So you want to get to the top effortlessly? Without any huffing and puffing? And "No guts, No glory" was never your favorite cliche?

Well, sports fans, there IS an easy way! A few of the local ski and summer resorts have trams that run year round, and that will take you to the top for a nominal fee. You can leasierly take in the views on the way up, stay on top as long as you'd like, and catch a ride down for some more relaxing views. Or you can opt to hike, bike or ski down, depending on the resort and the season.

Resorts near Salt Lake that offer rides to the top year round:

• Deer Valley
• Park City Resort
• Snowbird
• Sundance

If only getting to the top of all things in life were this easy and enjoyable!

My Experience:

I took the tram to the top at Snowbird during late summer and it was awesome! The views were breathtaking. The tram runs to the top of Hidden Peak to an elevation of 11,000 feet, and one is afforded a 360^o view of the surrounding mountains. The wildflowers were peaking which made the scene even more striking because of the myriads of colors dotting the hillsides.

Of the many options for traveling back down, I chose the hiking option, by way of Gad Valley trail. On the map it looked like the shortest way down.

Now, I'm not usually an idiot, (though I sometimes play one on TV), but this choice was clearly one resulting from not thinking. The vertical distance from point A (the top of the mountain) to point B (the bottom of the mountain) is a finite length. If one takes the shortest distance, that means it will also be the steepest route. Will I ever learn???

The trail was downright scary in places with no guardrails to catch me as I slip-slided down the scree. Carrying my requisite camera gear made the sliding even more traumatic (I don't care if I hurt myself, but don't mess with my camera!) By the time I reached bottom, my feet and toes were hammered and I was ready for a hot bath.

But, I got the pictures!