While Utah's skiing is the world's best, travelers can also go snowboarding in winter, which is just as fun. But are many other exciting winter activities that are not snowboarding or skiing guaranteeing an epic vacation in Utah. The state is a world-famous summer hotspot, full of canyons, mountains, and red rock deserts – incredible landscapes that create a spectacular wonderland once winter arrives. The beautiful snow-covered landscapes create several outdoor opportunities for visitors, and celebrating the season in Utah is definitely going to be worth it. Here is everything you can do in Utah in winter besides skiing.
10 Go Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is an excellent way of getting outside, watching as the sun rises, and taking in the gorgeous views of the snow-covered peaks. Snowshoeing is just winter hiking, but the additional layers and gear make it a fun activity not to miss. Utah is a playground of some of the most impressive vistas and trails suitable for snowshoers of all levels. Solitude Nordic Center, Millcreek Canyon, Round Valley, Sundance Nordic Center, and Cedar Breaks National Monument are some of the best trails to check out in Utah.
9 Attend Sundance Film Festival And Get A Chance To Meet Celebrities
Sundance Film Festival is one of the world's best winter festivals, happening every January in Park City. If meeting celebrities is your wish this winter, don't miss this annual festival, which actually a Hollywood favorite. Every year, about 200 films premiere, with the cast available in most of the screenings, usually answering some questions from the audience. Several parties are always held throughout the week of the festival, offering more opportunities to spot celebrities. Travelers can sneak onto a guest list and meet some of the Hollywood stars.
8 Go Snowmobiling
Utah boasts over 800 miles of snowmobile trails, some passing through the magnificent red canyons, others winding through the rugged mountains on the northern side of the state. There are numerous options when it comes to having an unforgettable snowmobile getaway. Travelers can actually spend many days exploring the beautiful trails, which offer some of the state's most spectacular sights and adventures of a lifetime.
7 Visit Utah’s Hot Springs
While many people prefer spending cold winters tucked in warm blankets watching a good movie with a hot chocolate by their side, others love to get outside and appreciate the surrounding nature. Visiting hot springs is an excellent way of remaining warm outdoors. Utah has many hot springs travelers should consider visiting this winter, some found in Salt Lake City, others nearby. It is advisable to bring good hiking shoes and towels when planning to visit a hot spring. Some of the most impressive hot springs in Utah are Saratoga, Fifth Water, and Crystal Hot Springs.
6 Snow Tubing
This is one of the most interesting winter activities that all kids would enjoy. The thrill that comes with sliding down the mountain without going using a snowboard or skis is second to none! Park City's Gorgoza Park offers incredible tubing hills with varying distances and steepness. Travelers can also go tubing in Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, where first-timers can also learn. Other snow tubing spots in Utah include Soldier Hollow in Midway, Wasatch Parc in Eden, and Cherry Peak Resort in Richmond.
5 Dog Sledding
Going on dog sledding tours is one of the best things to do in Utah in winter, and there are several adventures to get through, most of which take travelers through some of the most impressive meadows and mountain ranges. The Bear Ridge Adventures, located less than a half an hour's drive from Park City, offers the best authentic dog sled tours, and vacationers can choose between an hour, two hours, or a half a day trip from December through March.
4 Go Get Some Treatments At A Spa
After spending hours outdoors, it is time to relax and get pampered at a spa. There are several resorts in Utah with full-service spas, and they guarantee incredible treatment. One of the places to check is the Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley, offering fantastic amenities to vacationers, including treatment rooms, a salon, and a wellness studio. At the Spa Montage Deer Valley, there are redwood saunas, steam rooms, and an incredible indoor lap pool with impressive mountain views.
3 Go Shopping
Utah is home to some of the best shopping centers selling almost everything. Winter is an excellent time to get outside and do some shopping along the streets. Along Historic 25th Street in Ogden, vacationers will find some of the best art galleries, entertainment options, and shopping opportunities, with several retailers offering different products. The Main Street at Park City dates back to the 1800s and boasts more than 70 retailers.
2 Explore Art In The City's Best Galleries
While 25th Street in Ogden features some impressive art galleries, travelers craving for more can always visit Salt Lake City’s Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, offering some of the most amazing exhibits. For more inspiring art exhibits, explore Kimball Art Center in Park City, whose mission is to promote art through education. Other places to check include Brigham City Museum of Art and History, Springville Museum of Art, and USU’s Sculpture Walk.
1 Visit The Natural History Museum Of Utah
One of the best things worth seeing in Utah is its Natural History Museum, whose new position is right at the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains, boasting a spectacular building that attracts from afar. The structure itself is worth exploring. When it comes to the museum, the exhibits about the First settlers and the Great Salt Lake are more than fun. Travelers can learn a lot in this museum, including Utah’s history with its animal and plant life and how they’ve evolved. Being here is fascinating, and every natural history lover would be thrilled at the amazing exhibits.