Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah

Central Utah, now draped in winter snow, with even the red rock country surrounding southeastern Utah’s Moab getting a dusting during storms. Winter travelers down Interstate 15 through Nephi, Beaver and Fillmore - check the weather, it is no fun to drive through a snowstorm. Highway 6 through scenic Spanish Fork Canyon is a gateway to premier backcountry snowmobile terrain, but plan plenty of travel time to get through Soldiers Summit after a storm. Travelers to Price, east through Spanish Fork Canyon, enjoy picture perfect winter scenes of locomotives with their payloads steaming through snow covered evergreen canyons, on tracks along the banks of Soldiers Creek.

Richfield one of central Utah’s largest communities is the county seat of Sevier County and serves as a regional economic and commercial hub. Midway between Salt Lake City to the north and St George in Southern Utah, Richfield offers a delightful small town atmosphere along with education, shopping and activities typical of larger cities. Home of Snow College Richfield and its Sevier Valley Center, Richfield hosts a variety of regional High School sports, community events and performances.

The new year brings Vocalocity to the Sevier Valley Center Theater on January 11th, with Repertory Dance Theatre performing on February 15th and Magician Craig Davis on March 7th. Conveniently located east of Interstate 15 near the south Richfield exit, the Sevier Valley Center is the likely spot for Central Valley sports and entertainment.

Central Utah is home of Utah National Guards Triple Duece unit. Troops from Richfiled, Beaver, Fillmore and Southern Utah will be home in time for the Holidays, returning to Utah communities for their regular hometown responsibilities and winter fun. The Sevier Valley Veterans Memorial in Richfield is schedule for completion spring 2012.

Moab, 30-miles south of Interstate 70 on Highway 191, is a mecca for fun in Southeastern Utah. Known as “the mountain biking capital of the world”, visitors flock to Moab and the surrounding red rock country for slick rock trails and spectacular scenery. Arches National Park, 5-miles north of Moab, is home to the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. Utah’s iconic Delicate Arch is among the sights to see, along with a variety of amazing sandstone rock formations.

Canyonlands National Park is 40 minutes west of Moab. Utah’s largest National Park, the views and vistas of Canyonlands are awe-inspiring. Many of the most spectacular viewpoints are readily accessible along paved roads through Canyon Country. Be sure to visit the Canyonlands visitor Center, which sits atop Island in the Sky Mesa.

Moab hosts some amazing 2012 events for visitors to the area. The weekend of February 18th and 19th, the Moab Flute Festival brings the echoes of timeless flutes through red rock country. Athletes look forward to March’s events. The Moab Skinny Tire Festival celebrates Road Cycling through the region March 10th through the 13th. Runners get in gear for the 37th Annual Canyonlands Half Marathon and Five Mile Run, March 17th. With spectacular outdoors, amazing parks and outstanding events, Moab is a sure bet for a fantastic getaway.

Glen Canyon National Rec. Area

Scenic Southern Utah basks in temperate winter temperatures while northern communities enjoy Utah’s greatest snow on earth. St George and surrounding communities swell as retirees flock to the Southern Utah for the winter climate and beautiful scenery. Southern Utah is known world wide as the location of Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park, among additional state parks and wilderness areas. Stunning views delight visitors along journeys through Southern Utah from St George and Cedar City to Bryce Canyon City and Moab. Allow plenty of time for your travel plans portions of Interstate 15 and I-70 can slow when it snows.

The temperate climate of Saint George means a bonus for winter birding fans visiting Southern Utah. The Red Cliffs Audubon Society presents the 2012 St George Winter Bird Festival January 26th through the 28th. The ninth year for the event features field trips and presentations in Southwestern Utah’s beautiful red rock county. Join lectures at the Best Western Abbey Inn Thursday and Saturday evenings and Friday at the Eccles Art Center at Dixie State.

Athletes get ready for an exciting new course at the 2012 St George Half Marathon and 5K January 21st. Join the 5K start at the Dixie Center at 8:50 before the 9am half marathon starts. The course takes runners along paved roads along the banks of the Virgin River. Events also include Tuff Kids Races starting at noon. Bring family and friends for an eventful weekend at January’s St George Half Marathon, 5K and Expo.

The south entrance to Zion National Park is 40-miles east of St George. The delightful community of Springdale, just outside the park, makes a visit to Zion convenient year round. Called the gateway to Zion National Park, Springdale is an enthusiastic community committed to the park, its surroundings and accommodating visitors to the area. Springdale is a small town with helpful stops like the Zion Canyon Arts and Humanities Council’s Z-Arts!, Canyon Community Center and Zion Canyon Visitor’s Bureau.

Cedar City, less than 60 miles north of Springdale, is just off Interstate 15. Home of Southern Utah University, Cedar City is an energetic, yet small, college town. Home of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, Cedar City, hosts “Love Letters” February 4th and 5th at Randall L Jones Theatre on the SUU Campus. Shakespeare fans, looks for the official festival start in June.

With Cedar Breaks National Monument and Brian Head Winter Resort nearby, spectacular winter recreation is convenient for Cedar City residents and visitors. Enjoy the thrill of winter scenery, traveling through Cedar Breaks National Monument on snowmobile, snowshoes or cross country ski’s. Enjoy a day of skiing at Brian Head, 30 minutes from Cedar City, in the beautiful Dixie National Forest - and if you’re lucky you can stick around for the monthly bonfire and S’mores gathering at the Town Fire Station.

Utah State Capitol

It’s winter in Utah and the "greatest snow on earth" covers the Wasatch Mountains. Ski resorts outside Logan in the north through Ogden and south to Salt Lake City and Provo are welcoming locals and visitors to the slopes. Albeit abbreviated, the Utah Jazz heat up the court at Energy Solutions Arena for the 2011 – 2012 season. Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City is ablaze with the annual holiday lighting spectacular. January brings the Sundance Film Festival to Park City, along with the increasingly popular Slamdance alternative film festival. It is the season in Northern Utah for winter fun, Jazz basketball and special events.

The Sundance Film Festival invades Park City January 19th. The premier showcase for cutting edge independent film, draws Northern Utah and Park City residents, film buffs from around the world, along with film Industry stars and executives. The inspiration of Utah resident Robert Redford, the Sundance Film Festival screens films in venues in downtown Salt Lake City, Park City and Sundance Resort. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival runs through January 29th.

Park City marks the 10th Anniversary of Salt Lake City hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic Games with a celebration February 1st through the 18th. Called the “Alpine Heart of the Games”, Park City hosts a variety of Olympic-sport competitions. Deer Valley Resort hosts the Freestyle World Cup February 1st through 4th, the US Snowboarding and Freeskiing Grand Prix is hosted at the Canyons Resort February 9th through the 12th, with Utah Olympic Park hosting the FIBT Skeleton Intercontinental Cup February 6th through 11th.

Northern Utah’s moniker as home to the “greatest snow on earth” is well deserved. Beaver Mountain is a delightful family resort east of Logan. With uncrowded slopes and no lift lines, Beaver Mountain delivers a full day of skiing. The new Little Beaver triple chair lift adds pristine terrain for beginning skiers.

Ogden, 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, offers convenient access to three outstanding winter resorts. Powder Mountain Resort, 20-miles northeast of Ogden, offers a full diversity of skiing, snowboarding, cross country terrain and amenities. In addition look for the 2nd Annual Powder Mountain Snowmobile Hill Climb competition in April for the excitement of competitive snowmobiling.

Snowbasin, east of Ogden through Weber Canyon, features over 3,000 acres of skiing terrain, with 70% suitable for intermediate and beginner skiers. Over 400 inches of annual snowfall guarantee nearly flawless skiing conditions through the season. Looking for affordability? Located just 13 miles from downtown Ogden, Wolf Mountain offers Utah’s lowest ticket prices - get more than your money’s worth with Wolf Mountain’s 12-hour day pass.

Northern Utah offers the most accessible diversity of skiing in the US. With 11 resorts within an hour drive of Salt Lake City International Airport you can pick one Utah resort, or a variety to enjoy a ski getaway.