Second homes: Get the convenience of city life, slopeside
— -- In February, Salt Lake made the news when it was named the nation's fittest city by Men's Health magazine. But second-home owners have known this for years.
Skiing is the highest-profile active pursuit, especially since the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. Utah receives "Champagne powder," and 11 major ski resorts are within an hour, with some as close as 10 minutes.
Fans are quick to point out that there is much more to the city. "What makes us unique is the convenience," says real estate agent Jeff Justice of the Bringhurst Group. "Trailheads lead right into the wilderness from in town. In the spring, as late as May, I can go skiing in the morning, play golf in the afternoon and finish the day with a bike ride. You can't do that in many urban areas."
While resort towns such as Park City have plenty of second homes, Salt Lake City has a different appeal — including price. Money goes a lot further here than at the ski resorts, with nicer second homes starting under $300,000, and a lot of choices below half a million. "One guy calls the condo his 'cabin in the city,' " says Chris Corroon, developer of two downtown residential projects. "Quite a few bought here instead of Park City because they get something a lot cheaper and can also go to a Utah Jazz game or concert."
"Everyone understands the skiing," says Scott Beck, CEO of the city's Convention & Visitors Bureau. "But what we do is redefine the après-ski experience. Instead of wings at bars, we have opera, ballet, jazz, gourmet restaurants and all the urban amenities of a big city." One popular attraction is college football at the downtown University of Utah, which turns Saturdays in season into a city-wide party.
Even in the heart of winter, the large Salt Lake airport rarely closes, and the weather is more moderate in the city. Plus, summer is never far away: Moab, home to three national parks, outstanding mountain biking and warm desert weather, is less than four hours away.
A look at three Salt Lake City neighborhoods
