In-Depth

KubeCon 2024: Visiting Utah

• By Tom Fenton
• 08/07/2024

In a previous article I discussed the Cloud Native Computing Foundation's (CNCF) flagship conference, KubeCon + CloudNativeCon, which will be held in Salt Lake City Nov. 12-15, with a pre-event the day before. KubeCon 2024 is a must-attend event for Kubernetes and cloud-native enthusiasts, featuring numerous sessions, keynotes and a vibrant show floor with major vendors and innovative startups.

In another article I discussed how the event will take place at the Salt Palace Convention Center, which is right in the heart of downtown SLC, making it an ideal destination for attendees. In that article I touched on some of the exciting things to do in the city.

I am fond of Utah, as I did my undergraduate work there at The Weber State University. In this article, I will share some of the fun and exciting things I found in this state and try to convince you to spend a few days after or before the conference exploring attractions outside the city. Utah has a diverse landscape shaped by geological events and a rich history of Native American and Mormon settlements, offering plenty to explore.

The weather in SLC in November is highly variable. It may be in the 70s and ideal for short-sleeved clothing, or you may need to bring your winter parking as it may be snowing. SLC and surrounding areas do have buses and a light rail line, The FrontRunner, which runs from Provo to Ogden. But renting a car is your best bet if you are getting away from the city.

Before we explore Utah, I want to highlight some of its local and unique food chains.

For a quick burger, I would head to an Arctic Circle, which is on par with McDonald's or Wendy's, but they started in Utah and were the originator of fry sauce, a staple in most Utah restaurants.

Crown Burger is another small chain that serves a good burger.

If you feel like gorging at an all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant, head to a Chuck-A-Rama. It has surprisingly good food for the price, currently $15.50 for lunch and $18.25 for dinner.

Cafe Rio Mexican Grill is Utah's answer to Chipotle, but it is better.

For your sweet tooth, try Crumbl Cookies, a locally started franchise that now has over 800 bakeries in all 50 states.

If you find yourself in Northern Utah, head to Warrans or Dylans for a tasty Big "W "burger and a lime rickey, which I believe is a Northern Utah thing.

If you love Costco hot dogs, try J. Dawgs, which serves only five items: Polish or beef hotdogs, drinks and fries. J. Dawg was started by a BYU student in 2004 and now has multiple locations in Utah. It is loved by many.

Last, try a little chain known as Kentucky Fried Chicken. Yup, the first KFS franchise was in Utah in 1952!

OK, now let's explore the state!

The Great Salt Lake
Five miles to the east of SLC city center is the Great Salt Lake. It is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and the ninth-largest lake without an outlet. It spans approximately 1,700 square miles. Because it is very shallow, its size fluctuates due to its dependence on the snowpack in the Utah mountains, significantly affecting its water levels.

The lake's high salinity, up to 10 times saltier than the ocean, creates a unique environment where only a few types of organisms can thrive. These include brine shrimp (Sea Monkeys) and brine flies, which support various bird species. Birdwatchers take advantage of this and flock to the lake to observe the millions of migratory birds that stop here annually, making it one of North America's most significant bird refuges. During November, you may glimpse some late migrating birds, including grebes, ducks, Tundra Swans and Bald Eagles, who all winter at Great Salt Lake.

The more daring take advantage of the lakes high slat content and float in the lake, but it might be chilly in November.

You can sail, kayak or paddleboard on its expansive waters if you are more adventurous. Antelope Island State Park, located in the Great Salt Lake, is about 45 minutes away. You can picnic, swim, hike, or enjoy the biking trails there. Just be careful, as it has free-roaming bison and other wildlife. It should be cold enough that the rattlesnake population should be asleep for the winter.

If you travel 15 miles due west of SLC on Interstate 80, you see Saltair, a concert venue on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. Driving another hour west on I-80 will bring you to Bonneville Salt Flats, where many land speed records have been set. Traveling another 20 minutes will bring you to Wendover, Nevada, which has a couple of casinos where you can try your luck.

Skiing Utah
Utah is known for its skiing, but skiing in mid-November can be a dicey proposition. Yes, some significant resorts, including Park City, have been open by mid-November for the past three years, but it is far from guaranteed.

The major skiing areas in SLC are up the Little Cottonwood and Big Cottonwood Canyon. Both have world-class ski resorts. The resorts can be reached in as little as 30 minutes to up to two hours, depending on traffic, as the roads up the canyons can get very, very busy during the weekend. I would try to go skiing on Thursday or Friday after the conference to avoid the crowds and traffic.

Also, some great ski areas are just a bit further north in the Ogden area. These areas tend to be less busy than the SLC areas. Snow Basin is my favorite, as it has excellent slopes and fantastic lodges. In 2002, the Olympic downhill event was held here due to its steep runs.

This area is also home to Powder Mountain (PowMow), which has some great powder skiing. Fun Fact: Netflix CEO and co-founder Reed Hastings became the majority owner of PowMow last year.

All the areas will rent you ski equipment, and many airlines have accommodations that make it relatively cheap to fly with your skis.

Ogden and Northern Utah
Even if the skiing isn't great, Ogden may be worth a visit. Ogden is the home of The Weber State University and one of the more interesting towns in Utah. Whereas the Mormons primarily settled many towns in Utah, Ogden came into its own with the arrival of the transcontinental railroad in 1869. The railroad's completion made Ogden a critical junction. It spurred rapid economic growth and a diverse influx of people, transforming it into a bustling hub of commerce and industry and giving it a seedy reputation, which persists.

The heart of Ogden is 25th Street, which is going through the process of revitalization while still embracing its wild reputation. Today, 25th Street has shops, restaurants and galleries, reflecting the city's blend of history and contemporary appeal.

Union Station is at the west end of 25th Street, which has the Utah State Railroad Museum. Today, the Browning Firearms Museum, the Browning-Kimball Car Museum and two art galleries are also located there. The Browning firearm company was started in Ogden in 1878.

Roosters on 25th Street has excellent food, and if you want to take a short trip, visit Ogden's Own Distillery and try a cocktail made with Five Wives Vodka, Porter's Whiske or Madam Pattirini Gin, all of which are distilled locally.

The FrontRunner will take you right to 25th Street in Ogden.

Southern Utah
Ogden is considered Northern Utah, but when many people think of Utah, they think of the spectacular canyons of southern Utah. Moab is about a four-hour car ride from SLC but has world-class mountain bike and 4x4 trails. You can rent bikes and take 4x4 tours to explore the area.

East of Moab is Canyonlands National Park, and further east of that are Capito Reef, Zion and Arches national parks. All these are renowned for their natural beauty.

These parks get very busy during the summer months, but if you visit them in November, it will be considerably cooler, and you should have them to yourself. The downside is that the days will be shorter.

See You at KubeCon
If you have read these two articles about things to do in SLC and Utah before or after KubeCon, you should be able to tell that I am almost as excited about exploring the area as I am about the event.

If you have never been to the area, you need to figure out a way to tag on a few days before or after the event to see some sights.

I look forward to seeing you at KubeCon and hopefully outside of it this November!