TimeOut

I hiked to the top of the mountainside “Y”. It is a 1+ mile hike each way with about a 1,100 foot gain in elevation — topping out about 6,200 feet. A beautiful panorama awaits with Utah Lake in the background. ...  

I like Salt Lake City quite a bit! It's a great family-forward and values-oriented culture! Lots of good behavior in Salt Lake City and Provo. At least compared to California.

Alternatively keep a look out for the several of the best distance runners in America; all training at BYU.

...before moving to Norcal long, long ago where the closest thing I have to a 'mountain' is the San Mateo hills. I used to do day hikes of Mount Timpanogos by Provo and Mount Olympus along the Wasatch Front closer the U of U where I grew up ... and the Y.... 

Don't forget the days skiing Alta and Park City! Before they became a "thing."

Hey Patrick, it's great to hear from you. I do remember those days! Alta and Brighton were my main 'go tos' as they were around 30 minutes from home. This will date me, but...(drum roll)...only $27-29 dollars for a full day of snowboarding!

Alta is very expensive now! Two years ago, I went to Alta, with rentals, a two hour instructor, and everything came out to several hundred dollars - too much.

Those were the ‘Tahoe prices’ once I moved out to the peninsula (I’m sure they’ve only gone up since then)! I was so shocked and outraged as a 20-something that I refused to pay - out of pure principle, of course … and not being willing to drive a few hou... 

At this point, skiing in Chamonix might be cheaper. And I'm told, skiing in Japan is fantastic and one doesn't even have to look at the price tags.