Name: USBA Fall Festival & Schutzenski Biathlon Festival 2026
Start: 2026-10-18
End: 2026-10-18

Once the site of a small Native American encampment (and later, in the 1850’s, a stopover for a group of Army surveyors), Soldier Hollow emerged from obscurity in the winter of 2002 as the immensely popular site of the Olympic cross country and biathlon events. Soldier Hollow also hosted the cross country skiing portions of Nordic Combined, and in March of 2002, held the cross country skiing and biathlon events for the Paralympics. Having clearly established Soldier Hollow as a world acclaimed facility, the Olympics also provided Soldier Hollow with an infrastructure that could not only host future elite competitions such as National Championships and World Cups, but could also stage a wide range of events. Since the closing ceremonies of the Olympics and Paralympics, Soldier Hollow has continued the legacy of ski racing and biathlon, playing host to the Under 23 World Championships in 2004 and U.S. Championships in 2005 and 2006. Among the more unusual functions, Soldier Hollow has, since the Olympics, been the site of a Disney movie, staged the filming of national television commercials, hosted small, intimate work sessions by nationally prominent business and government leaders (including a break for a fun competition at the biathlon range), and many sports events, including the North American Unicycle Championships. Soldier Hollow has also been home to the Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championships, Intergalactic Tubing Championships, and Heber Valley Pow-Wow. A wide range of events – youth and family friendly – is a hallmark of Soldier Hollow. It’s all part of the Legacy. Soldier Hollow is operated by the Soldier Hollow Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit to benefit youth winter sports and recreation and maintain and support local, regional, national and international nordic ski competitions and training. Soldier Hollow is believed to be the only self-supporting Olympic Venue in the world and pays lease concession fees to the State of Utah through Wasatch Mountain State Park as part of its on-going year-round operations.

Soldier Hollow

Year-round adventure awaits - golf, hike, bike, camp, horseback ride, snowmobile, cross-country ski, and snowshoe at Wasatch Mountain. During warmer months, reserve a tee time at the popular Lake and Mountain golf courses. In winter, ski or snowmobile through the alpine terrain.

Wasatch Mountain State Park

Deer Creek State Park lies in the southwest corner of beautiful Heber Valley and consistently provides some of Utah's finest year-round fishing. Anglers fish for rainbow trout, brown trout, perch, large mouth bass, small mouth bass, and walleye. Beautiful Deer Creek reservoir is also extremely popular for boating, wind surfing, sunbathing, swimming, and sailboating.

Deer Creek State Park

Helicites and anthodites are just a few of the many dazzling formations to be found within 3 spectacularly decorated caverns. The strenuous climb to the cave entrance, a hike gaining over 1,000 feet in elevation, offers incredible views of American Fork Canyon.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Great Utah snow, fantastic terrain, and exceptional value are what make Brighton a favorite of skiers and snowboarders alike. Brighton has 6 lifts (4 high-speed quads, 1 fixed quad and 1 triple chair) and a magic carpet to whisk you to incredible slopes and scenery. Children 10 years and younger ride free any day, all season.

#### Included in the Salt Lake Ski Super Pass

[Learn more about the Super Pass](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/super-pass/)

Brighton Resort

This easy out-and-back hike is family friendly and great for all skill levels. Just one mile in leads to a beautiful alpine lake surrounded by stunning mountain beauty.

Located in Little Cottonwood Canyon at Alta Ski Area, Cecret Lake Trail is a popular hike that is surrounded by nature and great views.

This hike is popular, so it's best to arrive early, especially on the weekends. There is a $10 fee to park at the trailhead, which is located right by Albion Basin Campground. You can park right at the trailhead, or park for free before the gate and extend your hike a few miles. The very last portion of the trail is steeper than the rest, bringing you up to the lake. Once there, enjoy the scenery! You can walk around the lake for a longer hike or take your time before you head back down. Though this is an excellent summer or fall hike, the best views are during the summertime. During warmer months, the trail is filled with stunning wildflowers and lots of wildlife.

**Author’s recommendation**  
July and August are the best times to see the wildflowers along the trail. Dogs and swimming in the lake are not allowed.

Cecret Lake

A medium-length family friendly hike with beautiful lake view.

This well trafficked hike is a must. While the trail shown here is a great loop, it can be adjusted for any level of hiking - it can be shortened to an out and back to just see the beautiful Lake Mary, or it can be lengthened to take in Mary, Martha, Catherine, Dog, and Twin Lakes. Many families and groups of all types on the Lake Mary trail section, but the link between Mary and Twin is less crowded. It's recommended to avoid weekends and holidays, if possible, as this is a popular hike. Spring hiking can be difficult as the snow still sometimes covers the trail even as late as June.

**Local's recommendation:** This is a good summer or fall hike - the temperatures at this elevation in Big Cottonwood Canyon is 10-20 degrees cooler than the Salt Lake valley.

**Details**

**Difficulty:** Easy

**Highest point:** 9675 ft

**Lowest point:** 8766 ft

**Best time of year:** May - October

**Safety information:** Bring comfortable hiking shoes, plenty of water, and extra snacks. There are steep parts, so a walking pole is helpful. Swimming and dogs are not permitted anywhere in Big Cottonwood Canyon because it is a watershed area.

**Roadbook**

From the parking lot at Brighton Resort, follow the signs for the Lake Mary trail. The trail is well signed all the way up, and if you choose to take the loop to Twin Lakes Reservoir, it is also well marked.

- Start point - 8302 S Brighton Loop Rd, Brighton, UT 84121 - 0 mi
- Highest point, 9675 ft - 1.7 mi
- Lowest point, 8766 ft - 4.6 mi
- Lake Mary - Destination - 4.7 mi

**How to Get There**

**Public transport:** Bus routes do not travel up to this trailhead in summer - best access is by car.

**Parking:** Parking at Brighton Resort near the trailhead is free outside of the ski season.

Lake Mary to Twin Lakes Reservoir Loop Trail

1.75 mi/2.8 km one-way — This hike starts at Brighton Resort, 15 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon. Follow the signs west of the general store for the meadow path to Silver Lake.When you reach Silver Lake, continue to the right along the north shore. About halfway around the lake, on the northwest side, the trail splits; take the right-hand fork. When the trail splits again, follow the posted signs for a gradual climb to Lake Solitude, a tiny lake in a tree-lined bowl. Take along a picnic and a camera.

Silver Lake/Lake Solitude

Glide in our winter wonderland. Solitude’s Nordic & Snowshoe Center is one of the best-kept secrets. Explore twenty kilometers of pristine trails through some of Utah’s most stunning terrain. Easily accessible from the Solitude Village, the center has both classic and skate styles of Nordic skiing.

Solitude Nordic Center

Visit Salt Lake

Salt Lake is the place where the Wasatch mountain peaks frame city streets. Sure, Salt Lake's famed for our winter powder ([four legendary ski resorts](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/skiing-snowboarding/) just 30 minutes from downtown), but that's just one season's story. Summer brings families [hiking through wildflower meadows](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/) before cooling off at a Jazz game or the Gateway fountains. Autumn paints our mountain canyons in gold, perfect for morning strolls that end at local coffee shops. Spring? That's when you might spot baby bison on Antelope Island before heading to the Eccles Theater for a Broadway show. Our soaring Wasatch Mountains rise dramatically from downtown Salt Lake, creating a place where every day offers both natural wonders and urban energy. And while we sit perfectly between the [national parks](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/state-national-parks/) with Yellowstone's geysers and Utah's red rock country, the real magic happens right here, where everyone can [discover the history](https://www.visitsaltlake.com/plan-your-visit/about-salt-lake/) of the city as they find their own rhythm between mountain adventure and city life.

Sports Salt Lake

Schutzenski Festival returns to Soldier Hollow Nordic Center this October. Once again, we will have two whole weekends of fun!October 9-11 | USBA Fall Festival & International Team TrialsThe Schutzenski Biathlon Festival! This weekend features both elite and open classes, from U13s to Masters. The weekend also features the annual SOHO Biathlon Shoot-Out at 12:30 on Saturday, October 10.The second weekend of the Festival, October 16-18, is the Schutzenski Cross Country & Trail Running Race.This calendar listing is brought to you by NowPlayingUtah.com, Utah's one-stop, online website for arts and entertainment events, powered by the Utah Cultural Alliance.

USBA Fall Festival & Schutzenski Biathlon Festival 2026

2026 Development Player League (DPL)

Elite Tournaments is an event management firm that specializes in youth sports with the ability to excel in a variety of platforms. Elite Tournaments can provide expert support in marketing, logistical preparation, scheduling, on-site management, and product activation. Elite Tournaments currently runs over 50 events nationwide. Please visit www.elitetournaments.com.

Elite Tournaments 

2026 Great Western Fall Classic

**Salt Lake City**

**Columbus Day Tournament**

**October 9-12, 2026**

**AA, A, BB, B | 10U-14U**

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**Top Competition**
Play a guaranteed 4 games against top U.S. and Canadian youth hockey teams.

**Olympic-Level Venues**
Hit the ice at the Utah Olympic Oval and Peaks Ice Arena, both iconic sites from the 2002 Winter Olympics.

**Seamless Experience**
On-site photography, on-time games, and on-site staff, including sports medical trainers. Plus, no gate fees!

**Off-Ice Fun**
Enjoy vibrant Salt Lake City and stunning natural scenery between games. Arrive early or stay late and catch a Utah Hockey Club game.

Salt Lake Columbus Day Tournament (Utah Olympic Oval)

We are a full time Hockey Tournament Company that specializes in Full service, professionally operated Hockey Tournaments for Men, Women & Youth of all skill and age levels.

USBA Fall Festival & Schutzenski Biathlon Festival 2026

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