Ski Utah

Salt Lake City, referred to as the cross roads of the west, rises from the western Wasatch Mountain benches along Interstate 80. The greater Salt Lake metro area runs north and south along Interstate 15, pinched between the Wasatch Mountains to the east, and the Great Salt Lake and Oquirrh Mountains to the west.

Famous for the Salt Lake City Temple, and headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Salt Lake City was settled by mormon pioneers. With wide clean streets, abundant outdoor recreation and amazing dry powder snow, there is a lot to discover and enjoy in Salt Lake City and Northern Utah.

Travelers Tip: Good News! Notorious for its convoluted alcoholic beverage control laws, the 2009 Utah State Legislature further simplified liquor control laws by eliminating private clubs and streamlining service restrictions. Visitors can now walk into bars and clubs, without purchasing memberships, and have a drink at the bar.

Spring Skiing will last well into April, with Snowbird resort pushing the season through to Memorial Day most years. A half hour drive from downtown Salt Lake City gets visitors to Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton, Park City, The Canyons and Deer Valley resorts - an unbelievable selection for snow sport enthusiasts. Ogden to the north, is central to two of the best resorts in the state Powder Mountain and Snowbasin. These are fantastic options, favored by some locals as they are less well known, and just as high quality.

Utah Resorts are gearing up with a full schedule of spring events. Chalk up some additional ski and boarding days in March, Solitude's Nordic Center Spring Fling is a fun day of team racing, followed by music and a barbeque; Snowbasin hosts Retro Day; Powder Mountain hosts the 2010 Ski for Gold, as fundraiser for the Special Olympics.

Logan, set in an idyllic Northern Utah mountain valley, is home to Utah State University and lots of winter and springtime fun. Beaver Mountain, the local resort, is a well kept secret, with lower prices and fewer crowds it is a good option for a day on the slopes. Beaver Mountain celebrates the end of the season with a day of contests, big Air jumps and pond skimming are among the favorites.

Northern Utah is paradise for snowmobilers with over 180 miles of groomed trails. The Hardware Ranch, Monte Cristo and Logan Canyon snowmobile complexes are linked, making the area a top riding area in the US. Visitors can see one of Utah's premier Elk herds in their winter range at Hardware Ranch or ride through the beautiful scenery of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Best Western Hotels along the Wasatch Front greet visitors with a warm welcome and warm rooms this time of year. With locations convenient to the beauty and outdoor fun of Utah you will want stay at a Best Western Hotel. The affordable rates make it easy to book another night, so you can enjoy another day of Northern Utah.

Mountain Biking
Moab, Utah

Central Utah is anchored by Provo and Orem to the north. It is home to America's largest religious university, Brigham Young University. BYU draws 98% of its students from Mormon families across the globe. Did you know, Stepenie Meyer, author of the Twilight book series was a 1995 graduate of BYU? Well known pro quarterbacks like Gifford Nielsen, Jim McMahon and Steve Young were products of BYU Football. Johnny Miller and Mike Weir played BYU golf, and Danny Ainge was a BYU basketball star - BYU Atheletics are popular, and the "Y" adorns caps, cars and clothes across the region.

Moab in eastern Utah is well known for its slick rock mountain biking trails. Close to Arches National Park, it is a spectacular area for biking, river rafting and off road 4-wheeling. With warm spring weather, Moab is a hot spot for events and activities early in the year. Take a drive in March for events like the Skinny Tire Festival, the CanyonLands Half Marathon and the Easter Jeep Safari -  The week long Jeep Safari is a must do for 4-wheel enthusiasts. The weeks Jeep Safari events lead up to Big Saturday where 30 groups start from downtown Moab, and head out in all directions to 30 different trails. Take advantage of the two Best Western Hotels to rest up for your days activities.

Yoga enthusiast, look for Moab Yoga on the ROCKS, in April and May. This is a two day backpacking and outdoor yoga retreat. Experience yoga in the amazing red rock country, an amazing experience geared to enliven and enrich the spirit.

Levan, the story goes, is the center point of Utah, and named Levan because it is navel spelled in reverse. Nephi, just north of Levan on I-15 is named after a famous Book of Mormon character. Fillmore and Beaver south on I-15 maintain equivalent notoriety as the territorial capital of Utah. Fillmore, Beaver was Butch Cassidy's birthplace.

Central Utah is an outdoor enthusiast wonderland. Mountains, high desert, lakes, rivers and streams, with small towns full of friendly people, make the perfect setting for hiking, camping, hunting and fishing. A highlight of central Utah is the extensive ATV trail system linking popular wilderness areas, easily accessed from many locations.

Green River's, Second Annual Outlaw Trails Jamboree is scheduled for April 29 - May 1. An ATV jamboree across Utah's beautiful high desert country. Trails named after Butch Cassidy and one for the Sundance Kid (who died at the Utah State Penitentiary), take riders through the exciting off road trails of the old west. Rides are mapped for beginners through advanced riders. After a few days on the trail be sure to stop at Ray's Tavern in Green River, featuring one of the best burgers and coldest beers in the west, a popular stop for river runners, mountain bikers and house-boaters, heading to southern Utah.

Richfield, a commercial center and larger city in central Utah, is county seat of Sevier County, which is the center of the Paiute ATV Trai - a thousand miles of trails reaching close to a million acres of National Forest Land. Richfield is a convenienthome base for an outdoor adventure, with the Best Western Richfield Inn in town. There is a terrific 7 mile bike trail south of Richfied between Monroe and Big Rock Candy Mountain. the paved trail through the Sevier River Canyon is beautiful and easy for beginners, or to jump start your spring training.

It's the time of year to enjoy the warming weather and great outdoors of Central Utah. With snow capping the mountain peaks through spring, full streams and lakes and a good winters rest - load up the toys and family and enjoy Utah's charming and diverse central region.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

St George is one of the west's best kept secrets. A clean, safe, small city - temperate climate with mild winter, set amongst beautiful red rock and mountain scenery - within two hours of Las Vegas. Packing your bags? Good, its a great place to visit, get a jump on spring and relax with a few rounds of golf. St George is the largest city in Southern Utah and offers visitors year round recreation opportunities.

St George is close to Zion National Park, north off Interstate 15. With spectacular almost other worldly scenery, spring is one of the best times to visit. Lovely warm spring weather without the summer crowds, gives visitors a chance to ponder and soak in the unbelievable sights in peace and solitude. Take a walk through a small narrow canyon or hike through the majestic cliffs and get intimate with Utah's first national park.

Cedar City sits just north of Zion National Park on Interstate 15, is billed as Festival City USA. Home of Southern Utah University, there is a lot for visitors to enjoy. The Thunderbird Film Festival, held on the SUU campus April 9-10, is in its seventh year. The festival focus is on family values, and hosts competitions at a high school and amateur levels. A unique festival to support budding film makers and showcase their films.

2010 finds Cedar City's GrooveFest joining with the Cedar City Arts Festival in June. This collaboration promises to result in one heck of a great time. Four days of music, arts and crafts, food and activities, fun for the entire family. Local merchants and organizations pitch in with sponsorships making admission free for visitors, and demonstrating local enthusiasm and support for the arts.

Springdale, is the closest city to Zion National Park, sitting just outside the south entrance to the park. Surrounded on three sides by the Park, Springdale, has become a gateway for visitors. May 2010 brings the 6th Annual Zion Flute and Drum Festival to Springdale. A unique festival brings together world class flute and drum enthusiasts from across the globe to perform and celebrate world peace. Performers, drum and flute makers and artists gather, drawn to Springdale by the passion for music and their arts. Enjoy the music and learn from the best instructors – shadowed by the stunning backdrop of Zions National Park.

Southern Utah, down highway 89 through Mt Carmel and Kanab, is the gateway to the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The north rim opens in 2010, the morning of May 15th. Amazing Earthfest will be celebrated in Kanab, May 16th-22nd, celebrating in the magnificent surroundings of the Colorado Plateau. Enjoy the scenery and weather on bicycle, both road and trail rides will be featured. Other activities include rock climbing, camping, backpacking and hiking. The perfect place to celebrate earth day.

Best Western Hotels in Utah welcome visitors with fine hospitality and well appointed accommodations. Convenient to the wonders of Southern Utah and with affordable rates, Best Western Hotels will make your visit to Utah even more comfortable.