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History & Heritage
The history of the land now known as Utah is millions of years old and is a major source of the world’s knowledge of dinosaurs and other ancient plants and animals through its many discovery sites.
The Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont cultures lived in this area about a thousand years ago and Utah’s lands are rich with evidence of their lives found in pictographs and petroglyphs panels — left behind on rock walls, as well as in the dwelling sites of their homes and villages. Native American nations continue to contribute to Utah's rich cultural heritage.
At the time of the American Revolution, Europeans started exploring the area. Spanish priests Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Escalante traveled through in 1776. Trappers, mountain men and traders followed close behind. Then, in 1847, Mormon pioneers (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) arrived in the Salt Lake Valley and established settlements throughout the Intermountain West.
Twenty-two years later, the first transcontinental railroad was completed in Utah at Golden Spike National Historical Park, and immigration to the region grew tremendously. Industrial development like the Bingham Copper Pit and agricultural growth with crops such as sugar beets brought many more people to Utah and statehood by 1896.
All of these early cultures wove, and many continue to weave, the tapestry that is Utah.
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Dinosaurs & Paleontology
Explore Utah’s rich dinosaur history through its many museums and archeological dig sites dedicated to the prehistoric creatures.
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Filmed in Utah
Add a touch of film history to your Utah itinerary, or plan your trip around these iconic cinema locations. You'll soon discover why we say Utah. America's Film Set.®
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Ghost Towns in Utah
From the southern reaches of Grafton and up north to Thistle, these abandoned towns have left behind crumbling relics, memories and stories of another era.
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Mormon Heritage
In 1847, Brigham Young and the first party of Latter-day Saint (known as Mormon) emigrants reached the desolate Salt Lake Valley. Since that day, Mormon cultural and heritage has made Utah a unique place to visit.
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National Historic Trails
Four National Historic Trails pass through Utah, recognizing routes of travel that are of national historic significance.
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Native Nations
Learn about the Native Nations influenced and shaped Utah. Find information about ancient habitation sites, art panels and museums.
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Historical Sites in Utah
4 minute read
Explore Utah's fascinating past with our guide to historical sites and hidden gems. Uncover pioneer and indigenous stories at these Utah heritage hot spots.
History
"We simply need that wild country available to us... For it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of hope."
– Wallace Stegner, “Crossing to Safety”
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11 Classy Ski Experiences That are Uniquely Utah
Written By Visit Utah
From sheer proximity and the biggest mountains to a ski-in distillery and a celebrity-built resort, these are the reasons to ski Utah now.
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3 Ogden Ski Resorts That Rival The Best
You may know Utah for Salt Lake City and Park City. But do you know Ogden? Only insiders know, and most would like to keep it way!
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5 Scenic and Awesome Runs for Confident Beginning Skiers
Written By Visit Utah
Ski resorts often provide tours, lessons or skiing tips for beginners. Ready? Take a chairlift to the best, most scenic skiing for beginners’ slopes in Utah.
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7 Skiing Tips for More Fun on the Mountain
Written By Alexandra Lev
4 minute read
Skiing is one of the most exciting sports on earth, especially with the right gear, a good attitude and some lesson time.
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8 Elevated Ski Experiences That are Uniquely Utah
Written By Matador
3 minute read
If you dream of the possibility of hitting six resorts in one day or carving your own lines from snow-covered summits served by helicopters, then this listicle is made for you.
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8 Reasons Why Ski School Is Cool
Written By Paula Colman
4 minute read
Ski school is cool, and it’s where beginners to experts find the secrets to skiing (and Utah’s secret powder stashes). Learn to ski the entire resort.
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A Utah Ski Vacation (or Two) for Less
Written By Paula Colman
6 minute read
Shop for ski gear like a local. Get discounts on lift tickets. Learn everything you need to know for a cheap luxury ski trip.
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AndShesDopeToo's Insider's Guide to Ogden
Written By Visit Utah
5 minute read
AndShesDopeToo is a worldwide adventure community of women run by Jennifer and Taylor Killian from Ogden, Utah. This insider's guide video highlights their unparalleled access to both the outdoors and the city's "fun counterculture vibe" at the foot of the mighty Wasatch Mountains.
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Another Day in Powadise
Written By Austen Diamond
4 minute read
Join ski cat driver Kevin Irons on a day's adventures to Lightning Ridge at Powder Mountain, complete with pizza bribery, remote access and lots of powder.
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Best Spots to Get Olympic Spirit
Written By Visit Utah
Just because the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games are in the past doesn’t mean that the Utah Olympic spirit is has been snuffed out. Athletes still train here, and ski schools in Utah resorts might be the start of a future Olympian’s career.
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Destination Ski City: Culture Élevé
After a day of skiing, soak up Salt Lake City’s culture and nightlife: Enjoy a live performance and explore delicious dining options and great bars. Check it out!
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Everything in its Right Place
Written By Austen Diamond
5 minute read
Bring your snowboard on your Brighton Ski Resort trip. Visit the six terrain parks – with new designs each week – to add some exhilaration to your ski vacation.
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Family and Budget Guide to the One and Only Ski City: Salt Lake
Written By Kristen Pope
6 minute read
With 11 family-friendly resorts nearby, Salt Lake City skiing, dining and entertainment options make Utah one of the best ski destinations in the western U.S.
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Ice and rock, snow and splendor: Winter in Southern Utah
Written By Jeremy Pugh
7 minute read
Come along on a five-day expedition to see Southern Utah’s wintry face, explore national parks, ski its mountains and find ways to play in the snow.
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Max Out Your Multi-Pass
Written By Paula Colman
With so many ski and snowboard resorts easily accessible in and around Utah, using the state as your gateway can maximize the value of any multi-pass. Here's some tips on how to make your ski vacation more flexible, fun and affordable than ever before!
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Music of the Cottonwoods
Written By Visit Utah
Discover the sound of two iconic Utah bands — Talia Keys and the Love and Pixie and the Partygrass Boys — whose music is inspired by their love of life and nature.
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Pass Go: A Local’s Guide to Making the Most of the Ikon Pass
Written By Paula Colman
4 minute read
That's right, Utah is home to six incredible Ikon Pass resorts — all within a quick drive of each other. Here's the local guide to making the most of your Ikon Pass in Utah.
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Planning Your Big Snow Trip
Written By Paula Colman
Let’s plan a powder ski trip to Utah and even help you save some time and money while you’re there. Just answer these three questions: Who? When? How much?
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The Best Skiing in Utah
5 minute read
Out of 15 ski resorts, here's where families, friends groups, experts, luxury seekers and even night owls find their groove in Utah.
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Utah's Bucket List Expert-Only Ski Runs
Written By Visit Utah
Craving black diamond chutes or double-black cliff drops? The best skiing in Utah for experts can be conquered on these top 5 ski runs.
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Utah's Kid Ski Culture
5 minute read
Utah is happy to help you support your future skier or rider, and make things fun for parents, too. Read our guide to teaching kids to ski and plan a trip.
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Utah’s Factory-to-Slope Culture
Utah’s gear scene benefits from being able to use its backyard as a testing ground, making the complete ski and snowboard cycle uniquely Utah
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Walking The Line Between Risk and Responsibility
Written By Chelsea Yamase
Why a Hawaii-based highliner and influencer hasn't returned to Utah — yet.
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When to Ski and Eat and Play in Utah
Written By Paula Colman
5 minute read
From Thanksgiving to Memorial Day, travelers come to Utah to enjoy all that Mountain Time offers, but when is the best to time visit? The answer is: OFTEN!
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While You Were Sleeping
Written By Austen Diamond
4 minute read
Ever wonder why the snow is so perfect for the morning’s first runs? Take a peek into the life of a ski slope groomer at Snowbasin resort and learn all about it!

01
5 Days
Attagirl! Women’s History & Highlights
This five-day itinerary pairs Utah women's history and time for reflection with active adventure, beautiful scenery and instagrammable locations.
Hiking, History and Heritage, Wellness, Community, Arts, Mountain Biking, Guided Experiences, Support local, Glamping, Women's Travel, Urban Experiences
Highlights
- Suffrage Walking Tour
- Thelma & Louise Filming Locations
- Capitol Reef Glamping
- Women's History in Utah
- Capitol Reef Red Rocks

02
7 Days
History & Hoodoos
Just the national parks, ma'am. We get it. You're a bucket-lister with a checklist and a pen. We hope it has a lot of ink.
Hiking, History and Heritage, Stargazing, Camping & Backpacking
Highlights
- The Mighty 5® national parks
- All-American Road Scenic Byway 12
- Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument
- Dead Horse Point State Park

03
4 Days
Golden Spike Empire
Participate in railroad history, bird migration and iconic earth art in the quiet stretches of Northern Utah's rural Box Elder County.
Kid-Friendly, History and Heritage, Community, Arts, Wildlife
Highlights
- Historic Union Station
- Golden Spike National Historic Site
- Spiral Jetty
- Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

04
6 Days
Classic Westerns of the Silver Screen
From the alpine backwoods of Jeremiah Johnson to the sweeping vistas of Westworld and all the John Ford's in between, Utah is the place to travel for movie magic.
Film Tourism, History and Heritage, Photography, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Arts
Highlights
- Westworld to Thelma and Louise
- John Ford Classics
- Gunsmoke to the Outlaw Josey Wales
- Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid

05
6 Days
Native Spirit
Countless generations of Native Americans have called the landscapes of Utah home, from the hunter-gatherers of the prehistoric era to the more than 50 Native Nations currently in Utah.
Hiking, History and Heritage, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Arts, Native American
Highlights
- Nine Mile Canyon
- Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Navajo Fry Bread

06
7 Days
Trekking Along the Dinosaur Diamond Highway
Utah’s Dinosaur Diamond Highway is the perfect guide to experience ancient history, millions of years in the making.
Hiking, Dinosaurs, Kid-Friendly, Scenic Drives/Road Trips
Highlights
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Jurassic National Monument
- San Rafael Swell
- Dead Horse Point State Park

07
5 Days
Grand Adventure in the Great Basin
In this five-day itinerary you won’t find many crowds. But take your time and you’ll find this desert geography isn’t so empty after all.
Hiking, Cycling, Adventure, Dinosaurs, Photography, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Solitude, Stargazing, Wildlife, Mountain Biking, ATV and off-road, Guided Experiences, Camping & Backpacking, Climbing & Canyoneering, Agritourism
Highlights
- Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum
- Pahvant Valley Heritage Trail
- Topaz Incarceration Camp and Museum
- Sinbad Road / Hermit Cabin
- Great Basin National Park
- Cove Fort