Places to Visit in Utah in the Winter
Snow skiing in Utah is definitely a fun thing to do in the winter. If you’re looking for something a bit different, check out this of places to visit in Utah in the winter!
There are a variety of places to visit in Utah to enjoy the snow or sun, or both!
Use this guide to plan a winter getaway in Utah to enjoy other destinations that aren’t ski resorts!
Plus you’ll get tips for what to pack, where to stay, and fun things to do in Utah in the winter.
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Activities and Places to Visit in Utah in the Winter
When looking for winter Utah vacation spots, there are many destinations and activities beyond snow skiing!
If you’re wondering what it’s like to visit Utah other times of the year, check out our resource: Best time to visit Utah! It details what it’s like in northern and southern Utah in the spring, summer, fall, and winter!
Here’s our list of places to visit and things to do in the winter in Utah that aren’t snow skiing.
Utah National Parks in the Winter
Visiting Utah National Parks in the winter is always a good idea. With 5 National Parks in Utah, you are guaranteed some beautiful views and adventures to enjoy this winter.
At Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion you can go hiking, biking, climbing, and off-roading all day and not worry about the intense sun and heat you get during the summer.
If you enjoy the snow mixed with amazing views, then you’ll love to visit Bryce Canyon. Due its high elevation there is snow in the winter there to enjoy snowshoeing and cross country skiing.
The best thing about winter at Utah National Parks is the solitude and serenity you’ll experience. It’s quite the contrast from visiting in the summer months!
- Arches National Park in the winter
- Bryce Canyon in the winter
- Canyonlands National Park in the winter
- Capitol Reef National Park in the winter
- Zion National Park in the winter
Snowshoeing in the Winter Utah
If you’re a fan of hiking and snow, give snowshoeing a go. You can get started by renting or buying snowshoes and poles, and go off on a familiar trail. Here are 5 snowshoe trails near Salt Lake City to get you started.
A good way to acquaint yourself with snowshoeing, if you’ve never gone before, is with a tour. There are many outfitters leading snowshoeing tours out of Park City.
Another fun snowshoeing activity in Utah is snowshoeing to The Yurt at Solitude, for a delicious 5 course dinner.
Snowmobiling in Utah
Exploring the Utah snowmobile trails is another fun winter activity. Snowmobile rentals, guides and tours are available in all areas of Utah. Park City is one of the best places in Utah if you’re looking for a guide, or to rent a snowmobile. Park City Peaks offers guided tours on an open ranch.
Check out the Utah State Park groomed trails report to get the latest information for snowmobiling at these parks.
Midway Ice Castles
At the Midway Ice Castle, visitors explore the various castle rooms that contain carved tunnels, sculptures, thrones, slides, fountains and more, lit with LED lights to add to the magic.
The Ice Castles are located at the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway. This Utah winter attraction, and many of the individual elements, are weather dependent.
Once you have finished going around the rooms, gather around the fire pit and sip hot drinks to talk about the awesome adventure.
Utah Crater and Hot Springs in the Winter
Also located in Midway, you’ll find the Utah Homestead Crater – a natural 65 foot deep hot spring found inside a 55 foot tall mineral dome. The water ranges in the low 90 degrees, and it’s a fantastic place in Utah to visit in the winter.
Life jackets are required, and besides swimming, the Utah Crater also offers scuba diving, snorkeling and even paddleboard yoga. Changing facilities are available. Be sure to make a reservation. You can also tour the crater for free, but you’ll just wish you could get in the warm water!
Whether you want to relax your sore muscles after a full day of winter activities, or you simply want to feel some warmth, taking a dip in a hot spring is an excellent idea. Luckily, Utah has several hot spring options that are open even during the winter season.
Winter Tubing at Soldier Hollow
Tubing is a classic thing to do in the winter, and Soldier Hollow is the best place for tubing in Utah in the winter. Soldier Hollow in Wasatch Mountain State Park near Midway is a terrific place in Utah to enjoy winter activities. This place has the longest tubing lanes in Utah where you can slide 1,200 feet down the hill!
Pick a sunny day, and line up to drag your tube on the magic carpet up the hill. Then careen down at top speed! You can group up with friends or your family into a mash of tubes to all head down the hill at once.
There’s a rope for towing people up the hill so you don’t have to do that climb on your own. We really enjoy tubing at night under the lights!
Sundance Film Festival
Every January, the Sundance Film Festival takes over Park City. Tickets for films screening in Park City and Salt Lake City, as well as online, are available per film, or you can purchase packages. Locals, sign up for alerts on specials just for Utah residents to get a deal on tickets to Sundance Film Festival.
Utah Polar Plunge Events in the Winter
In the winter, there are many polar plunge events around Utah. One is Bear Lake Monster Winterfest. which also offers a 5K, chili cookoff, cardboard boat regatta, market and more.
You can also find Special Olympics of Utah polar plunge events around the state, or you can sponsor your own event.
Utah Grizzlies Hockey
A hockey game is a great thing to do for winter fun for the whole family in Utah. The Utah Grizzlies regular hockey season runs October to February, with both weekend games, and weekday afternoon options.
Winter Landscape Photography in Utah
Winter is an amazing time of year to photograph the landscape of Utah! Here’s a list of our favorite Utah photo spots:
- Arches National Park Photo Spots
- Bryce Canyon Photo Spots
- Best Photo Spots at Canyonlands Island in the Sky
- Capitol Reef National Park Photography
- Zion National Park Photo Spots
- Guide to Moab Photography
- Guide to Kanab Photography
Utah Vacation Ideas
- Utah Bucket List – FREE printable
- Best Time to Visit Utah
- Utah National Parks
- Utah State Parks
- Tours in Utah
Where to Stay in Utah
- Coolest Hotels in Utah
- Where to Stay in Utah National Parks
- Hotels in Utah
- VRBO Vacation Rentals in Utah
