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Talk about time sneaking up on you. If you’re close enough to consider a season pass to Utah resorts, it feels like just a few months ago we were debating whether the Mountain Collective should be the only pass you purchase. 

As the summer wanes here in Park City, Utah, here are five things to do before the snow flies. 

The waters are warming in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, signaling that El Niño is on his way – and so should above-average snowfall across the West and Southwest.

The sounds of $50 million in on-mountain upgrades echo across Park City this summer, as new owner Vail Resorts gets down to the business of creating the largest winter resort on American soil.

I swear one of these summers I’m going to get in the water and spend all day there. The 2015 Summer Outdoor Retailer Show in Salt Lake City  kicked off with the annual demo day at Pineview Reservoir near Ogden, Utah, and once again I looked longingly at all the bodies paddling but kept my distance.

The scenic chairlift ride, the downhill mountain bike run and the alpine hiking trek have long been standard fare at summer mountain resorts – but the focus has moved off-mountain lately.

Park City celebrated Utah’s Pioneer Day or (Pie and Beer day as non-Mormons call it) a bit differently this year. Christening the new High West Whiskey distillery July 24 not only toasted the historic arrival of Mormon settlers but the tasty beverages they brought with them.

Utah’s controversial Mountain Accord plan got off the ground in July with the unanimous endorsement of a quartet of proposed land swaps between Utah ski and snowboard resorts and the U.S. Forest Service. The land exchanges at Alta, Snowbird, Solitude and Brighton signal a commitment for backcountry conservation among elected officials, government agencies, and representatives of private business and non-profit organizations.

Treasure Mountain, Park City Ski Area, Park City Mountain Resort, PCMR. Now there’s a new name on the 50+ year-old ski area’s business card -- Park City Mountain. The rebranding (the first since the mid-1990s) will go full-bore public later this month. 

It’s easy to find a restaurant in Park City. There are more than 100 to choose from. The real issue is finding an “affordable” one or one that at least feels like you got what you paid for. You’re in a resort town paying resort prices. 

The Summit Express at Solitude Mountain Resort has been both the lift of choice for black-diamond powder hounds … and somewhat of a hassle to get to.

Recreation during the summer in the mountains above Salt Lake City is still within an hour’s drive of the city – and the resorts continue to add more things to do.

To make sure everyone knows that you can get a drink in Park City, Utah, the semi-annual PC Cocktails Contest is back. 

Deer Valley has appointed Andrew Fletcher as Solitude Mountain Resort’s new director of food and beverage. Fletcher joined Deer Valley in 1998 as an assistant sous chef at the Silver Lake Lodge. 

Tim Wolfgram has been named Solitude Mountain Resort’s new director of snow sports services. Wolfgram is a long-standing ski industry veteran and brings vast knowledge and experience in snow sports operations to the position. Deer Valley recently closed on it’s acquisition of Solitude.

Deer Valley Resort has successfully closed on the purchase of Solitude Mountain Resort. Deer Valley has now begun operating Solitude in its entirety. That signals enhancements are on the way.

Deer Valley Resort and Stein Eriksen, its director of skiing, both received awards at the fourth annual Governor's State of Sport Awards Dinner, hosted by the Utah Sports Commission and presented by Zions Bank.

Winter's done. Spring's here with all the sun, warm temps and freak snow storms. Now, the only thing to worry about are the conditions. Two weeks ago we got 10 inches. Fresh snow on top of spring snow that has slopped up in the heat the day before and froze at night before the storm. What we ski instructors call "variable" and "dust on crust".

Planning to be in Park City, Utah this summer? The Park City Food and Wine Classic is back. It's hard to imagine that this humble festival is now in its 11th straight year and attracts thousands of oenophiles and foodies. 

It’s been an up-and-down year at the ski and snowboard resorts in Utah this season, with heavy snowfall and warm temperatures concentrated in short spurts.