93 enjoyable ways to spend the last few weeks of Winter
The Holiday decorations have come down, it’s cold, and it seems like there’s nothing exciting to do. But that couldn’t be further from the truth! Here’s your definitive guide to having fun in Utah this winter.
Visit a local restaurant
1. Try the incredible, authentic Mexican food at Red Iguana.
2. Copper Onion on Broadway features locally sourced American food.
3. Check out Bambara at Hotel Monaco in SLC.
4. There are a few dining options at The Grand America Hotel, including Garden Café and La Bonne Vie.
5. Ruth’s Diner in Emigration Canyon is a Utah tradition.
6. The Homestead Resort has breakfast, lunch and dinner menus from Simon’s Restaurant or Fanny’s Grill.
Ice skating rinks
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The fun of gliding across the ice is only matched by the hot chocolate afterwards. Here are some of Utah’s best ice skating rinks:
7. The Gallivan Center in SLC is a tradition for many Utahns.
8. Check out the Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns for some fun, indoor ice skating.
9. There’s a huge facility in Cottonwood Heights (aptly named the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center).
10. Another Salt Lake County managed facility is the Salt Lake City Sports Complex.
11. The Salt Lake County Ice Center also includes public skating.
12. The Acord Ice Center in West Valley City is a good place for those who live on the west side of the valley.
Places to get Hot Chocolate
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Nothing like a cup of hot cocoa to warm you up this winter!
13. Everyone knows about the coffee at Jack Mormon Coffee Co., but they also make a delicious cup of hot chocolate.
14. The hot chocolate at Salt Lake Roasting Company downtown is pretty great, and tastes awesome with a sweet treat!
15. You should taste the hot chocolate at Les Madeleines.
16. The White Chocolate Mocha from Mojo Fly Thru in SLC is worth it.
17. Take some of the hot chocolate mix from Hatch Family Chocolates home with you, and enjoy it after a long day of playing in the snow.
18. Taste the delicious hot chocolate from Cherry’s Hot Chocolate at the Winter Market at Rio Grande Depot.
19. Spicy hot chocolate from Caputos? Sign me up!
Skiing and snowboarding areas
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If Utah has the best snow on the planet, there are certainly plenty of places to test it out. Here’s a list of ski and snowboard resorts in Utah:
20. Alta Ski Area
21. Beaver Mountain Resort
22. Brian Head Resort
23. Brighton Ski Resort
24. Canyons Resort
25. Cherry Peak
26. Deer Valley Resort
27. Eagle Point
28. Nordic Valley
29. Park City Mountain Resort
30. Powder Mountain
31. Snowbasin
32. Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
33. Solitude Mountain Resort
34. Sundance Resort
Cross country and Nordic trails
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Not only can you ski and snowboard, but there are plenty of ways to enjoy Utah’s winter trails on cross country skis or snowshoes:
35. Soldier Hollow has cross country skiing trails, which is the perfect weekend activity.
36. The Nordic Center at Solitude has opportunities for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing in a pristine setting.
37. Experience the snowshoe trails at the Sundance Nordic Center, or try the groomed cross country trails for a great workout.
38. There are nearly 20km of groomed, cross country trails at White Pine Touring in Park City.
39. If you’re the adventurous type (and have the proper backcountry safety and avalanche equipment), check out the many trails in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, including Cecret Lake, or:
40. Red Pine Lake
41. White Pine Lake
42. Little Cottonwood Canyon Trail
43. Scott’s Pass
44. Donut Falls
45. Spruces Campground
Free things to do this winter
46. Learn how to Line Dance every Friday at Club 90.
47. The Leonardo hods a free trivia night on the third Friday of each month.
48. Attend a live broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word at the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
49. The Sandy Library has a Pokemon Club, which is perfect for kids who collect those cards and games.
50. Check out a magic show at Hatch Family Chocolate in SLC.
51. Are you a member of the Swaner Preserve in Park City? Join them for a Saturday morning nature walk.
52. The main branch of the Weber County Library holds a free Yoga for Kids session.
Unique slow-cooker recipes to make when it’s cold outside
53. Chocolate Chili with Three Beans
54. Slow-cooker Vegetarian Lasagna
55. Spicy Fajita Soup
56. Lumberjackie Soup
57. Perfect Pot Roast
58. Caramel Banana Pecan Bread Casserole
Go for a drink
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Nothing can warm you up like a good martini:
59. Get your fill of live music and drinks at The Bayou in Salt Lake City.
60. Whiskey Street has a fine selection….of whiskeys.
61. Are you also in the mood for a flick? Try Brewvie’s Cinema Pub.
62. The Tavernacle Social Club is a great place to be entertained on a weekend, with the antics of their dueling pianos.
Spend some time in a real bookstore
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68. Deseret Book is a Utah staple, and carries a large selection of LDS books, items for the pantry and more.
63. Ken Sanders Rare Books has a great selection of antique and rare books.
64. There’s a great variety of children’s books at The King’s English Bookshop.
65. Weller Book Works at Trolley Square has new and used books, and boasts at least a million titles in their inventory.
Visit a museum or gallery
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66. The Utah Museum of Fine Arts at the University of Utah has over 19,000 items, and is open year-round.
67. Pioneer Memorial Museum is the place to find out more about Utah’s pioneering history.
68. Spark up your creativity and imagination at The Leonardo at Library Square.
69. See the dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum of Utah.
70. The Utah Museum of Contemporary Art features pieces from artists all over the world, as well as collections from local artists.
Keep up with your favorite local sports teams
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71. There are plenty of off-season events happening with Real Salt Lake.
72. Watch swimming, diving, basketball and volleyball events from the University of Utah.
73. Go to a Utah Jazz game (or watch one on TV!)
74. See a Utah Grizzlies hockey game. Nothing says “winter” quite like hockey, eh?
75. Check out the Apolo Ohno Invitational at the EnergySolutions Arena.
76. Watch these fun events, like Bobsled, Freestyle and Nordic Combined at the Utah Olympic Park in Park City.
Go swimming!
Indoor pools are a great way to escape the frigid temperatures outside. Here’s a list of facilities in Salt Lake County:
77. Dimple Dell Recreation Center
78. Gene Fullmer Recreation Center
79. Fairmont Aquatic Center
80. Holladay Lions Recreation Center
81. J.L. Sorenson Recreation Center
82. Marv Jenson Recreation Center
83. Northwest Recreation Center
84. Salt Lake City Sports Complex
85. Steiner West Pool
Visit Southern Utah
86. Check out the Tuacahn Center for the Arts.
87. The St. George Musical Theater is a community theater that features some great shows this winter, like Moonlight and Magnolias, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and more.
88. The kids will love seeing the restored aircraft at the Western Aviation Museum.
Have some winter fun at a State Park
Tim Hamilton
Visiting a Utah State Park doesn’t only have to be a warm weather event! Here are some fun things to do outdoors this winter:
89. Stay in a Yurt at Dead Horse Point State Park.
90. There are cabins available at Steinaker State Park.
91. Think you’re ready for winter camping? Try it at Bear Lake State Park.
92. The Willard Bay State Park Interpretive Trail is a fun little winter hike.
93. Check out the Sand Dunes Trail for a winter hike at Snow Canyon State Park.
What do you like to do for fun? Leave a comment below!
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