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The mystical magic of the Heber Valley is extra extraordinary in the winter. Where else in Utah can you: swim in a geothermal crater; visit an ice castle; take a ride on a holiday-themed historic railroad; enjoy an old-fashioned horse-drawn carriage ride; take a zipline tour; go tubing at a 2002 Olympic venue; enjoy 200 miles of snow-covered groomed trails; meet the cows on a local dairy farm tour; take a snowmobile tour; go ice fishing; go ice skating, shop along the streets of a Swiss village; and then enjoy dinner at locally-owned farm-to-table restaurant? Wow, that’s a lot of options…way more than you can do in one trip. And the best part is that this destination is just a short drive (45 miles) from Salt Lake City.

1-Brian Head is Utah’s highest resort town, sitting at 9,600 feet in elevation. This tiny southern Utah town, with a population of less than 100 full-time residents, “packs a punch” when it comes to winter adventures, especially the family-friendly variety. Whether you are a mountain resort skiing/snowboarding family, or you prefer the solitude of Nordic skiing, or the fast-paced action of snowmobiling is more your speed, this winter destination has something for everyone. And, the best part of all, it is surrounded by the iconic red rock vistas of southern Utah, making this a winter destination like no other.

When most people think about winter recreation in Utah, skiing will likely be the first thing that comes to mind…and for good reason. Quick, easy access to The Greatest Snow on Earth makes Utah one of the best ski destinations on the planet. But skiing isn’t the only way to enjoy Utah’s mountains in winter. Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and sledding have always been popular wintertime activities, and more families are catching on to these outstanding, cost-effective winter sports that don’t require pricey lift tickets or as hefty of an investment in gear.

A Family Ski Retreat - Beaver Mountain + Bear Lake Did you know that Utah is home to 15 mountain resorts and that they come in all different shapes and sizes? Everything can be found – from the largest resort in North America, aka Park City Mountain, to the oldest family-owned and operated ski resort in North America, Beaver Mountain, along with everything in-between.

A Red Rock New Year’s Eve Celebration Moab in the winter is nothing short of spectacular. The blanket of white snow covering the red rock landscapes is an epic sight that every Utahan needs to witness at least a few times. The weather in red rock country this time of year can be temperamental, like your two-year-old, so be sure to pack your sense of adventure along with a few extra layers of clothing for the family. Depending on the year, the winter temps in Moab can range from below zero at night to the 40-50s during the day and can change at the drop of a hat, so be sure to plan and pack accordingly.

Mountain Biking in Moab with your kids. Story and Photos by Bret Edge The Whole Enchilada. Captain Ahab. Portal. Say “Moab” in the company of mountain bikers and they’ll drift off into thoughts of gnarly trails with massive exposure and technical moves that require precision, strength and a dose of finesse. But what if you’re a parent, and your budding young mountain biker isn’t quite ready to shred the gnar? Here’s a little secret – Moab’s got plenty of great trails with outstanding scenery for even the smallest riders!

Roadtrippin’ - Mountain Biking St. George By Alyssa Erikson The smell of moist soil soaked in snowmelt and the white landscape slowly disappears as we drive south on I-15 towards St. George, Utah. I watch the outside temperature, broadcasting on my dashboard, slowly rise, and once the rock turns from grey to orange, I finally risk rolling down my window. My hand oscillates up and down, riding the vehicular thermals like a raptor riding the warmer air from down south.

A Grand Sesquicentennial Celebration - SPIKE 150  Just the mere mention of Utah’s world-famous National Parks and Monuments evokes visions of the well-known iconic red rock landscapes throughout the southern part of the state. Utah is home to five National Parks (a.k.a The Mighty 5), eight National Monuments, two National Recreation Areas and one National Historic Site…bonus points if you can name them all…without asking Google for help. And a huge high five if you have introduced your kids to all 16 of these truly amazing places.  

7 EPIC Spring Destinations Spring has sprung…and with that comes the desire to migrate south to warmer destinations. If you are looking for some new places to explore this spring here is our to-do list

Climbing 101 for Families  By Amanda Edmonds  Climbing as a family is an outstanding way to spend hours together in nature while fostering an early love for the outdoors. Getting our family into rock climbing was a no brainer. We crave the outdoors and wanted to teach our children adventure. Sometimes, climbing and outdoor activities don’t always work as planned. Getting your kids outside while experiencing these challenging moments teaches them how to overcome obstacles and react when the world does not go according to plan. Climbing is something you can do at any age, making it the perfect outdoor family activity.  

Moab is the ultimate outdoor playground, offering something for everyone. From high-adventure mountain biking on the infamous Portal Trail to an afternoon stroll in the Park, Moab is the epicenter for “all things adventure.” Some of the best mountain bike trails, national parks, hikes, climbs, OHV trails, photography, landscapes…and the list just keeps going…are all found here.

A Southern Utah Family Escape Influencer Tips from - Arika Bauer aka ZionAdventurePhotog Growing up in Hurricane Utah, just 20 minutes from Saint George, I have fond memories of jumping out of bed, running barefoot to the window and peeking out in wonder at the blanket of snow covering my backyard; but that was a very rare occurrence. The majority of my winter days were spent running around outside rarely ever needing a coat.

Winter in Utah is filled with many, many awesome and cool adventure options. North to south, there are endless places to explore. Here is our list to inspire some new family adventures this winter- 

New Year’s is always a time of reflection, looking back over the last 365 days – the good, the bad and the ugly – it is a time of joyous anticipation of what’s to come in the new year. In my early adulthood, New Year’s Eve was always a time to get dressed up, go out and just have a ton of fun, ringing in the new year with the glass or two of champagne donned in some silly party hat with glitter, sparkles, and feathers (you know the kind). The evening usually ended in the wee hours of the morning making the next day…New Year’s Day…a lost cause. Let’s just say thoughts of inspiration and goal setting were not completely coming through my foggy sleep-deprived brain. Flash forward a few years…yes just a few...to current-day motherhood, a place my twenty-something-self imagined but had no real concept of this awesome reality.

When world-renowned snow gives way to high country warmth, Park City transforms into a green-hued playground. For starters, 400 miles of hiking and biking trails weave through aspens groves, conifers, and alpine meadows, filling grateful lungs with sweet-scented sage and evergreen. Preserving that green scene for both moose and mountain biker has become a local priority, making Park City a place where eco meets action – both in terms of extraordinary recreational opportunities and innovative environmental stewardship. Think e-bikes, open space conservation, and net-zero carbon emission goals. As a result, tapping into the local green scene has never been easier or more fun.

Just Show Up and Let someone else take care of the rest with overnight wellness adventures around Utah.

Allow us to introduce you to a mini metropolis that thrives with the good life at the base of canyons with mountains that soar above 11,000 feet: Salt Lake City – population 190,884 in the city proper; 1,153,340 people living in the greater SLC metro area.

If Utah cuisine makes you think about mayonnaise-based casseroles, Diet Coke, and smorgasbord food buffets, you’re so right–it’s all true. But, and this is a huge but, Utah’s food scene has truly grown up as world-renowned chefs and savvy foodies have discovered Utah’s friendly cost of living and killer access to the outdoors–it’s a lifestyle that the most creative and innovative minds have made home for business and family.