KubeCon + CloudNativeCon NA 2024: Your Salt Lake City Guide

In preparation for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon, we at simplyblock figured it was essential to create a guide beyond the conference halls, highlighting the best spots to truly experience Salt Lake City. As a remote only company, we believe this short escapade, with the chance to get the team together, shouldn’t just be about work but also enjoying the local culture, food, and fun. But we’re not the gatekeeping type over here, so we want to share this guide with you in the hope to inspire you to make the most of your time there. After all, work hard, play hard—that’s our motto, and we hope you’ll join us in embracing both during the conference.

Salt Lake City’s TRAX system is your go-to for easily navigating the city. The straightforward routes and convenient stops make it a breeze to get around, much like finding the right Kubernetes pod. Grab a day pass for unlimited travel, and you’ll be ready to explore the city without any detours. To make your journey even smoother, check out this link for all the details on how to ride TRAX, including tips on routes, stops, and purchasing passes.

Here’s a link to the Google Maps location for all the places to make it more convenient.

By the way, you might see us at one of these places, so don’t be shy about greeting us. The worst we can do is improve your storage efficiency. Alright, I’ll stop pitching, read on and make your plans!

🏛️ Landmark Highlights

Salt Lake City is rich in history and architecture, with several landmarks to explore. Don’t miss the Cathedral of the Madeleine (1) ( maps ), a beautiful example of Romanesque and Gothic Revival design. Inside, admire vibrant stained glass, intricate woodwork, and serene murals. Whether attending a service or simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere, it’s a must-visit spot in the city.

Secondly, don’t miss the Utah State Capitol (2) ( maps ), a stunning architectural landmark perched on Capitol Hill. This neoclassical building offers free guided tours and breathtaking views of Salt Lake City and the surrounding mountains. Inside, explore the rich history of Utah through various exhibits, and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of the beautifully landscaped grounds, perfect for a leisurely stroll.

❄️ Winter Thrills

Salt Lake City isn’t just a hub for tech enthusiasts during KubeCon + CloudNativeCon—it’s also a vibrant winter wonderland that offers something for everyone. After you’ve tackled all the conference sessions, why not unwind by ice skating at the Gallivan Center ? (3) ( Maps ) This charming downtown rink is a perfect way to enjoy the festive atmosphere—just remember to bundle up, because even tech pros feel the chill!

For a more serene experience, visit Temple Square (4) ( Maps ), which turns into a dazzling holiday light display in the winter—think of it as a peaceful stroll through a winter wonderland that’ll definitely brighten your day.

🍽️ Food Adventures Await

Heading to KubeCon + CloudNativeCon in Salt Lake City and eager to dive into the local food scene? We’ve got you covered with some of the city’s top dining spots, each offering a unique taste of Salt Lake’s diverse culinary landscape. For authentic Mexican cuisine, head to Red Iguana **** (5) **** ( Maps ), famous for its rich and flavorful moles that will keep you coming back for more. If you’re in the mood for a contemporary twist on American classics, The Copper Onion (6) ( Maps ) serves up bold, locally sourced dishes like succulent pork belly and house-made pastas. For sushi lovers, Takashi (7) ( Maps ) is a must-visit, offering fresh, innovative rolls and sashimi that rival coastal cities.

HSL (8) ( Maps ) provides a chic yet cozy atmosphere with modern American dishes like roasted chicken with seasonal veggies, perfect for unwinding after a day of sessions. And when you need a coffee break, The Rose Establishment (9) ( Maps ) is your go-to spot for quality coffee and artisanal pastries—a cozy hideaway to recharge between conference activities.

🍻 Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Night

Looking for the perfect spot to unwind after a day at KubeCon + CloudNativeCon in Salt Lake City? Here are some top picks for a fun and relaxing evening. Start with The Red Door (10) ( Maps ), a cozy lounge with a speakeasy vibe, where you can sip on craft cocktails and decompress after all the tech talk.

If you’re in the mood for some nostalgia, head to Quarters Arcade Bar (11) ( Maps ), where you can relive your childhood with classic arcade games while enjoying a drink. For craft beer enthusiasts, Beer Bar (12) ( Maps ) offers a wide selection of local brews in a laid-back atmosphere, making it an ideal spot to kick back with colleagues.

Whiskey Street (13) ( Maps ) is the place for those who appreciate a good whiskey. Its extensive selection, lively atmosphere, and perfect blend of elegance and comfort make it a great spot to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails and delicious food.

⛷ Salt Lake Ski Resorts

Salt Lake City is the ultimate destination for skiing in November, thanks to its unique combination of weather, terrain, and resort accessibility. Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains (worth visiting the area in and of itself), Salt Lake benefits from early-season snowfalls that blanket the region’s world-renowned ski resorts, often making them operational as early as mid-November. The area’s terrain is diverse – ranging from steep and challenging slopes for experts to wide and groomed runs perfect for beginners, ensuring a tailored experience for every skier.

Moreover, Salt Lake City is just a short drive from over 10 major ski resorts , making it incredibly convenient for visitors to access top-tier slopes without long travel times. The efficient transport system, in the form of the ski bus can help you travel to and enjoy all the different ski slopes. If you don’t want to travel by bus, there are multiple options here to pick from. In addition to this, you might also want to check out the bundled pricing (with additional perks) for ski resorts.

This may be subjective, but according to our highly adept (world-class) skiing experts at simplyblock, we have come up with the list of the top 5 resorts that you may want to visit:

These are more for the experienced, and you can get a bundled pass for both here (also known to be in an area called Little Cottonwood):

Alta Ski Area ( Maps ): Alta Ski Area, one of the first ski areas in the U.S., is renowned for its steep terrain and deep powder, averaging 546 inches of snow annually. Covering 2,614 acres with a 2,538-foot vertical drop, 45% of the terrain caters to beginner and intermediate skiers. Six lifts provide access to its varied slopes, making it a top destination for experienced skiers. However, you can find multiple resorts in the Alta ski area, our favorite pick is Snowpine lodge ( Maps ). You can view the prices here . Snowbird Resort ( Maps ): Snowbird’s top elevation is 11,000 feet at Hidden Peak, with a 7,760-foot base at Baby Thunder. The resort’s tram ascends 2,900 vertical feet in just 7 minutes. It gets 500 inches of dry Utah powder annually. SKIING Magazine has ranked Alta and Snowbird the No. 1 resort in the United States. You can view the prices here .

These are more for fun and the beginner (also known to be in an area called Big Cottonwood):

Brighton Resort (Maps): Brighton Resort offers 1,050 acres of skiable terrain with a 1,745-foot vertical drop. Receiving 500 inches of snow annually, Brighton is family-friendly and accessible, with 66 runs and lifts that include five quads, a triple, and a magic carpet. Night skiing is available on 200 acres, making it a well-rounded destination just 35 miles from Salt Lake City. You can view the prices here . Solitude Resort ( Maps ): Solitude Mountain Resort spans 1,200 acres with a 2,494-foot vertical drop and receives 500 inches of snow each year. With 87 runs catering to all skill levels, the resort offers a peaceful skiing experience. Its eight lifts, including four high-speed quads, provide quick access to varied terrain, from groomed runs to powder-filled glades, making Solitude an ideal escape for skiers of all levels. You can view the prices here .

And a bonus tubing and skiing location, the home of the 2002 Winter Olympics:

Soldier hollow Nordic Centre (Maps): Nestled in Wasatch Mountain State Park, Soldier Hollow is famous for its Olympic legacy and offers over 20 miles of cross-country skiing trails through scenic landscapes. It’s a winter paradise for both athletes and the public, with activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and even public biathlon courses. A highlight is the snow tubing lanes, the longest in Utah, stretching over 1,200 feet. The day lodge provides ski rentals and food, making it an ideal spot for a winter retreat and family fun. We think Zermatt Utah Resort ( Maps ) is relatively close and reasonable. You can find the locations of all of the skiing resorts below and on this map list:

📜 Closing Note

If you’re attending KubeCon + CloudNativeCon NA 2024 in Salt Lake City, we’re excited to let you know that simplyblock will be there too!

Simplyblock offers cutting-edge storage orchestration solutions tailored for IO-intensive stateful workloads in Kubernetes, including databases and analytics. A single system seamlessly connects local NVMe disks, GP3 volumes, and S3, making it easier to manage storage capacity and performance. With smart NVMe caching, thin provisioning, storage tiering, and volume pooling, we enhance database performance while reducing costs—all without requiring changes to your existing AWS infrastructure.

We invite you to visit the simplyblock booth at the event! Swing by to learn more about how we can optimize your storage solutions and pick up some exclusive freebies. We can’t wait to meet you and discuss how we can help improve your Kubernetes experience. See you there!

Topics

Share blog post

Tags