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Winter Activities Salt Lake City

5 Quintessential Winter Activities In Salt Lake City

12-3-2021 | Local Area | 4 Min Read

Whether you’re a lifelong Salt Lake City local, a new resident of the state, or planning on relocating to Utah soon, one thing that typifies our Beehive State is our collective love of the outdoors.

While it’s true that in the wintertime, our vast array of world-class ski hills catch all the headlines, and while we love getting out on the slopes ourselves, we also know that there are so many other amazing winter activities to be enjoyed this time of year too.

To find out more about some of the most quintessential winter activities one can do in the Salt Lake City area over winter, here are some of our best suggestions on how to stay active and enjoy the outdoors during the coldest time of the year.

Go Ice Fishing

If you’re not a Utah local, you might be surprised to learn that our Beehive State is home to some of the country’s best ice fishing considering our climate reaches scorchingly-hot temperatures for a good portion of the year.

However, many of Utah’s vast collection of large lakes, reservoirs, and ponds — especially those situated at higher elevations — freeze over come the wintertime, and are absolutely brimming with trout, yellow perch, and bluegill, among many other varieties of fish.

Given you’re kitted out with the proper gear and know-how supplied by one of the many ice-fishing tourism companies (or you’re already an expert ice fisher yourself), this winter activity can genuinely be a bucket of fun for the whole family.

Our local tip? Dress warmly, bring lots of hot cocoa, and try your best to be patient — ice fishing is a marathon, not a sprint, and if you stick in for the long haul, you’re destined to catch something sooner or later.

Are you thinking about moving in the near future and are considering Utah as your next home? We’ve helped countless newcomers and their families find homes and settle down here, and can help you too. Visit our Relocating To Utah page to learn more about our end-to-end relocating services.

Visit The Ice Castles In Midway

Located in just five separate states and cities across the country, Ice Castles is a unique winter experience that has been beloved by Utah locals since its very first edition in the town of Midway — about an hour’s drive southeast from Salt Lake City in Heber County.

Every winter around late December or early January (depending on the temperatures), about 20 professional ice-sculpting artists put together a spectacular winter-themed show with their elaborate ice sculptures taking the main stage.

For about eight to 12 weeks before Ice Castles begin, these skilled ice workers patiently grow hundreds of thousands of icicles on-site at the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway. Once firm, the artists then mould the icicles into truly breathtaking sculptures, each made by hand.

Between thrones, tunnels, slides, towers, fountains, crawl spaces, and more, these intricate sculptures made of ice are increasingly impressive each year. And the magic truly begins when the sculptures are illuminated by LED lights, bringing them to life and capturing the attention and wonderment of event attendees across all ages.

The Salt Lake City area is made up of many fascinating and unique neighborhoods and communities, each with its own distinct feel. Learn more about those amazing communities in our Salt Lake City Community Guides here.

Go Snow Tubing

Utah and the Salt Lake area are known for our world-class ski resorts and hills thanks to our steep mountainous terrain, but ask any Utah local and they’ll tell you there’s more than just one way to speed down a hill in style.

Whether skiing or snowboarding just isn’t your thing or you’re looking to take a load off your legs and take an easier route downhill, snow tubing is one of the most exhilarating winter activities one can do in Salt Lake City.

In fact, we’ve got plenty of hills and runs across the state dedicated to this family-friendly winter sport, though one of the best places to rent a tube and jump on some ski lifts is right beside the Ice Castles exhibit at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway!

Here, you’ll find 1,200-foot speedy sliding lanes that will zoom you down to the bottom of their slippery hills in no time at all, and once you reach the bottom, their brand-new lift system will take you right back up to the top of the hill again for another run. Now, what could be more fun on a sunny winter’s day than some good-old snow tubing?

Of course, we couldn’t talk about winter activities in Salt Lake City without mentioning our exceptional collection of ski hills and resorts. ​​To learn more about where the best skiing near SLC can be found, read through our list of the Top 4 Ski Resorts Near Salt Lake City Utah here.

Take A Soak In The Hot Springs

While many of Salt Lake City’s local lakes and reservoirs freeze over come winter, there are a few extra special bodies of water that tend to do the opposite — our collection of unique thermal hot springs.

These fascinating geological spring formations are one of the most coveted travel destinations for Utah locals and visitors alike in the winter months, and it’s easy to see why. These spa-like springs offer a relaxing getaway from the cold winter weather, and one hot spring, in particular, even offers scuba diving classes too!

Whether you believe in the healing and therapeutic benefits of taking a plunge in these naturally-formed hot springs or you’re just looking for a leisurely retreat, Utah’s piping hot mineral-filled waters are ready to welcome you this winter.

While there are many different hot spring locations across the state, one of the most popular and close in proximity to Salt Lake City is the Saratoga Hot Springs, which is just south of the city’s downtown core.


The Salt Lake City lifestyle is full of adventure and entertainment, but if you’re still wondering whether or not it’s right for you, let our community-focused guides below address any unanswered questions you might have.


Go Snowshoeing

In the warmer months, Utah’s reputation for being one of the country’s most desirable places to hike and explore on foot is well documented due to the many extensive hiking trails found essentially everywhere across the state.

However, Utah locals will tell you that it’s about equally enjoyable to get outside and hike many of those same trails even when they’re covered in ice and snow — and all it takes is the right equipment and wardrobe.

No matter how deep the snow is, an old-school pair of snowshoes will help you traverse any snow-covered terrain here in Utah with ease. Whether you own a pair personally or need to rent some for a day out on the trails, once you’ve simply secured them to your feet, you’ll be off exploring the beautiful snow-covered backcountry in no time.

Head out with your family and friends or go enjoy Salt Lake City’s collection of stunning trails solo — either way, snowshoeing is one of our favorite winter activities to do each and every year.


Are you considering whether or not to start your new home hunt this winter? We strongly believe now’s a great time to enter the market — see why in our related post below, then have a look through our current featured listings page to see exclusive homes for sale here.


 

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