Sandy

Surrounded by snowcapped mountains and Engelmann spruce trees, wind slams against your goggles as you carve through Cottonwood Canyon. Powder packed underneath your skis almost makes you forget you’re not actually flying; this adrenaline rush is a familiar feeling for people in Sandy. The city is less than one hour from several internationally acclaimed ski resorts. Fast access to these extreme outdoor playgrounds is a major perk for people who want to hit the slopes during the day and still get home in time for dinner. Realtor Stephanie Hudson says she moved to Sandy for that exact reason.

“My husband can be door-to-door from our house to Alta in 20 minutes,” Hudson says. “It makes a huge difference. On a powder day, the traffic lines up for miles because people from the north, Sandy and Draper are trying to get to the Canyon. If you don’t live close to the Canyon, you’re going to wind up waiting a long, long time.”

Dubbed the “Heart of the Wasatch,” Sandy is located in between Draper and Salt Lake City. You can usually drive to either within a half hour if State Street is clear. This is the main road that runs north to south through the city, and where you’ll tend to experience a lull while trying reach the interstate onramp. If you need to get around without a car, you can count on the bus, light rail and FrontRunner train.

There’s one key detail house hunters need to be aware of – new single-family homes aren’t a common find in Sandy. However, that means houses here can be more affordable than in surrounding areas like Draper. Right now, homes in Sandy range from the mid $400,000s and skyrocket to $6 million. The current median is $987,000, but price varies depending on how close you want to be to the mountains. Houses on the lower end of the spectrum may be in need a room or two remodeled and could sell for below asking price. In contrast, those on the higher end have likely been recently remodeled and may sell above asking price. Homes in well-established subdivisions sit on smaller lots and feature fully grown trees in front and back yards; some streets are even lined with them. Multi-million-dollar mansions are accompanied by acreage and boast unobstructed mountain views. But no matter where your house is, the mountains are always peeking through your window, reminding you to plan your next adventure.

Students in Sandy are part of the Canyons School District. The district has a long-standing reputation for top-notch quality education. Alta, Diamond Ridge and Jordan High Schools offer concurrent courses, allowing teens to earn college credit before graduating. Some public elementary schools give students a chance to grow up learning a second language through a Chinese immersion program, and the Beehive Science and Technology Academy is a STEM-based private school serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

In addition to the mountains, dozens of parks are scattered throughout Sandy. Dimple Dell Regional Park is a catch-all covering 630 acres through the city. Hike, bike, or hop on your horse and ride along more than 15 miles of trails right in the middle of your neighborhood. Grab your skis, snowboard and make the short drive out to Cottonwood Canyon where you’ll find resorts like Brighton and Solitude. There’s no shortage of space to shred the gnar with Alta, Snowbird and Park City all less than one hour from your doorstep, and for a mere five bucks, you can board the ski bus and hitch a ride to resorts along the Wasatch Front. Hidden Valley and Willow Creek will appeal to those looking to join a country club and River Oaks provides a public golfing experience.

A mix of big-box and regional chains offer a slew of options for grocery shopping and running errands. The Carins is Sandy’s Downtown District and where you’ll find most people spending their free time if they’re not in the middle of an outdoor adventure. The Shops at South Town and Scheels are popular areas to shop and grab a bite, but that’s just scratching the surface of what you’ll find at The Carins. Test your skills at the Momentum Climbing Gym, watch a performance at the Hale Center Theater or cheer on Real Salt Lake, Utah’s Major League Soccer team, at the Rio Tinto Stadium. The options are plenty, and so is the traffic, so make sure you plan accordingly if your weekend calendar involves time at The Carins or requires you to drive near it to get to your destination.

Reach new heights at the Sandy City Balloon Festival; this beloved annual event is happening August 12th and 13th this year and is one neighbors across the city clear their calendar for. Arrive early in the morning at the City Promenade, spread out your blankets and set up your camping chairs to witness the hot air balloons launch into the sky. If watching isn’t enough, volunteer to show up early and help pilots prep for take-off. While you wait for August to roll around, catch a concert with a view during The Sandy Amphitheater 2023 Concert Series. Artists including Kelsea Ballerini and The Goo Goo Dolls are set to take the stage as you sing along to their hits and enjoy a scenic mountain sunset.

Sandy is a city where you’ll rarely find yourself without something to do. Its central location makes whatever you’ve got planned so easily attainable, the real challenge isn’t finding something to do but deciding what to do. If you need help figuring out what your next adventure is, just look through your window; the Wasatch Mountains are constantly calling neighbors out of their homes to hit the ski slopes in the winter, hike in the spring, camp in the summer, and bask in the autumn colors during a scenic fall drive.

“You probably have more outdoorsy people here than anywhere else in the Salt Lake Valley,” says Hudson.

Written By

Chloe Hawkins

Photography Contributed By

Kyle Aiken