visit salt lake city in winter

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Winter In Salt Lake City

Winter in Salt Lake City means heavy coats, twinkling lights and crisp, snowy mornings. With multiple world-class ski resorts only 45-minutes from downtown, Salt Lake City is a popular winter basecamp. Even non-skiers will have plenty of restaurants, museums, attractions and fun activities to discover.

Winter Hikes Near Salt Lake City

Salt Lake's Winter Weather

You’ve heard the saying, “it’s a dry heat.” The same applies to winter weather in Salt Lake City, where the arid climate is marked by regular, powdery snowstorms. Daily weather is often unpredictable, so bring that extra jacket along just in case. Keep in mind that the temperature is often 10-15 degrees warmer downtown than in the canyon.

Weather Updates

Places To Stay

The welcoming nature of Salt Lake’s residents extends to our large selection of hotels, lodges and unique places to stay. Salt Lake offers the best of both nightlife and outdoor recreation. Looking to sleep closer to the slopes? Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and other nearby resorts have lodging options.

Where to Stay

Nearby Winter Resorts

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Snowbird Ski Resort

Snowbird, UT

Snowbird boasts the longest ski season in Utah, often opening before Thanksgiving and staying open through Memorial Day. The resort's generous season means more time on its award-winning terrain, which includes 140 runs spread across 2,500 acres and 3,240 vertical feet.

Solitude Mountain Resort

Solitude, UT

They say Solitude isn't just a name, it's a promise. It's crazy to think that peaceful seclusion is possible, with 1,200+ skiable acres, 82 runs, 2,494 feet of vert and the canyon's average 500 annual inches of snow. Nevertheless, solitude is very much a reality.

Brighton Ski Resort

Brighton, UT

Located at the very top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton averages over 500 inches of snow a winter. The resorts well-balanced 1,000+ acres features 66 runs, three terrain parks and 1,875 feet of vert, all accessible from five high-speed quads.

Alta Ski Area

Nestled near the top of one of Utah's best canyons, Alta is a storied paradise for skiers. Even riders leave their boards at home for a chance at the 2,600+ acres of Alta's renowned slopes featuring 118 runs.

Woodward Park City

Park City, UT

Woodward Park City is Utah's first all-in-one action sports mountain center, located just 25 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City.

Park City Mountain

Park City Mountain is one of Utah’s world-class ski resorts, with more than 7,300 acres of winter fun and countless things to do off the slopes.

Deer Valley Resort

Deer Valley Ski Resort is a skier’s paradise with superb guest services, luxury amenities and impeccable trail systems. Come winter or summer, slopeside fun abounds.

Huntsville, UT

Boasting world-class snow, lifts, dining and more, Snowbasin is just under an hour from SLC International Airport and 30 minutes from the vibrant city of Ogden.

Sundance Mountain Resort

Sundance, UT

Rustic, elegant and handmade are some of the words that capture the feeling of Sundance Mountain Resort. This log cabin-esque skiing resort that Robert Redford built is only an hour from Salt Lake International Airport.

Nordic Valley

Discover what Nordic Valley, the budget-friendly ski resort near Odgen, has to offer. The valley feels wonderfully secluded and offers the best of The Greatest Snow on Earth® at a budget-friendly price.

Powder Mountain

Powder Mountain superlatives include "terrain for days," "massive," "super fun" and "more than 500 annual inches of snow." Powder Mountain is located about 60 miles north of Salt Lake City International Airport.

Things To Do in Salt Lake in Winter

Ice skating.

Ice skating is a favorite winter activity among Salt Lakers. Channel your inner figure skater as you race and twirl around the rink. The Gallivan Center , an outdoor skating rink, falls within the free-fare zone of Salt Lake's public transportation. This means on chilly nights families can opt for a short ride on the TRAX light rail from this popular rink to Salt Lake City's top tourist attractions: Temple Square, the Delta Center (home of the Utah Jazz) and the Gateway Mall, which houses the Discovery Gateway children's museum, the Clark Planetarium/IMAX and Megaplex Theater.

You've probably heard that Utah is home to The Greatest Snow on Earth® , but you may not have realized Utah is also home to "The Fastest Ice on Earth" thanks to the Utah Olympic Oval . More than 100 world records in speed skating have been claimed at the Olympic Oval. While you may not set out to beat those records, your family will love spreading out across its massive ice rink during public skating hours, available most evenings and Saturdays. 

If you are staying south of the Salt Lake Valley, Provo's Peaks Ice Arena is a great choice. Near the Ogden-area resorts (Powder Mountain, Snowbasin and Nordic Valley), The Ice Sheet at Ogden (also known as the Weber County Ice Sheet) typically has open skate hours midday and evenings most days of the week (closed Sundays).

Temple Square

Après ski & spa, snowshoeing, winter inspiration.

5 Reasons Utah's Weather Guy Loves Spring Skiing

Written By Evan Thayer

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Here’s some of the scientific evidence to support the assertion that spring could be the best time to ski or snowboard in Utah.

A Cauldron of Continuing Olympic Fervor

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7 minute read

Since hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, in many ways the Olympic spirit and world-class athletes that seized Utah have never left.

A Mom’s Take On Sharing Skiing With the Next Generation

Written By Alexandra Lev

5 minute read

For many families in Utah, skiing is a way of life that is passed down from generation to generation. A woman expecting her first child reflects on her family’s multi-generational skiing connection to Utah’s mountains and how she will pass down the tradition while living out of state.

A Utah Ski Vacation (or Two) for Less

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Shop for ski gear like a local. Get discounts on lift tickets. Learn everything you need to know for a cheap luxury ski trip.

A Winter Retreat

Written By Kristen Bonkoski

Although it is located only a few miles from the urban hustle and bustle of Salt Lake City, the Big Water Yurt feels light years away. Located at the top of Millcreek Canyon, the yurt is open only in winter and the only way to get to it is by ski, snowshoe or fat bike.

Best Après Ski Bars in Park City and Beyond

Written By Austen Diamond

4 minute read

Want to master the art of après? Here’s your guide to the best après-ski bars in Park City and the Wasatch Front.

Best Spots to Get Olympic Spirit

Written By Visit Utah

Just because the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games are in the past doesn’t mean that the Utah Olympic spirit is has been snuffed out. Athletes still train here, and ski schools in Utah resorts might be the start of a future Olympian’s career.

Family and Budget Guide to the One and Only Ski City: Salt Lake

Written By Kristen Pope

With 11 family-friendly resorts nearby, Salt Lake City skiing, dining and entertainment options make Utah one of the best ski destinations in the western U.S.

In the Key of Ski

Written By Catherine Reese Newton

A video tribute to the Utah Symphony musicians finding inspiration and rich notes in the mountains.

Powder Pups to the Rescue

Four furry friends help the Solitude Ski Patrol do their duties.

Salt Lake City: A Place to Play

2 minute read

Symphony musicians say Utah's one-two punch of arts and recreation is hard to beat.

Sundance, Full Circle

Written By Cody Kirkland

8 minute read

When visiting the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, movies are only part of the experience.

Top Ski Towns in Utah

Written By Andrew Dash Gillman

The best ski towns in Utah tout easy access to The Greatest Snow on Earth®, along with lively culture, fine dining and off-mountain activities.

Sundance Film Festival

Ski city hot chocolate.

Here are two fairly universal truths: Kids love hot chocolate and Utahns love hot chocolate. There is nothing like a frothy cup to warm the family up after a day in the snow. Almost anywhere you go in Utah, you'll find hot chocolate prominently featured on the menu. Even the widely distributed Stephen's Gourmet brand calls Utah home.

If you're ready to elevate your drinking chocolate experience, here are two Capital City cups that raise the bar:

Hatch Family Chocolates — Located in Salt Lake's historic Avenues, solid milk or dark chocolates form the base of their decadent drink, which can be prepared vegan or with dairy, or with espresso. And don't just take our word for it — Yelp has even named the shop one of the "Top 20 Places for Hot Chocolate in the U.S."

Chocolate Conspiracy's Chocolate House — Their location next to RubySnap will make for a one-two punch in your search for a Salt Lake City vacation treat. You can expect an education in raw chocolate's nutritional value and exceptional delicacies, including a thick, not-too-sweet mug of hot chocolate. The Chocolate Conspiracy's products are sweetened with raw honey and enlivened with other raw ingredients to preserve their peak nutritional value. Additionally, make a point to savor the premium, natural ingredients in the recipes of RubySnap's beautifully frosted cookies whose flavors and quality are as unforgettable as their branding.

Behind Utah's love for hot chocolate you'll find a passion for the raw material of hot chocolate: cacao. Utah chocolate makers have not only put Utah on the map, they're establishing the state as the nation's epicenter for artisan chocolate production. In addition to the companies mentioned above, Solstice, Ritual Chocolate, Millcreek Cacao Roasters and the highly decorated Amano Chocolates are just a few of the Utah entrepreneurs leading the way. Each has a unique product worth exploring. You can even "try before you buy" at Caputo's Market . 

World-Class Arts and Culture

When the sun goes down, head downtown and soak up the metropolitan culture and nightlife of this world-class city. Arts lovers will enjoy catching a performance at the Utah Symphony or watching an opera singer belt out the tunes at the Utah Opera . For a theatrical show, catch a family-friendly performance at the Hale Center Theatre or the Pioneer Theatre Company (the professional theater in residence at University of Utah). Salt Lake Acting Company is another local favorite for their irreverence and parody. 

Dance aficionados can watch ballerinas perform at Ballet West or take in a contemporary dance performance by the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company . Art lovers will also enjoy taking in the variety of galleries in the city as well as its many history and culture museums .

Utah Symphony's Ode to Winter

Winter Activities

Winters in Utah may be known for having The Greatest Snow on Earth®, but there is so much more to explore off the slopes.

More Winter Activities

Find Itineraries By

Traveling Fandom

It's no secret Salt Lake City is a basketball town, but the game is just the beginning. Ski like a local at renowned ski areas Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude by day, and make the easy game night run back down the mountain for award-winning dining, gold medal breweries and world-class arts, culture and nightlife.

Arts, History and Heritage, Ski and Snowboard, Urban Experiences

• Game Day in Ski City
• Fine Dining at 11,000 Feet
• Après-ski at Utah's Vintage Bars
• Musical Tour of SLC

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Do your part by planning ahead

20 Things to Do in Salt Lake City in the Winter

When you think of visiting Salt Lake City in the winter, your mind should automatically think about the best snow on earth. Because yes, Salt Lake City (and Utah as a whole) is known for amazing snow, numerous ski resorts, and the BEST winter activities around.

I want to help make your visit to Salt Lake City in the winter full of adventures for every age and personal style! I’ve lived in Salt Lake City since 2009 and have compiled a list of what I consider to be the top 20 things to do in Salt Lake City in the winter!

Free activities will be indicated with “*”!

Salt Lake City in the Winter: Outdoor Adventures

Ski and snowboard.

Utah is home to the greatest snow on earth, so why not take full advantage of the slopes? Within a short driving distance from downtown Salt Lake City, avid outdoor enthusiasts can escape to the mountain tops. Check out this article for the 7 best Utah ski resorts! And the best part? A lot of the local ski resorts utilize the public bus system, so you don’t have to worry about driving up the canyons.

Snow Tubing

A personal family favorite, snow tubing is a great thrill for those of you who struggle staying upright on skis or a snowboard. The most popular place to go snow tubing is Soldier Hollow. For 2 hour sessions, you can take full advantage of 1,200 foot sliding lanes and a new lift. No need to lug your tube to the top of the hill!

2019 rates:

Adults (13+): $25

Youth (6-12): $23

Child (3-5): $13

*Take the Polar Plunge

Ever felt the need to strip down to your skivvies, cut a hole in an ice-covered lake, and jump in? Me too! The city of Stansbury, just a short drive west of downtown Salt Lake City, offers visitors the unique opportunity to take the polar plunge. Don’t worry – you can just watch if you’re too cold. Hats off to the emergency rescue teams that were on-hand when I jumped on January 1, 2015!

If you love to hike, then snowshoeing might be right up your alley. Strap some snowshoes to the bottom of your feet and take off for some exciting backcountry trails. You’ll feel like you’ve walked into a real-life winter wonderland as you discover uncharted trails! Oh, and don’t forget your trekking poles to keep you upright!

Ice Skating

Salt Lake City offers numerous locations to get your kicks on an ice rink, both indoor and outdoor.

Utah Olympic Oval : indoor ice skating facility located 14 miles southwest of downtown Salt Lake City. Used during the 2002 Winter Olympics, the Utah Olympic Oval is a great spot to test your skills in a safe, supportive environment. And while you’re there, check out the local curling clubs!

Gallivan Center : for less than $10/person, you can experience Salt Lake City’s premier downtown ice skating rink. Just think how magical it would be – ice skating in the heart of Salt Lake City, twinkling lights all around, the laughter of nearby children…and then it starts to snow. This IS real life!

Ice Fishing

For those of you who are a little more adventurous and don’t mind sitting outside in the freezing cold, ice fishing is a great option for you. Bear Lake, Strawberry Reservoir, and Echo Reservoir are all popular locations close to Salt Lake City.

Fat Tire Snow Biking

If you haven’t had your fill out outdoor extreme adventures in the snow, why not rent a Fat Tire bike and take your chance mountain biking through the ice and snow? With endless trails and mountains spread out between Salt Lake City and Park City, you’ll always find a route that gives you a rush!

Bobsledding at Olympic Park

Feel the Rhythm! Feel the Rhyme! Get on up, it’s bobsled time! Cool Runnings! Cool Runnings

Have you ever dreamed about riding in a Bobsled down an Olympic track, the same way the Jamaican Bobsled Team did in “Cool Runnings?” Well, now you can at the Olympic Park ! Riders must be in good health, free of any back, neck, or heart issues, at least 16 years old and over 100 pounds to ride. Even though the actual ride lasts less than 60 seconds, the thrill will stay with you forever!

Salt Lake City in the Winter: Outdoor Activities

Soak in thermal hot springs.

The Homestead Crater in Midway, Utah is one of the most unique thermal hot springs in the country. Not only is it the only warm scuba diving destination in the continental US, but is completely shielded from outside forces, similar to a cenote.

Not interested in soaking in the 90-degree water? Don’t worry! You don’t have to get wet to enjoy the crater. Take yourself on a self-guided tour and check out the history and geology of the crater, or even try a paddle board yoga class!

Reservations are required. Call +1 (435) 657-3840 for more information or to make a reservation.

Ice Castles

Are you a fan of the movie Frozen? Take a trip up to Midway and walk into the magical world of the Ice Castles. Explore secret passageways, slide down windy paths, and sit on your very own throne. Whether you have kids or are a kid at heart, this has been one of the most unique and magical experiences I’ve had in Salt Lake City in the winter.

Word of caution: you just might start thinking you’re royalty and want to move here permanently!

Read: Playing in the Midway Ice Castles

ZooLights! at Hogle Zoo

Check out over 200 amazing light displays and new animal-shaped lanterns. Take a ride on the Conservation Carousel (weather permitting) and stroll down the 135-foot long lighted tunnel, transporting you to a psychedelic world.

*Sundance Film Festival

Are you a movie buff? Fancy yourself brushing shoulders with some of the biggest names in Hollywood? Back in 1981, Robert Redford helped create the Sundance Institute, an organization strives to promote the enhanced artistic quality of films. Every January, the Institute hosts a festival with events that take place in Salt Lake City, Park City, Ogden, and at Redford’s Sundance Village.

Not only can you feel a sense of Hollywood in the usually snow-covered streets of Utah, party with celebrities, but also view independent productions from all across the world.

For more information, click here !

*Christkindlmarkt

Christkindlmarkt is a traditional German Market that is held every December in Salt Lake City at This is the Place Heritage Park. With over 90 vendor booths, a gnome fest, petting zoo and nightly entertainment, you’ll suddenly question if you’re actually back in Germany, rather than Utah. Sip on some glühwein, watch a parade, listen to the German children’s choir, and stroll amongst the artisans. The best part? Admission is free!

Tracy Aviary

Not a fan of the snow, but still wanting to be outside and breathe some…fresh…air? Check out the Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park! Ignite your curiosity and try something new that you probably didn’t think about before. Learn about birds from all over the world in the South American Pavilion, Amazon Adventure, and Kennecott Wetland Experience.

November – February Rates:

Adults 13+: $9.95

Children 3-12: $5.95

Student (w/ID), Military (w/ID), Seniors 65+: $8.95

9am – 5pm, last admissions sold at 4pm

Open 363 Days/Year (Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving)

589 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105

*Temple Square Lights

Get lost in a wonderland of twinkling lights, surrounded by numerous nativities from around the world, Christmas melodies playing in the background. Sounds like you’ve reached the North Pole…but in fact, you’ve reached Temple Square.

Every year, the millions of festive lights are turned on the day after Thanksgiving and remain lit until New Year’s Eve. Free to the public, strolling through Temple Square at Christmastime is a local and visitor’s favorite way to get into the Christmas Spirit!

50 North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150

*Macy’s Windows

Macy’s brings Christmas and holiday cheer to Salt Lake City every year with festive window displays, made entirely out of candy. Located just across the street from Temple Square, strolling along the Macy windows is a treat for the eyes.

Every year, local artists are given a theme for their decorations and they never disappoint!

21 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Salt Lake City in the Winter: Indoor Activities

Salt Lake City is home to the Utah Jazz , the jazziest basketball team in the NBA (see what I did there?) . Escape the cold, snowy weather and head to the Vivint Smart Home Arena for an action-packed evening with the Jazz. The best part? There’s a trax lightrail station right in front of the arena, which means you don’t have to worry about parking!

301 S Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Not into the holiday spirit? Craving something more cerebral and culturally-based? Check out one of Salt Lake City’s notable museums:

The Leonardo – fun, hands-on museum with exciting exhibits. Located in the heart of Downtown Salt Lake City.

Natural History Museum of Utah – want to check out a life-sized dinosaur skeleton? Check out one of the best natural history museums in the USA.

* Church History Museum – provides a great way to learn about the early history of the LDS Church and pioneers that founded the great state of Utah for FREE!

Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum – great hands-on museum experience for children (and adults) of all ages.

* Fort Douglas Military Museum – housed in one of the original barracks at Fort Douglas on the University of Utah campus. Come check out this free glimpse into the military past of Utah!

Do you love fish? Penguins? Wandering around sea creatures? If so, the newly-built Living Planet Aquarium is just for you. Located just a short drive south of downtown Salt Lake City, visitors can escape the cold weather and be transported to a land under the sea, Little Mermaid-style.

Adults: $19.95

Children*: $14.95

Teens, Military, Seniors, Students: $16.95

*Children 2 and under: Free

Daily, 10am – 6pm

12033 Lone Peak Pkwy, Draper, UT 84020

*The Grand America Holiday Window Stroll

The Grand America Hotel is Salt Lake City’s premier luxury hotel and is worth a visit any time of year. But during the Christmas season, visitors can take a stroll along the main level and view their whimsical hand-crafted window displays. Enter the hotel and grab a map to each display, passing a life-sized gingerbread house on your way.

555 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

What activities would you include during your visit to Salt Lake City in the Winter?

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All I knew about Salt Lake City was that it held the Winter Olympics once and it’s somewhere in the United States. That is all. After reading this, I would love to check out this city, I think in the winter more as I love the cold and snow and love capturing winter shots with the camera. I never done an Ice Castle before and would love to see that. One day I get to this part of the USA.

So many fun winter activities. I would to experience some of these when visiting Salt Lake City. I’ve never visited before but would like to now after reading this post. I visited the Ice Castles in New Hampshire, such a fun time!

We just got back from our fall trip to Utah. We enjoyed day tripping from Salt Lake City in the fall. Good to see a winter view. While I may go ice skating. I am not taking that polar plunge! Even if I booked myself some time at the hot springs at Homestead Centre. The ice castles would certainly spark my imagination. Colourful lights for the holiday season would be fun. Some good reasons to plan a return visit for the winter.

I’m not big into outdoor winter sports, so it’s good to know there are a lot of holiday and indoor things to do in Salt Lake City in winter. The Grand America Holiday Window Stroll and the Temple Square Lights both sound really festive. It’s always fun to see how different cities decorate for the holidays.

Wow! That is a huge list of things to do in this region. We drove through salt lake city towards Arizona and unfortunately only spent a night in the city. From your list, I would be interested in the Ice Castles, they look magical. Also dipping into the freezing lake must be a way to wake up nerve endings and be rejuvenated. After that I would wish to dip into the thermal waters in the crater. That should make a nice ending to a relaxing winter day.

Salt Lake City looks just like a winter wonderland. Complete with ice castles and all. The polar plunge sounds so thrilling. Would love to try it out someday. Meanwhile I am all for the snow tubing and the thermal hot springs.

Wow! That’s a super cool list of things to do! I’m hoping to do a bit more things this winter than my last winters, now that my gal is already 2 years old! Snow tubing sounds cool, the best part is ofcourse that you need not carry it all the way to the top! Polar plunge actually sounds a bit scary! You need to be really brave to do it! I wouldn’t! Good to know that there are emergency rescue teams in place. Ice castles with secret passageways? Wow! I want to experience that for sure.

Even though the bobsledding adventure is short-lived, that sounds like an absolute blast and something so unique to Utah! But I think the Hot Springs along with all the options there would be a ton of entertainment alone! And I love anywhere I can find a Christmas market. I never knew Utah had so much to offer!

When I think about Salt Lake city, summer images conjure up in my mind. But it seems like such a great winter wonderland. I had no idea Utah is home to the greatest snow on earth. Although, I am a lousy skiier, I would love to try here. Ice castles are so dreamy.

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Best Outdoor Activities In Salt Lake City During Winter

Mitch Johanson / Shutterstock

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• Outdoor Activities
• Salt Lake City
• Seasonal Travel
• United States
• Winter Travel

On the southern shore of the Great Salt Lake framed by the Wasatch Mountains, Utah’s high-altitude capital city boasts “the Greatest Snow on Earth.”

With winter highs that hover around freezing, Salt Lake City receives an average of 54 inches of snow per year. And during ski season, the mountains surrounding Salt Lake City receive nearly 1 foot of perfect powder every 5 days. Here are the best outdoor activities in Salt Lake City in winter.

David A Litman / Shutterstock

Hit The Slopes

When you visit Salt Lake City during winter, you’ll definitely want to spend time outdoors in the snow! If you’re a skier, you’ll be delighted to learn that the mountains around Salt Lake City are home to several world-class ski resorts . Even more exciting is that you can land at Salt Lake City International Airport and on the slopes at one of four of those resorts within an hour of arrival.

Pro Tip: Sundial Lodge and Park City Mountain Resort are two of the best family-friendly ski resorts in the area. For ski runs off the beaten powder-packed path, check out Powder Mountain , one of the best uncrowded ski resorts in the US .

Glide On Cross-Country Skis

If your midlife knees are no longer in their downhill skiing prime, then perhaps you’ll enjoy cross-country skiing as a less strenuous alternative. Cross-country skiing is good for all skill levels, especially beginners . Simply strap on a pair of skis, and explore the winter wonderland that surrounds you!

Pro Tip: If you haven’t visited Salt Lake City, its street addresses, calculated from the Great Salt Lake Base and Meridian, can be confusing. Crack the code with these tips !

Nick_Becker / Shutterstock

Take A Winter Hike

Another way for visitors of all skill levels to explore a snowy Salt Lake City is on a winter hike. Strap a pair of snowshoes onto your hiking boots, and the steel crampons will help you explore the path less traveled with all the confidence of a caribou.

Pro Tip: If you don’t own cross-country skis or snowshoes, it’s easy to rent them locally for a day, week, or the entire season. Both Sports Den and Canyon Sports have all the gear you need! If you plan to purchase a pair of snowshoes, read this first.

Slide In Style

Another snowy activity to consider in Salt Lake City in winter is snow tubing. Simply glide up the “magic carpet” with your inflatable tube, then let gravity do all of the work while you sit back and enjoy the ride. One of the best places for winter tubing in the Salt Lake City area is on the Toyota Tubing Hill at Soldier Hollow . At 1,200 feet, their sliding lanes are some of the longest in the Beehive State. Plus, Soldier Hollow has accommodations for tubers in wheelchairs and visually impaired guests.

Pro Tip: Enjoying the best snow on earth is likely to make you hungry! These incredible Salt Lake City restaurants are some of my favorites.

Body Stock / Shutterstock

See The Sights Via Snowmobile

For an even bigger adrenaline rush, glide across the snowy mountains surrounding Salt Lake City on a snowmobile. The team at Lofty Peaks Adventures offers guided snowmobile tours in Heber City and Snowbird. Hop in the driver’s seat and command the craft, or hold on tight and enjoy the ride. (If you’re new to snowmobiling and can share a craft with a travel buddy, the passenger rate at Lofty Peaks is heavily discounted.) If you’re an experienced snowmobiler, you can also rent a rig for a few hours to explore the trailheads solo.

Twirl On The World’s Fastest Ice

Salt Lake City’s Olympic Oval boasts the fastest ice in the world. Why? At 4,675 feet above sea level, the arena is the highest-altitude rink in the world. At higher altitudes, the ice is harder and denser. Plus, the reduced air resistance makes the speed skating events much faster. That’s why Salt Lake City has been the site of the majority of the speed skating world records that stand today.

Whether you want to race around the rink or twirl under the stars, one of the best outdoor ice rinks in Salt Lake City is Gallivan Center . Located in the heart of downtown, this large oval rink is just south of the Utah State Capitol Building.

Fun Fact: While it’s an indoor rink, the ice at the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center was the official practice site for American Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Aron Hsiao / Shutterstock

Celebrate The 2002 Winter Olympics

Speaking of the Olympics, Salt Lake City is well known for hosting the XIX Olympic Winter Games . Gathering 2,400 athletes from around the world in February 2002, Salt Lake City was the last American city to host a winter Olympics. Relive the event with a visit to the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center, where you can often watch bobsled, skeleton, and other winter sporting events. If you’re not content to just sit and watch, then take a ride with a professional bobsled pilot via the Winter Bobsled Experience . And before you go, be sure to visit the Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Winter Games and Alf Engen Ski Museums on site.

Pro Tip: You can see the metal structure that held the Olympic flame during the 2002 Winter Olympics in the southwest corner of the Rice-Eccles Stadium. This football stadium at the University of Utah was the site of the opening and closing ceremonies for the XIX Olympic Winter Games in February 2002.

Fawn Over Frozen Fortresses

Greater Salt Lake City is one of four ice castle destinations in the United States. Channel your inner Elsa and embrace the cold by bundling up and exploring the LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, and carved ice tunnels fashioned from hundreds of thousands of icicles created by professional ice artists.

SkyBlodgett / Shutterstock

Admire The Holiday Lights

While there are more than 100 Mormon temples around the world, the 210-foot-tall, cream-colored granite church in downtown Salt Lake City is the largest. Just as impressive as its size is its draw. With three- to five-million visitors annually, Temple Square attracts more sightseers than all five of Utah’s national parks combined.

During the warm months, Temple Square is a lush and quiet refuge from the cement sidewalk and busy city beyond the gates. Tall trees provide shade, and the grounds are filled with colorful flowers from March through November. But one of the best times to visit Temple Square is during winter. From the day after Thanksgiving until the new year begins, the 35-acre Temple Square grounds are filled with millions of festive lights, illuminated paper lanterns, and Nativity scenes.

You can also enjoy festive holiday lights at ZooLights! at Utah’s Hogle Zoo . This secular holiday attraction features twinkle-light tunnels, illuminated displays, and a chance for wee ones to meet Santa.

Take The Plunge

Speaking of the North Pole, you can channel your inner ursine and jump into the frigid water at Stansbury Park during the Polar Bear Plunge. Or spend more time outdoors this winter by first running a 5k and then jumping into the Utah State Lake with the Frigid 5k and Penguin Plunge .

Go Scuba Diving

If you prefer water that’s far from freezing over, you’ll love this next tip. The Homestead Crater in Midway is a geothermal spring hidden within a 55-foot-tall, beehive-shaped limestone rock. With constant temperatures between 90 and 96 degrees Fahrenheit, it’s the only warm scuba diving destination in the continental U.S., making it a unique outdoor winter activity in Salt Lake City.

PureRadiancePhoto / Shutterstock

Hunt Bison (With A Long Camera Lens) On Antelope Island

On the southeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island is the largest of the lake’s ten islands. With several scenic trails and one of the country’s oldest bison herds, Antelope Island is one of my favorite places to spend a beautiful day outdoors in Salt Lake City. In addition to being less crowded and often blanketed with snow, another benefit of visiting Antelope Island during winter is that the mosquitos, biting gnats, and non-biting brine flies aren’t around.

Bonus Activities In Salt Lake City In Winter

While they are not outdoor activities, basketball and hockey fans will want to consider these two bonus recommendations. NBA fans can attend a Utah Jazz basketball game at the Vivint Smart Home Arena, the Salt Lake Ice Center during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

If you’re a hockey fan, take in a Utah Grizzlies game at the Maverick Center . As you cheer for this minor-league affiliate of the Anaheim Ducks, you’re doing so in the venue where Olympic athletes competed for gold during the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Another big draw to Salt Lake City in the winter is the Sundance Film Festival at the end of January. The largest independent film festival in the country, the event attracts celebrities while showcasing some of the best cinematic works across all genres from around the world.

From sliding like a kid down the slopes in a tube to exploring the path less traveled on snowshoes, cross-country skis, or a snowmobile, there are plenty of fun outdoor activities to enjoy in Salt Lake City in winter.

Related articles:

• The Best Things To See And Do In Salt Lake City
• 5 National Parks You Must Visit During Winter
• 9 Utah State Parks That Should Be On Your Bucket List
• The Best Stops On Beautiful Highway 12, Utah’s Scenic Byway

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Backpacking in the USA , Winter Travel

Incredible things to do in salt lake city in winter.

Are you wondering if you should visit Salt Lake City in winter?   Salt Lake City is known for its abundance of things to do, its proximity to the mountains, and its charming downtown area. 

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It’s the perfect winter retreat with snow, fantastic shopping, delicious dining spots, and a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.  Having spent a good amount of time exploring everything Salt Lake City has to offer, I can attest to how incredible the city is during the winter months. 

Read on to discover you should visit Salt Lake City in winter, as well as lots of other Salt Lake City winter travel tips like what to wear and where to stay in Salt Lake City in the wintertime.

This is a guest post written by Abby from Trekking Prices, with edits and additions by Claire

Why Visit Salt Lake City in Winter?

Salt Lake City is really lovely in winter. Snow is pretty common and being so close to the mountains and all those ski resorts is fantastic.  Don’t worry about winter being bad in Salt Lake City; as long as you are prepared for the weather there are plenty of winter activities in Salt Lake City to keep you entertained.

Plus, downtown is filled with awesome shops, restaurants, and bars, making the whole winter scene even better. It’s definitely worth checking out if you’re into that cozy, snowy vibe!

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Salt Lake City Winter Weather 

Winter time in Salt Lake City is all about embracing the chill. The season typically kicks in around late November and lasts through February, with December and January being the coldest months.

Get ready for some crisp temperatures. Daytime highs can range from the mid-30s to the low 40s Fahrenheit (around 2 to 7 degrees Celsius), while nighttime lows often drop below freezing, hovering between 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-7 to -1 degree Celsius).

So make sure you prepare for the cold weather and pack plenty of layers!

Does it Snow a lot in Salt Lake City?

Snow is a big player in Salt Lake City’s winter weather. The city sees an average of around 50 inches of snowfall throughout the season, but it’s not uncommon to see heavier snowstorms. The surrounding mountains receive even more snow, making them a haven for winter sports enthusiasts.

What To Wear For Winter In Salt Lake City

In Salt Lake City’s winter, dressing for the chilly weather is all about layers and insulation. 

A sturdy, waterproof winter coat is a must, as temperatures can dip below freezing. Pair it with thermal layers, including long-sleeved shirts and thermal leggings to keep the cold at bay. 

Don’t forget a warm hat and gloves to protect against biting winds, and a scarf to shield your neck.

Waterproof and insulated boots are essential, especially if you plan on exploring snowy landscapes or hitting the slopes. It’s also a good idea to bring moisture-wicking socks to keep your feet dry. 

Lastly, grab a pair of sunglasses. The winter sun reflecting off the snow can be surprisingly bright, and slick on some sunscreen if you plan to be out on the slopes all day. 

With the right gear, you’ll be ready to comfortably embrace the winter wonderland of Salt Lake City!

The Best Things To Do In Salt Lake City In Winter

Go skiing or snowboarding.

You can’t talk about winter in Salt Lake City without mentioning skiing. The place is a haven for skiers, with world-class resorts like Snowbird and Alta.  A little further away, Park City Mountain Resort is another popular option for skiers and snowboarders.

Whether you’re a pro or just starting out, there’s a slope for everyone. Grab your snowboard, favorite neck gaiter , and the rest of your gear and hit the powdery slopes for an experience you won’t forget.

Explore Salt Lake City

Take a bus tour around Salt Lake City to see some of the top sites in Salt Lake City and learn some history along the way.  Explore the Utah State Capitol Building and Old Deseret Village, tracing the historic Mormon Trail.

The tour includes a visit to Temple Square where you will watch a live recital in the Salt Lake Tabernacle, home to one of the world’s largest organs and the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 

You’ll also pass landmarks including Fort Douglas, the University of Utah, Pony Express Monument, and 2002 Winter Olympics sites like Olympic Legacy Plaza and Stadium so it is a great way to get an overview of the city and to get your bearings.

Visit Some of the Museums in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City has a fabulous variety of museums that cater to different interests, spanning art, history, science, and culture. Of course, you can visit them any time of the year, but if the weather turns then museums are a great way to escape the cold and keep the family busy. 

Some of the best museums in Salt Lake City include:

Natural History Museum of Utah

Located on the University of Utah campus, this museum showcases exhibits on paleontology, anthropology, and the natural world. It features interactive displays and fascinating artifacts.

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Also on the University of Utah campus, this museum houses an impressive collection of art, including European, American, and Asian works. It regularly hosts special exhibitions and events.

The Leonardo Museum

A unique museum that combines science, technology, and art, The Leonardo offers interactive exhibits and installations that encourage creativity and exploration.

Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum

Geared towards children, this museum features hands-on exhibits that encourage learning through play in subjects such as science, art, and culture.

The Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts

Located in Liberty Park, this museum focuses on traditional and contemporary folk art and crafts in Utah, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the state.

The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art

Dedicated to contemporary visual arts, this museum exhibits works by local, national, and international artists. It often features thought-provoking and innovative contemporary art.

Hill Aerospace Museum

The Hill Aerospace Museum of Salt Lake City is in Roy, north of Salt Lake City, and showcases the history of aviation.  You’ll find a vast collection of aircraft, missiles, and other aerospace artifacts on display here.

Hit the Trails for a Winter Hike

Yes, you read that right. winter hiking in Salt Lake City is a thing and is a fantastic way to enjoy a sunny day. Head over to the nearby mountains for some breathtaking trails. The crisp winter air, snow-capped scenery, and the sound of your boots crunching in the snow, are the perfect way to spend time outdoors. 

Before you head out, check the weather forecast and make sure you are prepared for the weather and terrain, remembering that both can change quickly.  Check trail conditions on tips on AllTrails and make sure you have appropriate winter hiking gear, including traction devices for your boots and warm layers.

Additionally, let someone know your plans and estimated return time, take extra snacks and a portable phone charger with you as cold weather sucks battery life!

Wander Around The Temple Square Lights

If you’re into festive vibes, Temple Square is where it’s at after dark. The whole area is decked out in millions of twinkling lights during the winter season. It’s like a holiday wonderland, and you’ll find yourself wandering around, getting lost in the magical glow. 

There are currently extensive renovation works taking place in Temple Square and on the Salt Lake Utah Temple so this will affect the decorations.  In 2023 only the area around the Tabernacle and the Assembly Hall is accessible and lighted due to the renovations.

Enjoy A Hot Springs Soak

After a day of outdoor adventures, nothing beats a soak in the hot springs. There are some amazing spots just a short drive away from the city. Imagine relaxing in warm water surrounded by snow-covered landscapes, it’s the ultimate relaxation.

Head To The Utah Olympic Park

Feel the Olympic spirit at Utah Olympic Park, built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. You can try out the bobsled, go for a ride on the Comet bungee trampoline, or simply explore the venue. It’s a unique experience that adds a bit of excitement to your winter itinerary.

Try The Local Foods and Treats

There’s nothing like escaping the winter cold and chowing down on some delicious warm foods, right? Salt Lake City has a fabulous food scene, and you can join a food tour to discover the tastiest treats or have fun browsing and choosing somewhere yourself.

Warm up with some local favorites like hot chocolate from Hatch Family Chocolates or grab a hearty meal at Red Iguana for some delicious Mexican cuisine.

Enjoy Ice Skating at Gallivan Center

Lace up those ice skates and get ready to hit the ice rink at Gallivan Center. It’s a perfect spot for some winter fun, whether you’re a pro skater or still figuring out how not to fall on the ice. The festive atmosphere around the rink adds to the overall charm so it’s a perfect place to enjoy in wintertime.

Try Snowshoeing in Mill Creek Canyon

For a change of pace from skiing, try snowshoeing in Mill Creek Canyon. The pristine snow-covered landscapes and peaceful trails make it an ideal spot for winter hiking in Salt Lake City.

Rentals are readily available, so you don’t need to worry about bringing your own gear. Just bring your best pair of winter gloves to keep warm while exploring the area. It’s a great way to enjoy the winter scenery at your own pace.

Visit the Clark Planetarium

On those chilly winter nights, why not gaze at the stars while keeping warm indoors? The Clark Planetarium offers a fascinating journey through the cosmos. From educational exhibits to immersive planetarium shows, it’s a stellar way to spend an evening and learn a thing or two about the universe.

Support Local Businesses At The Winter Farmers Market

Embrace the local scene by checking out the Winter Farmers Market. Held every Saturday (indoors during the colder months), this market showcases the best local produce, artisanal crafts, and delicious treats.

It’s a unique way to experience the city’s community spirit and support local businesses, as well as enjoy some great food.  It is open all year round but usually closes on the last two Saturdays in December, check the official website for details .

Traverse City Creek By Trying Your Hand At Ice Climbing

For the adrenaline junkies out there, give ice climbing a shot at City Creek Canyon. With frozen waterfalls and ice-covered cliffs, it’s an adventurous way to experience the winter landscape. Don’t worry if you’re a beginner, there are guided tours available for all skill levels.

Attend a Utah Jazz Game

Winter is basketball season, and catching a Utah Jazz game is a must for sports enthusiasts. Feel the energy of the crowd, indulge in some stadium snacks, and cheer on the home team. It’s a lively way to spend an evening, especially if you’re a fan of fast-paced action.

Channel Your Inner Child By Going Snow Tubing

Grab an inflatable tube, cruise down snow-covered hills, and soak in the awesome mountain scenery. Salt Lake City offers a variety of tubing parks suitable for all ages, making it a perfect outing for families or a lively hangout with friends. 

The crisp winter air, the crunch of snow beneath you, and the pure joy of sliding down the slopes create lasting memories. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the winter vibes in Salt Lake City and inject a bit of thrill into your downtime!

Take A Short Day Trip To Midway

Winter in Midway is an absolute must-experience. Tucked into Utah’s Heber Valley, Midway transforms into a cozy wonderland perfect for a getaway. Imagine strolling through the town’s charming streets, illuminated by twinkling lights, or enjoying a horse-drawn sleigh ride through snow-covered fields. 

And, of course, you can’t miss the Ice Castles. They’re like stepping into a real-life ice kingdom, complete with towering formations and intricate tunnels. 

While you’re at it, check out the Homestead Crater nearby, a geothermal spring surrounded by snowy landscapes, offering a unique winter soak.  Midway is a great day trip from Salt Lake City in the winter.

Spend Time Snowmobiling

Exploring Salt Lake City through snowmobiling is a fantastic choice for those who want to savor the winter vibes without strapping on skis or a snowboard. 

Picture yourself zipping through snow-laden trails, surrounded by the breathtaking scenery of the Wasatch Range. It’s an adrenaline-pumping adventure that offers a fresh perspective on the winter wonderland. 

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or simply seeking a different winter experience, Salt Lake City’s snowmobiling options ensure an exhilarating escape.

Extra Things to do in Salt Lake City in January

Sundance film festival.

As well as all of the winter activities above, in January Sundance Film Festival comes to Salt Lake City, from January 18–28 th  in 2024.  Sundance is the largest independent film festival in the United States and you can buy tickets to watch film screenings, attend Q&As and Beyond Film events like chats and talks about cinema.

Check out the website for details on tickets and schedules.  If you plan to visit Salt Lake City during the festival period, make sure you book accommodation well in advance as it gets very busy!

Where to Stay in Winter in Salt Lake City

If you’re planning a trip, consider staying in downtown Salt Lake City. There’s a ton happening downtown, and the best part is you’re less than an hour away from loads of ski resorts. It’s the best choice because you get the city buzz and quick access to some awesome snowy adventures.

Hotels in Salt Lake City

Hyatt house salt lake city downtown.

I recommend staying at the Hyatt House Salt Lake City Downtown. It’s in a fantastic location and is within walking distance to several different restaurants.  There is free wifi and a free breakfast in the morning too.  >>>CHECK PRICES & READ MORE REVIEWS

Grand America Hotel

This iconic 5* hotel is a Salt Lake City institution and is known for its elaborate and festive decorations, so it’s perfect for celebrating Christmas and other holidays.  It is centrally located in downtown Salt Lake City, making it convenient for exploring nearby attractions, shopping districts, and cultural sites.

The Grand America Hotel’s design is inspired by European style, with grand chandeliers, marble accents, and classical decor, with spacious bedrooms and very comfy beds.  The hotel also has a luxurious spa and wellness center, and an indoor and outdoor pool.  If you don’t want to stay, pop in for an afternoon tea to get a taste of the opulence!  >>>CHECK PRICES & READ MORE REVIEWS

BROWSE MORE HOTELS IN SLC

Final Thoughts On Salt Lake City In Winter

If you’re after a winter getaway that combines city vibes with easy access to the mountains, Salt Lake City is a must-visit.  After spending ample time exploring both Salt Lake City and the charming mountain towns nearby, I can confirm that there’s something truly special about a winter visit. 

Consider this guide your go-to resource as you gear up to pack your bags and venture to Utah this winter, ready to embrace the city charm and the myriad of delightful snowy activities that await.

About the Author

Abby Price is a travel blogger and freelance writer, passionate about traveling the world and writing about her experiences. Abby is a true enthusiast of outdoor adventures, she loves spending time doing hobbies like hiking and skiing.

Abby has explored over 35 states in the United States and loves spending time uncovering hidden gems throughout the country. Through her blog Trekking Prices and freelance writing work, Abby shares her passion for travel and enjoying outdoor hobbies, in order to help others see more of the world and try new activities.

As well as on her website you can find Abby on Instagram , X and Pinterest .

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Hi! I'm Claire Sturzaker, a 30-something foodie traveller who loves to enjoy the best of a destination without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you and all women backpackers to plan their best budget travel adventure. I am an avid supporter of female solo travel, and took my first solo trip 20 years ago! I love to write about travel, hostels, backpacking and van life.

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More Than the Slopes: A Visitor’s Guide to Salt Lake City in Winter

by Samantha Davis | Dec 16, 2023 | Destinations , Family Adventures , Rocky Mountain , USA

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I’ll always remember Utah as the first place that I saw true mountains – nothing like the flat landscape of Ohio where I grew up. I caught my first glimpse of the snow-capped peaks from the airplane window.

Unlike destinations that shut down in the winter season, Salt Lake City is abustle with fun for the whole family. Winter is the best time to visit places like the Ice Castles or hit the slopes, but that isn’t all Salt Lake City offers. 

You won’t be able to take a dip in the Great Salt Lake – but there are plenty of other activities! Dive in to plan an adventure-packed trip for the whole family! 

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Experience Everything Snow-Related Utah Has to Offer

You may have heard that Utah has “the greatest snow on earth” because its white, powdery snowfalls are perfect for everything snow-related. Make snow angels, have a snowball fight, go snow tubing or cross-country skiing at one of Utah’s many ski resorts, like Deer Valley Resort or Soldier Hollow Nordic Center , just south of Midway and a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City. 

Olympic Park also has numerous ski slopes. This home to the 2002 Winter Olympics is the best place to hit the slopes, Utah-style. Visitors can also check out the nearby museum dedicated to the Olympic Winter Games or go ice skating at the Utah Olympic Oval . 

Salt Lake City is a slippery slope to unforgettable memories this winter! Photo by Kostiantyn Li on Unsplash

Take In The City’s Culture At Gallivan Center

Visitors can find the Gallivan Center in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. From a public ice skating rink to plenty of outdoor activities, there is much to keep guests entertained. The Gallivan Center puts on fun events for a taste of Salt Lake City culture, including art exhibits, free concerts, and Food Truck Thursdays!  

Make some memories ice skating (or trying to) at the Gallivan Center. Photo by Maxim Shklyaev on Unsplash

Visit All The Animals At The 42-acre Hogle Zoo

Families might think animals retire to their caves for the winter months once cooler temps set in. However, certain animals (like the big cats and wolves) are more active in the cold. Plus, one of the best things about winter visits is that guests miss out on the big crowds at this popular attraction. 

As a zoo that’s open year-round, many of the animals that are sensitive to the cold are moved to indoor exhibits where you can still visit them. The exceptions, according to Hogle Zoo ’s website, are the giraffes and rhinos. Many exhibits are also closed during the winter, except the seal and sea lion show – which we highly recommend!

The giraffes might be hiding, but animals like wolves and big cats are very active in the cooler temps! Photo by MARIOLA GROBELSKA on Unsplash

Take a Drive to See the Ice Castles

The Ice Castles in Midway, Utah, are about an hour’s drive from Salt Lake City. This attraction is well worth the drive. 

Visitors will find adventure exploring the crawl tunnels, ice slides, archways, and caverns that make up the spectacular Ice Castle – and don’t miss out on the spectacular ice sculptures! You can even book a sleigh ride for winter magic – and don’t forget the hot chocolate!

DON’T MISS!  Let it Snow: 7 Top Family Resorts for a Winter to Remember

Another can’t-miss part of the Ice Castles is the Homestead Crater . This geothermal hot spring is full of mineral-rich water as warm as a hot tub – even surrounded by the winter wonderland that is Utah in winter. 

Capture once-in-a-lifetime photos (and memories!) at the Ice Castles in Midway. Photo by Jacob Campbell on Unsplash

Utah is more than ski slopes and mountain tops. Find out all there is to do with this handy visitor’s guide to Salt Lake City in winter!

Go On A Snowshoeing Adventure

Snowshoeing is the perfect way to get across the dry-packed snow Utah is known for as visitors explore Utah’s many national parks. Utah has no shortage of national parks, including destinations like Big Cottonwood Canyon , Arches National Park , Bryce Canyon National Park . Families could also take a three-day tour of them all! Big Cottonwood Canyon is only a 30-minute drive from the city! 

Keep in mind temperatures are significantly colder when exploring the mountains compared to Salt Lake Valley and downtown Salt Lake City in winter, about 10-15 degrees cooler. When exploring Utah, dress in layers!

Hear the crunch of snow underfoot while you take in the snowy peaks! Photo by Taylor Brandon on Unsplash

Explore the History of Utah at Temple Square

Temple Square is another can’t-miss attraction for visitors looking to take in the history of Utah. Here, guests will find the global headquarters for the Church of Latter-Day Saints. In addition to spectacular architecture and stained glass at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building , eat delicious food at one of the many restaurants in Temple Square, learn at the Church History Museum , or see a free movie at the Legacy Theatre . 

The tall towers of Temple Square really stand out from its surroundings! Photo by Michael Hart on Unsplash

DON’T MISS!  Things to do in Moab: Utah with Kids in Spring

Visit the Natural History Museum of Utah

While Temple Square focuses on Mormon history, the Natural History Museum of Utah has a variety of exhibits. Guests can learn about archaeology, paleontology, biology, and so much more. The museum has craft workshops and special exhibits that change through the year to keep things exciting. Plus, this fun and educational stop is nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, which look beautiful during the winter season!

You never know what curiosities you’ll find at Utah’s Natural History Museum! Photo by Sean Foster on Unsplash

When You Go

Getting There from Los Angeles

Travelers can fly directly into Salt Lake City International Airport from LAX. Many airlines offer direct flights that take around 2 hours without layovers, including United, American, JetBlue, Spirit, and Southwest.

An excellent discount site for flights (and cars, hotels) is Expedia ! This is where we start our research for the best deals!

If you’d like to be in the know for exclusive discounts to fly anywhere in the world, check out Going (formerly Scott’s Cheap Flights). Their website shows current deals, and they send emails when they find crazy cheap discounts. Some can even be booked with points.

For families traveling from Los Angeles by car, the trip is a little under 10 hours. When using I-15N, this road trip across the western United States takes you through Las Vegas. Vegas is a fun stop for a night or two for travelers without kids. 

To get discounts on tours in the area, we recommend Get Your Guide or Viator (which offers 51% off last-minute tours!).

Where to Stay in Salt Lake City

For our family, the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel was the perfect place. This budget option checks all the boxes for our family, including a free breakfast buffet and an indoor pool and hot tub. It’s also close to the airport for families flying in!

With stunning views from the skyrise terrace and a roof-top pool to soak away the day’s adventures, your family will love their stay at the moderately priced Hyatt Regency Salt Lake City . Recently built, this Hyatt offers all of the modern amenities in a pristine setting close to everything downtown. Next door to the convention center and walking distance to ice skating and museums.

Finally, for guests looking for a luxury experience, consider staying at one of Salt Lake City’s many ski resorts. The Snow Pine Lodge is full of amenities, including a day spa. While it’s a little outside of the Salt Lake City area, it’s ideal for visitors interested in Utah’s slopes! 

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15 Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City in Winter

Salt Lake City is an underrated destination in Utah. This city has so much to offer in the snowy winter months, even though it does get cold. Keep reading to learn about the best things to do in Salt Lake City in winter. 

Wander through downtown and enjoy a delicious dining scene, museums, and shopping. If you’re feeling adventurous, plan a hike in Salt Lake City for a fun day activity. Remember to dress warm!

Utah is a beautiful state to explore and Salt Lake is a great base. From Salt Lake City you can easily visit other places like the Utah national parks or Park City where you can find some of the best skiing in the country!

Plan a trip to Salt Lake City and see for yourself why this city is worth visiting.

Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through one of them. Read our affiliate disclosure . Thank you for your support!

Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City in Winter

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

Enjoy a rotating display of cultural and visual arts at the  Utah Museum of Fine Arts . If you love art of any kind, you’ll definitely want to stop by for a visit to see what is currently on exhibit. While Salt Lake is small, its museums are a great wintertime activity.

Admire fantastic works of art and stay warm while visiting the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. 

Hike Ensign Peak

If you’re up for an outdoor winter adventure, you need to check out  Ensign Peak  for a breathtaking view of Salt Lake City. This is a 1-mile out-and-back trail with free parking at the base.

Even if you only hike a portion of it, you will see Salt Lake City nestled into the mountains below you. While it gets cold and snowy in winter in Salt Lake, I found hiking is still a great activity.

There are very few people on the trail, and as long as you wear warm clothes and boots, you’ll stay comfortable. PS. This trail is also dog-friendly!

READ NEXT: 10 Day Hiking Essentials

Snow Sledding at Sugar House Park

Get outside and put your snow pants on, it’s time to go sledding! One of the best things to do in Salt Lake City in winter is go sledding at Sugar House Park . There’s a big hill here where you can find many people enjoying the winter thrill of sledding.

Ask if your accommodation has snow sleds to use, or run to the store to buy one. It’s a small investment for a whole lot of fun you’ll have.

Day Trip to Park City

Skiing is one of the most popular activities in the Salt Lake City area. The best place to ski is Park City, about a 40-minute drive from downtown Salt Lake City. Get ready to hit the slopes and plan an epic ski  trip to Park City !

If you’re planning a ski trip, Salt Lake City is a great place to stay. While it is 40 minutes from Park City Mountain, the drive isn’t bad and it’s often cheaper to stay in Salt Lake.

READ NEXT: How to Plan a Ski Trip

Enjoy Craft Beer at a Local Brewery

If you enjoy trying local craft beers, you will love these breweries in SLC! I found there to be a surprisingly great craft beer scene here, and if you’re a fan too, you won’t want to miss out on these breweries.

RoHa Brewing Project  - live music and alternating local food trucks

Kiitos Brewing  - large selection of beer and old-school pinball machines

Bewilder Brewing Co  - delicious food menu and free darts to play

International Peace Gardens

If you are visiting Salt Lake City in the spring or summer, you should head to the International Peace Gardens to admire the beautiful array of wildlife.

With statues, monuments, and a wide variety of plants, this is a great place to stroll around and soak in the nice weather in spring and summer.

While spring and summer are great seasons to enjoy the International Peace Gardens, you can still go for a stroll through the park in winter. It’s a fun way to get outside and see more of the city. 

Clark Planetarium

Another fun thing to do in Salt Lake City in winter is visit the Clark Planetarium. Because it’s indoors you’ll be out of the cold and you’ll get to learn all about space. Make sure you have time to catch one of their Imax films!

Have you ever been to a planetarium? They're fascinating museums!

Shopping in Downtown

There are tons of shops and boutiques around downtown Salt Lake City. Head to Main Street to find lots of shopping options. This is the best area to start from as there is a nice outdoor shopping center on Main and Temple Street.

I recommend finding a good parking spot and walking around to explore more rather than driving everywhere.

Stop by a Soda Bar

You can’t visit Salt Lake City without at least one visit to a soda bar. Start with your typical sodas like Coke, Sprite, Dr. Pepper, etc., and then add yummy flavors like coconut and pineapple, or raspberry and cream. Get this delicious Utah treat from  Thirst  or  FiiZ ! 

While I lived in Salt Lake City over the winter, I learned soda bars are a traditional treat here. So like the locals do, go buy yourself a yummy soda!

Visit the High School Musical School

If you grew up with Troy and Gabriella, you have to visit the filming location of High School Musical!  East High School  is the real school of this iconic 2006 movie. If you’re a fan of HSM, plan a little excursion to see the school for yourself.

Does anyone else have those songs and dances memorized? Live out your High School Musical Dreams while visiting Salt Lake City!

Get Cozy in a Coffee Shop

This one is especially fun to do in the winter. Salt Lake City has a surprisingly great coffee scene. From co-working spots and quirky vibes to local roasteries and amazing pastries, enjoy them all at the  best coffee shops in Salt Lake City . Then tell me which is your favorite!

Utah State Capitol

If you’re a fan of architecture or history, the Utah State Capitol is a must-visit. You can  schedule a free tour  and learn from a knowledgeable guide, or you can take a self-guided tour to visit at your own pace.

There is a lot of history to learn about this monument, as well as architectural details to admire.

Get Your Boba On

If you're a fellow milk tea or boba lover, check out the two best milk tea places in Salt Lake City. You can't go wrong with a boba break while exploring the city. Check out  Sunny Honey  in North Salt Lake City, or head to  Space Tea  if you're further south.

Stroll Around Liberty Park

Liberty Park  is the second largest public park in Salt Lake City. It offers 80 acres to stroll around and explore, as well as a pond with two islands and the  Tracy Aviary , which is also worth a visit. While in the city, get your nature fix at Liberty Park.

Natural History Museum of Utah

If you’re a museum fan, the  Natural History Museum of Utah  needs to be on your Salt Lake City itinerary. Here you can learn about the plants, animals, and people who shaped Utah and the surrounding area of the US.

You can also catch various traveling exhibits here and learn about different parts of the world such as the Pharaohs of Egypt or the wildlife of Southeast Asia.

READ NEXT: 10 Best Museums in Chicago

Go Thrifting at iconoCLAD

You might not think of high fashion when you think of Salt Lake City, but you will be pleasantly surprised. Stop by  iconoCLAD  thrift store and shop second-hand fashion items, from shoes to jackets and more. The options here are high quality, unique, and fairly priced.

Eat, Eat, and Eat!

While you’re exploring Salt Lake City, you will work up quite the appetite. Grab a bite to eat at the best restaurants in Salt Lake City. My top picks are below:

Red Iguana  - Mexican

Takashi  - Japanese

Jinya Ramen Bar  - Ramen

Doki Doki  - Dessert

Siegfried’s Delicatessen  - German

Bricks Corner  - Pizza

Chubby Baker  - Dessert

Visiting Salt Lake City in Winter

Now that you know the best things to do in Salt Lake City in winter, start getting ready for your trip to this underrated city. Utah is a gorgeous state and Salt Lake is one of the best places to explore.

Plan a trip to Salt Lake City this winter and enjoy everything this US destination has to offer. Make the most of the delicious dining scene and cozy coffee shops, get adventurous and hike to find the best views of the city, or day trip to Park City for amazing skiing.

There’s something for everyone in Salt Lake City and winter is a great time to go so you can admire the snow capped mountains surrounding the city. Dress warm, wander the streets, and enjoy a cozy trip to Utah’s capital.

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Join me, and often my partner and my dog, as we find exciting adventures and travel recommendations for you! If you've been bit by the travel bug just as I have, I hope you find my tips useful for all of your future travels.

15 things to do in SLC during the winter

By bryn bingham, ksl.com contributor | posted - jan. 31, 2014 at 3:15 p.m., (bryn bingham).

Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City offers a plethora of great things to do and see. There are many ways to spend a day in Salt Lake City, but if you get the chance to visit during the winter season, I suggest giving a few of these things a try.

Activities to do during the day:

Downhill Skiing

Utah is known for having “the best snow on Earth.” Enjoy world class skiing at a handful of resorts located just 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake. Go to http://www.skiutah.com/ for deals on passes and snow reports.

Snowshoeing and Cross Country Skiing

Salt Lake City is surrounded by beautiful canyons that offer great snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Millcreek Canyon is a favorite of mine that offers a handful of short or long snowshoeing hikes as well as a groomed trail for cross country skiers.

A shorter more family friendly place to snowshoe is Donut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Ensign Peak hike

A fairly steep but short hike, the reward for climbing Ensign Peak is a beautiful view of the city at the top. Because the hike is on a south facing slope, it is generally clear from large amounts of snow throughout the winter. Snowshoes are not necessary.

Temple Square

The grounds on Temple Square are beautiful. Near the water fountains or the reflecting pond is a perfect place to grab a bench, relax and enjoy the scenery. Christmas lights here are amazing during the winter season. The visitor center is interesting, with a striking statue of Christ inside.

Related Stories:

6 great things to do in Park City

Activities for families with kids:** Discovery Gateway**

Discovery Gateway offers many educational and creative play contraptions for young kids that will keep the whole family entertained for hours.

444 W. 100 South, Salt Lake City

Clark Planetarium

Located near the Gateway mall, the Hansen Planetarium offers star shows and laser shows with a gift shop the kids enjoy.

110 4th West, Salt Lake City

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum is one of my favorite museums in Salt Lake City. This brand new museum is must whether you have kids or not.

301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City

Downtown City Creek Shopping

This shopping mall has a stunning arched glass rooftop that covers the walkways in cold weather. City Creek offers great stores with beautiful water features and landscaping throughout. There is also a small indoor dinosaur playground inside the eatery which offers a fun distraction for toddlers.

50 S Main St, Salt Lake City

Gateway Mall The Gateway Mall offers outdoor shopping with restaurant, and the Discovery Park and Planetarium to keep you entertained if you need a break.

400 W 100 S, Salt Lake City

Pibs Exchange

Located in Sugarhouse, this fun second-hand clothing store offers current high-end brands.

Farmer’s Market

The Farmer's Market offers yummy food vendors, produce, fresh flowers, musicians, jewelry and art. It is open outside June through October and in the winter, the market moves inside the Rio Grande Station located downtown.

300 S. Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City

Good places to eat in Salt Lake City: Of course a great city isn’t complete without amazing food. Check out some of my favorite spots to grab breakfast, lunch or a quick bite.

Eva’s Bakery Boulangerie

Eva's Bakery Boulangerie has the best coconut macaroons and chocolate croissants I've tasted. You can grab a quick bite from the counter, or sit down for delicious menu items like stuffed French toast, beet salad and carbonara mac and cheese.

155 S Main St, Salt Lake City

Ruby Snap Cookies

This little shop offers creative names and flavor combinations for their sweet treats. Yum.

770 S 300 W, Salt Lake City

Bruges Waffles & Frites

What can be bad about gourmet waffles ? They are delicious for an early breakfast or brunch or really any time of the day. Their thick waffles come with a variety of delicious, fresh toppings.

336 W 300 S (Broadway), Salt Lake City

Tony Caputos

This delicious eatery offers Italian subs and salads for lunch as well as a great European market.

314 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City

If you enjoy playing in the outdoors, eating good food, and shopping, you'll be sure to enjoy a day well spent in beautiful Salt Lake City.

Bryn Bingham is co-founder of Globecandy, a travel blog that celebrates the sweet spots around the globe. To learn more visit her at www.globecandy.com

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Salt Lake City in Winter: Things to Do for Outdoor Lovers

Quick navigation, best outdoor winter activities in and around salt lake city, best winter deals in and around salt lake city, winter weather in salt lake city, what to wear during winter in salt lake city, fun facts about salt lake city winter, join our newsletter.

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Looking for things to do in Salt Lake City this winter? Salt Lake City is a paradise for those who love to get outside, especially in the winter! Utah’s capital and largest city enjoys fabulous proximity to the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains, nestled right between the two ranges. Everyone from seasoned adventurers to those new to the outdoors can find something to enjoy in a Salt Lake City winter. So, what are the options? From skiing to skating under city lights to snowshoeing, there are endless ways to take advantage of the snow in and around Salt Lake City. Salt Lake City also offers a unique focus on adventure for the whole family, with larger families on average than the rest of the United States. We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite things to do when winter comes in Salt Lake, and we hope you get out and enjoy them all!

When it comes to winter activities, Salt Lake City is about as good as it gets. With the mountains nearby blessed with an average yearly snowfall of 500 inches, there are plenty of things to try once the weather goes cold.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Skiers and snowboarders will feel right at home in Salt Lake. Downtown is only an hour from Powder Mountain , the biggest ski resort in the United States! What’s more, there are 10 different ski resorts within an hour of the SLC airport. Yes, 10! You can practically hop out of the plane and onto the slopes of Alta , Brighton , Snowbird , and more. The ski season in and around Salt Lake tends to run from about late November through late April.

Cross-Country Skiing around Salt Lake City

Cross-country skiing is another great way to spend a winter in Salt Lake City, where the miles and miles of world-class running trails get snowed over each winter. You’ll only need a trail pass for a select few trails, and the equipment can be rented for day use from major outdoor stores or equipment rentals shops. Cross-country skiing isn’t difficult to pick up, and Salt Lake is the perfect arena to try it out in.

Snowshoeing near SLC

Snowshoeing is a fantastic winter activity in Salt Lake City, where the plentiful dry snow makes the valley and the mountains alike an ideal winter playground. It’s easy enough for older children to enjoy and serves as a nice alternative to hiking when the trails are socked in. We love Donut Falls, Little Mountain, and Willow Heights in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest as well as the Woods trailhead at North Basin in Snyderville.

Snowbird winter ski snowboard resort gondola in beautiful Utah winter near Salt Lake City SLC

Snowmobiling

Have the urge to rev some engines? Salt Lake City and the surrounding area is a playground for snowmobiling enthusiasts! Bold drivers and newcomers to the sport alike can rent sleds for the day or weekend. We recommend having some basic safety training first and asking the shop owners for their favourite trails that match your skill level to ensure a safe outing. Try High Octane Rentals for a family-owned and operated rental experience.

Sharpen up! Skating is a fantastic thing to do during a Salt Lake City winter, and you’ll find an abundance of rinks throughout the city. Lace up at Gallivan Center (closed for the 2020-2021 season but hopefully open thereafter), Murray Park County Ice Center , SLC Sports Complex , or the Plaza at South Jordan .

Snow Tubing

Snow tubing is the perfect winter family activity in Salt Lake City. It’s perfect if you struggle to stay upright on skis but still want the rush of zooming down a snowy hill! Soldier Hollow is one of our favourite spots for snow tubing- not to mention the plethora of winter activities they offer besides snow tubing. With 366 m of tubing space and tubing for everyone ages 3 and up, it’s a great way to spend a chilly afternoon in Salt Lake. This is no lame kid’s activity, we’ve seen grown adults have the time of their life tubing!

Sledding is a quintessential winter activity, and Salt Lake has plenty of perfect hills. It’s a great family activity and the perfect excuse for a hot chocolate run after. While the best hill to hit will depend on which area of the city you’re in, we like Big Cottonwood Canyon, Donut Falls, and Sugarhouse Park. Wait for the snow to fall, grab your sled, and get out there!

Fat Tire Biking

Cyclists, no need to lament. There’s still fun to be had on two wheels in a Salt Lake City winter! There are countless cycling trails in the area, and a fat tire bike is a perfect way to enjoy them without needing to worry about wiping out. The bigger, less-inflated tires have more surface area and a wider tread to keep you safely upright in snow. No need to drop a few grand, either- you can rent them from shops like Hyland Cyclery .

Beautiful trail snowshoeing through deep snow in Utah winter near Salt Lake City SLC

Bobsledding

Okay thrill-seekers, this one's for you. If skiing blacks just isn’t cutting it, try a ride down the bobsled track at Olympic Park ! Riders just have to be over 16, over 100lbs, free of any back, neck, or heart issues, and you’re ready to send it. You’ll ride with an experienced pilot on the same track that was used for competition in the 2002 Olympics. The rush will stay with you for a long time afterwards, we promise!

Is a winter in the Salt Lake City area ever really complete without a weekend trip to Park City? Nope. Park City is a winter wonderland, with the fabulous Park City Mountain Resort boasting great ski and snowboard slopes. The charming Main Street is perfect for an apres-ski meal or some off-day shopping. At only 40 or 45 minutes from Salt Lake, it’s an easy trip with massive potential for fun.

Planning a trip to Salt Lake City this winter? Local and want to make the most of the season? There’s no reason to be paying full price. Here are some deals to make your planning even sweeter! Please note that deals and offerings may change without notice.

Best Accommodation and Travel Deals around Salt Lake City

Fly out of Toronto (YYZ) and enjoy a roundtrip non-stop flight included for free in your hotel booking from January 9-16 at Westgate Park City , Club Wyndham Park City , Provo Marriott Hotel , Solitude Condominiums , and Springhill Suites Draper .

Book your hotel early on Choice Hotels and save up to 15%.

Book a mystery 4-star hotel and save up to 40% on Hotwire .

Book two nights at a participating Salt Lake lodging property and receive 2 free 1-day Super Passes for skiing.

Book a two-night stay at participating Salt Lake lodging properties and receive a $200 Delta e-gift card .

Mention the Ski Salt Lake offer when booking with Quicksilver Private Transportation and receive 20% off their rates for first-time customers.

Best Ski Deals around Salt Lake City

Book at the Staybridge Suites and receive two Alta or Snowbird lift passes.

Stay at Holiday Inn and receive two Alta or Snowbird lift passes.

Purchase a Ski City Super Pass to customize your 3-10 day trip, receiving free transportation to and from the resorts, equipment rental discounts, ticket line bypass, and access to Alta, Brighton, Solitude, and Snowbird.

Best Outdoor Deals around Salt Lake City

Receive $15 off a snowmobile rental at Thousand Peaks Park City .

Receive 10% off a snowmobile rental at Lofty Peaks Snowmobiling .

Afternoon moon sun over snowy hill mountains in Utah winter near Salt Lake City SLC

The elephant in the room… how cold is a Salt Lake City winter? If you’ve never experienced winter in Salt Lake, we’ve got good news- it probably won’t be quite as bad as you think. The temperature seldom ever drops below 0°F, and the coldest month (January) sees average highs of 29°F. Snowfall begins in earnest in October and normally peters out by late April, peaking in January. Because the valley doesn’t often stay cold enough to support snow accumulation for long, you’re looking at relatively light snow in the city and heavier snow in the mountains throughout the winter. If you’re travelling to take advantage of winter, we recommend planning your trip between January and March.

The key to fending off that winter chill? It’s all about the layers. You can stay comfortable regardless of the conditions with the right clothing. Come prepared with a warm winter coat, waterproof insulated boots, good mittens, a warm hat, a scarf, and additional winter wear if you’re tackling certain activities (like snow pants for skiing). We always recommend layering, as it traps your body heat more effectively. Consider insulating sweaters or thermal layers beneath your outerwear for extra warmth. Pro tip? Slip into long johns under your jeans or pants on especially cold days- it’s easy to forget about your legs!

While hats, scarves, and mittens might seem like overkill in your suitcase, you’ll find out quickly how much heat you lose from your head and how bone-chilling a cold winter wind can be on your exposed face. It’s better to be over-prepared when it comes to winter in Salt Lake City.

• Because of the lack of extreme winds in the Salt Lake valley, blizzards are rare.
• The snowiest season ever recorded in Salt Lake City was 1951-1952, when 117.3 inches of snow fell.
• Snowfall totals are amplified by the lake effect, where snowstorms crossing over the Great Salt Lake are intensified by the warm lake water.
• Because of the placement of the Rocky Mountains to the northeast of the city, most major cold fronts heading towards Salt Lake City don’t ever make it there!
• Salt Lake City enjoys an elevation of 1,311 m above sea level.

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The Wasatch Mountains are the heart and soul and backbone of Salt Lake City. This rugged range forms the backdrop for our cities. We look up every day and watch with anticipation as the first snow falls and covers the peaks in what we proudly proclaim the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” Exploring the Wasatch in winter is a multi-billion dollar industry with visitors arriving from around the world to ski and board (mainly) and more importantly the proximity and grandeur of the Wasatch. It’s something we locals get to do every day, and at times, sigh, at times we take it for granted. We bemoan storms, canyon traffic and, well, just the general hassle of winter (apart from the moisture, which we eagerly celebrate). This winter, let’s stop all the bellyaching and get up there and enjoy the adventures waiting to be had. 

Basecamp #2: Park City

Park City is a world-renowned ski destination and the home of Park City Mountain (the resort) and Deer Valley , both situated near the actual town of Park City and its lively Historic Main Street and iconic town lift (serving Park City Mountain). Lodging and nightlife abound, drawing visitors from around the world in every season.

Sundance Mountain Resort

Snowfall 300” • Acreage 450 • Vertical 2,150’

THE TERRAIN: Founded by film legend Robert Redford, who named the resort after his iconic turn in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid , Sundance is a dose of the Old West. The resort’s upper reaches are home to its advanced terrain, and there is no better place to be on a powder day than Bishop’s Bowl. The right side is where those who like to cruise will find beautifully groomed runs, and the lifts at the base area are home to varied and interesting beginners’ terrain.

PROVISIONS: The Tree Room is Sundance’s most elegant and award-winning restaurant. Locals from Provo often drive up the canyon just to dine at this restaurant named for the giant tree it was built around. Up on the resort’s highest peak, you can enjoy the views at Bear Claw Cabin while taking a break in this fast-casual lodge.

ONE COOL THING: Robert Redford had the wooden 1890s bar in the Owl Bar packed up and moved from Thermopolis, Wyo. to Sundance. It was once frequented by Butch Cassidy’s Hole in the Wall Gang. 

Deer Valley Resort

Snowfall 300” • Acreage 2,026 • Vertical 3,000

TERRAIN: Deer Valley is known for its perfectly groomed runs and stellar service. With 21 lifts, including 12 high-speed quads, lines are the exception rather than the rule. Head to Flagstaff Mountain for a selection of blue cruisers. Sorry snowboarders, Deer Valley is a ski-only resort.

PROVISIONS: Dining is a significant part of the Deer Valley experience. The Alps-inspired Fireside Dining at the Empire Canyon Lodge is a guest favorite. Don’t miss Deer Valley’s famous turkey chili available at the Silver Lake and Snow Park lodges.

ONE COOL THING: Kids receive special attention at Deer Valley. Ski school is available for ages three and up, while state-licensed childcare options are available from two months of age. 

Park City Mountain

Snowfall 360” • Acreage  7,300 • Vertical 3,200’

TERRAIN: Variety and size set Park City apart from other ski areas. It sits on 7,300 acres, including 300+ trails, 41 lifts, terrain parks and eight half-pipes. The mountain is divided into two base areas, Park City and Canyons Village. For blue runs, there are a lot of great choices off King Kong lift. Powderhounds will find the goods off Thaynes and Motherload Express.

PROVISIONS: Try The Farm for elegant dining, including regionally sourced ingredients. On the mountain, you can’t beat the views over fondue from Lookout Cabin.

ONE COOL THING: Visit the ski-in/ski-out High West Distillery at the base of Park City’s Quittin’ Time run. 

The Story Behind Deer Valley’s Infamous Ski Run Solid Muldoon

 It was one of the most famous hoaxes of the era. In 1877, using a mixture of ground bones, blood, meat, mortar and plaster, a Colorado trickster named George Hullmolded molded a missing-link man, kiln-fired his creation, then half-buried him in a hillside. Hull’s paid associate, William Conant “discovered” him, and the whole nation wanted a peek at the “petrified man.” The oversized figure was touring the country when someone likened him to a famous wrestler, William Muldoon, nicknamed “The Solid Muldoon.” The name stuck. It’s rumored that P.T. Barnum was in on the hoax, ginning up hype by “offering” $20,000 for the creation. Finally, The New York Times dug up the truth and now all that’s left of the Solid Muldoon is a popular groomer near Deer Valley’s Carpenter Express lift. — Heather Hayes

Explore more of the Wasatch Mountains from the Salt Lake City base camp and the Odgen Basecamp .

• Related: Deer Valley and Park City make Top 10 in SKI magazine’s 2024 Reader’s Poll.
• Related: Our Favorite Salt Lake Ski Resorts
• Related: D eer Valley’s History as a Food Destination

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21 Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City in Winter in 2024

SEARCHING FOR THINGS TO DO IN SALT LAKE CITY IN WINTER?

We’ve got all the info you need! We’ve both been traveling to Utah since we were kids and we make trips there often with our family now.

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City in winter? It’s skiing, right? Of course, it is. But guess what? There are so many things to do in Salt Lake City in winter, and we’ll prove it to you.

Come along as we embrace the cold and find loads of fun in Salt Lake City! 

Free Things to do in Salt Lake City in Winter 

1. go sledding.

Dressing warm and seeking out the tallest hill for an epic sledding adventure is one of the most fun things to do in Salt Lake City during winter! If you want to stay in town, there’s no better hilly heaven to sled through than Sugar House Park in Salt Lake. 

If you’re willing to venture out of town and spend some cash, Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway is about one hour out of town. The snow tubing set up here is super convenient for families as the center provides the tubes and features an escalating conveyor belt that carries participants up the hill for each run. 

Keep in mind this is a very popular attraction and requires advanced reservations to secure a spot in a timed session. Also, the tubing runs are very slick, making the tube move very fast. It’s a fun and thrilling experience as long as you can adequately slow yourself down. We recommend making sure children are fully aware of how to do this before going on a run. 

2. Wander Around Temple Square 

Temple Square is a 10-acre center owned by the LDS Church. The square is found in the center of Salt Lake City and is the base for the road names found throughout Salt Lake. In 1964 it was designated as a national historic landmark district to recognize the Mormons settling in Utah.

There is so much to do and see on Temple Square, especially during the winter. The entire block is adorned with millions of colorful Christmas lights, making a stroll through here one of the best free things to do in Salt Lake City in winter at night. The lights can be enjoyed beginning the day after Thanksgiving and stay on display through New Year’s Day. 

You can find information for a self-guided tour of Temple Square here or request a free tour here .

3. Visit Red Butte Garden 

Red Butte Garden is a botanical garden located in Salt Lake City foothills. The property features nature trails, workshops, and outdoor concerts during warmer months. But during the winter, when it’s heavy-laden with snow, the garden is magical. Your kids will feel like they’re visiting Arendelle in Frozen!  

The garden is known for its impressive plant collections, which are bright and flourishing in the warmer months. But believe it or not, the trees and plants are striking in their bare forms as well. Taking a stroll through Red Butte Garden is one of the most peaceful things to do in Salt Lake City in winter.

We love to explore the outdoors during winter because it offers such a different perspective than the other seasons do. Kids have such a fun time discovering hidden colors and textures on trees and plants that they aren’t accustomed to noticing during the spring and summer months. You might even spot some pretty holly growing during the holiday season! 

4. Visit the Utah State Capitol 

A visit to the Utah State Capitol is one of the more unique Salt Lake City things to do in winter. The neoclassical revival building is one of Utah’s most eminent landmarks, and its architecture is spectacular.

Exploring here is one of the most fun things to do in Salt Lake City in winter because at the heart of the capitol building stands a beautiful and immaculately decorated Christmas tree. If you’re visiting during the holiday season, you won’t only get to take in the wonder of the glittering tree but may also catch a holiday concert. Many musical performances take place in the Rotunda area throughout the holiday season. 

5. Go Christmas Shopping at City Creek Center 

Are you the type of person who is always doing last-minute Christmas shopping? You can catch the Christmas spirit of commercialism and check everyone off your list at City Creek Center . This outdoor mall offers world-class shopping and dining right in the heart of Salt Lake City. 

The mall transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season with charming window displays and lights for as far as the eye can see. And in case you were worried, Santa is even available for visits with the kids! Be sure not to miss the fountain show in Richard’s Court at the top of the hour. It’s a fun and entertaining way to capture the holiday spirit at City Creek. 

6. Explore the International Peace Gardens 

International Peace Gardens is a 12-acre garden in Jordan Park, just a couple miles outside of downtown Salt Lake City. Taking a journey through the peace gardens is one of the best things to do in Salt Lake City in the winter if you need to get the kids outside and moving. The pathway through the garden is paved, so it’s perfect for pushing strollers or for exploring on bikes and scooters. 

Our favorite thing about the garden here is the parade of nations. 28 different countries are represented and honored throughout the garden. Kids love the chance to spot a new country’s plot and look at the plants and sculptures that represent that area of the world. It’s a great way to enjoy some fresh air while also learning about places like China, Denmark, Greece, and Switzerland through botany. 

Things to Do in Downtown Salt Lake City in the Winter 

7. go ice skating at the gallivan center .

Nothing captures the fun of winter like ice skating. Take a journey downtown to Gallivan Center for an epic time on the ice. The ice skating rink is open from mid-November and into March. Adults are $12, and Children are $10, and this admission price includes skate rentals. 

And because there’s always somebody who’s bound to get cold, you can warm up with some hot chocolate and other tasty concessions on site. A night on the ice here is one of the most memorable things to do in Salt Lake City .

8. See a Show at Eccles Theater

Eccles Theater is one of Salt Lake’s most impressive entertainment venues. The theater hosts a variety of performances, including Broadway shows, concerts, and comedy acts. A show here can make for a special date night or an opportunity for the whole family to get dressed up and enjoy the magic of theater.

Don’t forget this option when you’re looking for one of the warmer things to do during a Salt Lake City winter! 

Things to do with Kids in Salt Lake City in the Winter 

9. explore clark planetarium .

The Clark Planetarium is one of the top things to do in Salt Lake City in winter with toddlers and kids. The planetarium offers some of the most impressive hands-on learning exhibits featuring our Earth, the moon, space, weather, and more. Plus, it’s always nice to have a place for the kids to be free to explore while everyone can stay warm! 

We had a lot of fun here. Rowen and Raven especially loved the Restless Planet Exhibit. We got to stand inside a tornado, watch lightning strike, watch the earth rotate, and touch real geological items from the Earth.

The best part of the Planetarium is that general admission is free. There are some movies that you can watch that do require a purchased ticket. This is one of the great free things to do in Salt Lake City with toddlers and kids.

10. Play at Discovery Gateway 

Discovery Gateway is a wonderful children’s museum in Salt Lake City. It is a child’s play space heaven and is the perfect place for toddlers and kids to explore and have fun! The museum features 60,000 square feet of playhouses, farms, grocery stores, science projects, and more.

The interactive exhibits help kids develop creativity, discovery, and experiential education, all while they have a great time. This spot is a great example of how play can be both fun and, at the same time, so vital to childhood growth and development. 

My kids especially loved the water play exhibit, which has a large water table with different interactive components, and the kid’s eye view exhibit, which has a child-sized house, grocery store, and more. It’s so much fun!

11. Go Under the Sea at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is in Draper, which is about 20 minutes south of Salt Lake, but the drive is worth it. The aquarium has over 4,500 animals representing 550 species, and it’s a wonderful way to spend a winter day away from the cold. 

There are five different exhibits, but our favorite by far was the 300,000-gallon shark exhibit. Inside the exhibit, there is a glass tunnel that you can walk through to get a closer view of the sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and fish.

The penguins were also awesome. They were so active in their exhibit and very entertaining to watch.

12. Visit Hogle Zoo 

In almost every city we visit, we try to make it to the zoo. Utah’s Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake was a zoo that Rowen and Raven loved. It may seem crazy to think, but a trip to the zoo in the winter can be just as fun as one in the summer. Just make sure to bundle up! 

There are eight different exhibits that give the kids the opportunity to get close to the animals. And with fewer crowds during the winter, your kids can get up close easily. We also loved how active the animals were during the colder weather months instead of hiding in the shade like they often do on hotter days. 

We loved seeing the giraffes, elephants, and polar bears. When you first get to the zoo, get the schedule of the daily programs. They are a good break from walking around, and the kids will love the presentation.

Keep in mind that Hogle Zoo often offers discount days during the winter as well. If you’re planning to visit Salt Lake City, check out the zoo’s website to see if you can snag tickets as low as $5! 

13. Explore Thanksgiving Point 

Thanksgiving Point is hands-down one of the best places to check out when visiting Salt Lake City with kids. Thanksgiving Point locations are in Lehi, UT, and not all of their attractions will be open during the winter. Be sure to come back during warmer months sometime to enjoy the full experience. 

Ashton Gardens is a portion of this complex that is typically closed during the winter, but if you’re visiting during the holiday season, you’re in luck! The lush green gardens are all decked out with millions of colorful lights and other holiday decorations for visitors to enjoy during Luminaria , the garden’s winter festival.

There are so many interactive activities for the kids as well as bonfires to warm up by and delicious holiday concessions to devour! 

The Museum of Natural Curiosity , Museum of Ancient Life , Farm Country , and the Butterfly Biosphere are all areas of Thanksgiving Point that families will be able to enjoy during the winter. These are definitely some of our favorite places to visit with kids in Salt Lake City . 

Keep in mind this is one of the Salt Lake Valley’s most expensive attractions, so a visit here might not be cost-effective for those traveling on a strict budget. 

If you’re looking for other family-friendly fun in this area, consider continuing to travel south for another 20 minutes or so to Provo. There are lots of other fun things to do in Provo .

14. Go Snowshoeing 

Most visitors probably know that Utah is one of the best places in the world to ski. That said, skiing is an acquired skill, and not all children may be up to the task during your visit to Salt Lake City. Snowshoeing is a simpler activity that offers many of the same fun-filled benefits. 

Park City, Utah, is a 40-minute drive into the mountains outside of Salt Lake. There you can find several commercially operated snowshoeing trails . These trails are a great place for new snowshoers to start. They often time offer equipment rentals, and the trails are well-marked and maintained. This ensures that everyone has a safe and fun time. 

Snowshoeing is one of the best fun kid things to do in Salt Lake City in winter. It offers a great opportunity for family bonding. Walking through the blanket of snow together, surrounded by the crisp mountain air, is an experience the whole family will remember. 

Things to Do in Salt Lake City for Adults

15. hike ensign peak .

Ensign Peak is one of the most popular and fun hikes in Salt Lake City. It offers a very convenient city location, you don’t have to drive far out of town to get there. The out & back route is only about a mile long, but it’s steadily steep throughout the whole climb. 

This route is definitely doable for children who have hiking experience. But given the slick winter conditions and the narrow and somewhat treacherous portions of the trail leading to the summit, we recommend visiting in the spring or summer months if you want to include the kids on this hike. 

We love the experience, and the view from the top is breathtaking! This hike is definitely one of the best things to do in Salt Lake City in the winter. 

16. Visit the Utah Museum of Fine Arts 

If you’re looking for a little bit of artistic culture during your time in Salt Lake, consider a stop at The Utah Museum of Fine Arts . The museum is located on the University of Utah campus and features a collection of 20,000 pieces of art. 

Utah offers such amazing year-round outdoor activities, which makes the museums and other interesting indoor places so vital here as well. At the time of writing, the museum has a special exhibit exploring the cultural significance behind Samoan tattoos, which runs through the end of 2023. 

The museum is open to patrons of all ages, but depending on your child’s interest in high art, they may be better suited to sit this one out.  

17. Go Skiing 

Utah is world-renowned for having some of the best ski resorts in the United States. Skiing can be a fun activity for the whole family, but once in a while, a day on the slopes as adults can be refreshing and highly enjoyable. 

Some of the top ski resorts near Salt Lake City include Deer Valley Resort , Woodward Park City , and Park City Mountain , all in Park City. Other top-notch ski resorts outside of Park City include Alta , Snowbird , and Brighton .

Enjoy the powder, the sun, and the soothing mountain air as you spend a day shredding the slopes!  

Romantic Things to Do in Salt Lake City in the Winter 

18. spend some time in park city.

Park City is a great place to spend some time in the Wasatch Mountains. No matter the time of year, this place has something for everyone to enjoy. 

We visited in the summer and had a great time at Park City Mountain and Utah Olympic Park, where a portion of the 2002 Winter Olympics was hosted. And enjoyed an amazing dinner at   Grub Steak Restaurant . We can’t wait to visit again during the winter! 

Because the drive from Salt Lake City to Park City has some mountain terrain and with the unpredictability of the weather during the winter, some travelers may be apprehensive about making the drive. If you really want to travel in style, you can reserve a private ride into town . 

▶️ BOOK Park City & Deer Valley SUV/VAN Private Ride

Once in town, you should definitely spend some time exploring Main Street with the one you love. Park City is an actual winter wonderland during this time of year, so the setting alone is very romantic. Enjoy dinner out and maybe even catch a show at the famed Egyptian Theatre. 

For our full list of Park City recommendations, check out our 25 Memorable Things to Do in Park City . The mountain air will do you some good!

19. Take a Sleigh Ride 

Though sleigh rides aren’t popular within the city limits, a quick drive out of town may be worth the romantic experience of a winter sleigh ride with your sweetheart. Park City is again a great location for this activity, as is Jordanelle State Park and Eden, UT, which are all within an hour’s drive from the city. 

20. Get Pampered at the Grand America Spa 

The spa at The Grand America Hotel is the place to go for the most relaxing and rejuvenating, pampered experience in Salt Lake. If you’re feeling run down by the weight of responsibilities in life, a couple’s spa day is one of the most helpful things to do in winter in Salt Lake City. It will give you the opportunity to decompress and reconnect as a couple in a very luxurious environment.  

The Grand America Spa offers couples massages, facials, and age-dying body wraps. 

21. Enjoy a Romantic dinner at La Caille

La Caille is one of Utah’s most romantic and unique restaurants. The upscale French restaurant is hidden away in the foothills in Sandy, UT, about half an hour outside of Salt Lake City. So even if you’re a regular to the city, you might not know about this gem. 

The restaurant building resembles a sizable cottage from a fairytale. It’s beautiful and very ornately decorated. The atmosphere is very serene and romantic. The restaurant doesn’t adhere to a specific dress code, but the setting is business casual at least.  

Brunch and dinner are the meals served here, each meal reflecting a different menu. The menus often change with the seasons as well. 

After your meal, be sure to spend some time on the beautiful grounds. There are massive trees and small bridges over charming ponds throughout the property that, during this time of year, will be sparkling with snow.

Places to Stay in Salt Lake City in the Winter 

The grand america hotel – luxury  .

⭐️ Rating 9.4/10 |📍 Location : 555 S Main St in Salt Lake City | 🏩 View on Expedia.com  

The Grand America Hotel is one of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels in downtown Salt Lake City. This 5-star hotel features a spa, two bars, three restaurants, and a coffee shop. Kids will love the indoor pool and hot tub, while parents can enjoy the comfort and peace of sitting in the sauna. 

The hotel rooms and suites are spacious and stunning. Everything is beautiful and so cozy. Spending a night here is certainly one of the best things to do in Salt Lake City, Utah, in Winter. 

▶️ Check Rates & Availability at The Grand America Hotel  

Little America Hotel – Mid-Range  

⭐️ Rating 8.6/10 |📍 Location : 500 S Main St. in Salt Lake City | 🏩 View on Expedia.com  

Little America Hotel is a wonderful place for a family to stay when visiting Salt Lake. It’s a 4-star hotel with an optimal downtown location to access all of Salt Lake’s best highlights. We love that the rooms here include a microwave and mini-fridge, as well as flat-screen TVs with cable channels.

▶️ Check Rates & Availability at Little America Hotel

FAQ: Things to Do in Salt Lake City in Winter

Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting in Winter?

Definitely! Though the city will be cold and snowy, some of the best things about Salt Lake City are enhanced during the winter. It’s the city’s time to shine! 

Is It Good to Visit Utah in Winter? 

Winter is a wonderful time to visit Utah, especially if you like snow. There are so many fun outdoor and indoor activities to enjoy in Utah during winter . 

We also love exploring Utah’s national parks during the winter. Zion in December offers a much different experience than what most travelers experience in the spring and fall. And the same can be said for the other parks in Utah.

What is Salt Lake City Like in the Winter?  

You can expect cold temperatures in Salt Lake City throughout the winter. The weather can be unpredictable but plan on snow and possibly inversions. 

What is Salt Lake City Like in December? 

Salt Lake City is cold but lively in December—plan for icy and snowy conditions but a lot of fun holiday-inspired activities. 

Conclusion: Things to do in Salt Lake City in Winter

So there you have it, the best things to do in Salt Lake City in winter. We promised that in spite of the bitter cold, this city is full of family-friendly adventures just waiting to happen. We hope this guide will help you make the most of your time in Salt Lake City during the winter months.

Candice Steele is the owner of CS Ginger, a blog that helps travelers explore the United States in their RVs. Since 2017, she and her family have been providing valuable insider tips about travel experiences suitable for families. They love exploring the country in their RV and offer helpful insights to make RVing easy and family-friendly.

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It's true that Salt Lake is known for legendary skiing experiences. But this vibrant location is also perfect for non-skiers, offering a wealth of activities on and off the slopes. From dynamic city adventures to casual endeavors in the snow, like tubing or hiking , there's no better place to experience the magic of winter. Stay in the city and soak up the culture , then make the short trip to the snowy hills, mountains and trails , where even more unforgettable fun awaits.

Outdoor Fun

The outdoors truly come alive in the colder months. The landscape is covered in pristine snow (aka The Greatest Snow on Earth® ) that shines in the sunlight, and there's nothing like hearing the crunch of fresh powder under your boots. Don't be fooled – the snow isn't just for skiing. There are fantastic spots for tubing and sledding on a variety of hills from smooth and straight to curvy and bumpy.

Snowmobiling, Aerial Tram, and Scenic Drives

Backcountry snowmobiling is another alternative to skiing. Blast off on a 40,000-acre private ranch with the least-crowded snowmobile terrain in northern Utah. For those looking for a more laid-back approach to outdoor fun, the Aerial Tram at Snowbird offers a bird’s-eye view of dazzling scenery. Or come back down to earth and take a scenic drive around Salt Lake , soaking in the sights while your passengers drink hot chocolate. And don't forget the marshmallows!

Downtown Dining

When it's time to take a break from the snowy trails and plains, find exactly what you need in Salt Lake's eclectic urban scene. If you're looking for some R&R, reenergize at one of the city's culinary wonders . Discover award-winning restaurants that combine traditional recipes with modern twists. Each restaurant brings its own unique dining experience topped with exciting flavors sure to dazzle your taste buds. Just remember to save room for dessert!

Brews & Winter Festivals

On top of delightful cuisine, Salt Lake also boasts phenomenal local brews crafted by passionate brewmasters. Visit a brewery , attend one of the city's many beer festivals , where sampling beers is the main attraction, or buy a Salt Lake Brewery Pass and try some of the best breweries in Salt Lake at a reduced price. On top of celebrations centered around tasty beverages, the city hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year – and winter offers some of the most exciting events. The Festival of Trees is a truly magical holiday tradition. Running from November 29 to December 3, this event benefits Primary Children’s Hospital . Marvel at the beautifully decorated trees, purchase holiday goods and watch dance performances. Plus, kids will enjoy meeting Santa and exploring the gingerbread village. Perfect for the whole family, the Festival of Trees exemplifies the vibrance of the community.

Plan Your Winter Vacation in Salt Lake

There's plenty to see and do in the city and just beyond it. Whether you're revving up and racing along the powder in a snowmobile or sampling a crisp, refreshing craft brew at a beer festival, there's something for every non-skier. So mark your calendars and make a trip of it because Salt Lake is a phenomenal winter wonderland. Head on over to the Salt Lake itineraries page and start planning your trip today.

From world-class skiing to spring wildflowers, these are the best times to visit Salt Lake City

Aug 27, 2021 • 8 min read

Hiking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in the Wasatch Foothills above Salt Lake City © Getty Images / Cultura RF

Salt Lake City offers visitors the chance to explore the outdoors, visit museums, learn about the rich spiritual history of the city, or enjoy world-class downhill skiing. There are different activities to enjoy depending on the season you visit. 

Skiers and snowboarders flock to the surrounding ski resorts in the winter. Fall is a great time to visit if you want to avoid the crowds and get lower rates. Hikers and mountain bikers enjoy hitting the trails in spring to see the wildflowers bloom. The summer can be hot, so visiting the variety of museums the city has to offer is a worthwhile way to spend time. 

Here’s our guide to visiting Salt Lake City throughout the year.

High Season: December - March

Best time for skiing

There’s a reason Salt Lake City is nicknamed “Ski City.” If you love to hit the slopes, winter is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders to visit the many world-class ski resorts in the area. There are nine resorts less than an hour away from the city, Alta (for skiers only) and Snowbird are the closest, while Park City and Deer Valley are known for being family-friendly. 

Whether you want to do tricks in a terrain park, maneuver down some chutes, or just hit the bunny trail, December through March are great months to visit. Utah is known for its light, dry snow, which is why it is a popular place for winter sports. Many of the resorts also rent out snowshoes for trekking through the trees and offer cross-country skiing, which is a great way to explore the serene winter wilderness. 

Keep in mind that since winter is the high season in the Salt Lake City area, you might have to deal with crowds and higher prices for accommodations, transportation, lift tickets and equipment rentals.

Shoulder Season: April - June

Best time for outdoor activities

Springtime in Salt Lake City offers a variety of outdoor experiences like hiking, mountain biking, fishing and visiting the many gardens and parks. Within a few miles of the city, the Wasatch Range has dozens of hiking trails that range from easy to difficult. For those who prefer to use two wheels, there are plenty of mountain biking trails , from fire roads to novice riders to single track for those who are more daring and experienced. 

From April through June, it’s typically not too hot or too cold to get around the city by foot, bike or bus to take advantage of the many monuments and museums, many of which are  free . It’s also a great time to pack a picnic lunch and enjoy a pleasant afternoon in the beautiful gardens, such as the 21-acre Red Butte Garden  at the University of Utah, the 50-acre Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point with the largest manmade waterfall in the Western Hemisphere, or the Tracy Aviary and Botanical Garden where guests can view and feed birds and walk through a rainforest.

Be aware that rain is more likely during this time of year, so pack an umbrella.

Low Season: September - October

Best time for budget travel

For budget travelers wanting to visit the Salt Lake City area, fall is the least crowded and least expensive time to go. During September and October, kids have returned to school and the snow hasn’t fallen yet so the city and roadways aren’t overrun with family vacationers or skiers and snowboarders. It’s also a good time to visit because the beautiful fall foliage adds its colors to the landscape. A hike in the nearby Wasatch Mountains, a trip to the great Salt Lake or some ATV off-roading are all enjoyable activities this time of year. 

As the temperatures start to drop, it’s also a nice time to take advantage of the many museums and monuments scattered throughout the city. Learn about the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints in Temple Square , examine life sciences exhibits at the Natural History Museum of Utah , explore your family tree at the Family History Library or see the stars at the Clark Planetarium . There’s plenty to do and see in the city and beyond.

Here’s our month-by-month breakdown of what to expect and what to do in Salt Lake City.

Kick off the new year with a white winter in Salt Lake City. The city is hopping with winter sports enthusiasts visiting the nearby ski and snowboard resorts. Bundle up, it’s cold outside.

Key event: Sundance Film Festival - Film buffs, creators and celebrities, can be seen at events in Salt Lake City, Park City and beyond during the annual Sundance Film Festival. It’s a great chance to see inspiring movies and an abundance of A-listers. 

Ski season is in full swing and “Ski City” is a great host. With nine resorts less than an hour away, the city will be teaming with apres ski happy hours after the lifts close. Keep warm indoors by visiting museums around the city.

Key event: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in Concert - Be mesmerized by the talent of the Utah Symphony as it brings the Harry Potter books to life with this magical concert.

As the temperatures start to rise, it’s time for spring skiing and to start putting the heavy coats back in the closet. Defrost with friends over spring break in Salt Lake City by catching up at one of the popular watering holes .

Key event: St. Patrick’s Day Parade - Wear green so you don’t get pinched at the free St. Patrick’s Day Parade. You’ll be sure to find green beer and food at the event vendors.

Be prepared for April showers. This is a great time to visit since the ski crowds start to dwindle as the city transitions from winter to spring. 

Key event: Natural History Museum of Utah - The museum has rotating special exhibitions as varied as ancient pharaohs to the ecosystem. 

April showers bring May flowers. The city and nearby open spaces are defrosting after winter and the spring flowers are in bloom. Time to hit the hiking and mountain biking trails in the nearby Wasatch Front area.

Key event: Red Butte Garden Bulbs & Blooms - Immerse yourself in a field with more than a million spring blooms, most of which are daffodils. The perfect place for a selfie!

As summer starts, it’s time to dust off the hiking shoes and hit the trails, break out your fishing pole, or take the Snowbird tram for a scenic ride to the top. If enough snow has melted, the ski resorts will open the runs to mountain bikers. Load your bike on the ski lift and head up the mountain for a thrilling downhill ride.

Key event: Pride Week - Utah celebrates the LGBTIQ+ community with several events throughout the week including a Rainbow March & Rally.

Summer is in full swing with long, fun-filled days and hot summer nights in the city. Enjoy outdoor concerts, food festivals, and flea markets.

Key event: Wasatch Wildflower Festival - The flower festival takes place at Alta Ski Resort and includes guided hikes through Albion Basin and live music.

Spend summer vacation exploring Salt Lake City and the surrounding wilderness. August is an optimal time of year to attend art festivals, gallery strolls, outdoor movies, and athletic events. 

Key event: Tooele County Fair - Carnival rides, cotton candy, rodeo, concerts. The Tooele County Fair has lots of summer fun!

Watch the trees change along with the temperature as kids go back to school. This is the low season so take advantage of the best deals of the year.

Key event: FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention - Comic Con hits Salt Lake City Convention Center to thrill fans of cosplay, Star Trek, Marvel, comic books, and fantasy-related entertainment.

October in Salt Lake City brings books festivals, harvest festivals, haunted houses, and the kick off to the holiday season.  

Key events: Oktoberfest - Take part in a family-friendly Oktoberfest at Snowbird. Feast on German food and beer, groove to traditional German music, take a ride down the Alpine Slide, and more.

The cool fall weather, and maybe a little snowfall, make indoor activities more attractive this time of year. Cozy up with a cup of cocoa and warm up by a roaring fire at the impressive Grand America Hotel . Since this is the shoulder season, you should see a break on travel expenses, except during Thanksgiving weekend.

Key events: Gingerbread House Competition - All ages can participate in this fun and creative holiday event at the Bountiful Davis Art Center.

Temple Square is decked out for the holidays with twinkling lights, Christmas carols, nativities, and a blanket of snow. You’d think you’re at the North Pole.

Key event: Christkindlmarkt - Visit Christkindlmarkt, a German Christmas market, for authentic German food, beer and crafts.

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Salt Lake City   Travel Guide

Best Times To Visit Salt Lake City

The best time to visit Salt Lake City is September to October. The kids are in school and the skiers have yet to arrive, so you'll have the city – and all of its discounted hotel rooms – to yourself. Springtime is another sweet spot for bargains, but snowmelt coupled with higher precipitation levels can lead to soggy conditions. Winter marks the peak season with skiers flooding the region's slopes, while summer draws outdoorsy travelers looking to take advantage of the hiking trails and lake activities.

Weather in Salt Lake City

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

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Popular Times to Visit Salt Lake City

Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.

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With Winter Olympics host options dwindling, Salt Lake City is lined up for 2034 — and maybe beyond

SALT LAKE CITY — Lindsey Vonn was 17, awestruck by her competition and feeling the weight of her first Olympic Winter Games experience. Before she went on to become one of the most decorated alpine skiers in the history of the sport, Vonn was just a kid hoping to stay on the course when she made her Olympic debut at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City 22 years ago. She finished sixth in the combined event and 32nd in slalom.

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The impact of her experience in Utah all that time ago stuck with her throughout the ensuing years of gilded dominance. So much so that she kept coming back whenever she could. Before she retired in 2019, after a series of serious knee injuries, home was the suitcase she carried as she trotted the globe. Still, when asked where her home base was, she’d mention a series of places, and always made sure to include Utah.

Vonn, now 39, is part of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games. And with the International Olympic Committee seemingly on the doorstep of awarding the Beehive State the 2034 Winter Games, its second Olympics , Vonn believes the model for sustainability for the spectacle held every four years is to move toward a rotational approach. And she said Salt Lake City should be atop the list.

“I think in this day and age, it’s not a feasible blueprint anymore,” Vonn told The Athletic recently. “We need to have a more sustainable option, and I think Salt Lake is the best Olympic option that is available to the world right now.”

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The future of the Winter Games is clouded by governing bodies balking at being asked to spend billions of dollars on venues that will not be utilized after the three-week event comes to a close. Climate change has eradicated potential hosts from the map as snow levels drop in many countries worldwide. The IOC can no longer act with the assumption that the Winter Games are going to be a tantalizing endeavor for potential host cities, or even feasible to stage in many parts of the world.

Gone are the days when the IOC wished for cities and countries to openly compete with one another in hopes of receiving the bid. Now, the IOC features a future host commission that tours potential hosts and forwards its data and reports to the IOC executive board, who then decide whether or not to bring their suggestion to a vote at an IOC session.

The IOC’s future host commission recently spent a week in Utah on an official visit to tour venues and hear the pitch that the SLC-Utah Committee had to bring the Games back.

“This is a hidden treasure, this city and this region,” said Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi. “The rest of the world have memories of 2002, but this place has profoundly changed. This story needs to be told.”

A quick Google search shows the condition of former state-of-the-art Olympic venues that are now dormant homes to rodents, weeds and pooled water.

In Rio de Janeiro, the aquatic center built for the 2016 Summer Games was left as a hollowed-out stadium. The 35,000-seat Olympic Stadium erected for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies in Pyeongchang, South Korea, is now just a mound of grass in the shape of an amphitheater — an empty one. In total, South Korea spent an estimated $13 billion for the 2018 Winter Games.

In Tokyo, the gymnastics center constructed for the 2020 Summer Games is unused and surrounded by empty parking lots and gates with the same signs still hanging with directions to get in. It was paid for by the Tokyo taxpayers and cost an estimated $180 million.

A so-called “white elephant” property requires exorbitant expenses and plenty of upkeep, and it has little-to-zero value as soon as it’s finished. They are littered throughout cities around the globe. Hosting an Olympics was once perceived to be the utmost prestigious honor in sports,  but residents of prospective cities have gotten wise to the waste of taxpayer money.

But it hasn’t been a waste in Salt Lake City. The venues have been maintained and used again and again for the last 22 years.

The Olympic Oval west of downtown has hosted World Cup and World Championship speed skating events. The Utah Olympic Park in Park City has remained in the rotation for World Cup and World Championship bobsled, luge and skeleton events, too. The Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, which is 45 minutes away in the Heber Valley, has continued to host cross-country ski and biathlon events. And the various ski resorts within an hour of downtown have remained stops for world-class freestyle skiing and snowboard competitions. Over 90 World Cup and World Championship Winter Olympic events have been held in Utah since 2002.

“It is really great to see that we are not looking for white elephants in the countryside — we found just used, excellent venues for the next Winter Olympic Games,” said Karl Stoss, IOC’s future host commission chair.

After the 2002 Games, the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation assumed responsibility for maintaining and operating the venues. The foundation received a $76 million endowment after the Games. With options worldwide dwindling for the IOC, Utah’s Olympic legacy makes it not only a logical option to return in 2034, but beyond.

“We have all the infrastructure. We have all the venues. We have the right altitude. We can be economically smart with how we host a Games,” Vonn said. “It’s a much different endeavor when you have to build basically an entire Olympic Stadium for all your sports. It’s just not how it’s usually approached. With that, it’s clear why we are the best choice for 2034 and beyond.”

During the IOC delegation’s stop, Stoss said Salt Lake City and Utah are a model for other future hosts around the world.

“We have to think about how to bring winter sports to all the continents, not just here to the Americas,” Stoss said. “This will be a challenge for us to think about how we could motivate other nations and other national committees to participate in the Winter Games.”

While Salt Lake is all but confirmed to be the host in 2034, the IOC future host commission still hasn’t decided on the 2030 host. The French Alps are currently in pole position. The IOC delegation said during their visit that finding suitable hosts for the Winter Games is going to be more tenuous in the coming decades, and IOC president Thomas Bach said last year  that by 2040 there will be as few as 10 countries with an appropriate climate. The IOC had to settle on Beijing for the last Winter Games, in 2022, with many of the venues anywhere from 45 to 75 miles away.

“There’s a possibility to think wider now,” said Jacqueline Barrett, future Olympic Games hosts director for the IOC, “to think how could the Olympic Winter Games here in 2034 be transformative.”

Utah’s Olympic organizers utilized the phrase “ready, willing and able” as far back as 2015. They were even standing at the ready in case a bid fell through in recent years. Everything is in place. And the reality is, from a Winter Games perspective, Utah may be 1-of-1.

Salt Lake City-Utah Committee CEO Fraser Bullock has estimated that the cost of the 2034 Games will be roughly $2.4 billion and will not be utilizing taxpayer dollars, but instead be privately funded.

The IOC likely won’t find that anywhere else in the world, and the governing body has acknowledged that it is considering the scenario of a rotational host system going forward.

“I think that’s definitely where things are going,” Vonn said.

While Utah does have a full head of steam and all the leverage with the IOC at the moment, there are issues facing the state’s residents.

Stoss said he’s read climate reports from the SLC-Utah Committee stating it could host Winter Games through 2050, but beyond that is a question, not only for Utah but the world. The Great Salt Lake is shrinking due to climate change, experts say. It’s a potential ecological disaster should the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere continue to dwindle. Despite back-to-back hefty winters to help raise water levels, the Utah legislature has spent roughly $1 billion on water conservation to help the lake.

On top of that, with winter storms becoming less frequent, the Wasatch Front — the towns, including Salt Lake City, that make up the growing sprawl at the foot of the white-capped Wasatch Mountains — is prone to winter inversions that trap pollutants in a thick dense smog that often hovers over the area. Part of the bid for the Games from organizers includes goals to achieve 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and reduce CO2 emissions by 50 percent.

While taxpayer dollars aren’t currently expected to go toward paying for the cost of the 2034 Games itself, the continual growth Salt Lake City is undergoing is expected to bring more changes on the sports front. Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith recently purchased the rights to relocate the Arizona Coyotes for an estimated $1.2 billion. The Utah legislature has passed a $1 billion taxpayer bill that will, according to Salt Lake Mayor Erin Mendenhall, transform the downtown community and help house the NBA ’s Utah Jazz and the NHL team.

In a recent interview with The Athletic , Smith said his decision to bring the NHL to Utah was the same as his home state wanting to bring the Olympics back for a second go-round.

“If you think about the Olympics and the way Salt Lake bid on the Olympics, it’s very much the same way,” he said. “We’re interested. We’re ready. And we’re a partner.”

Stoss and the IOC delegation will spend the next two months working on their report on Salt Lake City and present their report to the IOC executive committee in mid-June. Stoss hopes then they’ll be greenlit to bring it to the IOC session in July in Paris to finalize the worst kept secret around: that the Winter Games are bound for Utah once more. Bullock had his best poker face on at the conclusion of the visit.

“We look forward to July 24,” Bullock said.

(Top photo of American skier Picabo Street starting a downhill run at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City: Olivier Morin / AFP via Getty Images)

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Christopher Kamrani is a college football enterprise writer for The Athletic. He previously worked at The Salt Lake Tribune as a sports features writer and also served as the Olympics reporter. Follow Christopher on Twitter @ chriskamrani

Will the Winter Olympics be rotated between Salt Lake City and other permanent locations?

A s global warming continues to heat up the planet, Utah is expected to still get cold enough to keep hosting the Olympics for at least another 16 years after a 2034 Winter Games . So does that mean the International Olympic Committee will keep bringing the Winter Games back to the Beehive State?

Not so fast.

The IOC has yet to propose a plan to rotate the Winter Games among locations deemed climate reliable into the future, even though the Switzerland-based organization’s leaders delayed a decision on advancing bids in December 2022 so that and other issues related to the impact of climate change could be considered.

Instead, a year later they bought more time to think about a new system for siting Winter Games by lining up likely hosts through at least 2038.

Late last year, the IOC Executive Board named Salt Lake City the preferred host for 2034, and gave the same designation to France’s French Alps bid for 2030. Switzerland was granted a new, exclusive “privileged” status for the 2038 Winter Games and Sweden , once seen as a front-runner, will remain in talks to host in the future.

The final vote confirming the hosts for the 2030 and 2034 Winter Games is set for July 24, a date that’s celebrated as Pioneer Day in Utah, at the annual meeting of the full IOC membership, being held in Paris ahead of the start of the 2024 Summer Games .

The IOC delegation that visited Utah earlier this month to tour venues declared what they’d viewed as a “role model,” citing a single athlete village at the University of Utah no more than an hour away from ready-to-go competition sites as well as plans for more events in downtown Salt Lake City, including big air skiing and snowboarding on a massive temporary jump.

But when asked if that meant Salt Lake City could become a regular Olympic host, the answer suggested that won’t be decided anytime soon.

“You’re totally right, but we have to think of the constraints of the climate change . This will be a great challenge for us, which partner for the future will be reliable to organize Winter Games,” said Austrian IOC member Karl Stoss, chairman of the Future Host Commission that will report its findings on both preferred hosts to IOC leaders in June.

Repeating previously announced data, Stoss said the IOC is “quite sure we could do it here until 2050 , with all the climate reports we read. But we have to think a little bit longer distance. What happens in 2060 and 2070? So this is the challenge, what we have to think about. But it is a very nice challenge for us and we take it.”

There seems to be no hurry to complete a study of how Utah’s climate would fare beyond 2050. Fraser Bullock, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City-Utah Committee for the Games that’s behind the bid, said the study was paused last fall after it became clear “significant interest in the prospect of several Games into the future” had developed.

When the climate change concerns were raised a year and a half ago, the other contenders in the race were Sapporo , Japan; and Vancouver , Canada; but both bids faltered due to a lack of public support. By last fall, three new bids had emerged, from France, Switzerland and Sweden.

“I think right now the pipeline is healthy for the Winter Games. Therefore, postponing this analysis and work makes sense for now,” Bullock said. The possibility of a permanent rotation of Winter Games sites never came up during four days of discussions with the IOC in Utah, he said.

And it will likely be a while before the IOC tackles it again, maybe even a decade.

“The IOC needs to continue developing its strategy in a world with climate change, so it would be my guess that conversation will be re-engaged sometime over the next 10 years,” Bullock said, perhaps before the 2034 Winter Games “because at that point in time, 2050 is not that far away.”

‘Not a feasible blueprint anymore’

There’s been no slowdown, however, in speculation about the Olympics returning to Utah more than once .

On Wednesday, The New York Times-owned sports site, The Athletic, posted a story titled, “With Winter Olympics host options dwindling, Salt Lake City is lined up for 2034 — and maybe beyond.” that cited three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn’s support for making Utah a permanent host.

The now-retired champion alpine ski racer, a member of the Salt Lake City-Utah bid committee, was described as believing “the model for sustainability for the spectacle held every four years is to move toward a rotational approach” and saying that Salt Lake City, where she skied in her first Olympics in 2002, should be on top of the list.

“I think in this day and age, it’s not a feasible blueprint anymore,” Vonn told The Athletic about continuing to search for new Winter Games sites. “We need to have a more sustainable option, and I think Salt Lake is the best Olympic option that is available to the world right now.”

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox would agree. In March, the governor told reporters he’d heard talk the IOC could, in the next few years, designate “a set group of cities that host the Olympics so that every 20 years, maybe, or every 16, we come back to these host cities, and Salt Lake City will be one of those.”

The state “could host the Olympics next year if we had to and that changes the equation,” Cox said, despite struggles to attract bidders.

“I promise you that if every country had the infrastructure that we have, they would see it as a smart investment,” the governor said. “The reason that some countries have decided not to do it is because they have to build all of these venues. And that’s very expensive, and then the venues don’t get used, and they end up getting torn down. And that’s clearly a waste.”

Will the Olympic selection process stay the same?

But Robert Livingstone, the producer of the Toronto-based GamesBids.com who raised the question about whether the IOC intended to keep coming back to Salt Lake City, said he doesn’t expect an official rotation system to be put in place even though climate change is shrinking the pool of Winter Games locations.

“I think it will be more like, ‘There are limited options, so which one are we going to pick next,’” Livingstone said., basically the same system in place under the new, less formal bid process that looks to the Future Host Commission’s evaluation.of a site’s readiness to host. “So Salt Lake City, I’m sure, will come up a lot.”

He cited logistical issues with naming permanent sites, such as the impact of changing government leadership or unforeseen circumstances. Also, should what Livingstone said has “alway been this sort of theoretical thing” become reality, places that aren’t ready to bid, like Ukraine , which had sought the 2030 Winter Games before being invaded by Russia, would be shut out.

Bullock said Salt Lake City would be a go-to for the IOC beyond 2034 even if there’s not a formal list of permanent hosts.

“Whether it’s a defined rotation or selection based on the criteria of existing venues and being climate reliable, Salt Lake would figure into the potential mix either way, long term,” the bid leader said, since Utah can offer both of those elements far into the future.

“Climate compatibility is only one component,” Bullock said of the IOC regularly returning to previous hosts. “It’s also very strongly focused on sustainability, which means (using) existing venues and not building new venues. Based on that factor as well, combined with climate change, you get a diminishing list of candidates.”

There would be further public discussion before Salt Lake City would pursue joining that list for any additional Winter Games, he said, adding, “we’re already planning that down the road, sometime in the future, we might yet again have the opportunity to host the Games.”

The latest version of what had been a $2.45 billion privately funded budget for hosting in 2034, expected to be disclosed before the IOC vote, includes “enough to replenish the endowment for the Olympic Legacy Foundation to take care of those venues long into the future. That would then put us in a great position for potential rotational Games,” he said.

University of Utah political science professor Matthew Burbank, the author of several books about the Olympics, isn’t surprised the IOC is longer in any rush to consider naming permanent hosts. Now, with potential hosts in place through 2038, he sees little chance of any action on a rotation system before then.

“All they’ve done is sort of very vaguely talked about this as a possibilty, without really any commitment. My take is they should have made this decision previously. Because to me it seems inevitable,” Burbank said. “Why they continue to delay and pretend like, ‘Oh yes, everybody wants the Olympics and we can go anywhere in the world,’ I don’t get that.”

Especially given the IOC’s new focus on sustainability that encourages Games hosts to use temporary or existing facilities for competitions, even if they’re located in another country. That’s what the French Alps bid for 2030is proposing to do for long-track speedskating events since France doesn’t have an indoor ice oval.

Sticking to the handful of hosts like Salt Lake that already have and maintain the necessary venues “is the only way they can actually do something that would at least appear to be more sustainable,” Burbank said.

During the recent overhaul of the selection system, the professor said the IOC chose not to give up “this idea of having a whole string of cities who would be in some way, shape or form competing against each other to get the Games. That’s the process they like.”

It comes down to the IOC enjoying the attention that brings, Burbank said.

“They want to be invited places. They want to go there and have everybody wine and dine them. Absent that, it’s just not as much fun,” he said, adding, “I personally think it’s less about influencing sport than it is more about their own sense of their importance.”

What makes Utah’s 2034 Winter Games bid a ‘role model’

Stoss said all of the IOC members serving on the Future Host Commission “have the same understanding. We are looking for the best organizer for Olympic Games.” The Salt Lake City-Utah bid, he said, “is really an excellent example. You are unique in the world.”

But in his answer to the question of whether Salt Lake City would keep hosting given those accolades, Stoss made it clear that calling Utah “a role model for all the other future hosts” speaks to the state’s ability to attract new interest — and new bidders — to the Winter Games.

“We have to think about how to bring winter sports to all of the continents, not just here in the Americas,” he said, citing plans to hold more Olympic activities in downtown Salt Lake City in 2034 as an example of taking “sport to the people” that other would-be hosts should follow.

Another way for Utah to show how it should be done, Stoss said, is by coming up with new sports for the Winter Games, just as break dancing , also known as breaking, was added to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. No specifics were mentioned and new sports for 2034 likely wouldn’t be added anytime soon.

Breaking is “totally new. But this is sport for the young generation This is inspiring,” he said. “Maybe we could think about the same, not breaking in the snow, but what we could do to bring more of our young people to winter sport, to bring more nations and national Olympic committees to Olympic Winter Games.”