With the winter season finally coming to a close, Utah ski resorts are ushering in their summer activity programs.--- Biking gives resort guests the opportunity to get out of the sometimes-muggy summertime Salt Lake valley to ride breathtaking vistas at a variety of difficulty levels.

Sundance opens its trails to bikers on May 20, the earliest of any Utah ski resort. Sundance offers a Mountain Biking School, to help those who are new to mountain biking feel comfortable on their own. Ray’s Summit, which peaks at 1,200 feet, gives Sundance bikers the opportunity of the ultimate mountain bike challenge of a straight vertical climb.

Deer Valley is also home to summer biking, and opens its trails June 17. Mountain Bike Action magazine has named Deer Valley’s biking as one of the top 10 best mountain bike destinations in the United States. Chairlifts at Deer Valley that provide lift-service mountain biking include the Silver Lake Express, Snow Park and the Sterling Express Chairlift. New this summer is the Ruby Express chairlift.

Home to an extensive network of trails from lower-mountain to upper mountain, Snowbird offers not only mountain biking, but mountain scooters as well. Mountain scooters are designed for those who are not comfortable on a mountain bike; the scooters offer more suspension shock and a lower center of gravity, making it easier to control than a mountain bike. Due to snow levels, Snowbird is planning on offering weekend skiing until July, but hopes to have biking and other summer activities open by Father’s Day.

Spring and summer biking at Utah ski resorts allows for a convenient escape to view the scenic Utah Mountains, without the burden of snow. All of Utah’s ski resorts recommend that bikers ride the mountain safely and courteously, and be cautious not to bike on trails beyond a comfortable riding level.