24 Things to Do in Utah in the Winter: From Snowy Peaks to Cozy Retreats
Grab your winter gear and hold on to your sleds, folks! The majestic landscapes of Utah transform into a winter wonderland once the snow starts to fall, and believe us when we say – it’s nothing short of magical. But we know not everyone feels the same way – some of you just want to cozy up by the fire and hibernate until spring comes. Whether you’re outdoorsy or indoorsy, there are a ton of fun things to do in Utah in the winter. From hitting the slopes to soaking in hot springs, from exploring Utah’s national parks without the crowds to feeding penguins at the aquarium, Utah has a huge variety of fun winter activities for families.
We’re parents of five kids who live here in Utah and we’d be lying if we said all of us enjoyed the cold and snowy weather. JJ is a big skier, so he loves winter in Utah. But Brittany is a California girl at heart and would rather load up the minivan and drive out of town when that snow hits. But trust us, there’s much more to do in Utah in the winter than just ski.
We’ve curated this list to have a mix of snowy activities, indoor activities, and even a few things down in Southern Utah where the winter weather isn’t so harsh. Whether you’re like JJ or Brittany, one thing is for sure – there are a ton of cool things to do in Utah in the winter. We hope this list helps you find a few to add to your own winter bucket list!
Top Outdoor Things to Do in Utah in the Winter
1. Ski the “greatest snow on Earth”
Skiing in Utah is a quintessential bucket list experience for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The state’s arid climate and plentiful snowfall combine to create that fluffy, powdery snow that skiers love. Utah’s license plates are adorned with the motto proclaiming, “Greatest Snow on Earth”.
Utah boasts 21 world-class ski resorts and an endless supply of backcountry terrain for skiers to sample that snow themselves. Park City Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in the United States, boasting over 7,300 acres of skiable terrain and a wide range of trails catering to both beginners and expert skiers alike.
Brighton and Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon are personal favorites as well. Brighton used to be the best place to take kids because kids 10 and under skied free. Now they lowered the age to 6 and under. That can make finding affordable skiing hard to find in Utah, especially with kids.
For more info on the best resorts for families, check out our guide to affordable family skiing in Utah.
Whichever one you choose, skiing in Utah is a bucket list experience you must try at least once in your life.
2. Midway Ice Castles
The Midway Ice Castles are a frozen fairy tale brought to life and one of Utah’s most enchanting winter attractions. You don’t have to be a fan of Elsa from Frozen to enjoy them either, though you probably will end up belting a few lines from “Let It Go”.
We took our kids a few years ago and their sense of wonder really came alive. We enjoyed wandering through a maze of glacial formations, sliding down icy slides, and strolling through archways leading to secret tunnels.
With each icicle meticulously formed to create towers of shimmering ice, they are a spectacle any time of day but they’re best seen by night. Illuminated by LED lights, the castles glow with ethereal beauty against the night sky. This crystalline wonderland captivates the imagination, making it an unforgettable adventure for families, couples, and solo explorers alike.
3. Snowshoeing
Another great way to get outside and experience Utah’s winter landscapes is to go for a hike. Utah’s snowshoeing will take you to some truly breathtaking scenery – frozen lakes & waterfalls, dense forests of evergreen pine trees, and incredible mountain vistas. Many of Utah’s summer hiking trails are accessible throughout the winter as long as you have snowshoes or spikes on your boots. It’s also a much cheaper alternative to skiing and snowboarding if you’re looking for more affordable things to do in the winter in Utah.
If you’re new to snowshoeing, we recommend going somewhere that has groomed trails and snowshoe rentals. The Sundance Nordic Center is primarily for cross-country skiing but offers six miles of snowshoeing trails. Another option is the Solitude Nordic Center in Big Cottonwood Canyon. This one is slightly cheaper (only $8 a day) and has twice the amount of trails (over 12 miles), including the very popular Silver Lake Loop. You can also take a private 1-hour tour for $49.
If that sounds like something you want to try, check out these related posts:
- Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing
- 10 Best Snowshoeing Trails in Utah
- 6 Awesome Snowshoeing Trails in American Fork Canyon
5. Sled onto a frozen lake
Tibble Fork is a small reservoir located in American Fork Canyon that’s a popular destination for families to go kayaking and paddleboarding. Like most Utah lakes in the winter, Tibble Fork completely freezes over transforming it into a winter playground.
But what makes Tibble Fork unique is the sloped beach. When it gets covered in snow, it turns into the perfect hill for sledding and tubing. Our kids love sledding down the beach right onto the frozen lake. And the views are heard to beat!
5. Go tubing
While you can go tubing at nearly any park or golf course with a decent hill, that comes with a price – the walk back up the hill again and again. Especially with little kids, am I right? There are a few places in Utah that offer tubing hills with tow ropes, so you can enjoy the thrills without the complaining kids. The two best places are Woodward in Park City and Solider Hollow but we prefer Soldier Hollow because it’s cheaper and less touristy.
Soldier Hollow is nestled near Wasatch State Park in Midway, Utah. It boasts 1,200-foot-long tubing lanes, which claim to be the longest in Utah. You’ll feel that adrenaline surge and kids’ screams and giggles will fill the air as you zoom down their meticulously groomed corduroy tracks. For non-skiers and families, this is one of the most fun things to do in Utah in the winter.
6. Swim in a hot springs crater
Chase those winter blues away with a soak in some hot springs and a one-of-a-kind swimming experience. The Homestead Crater in Midway is a geothermal hot spring, hidden within a limestone dome. The mineral-rich waters are wonderfully soothing and a constant 90-96°F. Relaxing, doing paddleboard yoga, or even scuba diving in this warm oasis is an adventure you won’t want to leave off your Utah bucket list. It’s certainly one of the most unique things to do in Utah in the winter.
7. Hike in the snow to a secluded hot spring
Speaking of hot springs – Utah has plenty more where that came from! But none quite so enchanting and adventurous as this one. Fifth Water Hot Springs aka Diamond Fork Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located near Spanish Fork Canyon. The main draw for people is to swim in these uniquely colored hot springs, but you also hike past three scenic waterfalls on the way there. It’s a major Instagram hotspot thanks the picturesque blue & green pools, so it can get crowded.
You really have to work for this one though, because it requires a long hike through the snow – as long as 6 miles each way depending on road closures. Even so, winter is still a popular time to visit, go snowshoeing along the trail, and soak in the natural hot springs. To avoid weekend crowds, try hiking early in the morning during the week.
8. See the Utah Lake ice stacks
I first heard about these on Instagram from a viral video that showed the ice stacks forming as strong winds pushed blocks of ice onto the shore of Utah Lake. I just had to see it for myself, so I loaded up the minivan and took the kids to American Fork Marina. There are plenty of places to see them along the vast shorelines but this was the most easily accessible.
The ice stacks only form when the temperatures have been consistently low enough for the lake to entirely freeze over. Then as temperatures warm and the wind starts howling, a spectacle of nature’s artistry emerges in the form of ice stacks, creating a mesmerizing scene that is both otherworldly and breathtaking. When they catch the light of the low winter sun, they cast shadows and glow with a spectrum of blues and whites that are as mesmerizing as the northern lights. Go at sunset for the best lighting!
9. Ride a snowmobile
When winter falls on the mountains of Utah, it becomes a wonderland not just for skiers but snowmobilers as well. Utah offers some of the most scenic and exhilarating trails in the Western United States. It can even be a family-friendly outing, with miles and miles of groomed trails to choose from.
Here are two of the most popular snowmobile trails where enthusiasts flock to experience the best of Utah’s winter:
- Uinta National Forest – The Uinta Mountains boast hundreds of miles of snowmobiling trails, with terrain ranging from beginner to expert. The Mirror Lake Highway offers a gateway to this winter wonderland, but it’s closed to cars in the winter and becomes a snowmobile track, providing access to higher elevations and vast open areas for a thrilling ride among Utah’s highest peaks.
- Logan Canyon – We love to head up to Bear Lake in the winter and stay at a snowy cabin. If we’re lucky and there’s enough snow, we like to take the snowmobiles around the Bear Lake Golf Course. But the best place to go is Logan Canyon, which has a trail system that spans an extensive network of routes. With its wide, groomed trails, it is well-suited for families and groups looking for an enjoyable day trip. The scenery is varied, featuring everything from dense forests to open meadows, and the area is known for its deep powder and breathtaking views.
10. Fat biking in the snow
Fat biking is essentially mountain biking with super wide (fat) tires. It’s gained popularity in recent years as one of the best things to do in Utah in the winter, especially among outdoor enthusiasts looking for an alternative to skiing. There are many hiking trails that allow bikes, but American Fork Canyon is one of the best places to try this new sport.
While driving the Alpine Loop is one of the best fall activities in Utah, the road is actually closed in the winter. You can drive as far as the Pine Hollow Trailhead but to go farther than that, you’ll have to go without a vehicle. You can stick to the main road or choose one of the trails nearby as long as you go with someone who knows the terrain.
11. Hike the snowy hoodoos of Bryce Canyon
Utah’s national parks, collectively known as the Mighty Five, are some of the most popular in the United States. Visiting in the summer peak season can mean extreme heat and large crowds. For those seeking to enjoy the landscapes with a little more solitude, winter can be a great time to go.
Bryce Canyon is located at nearly 8,000 feet in elevation, so it is very cold and very snowy. But hiking among the orange hoodoos when they’re complemented by the white snow adds an element of mystique to the national park that most visitors never witness. It’s certainly one of the most unique things to do in Utah in the winter.
Top Olympic-Themed Things to Do in Utah in the Winter
Speaking of the greatest snow on Earth, there’s a reason Salt Lake City was selected to host the 2002 Winter Olympics. But winter in Utah isn’t just about skiing. There’s an incredible variety of winter sports to take part in as well. Several of the Olympic venues are still in use today, so whether you just want to visit the sites to watch an event or want to try your hand at some Olympic winter sports at actual Olympic venues, these places are sure to be a memorable part of your trip.
12. Ride a bobsled at the Utah Olympic Park
The Utah Olympic Park in Park City was built for the 2002 Winter Games. It’s a huge 400-acre venue that features bobsled & luge sliding tracks, six Nordic ski jumps, and a museum dedicated to the 2002 Winter Olympics. It’s now used as an official US Olympic Committee training site and continues to host competitions. Check the calendar to see if any ski jump, aerials, bobsled, luge, or skeleton competitions are being hosted during your trip.
You can also tour the museum to see Olympic memorabilia and walk through interactive exhibits to learn about the different winter sports and athletes featured in the 2002 Olympics. Or if you’re feeling especially daring, you can even take a ride yourself in a bobsled, zooming down the track at over 80 miles per hour.
13. Try cross-country skiing at Soldier Hollow
The Soldier Hollow Nordic Center is located in the picturesque mountain town of Midway. This Olympic venue hosted 23 different events for cross-country skiing, nordic combined, and biathlons. The best athletes in the world still use the venue for training and to compete in US Championship, World Cup and Olympic-qualifying events.
While it’s worthwhile to go as a spectator, it’s even more fun to get in on the action yourself. Soldier Hollow offers cross-country ski rentals and has 20 miles of trails for every skill level, including beginners. There are also group lessons if you’ve never tried it and want to give it a shot. It’s surprisingly fun and an excellent workout.
14. Ice skating at the Utah Olympic Oval
The Olympic Oval in Kearns is an ice rink venue that hosted the speed skating events in 2002. Like the other venues, this one also continues to host speed skating championship events. Most of the year, it’s open to the public for open ice skating, hockey and other things. They also offer lessons if you want to learn to ice skate, figure skate, speed skate, or even learn to play curling.
Top Things to Do in Utah in the Winter During Christmas Season
15. Take a sleigh ride in the snow
As wintertime approaches do you find yourself singing, “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas…to hear sleigh bells in the snow”? If you really want to bring the “White Christmas” song to life, there are in fact several places you can take a sleigh ride in the snow. Downtown Salt Lake City offers horse-drawn carriage rides near Temple Square. Eden, Midway, and Park City are the best mountain towns to find a sleigh ride, each offering multiple options. Some even end with a luxurious dinner in a secluded yurt.
16. Celebrate Christmas with a Nativity scene
Whether you’re a local, a visitor, or just someone looking to bask in the glow of holiday spirit, Utah’s nativities provide a way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas – the birth of Jesus Christ. From live performances where real animals make cameo appearances (and sometimes, adorably steal the show!) to intricate displays, Utah knows how to set the stage for that holy night.
In downtown Salt Lake, the most prominent Christmas festivities happen at Temple Square. The grounds are open to the public at no cost and feature an amazing display of Christmas lights, nativity scenes from around the world, and a light show projected on the ceiling of the tabernacle.
17. Christmas light displays
When it comes to Christmas light displays, Utah doesn’t just throw on a few twinkling bulbs and call it a night. Oh no, we turn our state into a brilliant wonderland of luminescence! From traditional light displays to drive-through spectacles with dancing lights, the Christmas lights in Utah will make even the grinchiest hearts grow three sizes.
One of the best Christmas lights displays in all of Utah is Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. Every winter, this 50-acre botanical garden turns into a massive walk-through Christmas light experience. Other fun Christmas light experiences include drive-through shows like Christmas in Color or Festival of Lights. And don’t forget about Zoo Lights and the Festival of the Seas at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.
Looking for Christmas-related things to do in Utah in the winter? Check out our post on our favorite Christmas activities in Utah!
Top Indoor Things to Do in Utah in the Winter
18. Museum of Natural Curiosity
For anyone with kids, the “Curiosity Museum” at Thanksgiving Point is a real life-saver during the cold winter months. We love to take the kids often because it’s a great way to keep them active without having to bundle them up for the cold and snow. Kids can run around on the huge indoor playground, climb the rope bridges, play with sensory water exhibits, make music, put on a play, and more.
With more than 400 interactive experiences, you’ll find every corner buzzing with science, technology, and the arts brought to life in the most engaging ways. The Museum of Natural Curiosity isn’t just a place to escape the cold—it’s a destination where minds are ignited, and the dreary winter days are transformed into an exhilarating adventure of learning and fun.
19. Airborne Trampoline Park
For those long winter nights when the kids are bouncing off the walls, we like to take them to Airborne where they can literally bounce to their heart’s content. These sprawling arenas filled with wall-to-wall trampolines promise high-flying fun for all ages. And for us parents – it’s a surprisingly good workout just trying to keep up with the kiddos.
And it’s not just trampolines, either. There’s a ninja warrior course, foam pits for trying tricks, arcade games, escape rooms, and a huge indoor playground for the little ones. With locations in Draper, South Jordan, and Lindon, Airborne Trampoline Parks are easily accessible to anyone in Salt Lake or Utah counties.
20. Drive go-carts at The Grid
Looking to add a touch of excitement to an otherwise gloomy winter day? Zoom on down to The Grid in Lindon. Inspired by the neon-lit, digital realm of “Tron,” this indoor racetrack offers an adrenaline-infused escape from the frosty outdoors. Here, families can bond over heart-pounding go-kart races and high-speed thrills. The minimum height to ride is 4’10” though, so you’ll have to leave the littles at home.
21. Step inside a tropical paradise at the Butterfly Biosphere
Escape the winter cold and step into a tropical oasis at the Butterfly Biosphere in Lehi, Utah. It’s the state’s only butterfly conservatory, where you can marvel at over a thousand butterflies fluttering in a lush paradise. The biosphere is climate controlled to replicate a hot and humid jungle so it feels a bit like you’ve left the snow behind for a mini tropical vacation.
We’ve gotten lucky a few times and had the beautiful blue morphos land right on one of the kids. That never gets old! But it isn’t just about the butterflies. They have all kinds of creepy crawlies, like glow-in-the-dark scorpions, tarantulas, and all sorts of exotic bugs. Not to mention the indoor treehouse and slide to wear the kids outs.
22. Feed the penguins at Living Planet Aquarium
The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper, Utah, is an aquatic marvel that offers a unique blend of educational experiences and entertainment, showcasing ecosystems from around the globe. From the mysterious depths of the ocean’s Open Sea to the vibrant and bustling life of the South American Rainforests, there’s a world of exploration waiting. The aquarium is home to a vast array of species including playful penguins, majestic sharks, and delicate seahorses.
One of the key highlights is the 300,000-gallon shark tank where visitors can witness these awe-inspiring creatures glide past from the safety of a tunnel. For a more hands-on experience, the interactive touch pools allow for close encounters with stingrays and sea stars.
But what makes the aquarium one of the best things to do in Utah in the winter is the chance to get hands-on with the penguin encounter. You actually get to feed the penguins yourself! Our oldest daughter got to go when she turned six and it was a truly unforgettable day.
Warm-Weather Things to Do in Utah in the Winter
23. Head South to St. George
In the southern half of the state average temperatures are slightly warmer, and snowfall is much less frequent. St. George has average highs in the 50s in the winter and rarely receives any snow. That may not sound like a big difference but when you’re trading below-freezing temperatures and gloomy inversions for 50 degrees and sunny, it actually can be just what the doctor ordered.
St. George is where many locals go during the cold winter months to get a dose of warmth and sunshine. The main reason to visit St. George is to see Utah’s famous red rock desert landscape with three beautiful state parks nearby that provide ample opportunities to enjoy the desert landscape without the stifling heat of the summer. There are so many things to do in St. George Utah, you won’t regret adding it to your winter itinerary.
24. Visit Zion in the off-season
Zion National Park also has milder winter weather than Northern Utah. While it does get snow, especially at the parts of the park that are higher in elevation, you can frequently experience highs in the 50s in the middle of winter. The best time to go is when the shuttle service isn’t running – you’re free to roam the park as you wish without waiting in long lines and dealing with throngs of people.
You may not be able to do some of the more popular hikes like Angel’s Landing or The Narrows (without additional safety equipment and preparations), but there is still plenty to see and do in the park beyond those hikes. Zion Canyon Overlook is a great alternative with equally stunning views!
Reflecting on Our Favorite Things to Do in Utah in the Winter
Don’t let anyone ever tell you, “There’s nothing to do in Utah in the winter!” Send them our way if they do. Whether you’re a snow enthusiast or sun-seeker, our beautiful state has something for you.
Our diverse list has whisked you through the powdery slopes and the silent majesty of snowshoeing adventures, invited you to the giddy joy of sledding on glassy lakes, and encouraged you to embrace the warmth of hidden hot springs amidst the chill. We’ve shown you the awe-inspiring beauty of ice stacks on Utah Lake, the rush of snowmobiling through frosted forests, and the unique pleasure of biking or hiking through snow-dusted landscapes.
For those preferring the cozy indoors, we’ve shared spaces where curiosity and fun soar at museums and trampoline parks, and tropical warmth awaits at the Butterfly Biosphere. And let’s not forget the delightful penguins awaiting your visit.
If winter’s chill becomes too much, Southern Utah and Zion offer a sunny respite with its milder climate and tranquil off-season.
So, bundle up—or not—and get out and explore the wonders of Utah’s winter. And with this list in hand, your winter bucket list is sure to be brimming with excitement!
–JJ & Brittany🤘🏻
Our family is on a mission to experience the best our home state of Utah has to offer and help other families find affordable, kid-friendly adventures in the process. You can follow us on Instagram @theminivanbucketlist or download our free printable Utah Bucket List for a list of the top hikes in the great state of Utah, both for kid-friendly and more adventurous hikes.
