tubes and join the excited groups of tubers.

An upbeat sound system pipes top 40 tunes while you are waiting. But, the wait is minimal. The lift line is short, and people are happy and conversational as they stand in line. Both times I’ve visited Soldier Hollow I’ve met people from around the country.

This visit I met Vivian and Billy Cockrell from Pensacola, Florida, first-time Utah visitors who came to Soldier Hollow to enjoy the snow. They and their family were all smiles as the came sliding to a halt at the bottom of one of the tubing lanes. How did the Cockrells like Utah’s longest tubing lanes? "It’s awesome! We love it!" they said.

And my family loved it too! I liked the lift going up — I got to relax on the ride up the mountain — no dragging sleds and tubes and toddlers and teenagers up and down hills. My almost-teenage daughter loved the rush and the thrill, and my two younger children were having so much fun they didn’t have time to think about being cold! In fact, two hours was not long enough for my four-year old son. Whereas on some winter activities we finish with him crying because he’s cold, we finished this activity with him crying out because he didn’t want to leave!

I chose to go during the noon to 2:00 session because I knew this would be the warmest time of day; and it was very warm. We ended up taking off coats and hats and piling them into the bottom of our tubes. Although the weather and speed were perfect for us during the middle of the day, some guests recommend Soldier Hollow night-tubing.

Sheyla Buckley, of Springville, Utah goes annually with family and friends specifically for the 6 to 8 p.m. evening session. "It’s great. At night the lanes are cold and more frozen — you go fast. Our kids love it!" she said.

Whether you want to go during the day when it’s warmer or in the evening when the lanes are frozen, you are guaranteed two hours of FUN.

Soldier Hollow is a hotspot for both locals and non-Utah visitors. Tens of thousands of visitors enjoy the venue each winter. Peterson said "We have many Utah-Valley based corporate groups that come in. We recently had guests from as far as Singapore and Korea. The tubing hills are a great way for non-skiers to experience and enjoy the Utah snow."

I met several Soldier Hollow guests who were there as part of a multi-day family reunion. The tubing hills are a great way for large groups of all abilities to enjoy a fun, invigorating wintertime activity in a premier Utah outdoor location.

My sister-in-law, who came with her three teenage kids for the first time, said, "I’m definitely going to bring my next wintertime guests. This is a great show up and go [do it] activity for Utah snow!"

Not only does Soldier Hollow provide a way for non-skiers to enjoy the snow, but Soldier Hollow can also accommodate guests with disabilities. Peterson said "Our goal as a legacy is to make sure that everyone has an opportunity here, and so … we have our tubing hill designed so that virtually anyone with a disability is easily accommodated and has the opportunity to slide down the hill. One of the really interesting participants has been a number of visually impaired, blind individuals, who obviously aren’t going to see what they are sliding down, but the sensations, they describe how wonderful that is, feeling the air rushing by — so really it is a site for everybody." Soldier Hollow also has special sit cross-county skis, which provide training opportunities for top sit skiers, those paralyzed from the waist down.

The Soldier Hollow tubing runs are a favorite for people of all ages: adults, children, and teenagers. In fact, I have to say that I saw the speed and excitement bring out the teenager side in many a rider, including a business executive I met, visiting for the first time with his family from California.

My teenage niece and nephew said that it was "so fun!" and that they liked that they didn’t have to walk up — it was so easy.

Of course, it doesn’t take long to learn that there are a few tricks to the trade! Going in groups (linking tubes) is allowed when approved by the lane guides who give you the green-light go-ahead at the top of the hill. This makes you go faster — especially when there are ten of you all hooked together. (Now that is fun!) And, in case you’re wondering if the hills vary in speed, I took a poll from those in line and racing down, and the consensus pretty much came to hill number 4 as the fastest lane.

So, if you are looking for a perfectly-tailored-to-your-enjoyment winter activity set in a pristine location, and you don’t mind spending a few extra dollars (it’s worth it!) call to make your reservation for Soldier Hollow’s tubing hills!

IF YOU GO:

It is advisable to call ahead (435-654-2002) to purchase tickets in advance as sessions can sell out. Tubing hill session tickets are limited to ensure that lines are short and the wait is minimal. All riders must sign waivers, and riders under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian also sign. Riders under age 3 are not allowed.

Tubing Rates:

Ages 3 to 6 $11.00 / 2 hrs.

Ages 7 and up $18.00 / 2 hrs.

Group rates for 25 or more $12.00 / 2 hrs. per person

Group rates for 50 or more $11.00 / 2 hrs. per person

Groups must be booked and paid in advance

Private Parties include exclusive hill use for 2 hours outside normal hours. Parties of up to 120 (1 lift) are $875, with additional persons at $7. Parties of up to 200 (2 lifts) are $1275, with additional persons at $6.

Soldier Hollow is located in Heber Valley, just 53 miles from Salt Lake City, 19 miles from Provo, and 17 miles from Park City

MountainHouse Grill is family-friendly and offers entrees ranging from gourmet salads, homemade pizzas, specialty hamburgers and dinner entrees such as filet mignon and salmon. I had the grilled chicken sandwich with marinated chicken breast, caramelized onions, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, and Basil Pesto Aoli — yummy!

What I really love is how friendly and accommodating the chef and staff are. My son is highly allergic to dairy products, and they went out of their way to check ingredients and prepare a nice meal for him!

Of course, if a sit-down meal is not for you, there is always Granny’s in downtown Heber — famous across Utah for its milkshakes and burgers!

WHAT TO BRING:
• Camera
• Extra pairs of gloves for those kids who seem to always get snow in theirs!
• Warm clothes
• Scarf or head beanie for toddlers. I was glad I had a neck beanie for my son, as the wind going down the tubing lanes can be cool and can whip some snow up into little faces.
• Toe warmers and hand warmers – only if you go on a particularly cold day. These are available from sports equipment stores for under $2.
• Food — or plan to dine out. Soldier Hollow’s lodge provides an inviting dining area for brown bag lunching. Midway offers multiple eat-out alternatives.

MAKE YOUR ADVENTURE KID-COOL:
• Take a bathroom trip at the lodge before you have everyone bundled and out to the hill.
• Buddy system. This is a great activity where your kids can have some freedom. You can see them wherever they are from wherever you are. My almost-teen had fun going down the faster tubing runs with her teenage cousins, while the younger ones and I set our own speed and timing. I could see my daughter and nephews wherever they were: in line, on the hills, at the base. There are Soldier Hollow guides helping guests with the tubing lift and at the top and bottom of the hill, so this is a fun adventure for kids to go on with friends!
• Use hand warmers and toe warmers! Pack these on every winter adventure. They are worth the extra bit of change. Warm kids are happy kids in the snow. Insert toe warmers into boots (they adhere to bottom of socks) when putting on shoes. Take hand warmers and use when the kids are starting to get cold! Planning ahead to warm up cold hands and toes can make all the difference for your family adventure!

MORE SOLDIER HOLLOW ADVENTURES:

Soldier Hollow also offers cross-country ski trail passes and daily rentals.

Full Day/ After 1 p.m.:

Adult Ski Trail Pass $18 /$15

Senior Ski Trail Pass $15/ $12

Junior Ski Trail Pass (7-17) $9/ $6

Child Ski Trail Pass (under 7) Free/ Free

Adult Snowshoe Pass $10/ N/A

Junior Snowshoe Pass (under 18) $5/ N/A

Soldier Hollow is also the site of the world’s largest international sheepdog contest. The world's best sheepdogs and their handlers convene during the four days of Labor Day weekend for this event.

Soldier Hollow also hosts annually the Heber Valley Pow-wow and Mountain Man rendezvous to celebrate American Indian food, art, and dance. The festival is held in June. And, of course, Soldier Hollow continues to host World Championship ski racing and biathlon competitions. For more information, see www.soldierhollow.com.