Activities in Utah
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Park City Mountain Resort
From boarder dudes to moms and dads, everyone skis Park City Mountain Resort, host of the Olympic snowboarding and giant slalom events. The awesome terrain couldn’t be more accessible, rising right over downtown, or more family-friendly. The resort will hook teens up with area locals who provide the lay of the land. Check out the online activity planner at www.mymountainplanner.com. The lowdown: 3100ft vertical drop, base elevation 6900ft; 3300 acres, 17% beginner, 50% intermediate, 33% advanced; six high-speed lifts, nine fixed-grip chairs, one magic carpet. To avoid crowds, stay up high. Night skiing lasts till 7:30pm. Park City’s skiable area covers nine peaks,…
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Jans
You’ll feel on top of the world in the peaks over Park City, where over 300 miles of trails crisscross the mountains. The visitor center has trail maps. One of the best for mountain biking is the 15-mile one-way Mid-Mountain Trail, which follows the topography at 8000ft, connecting Deer Valley to Olympic Park. You can also start at Park City Mountain, bike the steep Spiro Trail up to Mid-Mountain, then return on roads for a 22-mile loop. Rail Trail is an easy, near-town bike ride. Rent bikes at Jans. It has guided rides (about $120 for three hours) as well.
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Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
West of Brigham City, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge engulfs almost 74,000 acres of marshes on the northeastern shores of the Great Salt Lake. The best time for bird-watchers is during fall (September to November) and spring (March to May) migrations. Birds banded here have been recovered as far away as Siberia and Colombia. Cruising along the 12-mile, barely elevated touring road feels like you’re driving on water. You can hear the replicated migratory calls year round at the Wildlife Education Center. The center is just after the I-15 intersection; the driving tour is 16 miles west.
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Wildlife Education Center
West of town, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge engulfs almost 74,000 acres of marshes on the northeastern shores of the Great Salt Lake. The best time for bird-watchers is during fall (September to November) and spring (March to May) migrations. Birds banded here have been recovered as far away as Siberia and Colombia. Cruising along the 12-mile, barely elevated touring road feels like you’re driving on water. You can hear the replicated migratory calls year round at the Wildlife Education Center. The center is just after the I-15 intersection; the driving tour is 16 miles west.
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Canyon Rims Recreation Area
The BLM Canyon Rims Recreation Area to the east of Canyonlands National Park has two interesting overlooks, undeveloped hiking and backcountry driving. Turn west off Hwy 191 (32 miles south of Moab, 27 miles north of Monticello); a paved road leads 22 miles to Needles Overlook and a panorama of the park. Two-thirds of the way to the overlook, the gravel Anticline Overlook Rd stretches 16 miles north to a promontory with awesome views of the Colorado River.
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Gorgoza Park
Lift-served snow tubing takes place at Park City Mountain’s Gorgoza Park, 8 miles north of town, off I-80. Plunge down three beginner or four advanced lanes; for kids under 12 there’s a miniature snowmobile track (per ride $9), and for littler ones the Fort Frost play area (admission $6) with carousel. The Park City Mountain Resort–wide shuttle (435-645-9388) will take you out there.
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National Ability Center
The nonprofit National Ability Center runs a year-round adapted sports program for people with disabilities and their families; the facilities, trails and lessons are also open to the nondisabled public. Horseback riding is the most popular program; call for details on others, including skiing, rafting, climbing and biking. NAC is the world leader in recreational therapy; its headquarters are in Park City.
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Canyon Trail Rides
The park’s only licensed outfitter is Canyon Trail Rides, which operates out of the park lodge. You can take a short, two-hour trip to the canyon floor ($40) or giddy-up for 3½ hours through the dramatic hoodoos on Peekaboo Trail. Trips into Bryce Amphitheater on horses and mules. Minimum-age (seven years) and weight-limit (220lb) requirements apply.
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Mystic Hot Springs
Monroe is a quiet, conservative Mormon farming community with one (good) restaurant. The main draw, however, is the hippie-esque Mystic Hot Springs, where the water runs out of the earth into old claw-foot tubs and small cobbled-together pools. Put up a tent or stay in one of the tiny historic cabins they’ve dragged here from around the state.
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Desert Highlights
Half-day canyoneering or climbing adventures run around $95 per person for two, full-day $150 per person. Locally owned Desert Highlights leads outstanding canyoneering and climbing trips high on personal attention. It’s also the only outfitter with a permit to canyoneer in Arches’ Fiery Furnace.
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Aloha Precision Ski & Snowboard
Plan ahead online and you can use the Quick Start Program (www.parkcityinfo.com/quickstart) to trade your airline boarding pass for a same-day, free afternoon lift ticket at Park City’s three resorts. Rent equipment at resorts or in town at Aloha Precision Ski & Snowboard.
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Crystal Hot Springs
Get into hot water year-round at Crystal Hot Springs, 10 miles north of Brigham City in Honeyville. Adults float in different temperature soaking pools while kids zip down the water slides (open shorter hours than the pools November through February). Camping at RV/tent sites is $25/15.
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Canyon Trail Rides
Zion’s official horseback-riding concessionaire, Canyon Trail Rides, operates across from Zion Lodge. Take a one-hour ($35) or three-hour ($60) ride on the Sand Bench Trail along the Virgin River. Minimum-age (7 years) and weight-limit (220lb) requirements apply.
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Miller Motorsports Park
Feel the need for speed? Head 30 miles west of town to Miller Motorsports Park, where you can take a lesson and get behind the wheel of a 325 horsepower Mustang GT race model. Book ahead. Utah Jazz’ own Larry Miller opened the raceway in 2006.
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Black Diamond Equipment
Next door to Rockreation (2074 E 3900 South) is Black Diamond Equipment, a leading manufacturer of climbing and ski gear; take the very cool tour to see how it’s done (times vary). The retail store is like a candy store for gearheads.
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Moab Adventure Center
Truly your one-stop adventure shop. This megacenter arranges, alone or in combination, rafting trips, Hummer excursions, jeep rental, horseback riding, rock climbing, guided hikes, scenic flights and even national park bus tours.
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Gallivan Center
The ice skating rink at Gallivan Center is a children’s winter favorite. Skate rental available. In summer, bring a picnic to the outdoor concert and movie series at this center. An amphitheater is in a garden.
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Tag-a-Long Expeditions
- Moab, USA
- Activities › Skiing
The La Sal Mountains, which lord over Moab, receive tons of powder, just perfect for cross-country skiing, and there’s a hut-to-hut ski system. To book the huts contact Tag-A-Long Expeditions.
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Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center
Take a hike with Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center, a nonprofit educational guide service supporting at-risk youths. It leads terrific wildflower and backcountry tours for about $20 per person.
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Escape Adventures
This Las Vegas–based company with green intentions (vegetable-oil-fueled support vehicles, solar-powered store, Leave No Trace group member…) organizes mountain biking and multiday multisport tours.
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Zion Adventure Company & Zion Outdoor Center
Leads rock-climbing and canyoneering trips and classes and guided cycling tours. Pre-trip planning info and shuttle service for The Narrows. The shop sells outdoor-activity gear, clothing, guidebooks and maps.
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Matheson Wetlands Preserve
The Nature Conservancy oversees the 890-acre Matheson Wetlands Preserve just west of town. Bring binoculars and bug spray. Guided birding walks begin at 8am Saturday, March to October.
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Tag-a-Long Expeditions
Detail-oriented and Moab-specific, Tag-A-Long is a good all-adventure outfitter. It offers flat-water jet boats, white-water rafting, land safaris, horseback riding, scenic flights, skydiving and more.
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High Point Hummer
For a guided two- to four-hour thrill ride up the slickrock in a Hummer, call High Point Hummer. It sets the standard for helpful service and also rents ATVs and leads ATV tours.
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