Matador Network, one of the largest independent travel media outlets on the web, just dropped its list recognizing those towns — 11 places it describes as “charming, overlooked mountain towns not far from the big-name destinations” — and Huntsville was among the honorees.

“So, each year, at the end of the year, we tend to do a handful of roundup lists, kind of the best of or where to go in 2025 — that sort of stuff,” Tim Wenger, a senior editor at Matador Network, told the Standard-Examiner. “But for this specific mountain town list, we wanted to really focus on small mountain towns that aren’t resorts.”

In other words, places like Park City, Aspen and Breckenridge need not apply. Instead, Matador Networks’ editorial staff looked at towns with populations of less than 10,000 that also have easy access to multiple types of outdoor recreation. Towns’ underlying histories and other distinguishing characteristics were also considered.

Huntsville’s proximity to both Pineview Reservoir and popular local ski resorts, including Snowbasin and Powder Mountain, was cited as a key factor in its inclusion on the list. So, too, was the town’s historic Shooting Star Saloon.

“A lot of mountain towns these days … you find these very modern, hip brewery/taphouse kind of bars,” Wenger said. “But, in Huntsville, you have an iconic pub that has been there since before prohibition and just hasn’t changed. It’s still the same place that it has always been and, to me, that spoke to the character of the town.

“You can kind of feel that this is a place that is still maintaining the place that it has been for generations.”

The Shooting Star Saloon served its first drinks in 1879. It is the oldest continually operating saloon in the Beehive State and is believed to be one of the oldest operating west of the Mississippi River.

For his part, Huntsville Mayor Richard Sorensen says that none of this is news to the roughly 600 people who call the town home year-round.

“I think our residents have known that for a long time,” Sorensen told the Standard-Examiner of his town’s inclusion on the list. “I moved away to go to college and was gone about 10 years and realized how special it was and spent nine and a half of those years trying to get back.”

And while the picturesque scenery and easy access to outdoor recreation are noteworthy, Sorensen believes that Huntsville’s residents are truly what stands out about the town.

“The number one thing we have is our people,” Sorensen said. “We have great people who have a great volunteer spirit and are willing to help out with any projects that we have.”

Joining Huntsville on the Matador Network list were the following towns:

• Bisbee, Arizona.
• Gardiner, Montana.
• Mount Shasta, California.
• Graeagle, California.
• Hood River, Oregon.
• Silverton, Colorado.
• Bellaire, Michigan.
• Hamilton, Montana.
• Girdwood, Arkansas.
• Alpine, Texas.