Salt Lake City is Utah's capital and gateway to the state's renowned ski resorts. Along with scenic national parks and recreational areas, Salt Lake City is a well-known ski destination, having hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Skiers are able to enjoy world-class facilities and some of the best snow conditions on earth at Salt Lake City, also lively entertainment and a vibrant nightlife is abundant within the city.
Perhaps though the most popular feature of Salt Lake City is the Great Salt Lake. The largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, and according to Utah's home page, the lake and its islands provide outstanding scenery and recreational opportunities in northern Utah. "Sunsets over the lake are breathtaking with amazing red, orange, lavender and pink hues slowly dissolve in the evening sky. The lake's turquoise waters attract sailors, its white sand beaches attract swimmers and sunbathers, and the rocky outcroppings on Antelope Island and shoreline areas attracts hikers and mountain bikers."

Swimming and sunbathing are popular on the white sandy beaches at Antelope Island State Park. The salinity of the water averages about 12%, making it much saltier than the ocean, making the water is so buoyant that people can easily float. Sailing is very popular on the lake as well with full-service marinas available at Antelope Island and Great Salt Lake State Marina on the south shore. However, the lake is shallow, average depth about 20 feet. Powerboats can also operate on the lake. Motors not rated for saltwater need to be flushed carefully after use. On overcast days, the horizon on the lake blends into the sky and the landscape takes on a surreal look, making skimming sailboats and the distant islands appear to float midair over the lake.
Wildlife is abundant on Antelope Island and in the shoreline marshes. Bison, antelope, deer, bobcats, coyotes, and elk roam freely on the island and can be often seen by visitors. The lake's marshes attract large numbers of migratory birds as well. Bird watching is a popular activity around the lake, including the federally managed Bear River Bird Refuge and the state's Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area.
Kayaking on the Great Salt Lake is a great way to see some of the areas that you normally wouldn't see. With 10,000 miles of shoreline it can be one of the most rewarding places to paddle in North America. Mountain biking is popular on excellent trails on Antelope and Stansbury islands and also offer excellent hiking. Antelope Island offers excellent facilities for picnicking and camping as well.
The Great Salt Lake is actually the remainder of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, which covered some 20,000 square miles of land that is now Utah, Nevada and Idaho some 10,000 to 30,000 years ago. The present lake is about 75 miles long and 35 miles wide. On the east side of the lake there are 9 new communities for sale. Each offers all the enjoyment The Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake City has to offer right outside their front door. Some of these new communities are directly south of the lake such as Fieldstone Homes new communities for sale called Stansbury Place and Copper Canyon, there is on the East of the lake The Vistas by Liberty Homes with Birkhill at Fireday by Hamlet Homes, and Hunters Creek and Hidden Willow are the new communities to the north/east of the lake. All offer amazing access to all that Salt Lake City has to offer.