To many Utahns, winter is synonymous with days spent skiing. They’re thrilling and magical, especially when Mother Nature gets generous and those coveted pow-days arrive. But let’s face it, there are some drawbacks, too. Long lift lines, traffic jams and seemingly endless searches for parking spots have unfortunately become common. Plus, skiing isn’t cheap, especially if you don’t own gear.
For those who don’t enjoy chasing powder, there’s some good news: Utah offers plenty of other ways to get active in the winter. Here are some ideas to help you keep that New Year’s resolution to move more:
Go Ice Skating
Whether you choose to visit a local outdoor rink like the Gallivan Center, hit up an indoor spot like the Olympic Oval or head out to a lake or pond, ice skating is a great way to get active during the colder months.
If you do choose to head onto a frozen body of water, make sure you’re venturing out with at least one other person and testing the thickness of the ice—falling in is extremely dangerous and climbing out on your own is nearly impossible. Ice must be at least four inches thick and clear to be safe for skating—use an ice auger or cordless drill to make a hole in the ice, continuing through until you hit water. Then, measure the depth. As a supplemental test, Backpack magazine recommended throwing a fist-sized or larger rock and watching to see if it sinks, gets stuck or bounces off the ice. For more ice safety tips, the Utah Division of State Parks’ Ice Safety article is a fantastic resource.
Looking for venues? High elevation lakes like Smith & Morehouse or Mirror Lake are usually good bets.
Learn to Curl
Get in the Olympic spirit by trying this quirky sport, which involves sliding a stone across ice and sweeping in front of it. The Park City Curling Club offers Learn-to-Curl sessions at the Park City Ice Arena, where you’ll get an intro before playing a real game. Many of the instructors compete in regional leagues, but they keep things light and fun, creating a welcoming environment on the ice. Show up in warm athletic layers and clean sneakers—everything else is provided.
Try Fat Tire Biking
Biking isn’t just for summer! Fat tire bikes are exactly what they sound like—a bicycle with oversized, wide tires that provide extra traction and floatation through snow, providing stability and control in winter conditions. Plus, there’s a ton of terrain along the Wasatch Front and Wasatch Back, offering plenty of options for any fitness level. Here are some trails favored by local bikers:
- Upper Pipeline, Millcreek Canyon: A beginner-to-intermediate two-way trail that offers a relatively level out-and-back ride, culminating in views overlooking Salt Lake City.
- Bonneville Shoreline Trail, Wasatch Front: This trail runs for over 100 miles, providing diverse terrain and scenic views. Hop on the trail at one of several trailheads and ride until your heart’s content.
- Historic Rail Trail, Park City: A 26-mile trail that connects the heart of the mountain town to the Round Valley trail system. Six miles of it are groomed in the winter.
- Round Valley, Park City: A network of bike and snowshoe trails that starts at Quinn’s Junction, offering a variety of lengths and difficulties that are easily tailored to riders’ needs.
Gear can be rented from these local businesses: White Pine Touring, Wasatch Touring and Contender Bicycles.
Go Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is one of the easiest ways to enjoy winter, as the learning curve of navigating terrain is far gentler than floundering on skis. Plus, several Utah trails offer easy access and a quiet break from the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you choose to take a guided trek or venture out on your own, you’re sure to find peace, quiet and mountain views.
Solitude Mountain Resort encompasses 20 kilometers of trails, accessible from the Solitude Village, and sometimes hosts night events. Over in Provo Canyon, Sundance Nordic Center has 10 kilometers of snowshoe paths. At both resorts, full-day access is $14 per person. Gear rentals are also available.
Heading onto hiking trails is also an option, but make sure you’re prepared. Depending on the area you head into, you may be entering avalanche terrain—do your research beforehand and make sure to carry rescue equipment (beacon, shovel and probe) and go with at least one other person. Taking an avalanche rescue course before you head out is also imperative, just in case. If you’d like to go with a professional, guided tours are offered by White Pine Touring and Utah Mountain Adventures.
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