Utah continues to make waves as a prime location for filming, with its stunning landscapes and willing communities providing the perfect backdrop for a variety of productions. From memorable TV moments to heartfelt narratives and food tours, Utah remains a go-to location for filmmakers and creators. Each frame shot in the state brings its people, places, and Mountainkind spirit to life on screen.
The wildly popular series Yellowstone recently brought drama to the state, filming a memorable episode at Park Meadows Country Club. The dramatic series stars Oscar and Emmy award winner Kevin Costner as John Dutton and his complicated family of sixth-generation ranchers in Yellowstone. The intense scene included some chair-throwing action, adding more tension to the gripping storyline. Utah’s iconic scenery has become synonymous with Yellowstone’s rugged and picturesque aesthetic, solidifying the region’s connection to the modern Western genre.
Meanwhile, Outside TV celebrated Heber Valley’s charm with a feature that highlighted its thriving food scene. Show host Biju Thomas explored local gems like Midway Mercantile, Lola’s Street Kitchen, Hawk & Sparrow bakery, Heber Valley Cheese, and Midway Farmers Market. Thomas also hopped aboard the Heber Valley Railroad to soak in the area’s rich history. The segment, The Road Less Eaten, Season 2, Episode 4, illustrated Utah’s ability to pair culinary excellence with scenic experiences, proving it’s not just about stunning vistas—it’s about the people and culture, too. Thomas is a cyclist, chef, and entrepreneur. His first cookbook [three total in the series], The Feed Zone Cookbook, contains 150 healthy recipes for cycling athletes training to maintain a well-balanced diet for the best performance.
“From Hawk & Sparrow to the chef at the Mercantile, you can tell that they are so in contact with the food they are making every single day, it is evolving with them,” Thomas recounts. “Being in town, at the intersection where the farmers market is, the people were so welcoming; you can tell that is a big lifeline of the community. The food is beautiful and very forward-thinking, but none of it was ‘fussy’. Nothing was out of reach for the novice eater.”
On the more introspective side, professional skier Drew Peterson captured audiences with his documentary Feel It All. A University of Utah alumnus and former intern at Ski Utah, Peterson opened up about his battle with suicidal depression in the film, creating a raw and emotional connection with viewers. His previous film, Paradise Paradox, featured staff members from Deer Valley and other Alterra destinations, making Utah the perfect audience for this follow-up film.
“A lot of mental health journey took place in Park City, the worst years of my, but also the most important and transformational years of my life took place there,” Peterson shared.
Peterson realized early on that he could use his professional athlete position to help others. Growing up in a mountain town [Colorado] and being connected to the community and ski world, he didn’t experience anyone around him talking about mental health. It was clear to him he would have to.
“I have been talking about this publicly for three and half years at this point, and what I owe to the community is to keep taking care of myself,” Peterson explains. “For me, honoring one of the greatest lessons I can pass on is that there is no finish line and there is no summit to this stuff; this is an ongoing process.”
