Soldier Hollow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Soldier Hollow |
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The venue during the 2002 Winter Olympics, February 2002
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| Location | Wasatch Mountain State Park Wasatch County, Utah United States |
| Nearest city | Midway |
| Coordinates | 40°28′45″N 111°29′50″W / 40.47917°N 111.49722°W |
| Vertical | 419 ft (128 m) |
| Top elevation | 5,882 ft (1,793 m) |
| Base elevation | 5,463 ft (1,665 m) |
| Skiable area | 19 mi (31 km) of trails spread out over 134 acres (54 ha) |
| Runs | 14 |
| Longest run | Olympic 3.1 mi (5.0 km) |
| Lift system | 1 - surface tow (tubing hill) |
| Terrain parks | No |
| Snowmaking | Yes (along 3.1 mi (5.0 km) of trails) |
| Night skiing | No |
Soldier Hollow is a special sports place in Utah, United States. It is about 53 miles (85 km) southeast of Salt Lake City. This area is part of Wasatch Mountain State Park. Soldier Hollow was built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. During the Olympics, it hosted exciting events. These included biathlon, cross-country skiing, and parts of the Nordic combined events.
After the Olympics, Soldier Hollow became a popular spot. In winter, people enjoy cross-country skiing, tubing, and snowshoeing. In summer, it's great for mountain biking and golfing. Since May 1, 2016, the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation has managed the venue. This group also runs other Olympic sites in Utah.
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History of Soldier Hollow
Before the Olympics
Soldier Hollow is in the southeast part of Wasatch Mountain State Park. This park is a large nature area, about 21,592 acres (8,738 ha) big. It became a state park in 1968. The name "Soldier Hollow" comes from the shape of the land, which is a hollow or valley. Long ago, parts of the park were used for farming and grazing animals. Locals also used the area for fun activities.
Over the years, people wanted to build hotels and other attractions in the park. Most of these plans did not happen. However, the 36-hole Soldier Hollow Golf Course was built nearby. It opened in July 2004. This golf course added to the existing Wasatch Mountain Golf Course in the park.
Building the Olympic Venue
The Salt Lake Organizing Committee (SLOC) built Soldier Hollow. It was one of only three venues made specifically for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The other two were the Utah Olympic Park and Utah Olympic Oval. SLOC chose Soldier Hollow as an Olympic site in October 1997.
Work on the venue started soon after. Big construction began in 1999. By January 2000, the venue was almost ready. It even hosted its first big event, the U.S. Cross Country Championships. The main building, called the day lodge, started being built in July 2000. It was finished in December 2000. Building Soldier Hollow cost SLOC about $22 million.
Soldier Hollow at the 2002 Olympics
During the 2002 Winter Olympics, Soldier Hollow hosted many events. These included biathlon, cross-country skiing, and Nordic combined. Many fans came to watch. Over 64,000 people watched biathlon. More than 99,000 watched cross-country skiing.
Soldier Hollow was the farthest Olympic venue from Salt Lake City. It took about 2 to 2.5 hours to drive there. To make the trip fun, a special "Western Experience" was set up. This area had music, entertainment, and pioneer reenactments. There were also cowboy camps and displays about American Indian culture.
To help people get to Soldier Hollow, a special train service was set up. The historic Heber Valley Railroad carried spectators. A new train station was built near the venue. Trains brought hundreds of passengers each day. From the station, people rode horse-drawn sleighs to the entrance. This made the journey to the Olympics a unique adventure!
Soldier Hollow Today
Today, Soldier Hollow is still a busy place. In winter, it's a top spot for:
- Cross-country skiing
- Tubing
- Snowshoeing
- Horse-pulled sleigh rides
In summer, it offers:
- Mountain biking
- Golfing
- A popular music festival
- An international sheepdog competition
The State of Utah owns Soldier Hollow. It is part of Wasatch Mountain State Park. A non-profit group manages the venue.
Wasatch Mountain Music Festival
The Wasatch Mountain Music Festival was held at Soldier Hollow. For example, it took place from July 14–16, 2017. This festival celebrates Americana music. It features bluegrass, country, folk, and jazz. Soldier Hollow's setting in the mountains is perfect for it.
The festival had two stages for music all day long. Many talented artists performed. There were also places for camping, food, and shops. Families could enjoy hiking or biking trails. There were even pioneer living history camps with activities for kids. The Heber Valley Railroad sometimes ran a special "music train" to the event. The festival also offered workshops for musicians.
In 2018, the music festival moved to the Zermatt Resort in nearby Midway.
Sheepdog Competition
Soldier Hollow is also home to a famous event called the Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship and Festival. This event happens every year on Labor Day weekend. It is known as one of the world's best sheepdog trials. About 28,000 people attend this exciting competition.
