Salt Lake City   |  Patrick Orton/Visit Salt Lake

Winter In Salt Lake City

Winter in Salt Lake City means heavy coats, twinkling lights and crisp, snowy mornings. With multiple world-class ski resorts only 45-minutes from downtown, Salt Lake City is a popular winter basecamp. Even non-skiers will have plenty of restaurants, museums, attractions and fun activities to discover.

Winter Hikes Near Salt Lake City

Salt Lake's Winter Weather

You’ve heard the saying, “it’s a dry heat.” The same applies to winter weather in Salt Lake City, where the arid climate is marked by regular, powdery snowstorms. Daily weather is often unpredictable, so bring that extra jacket along just in case. Keep in mind that the temperature is often 10-15 degrees warmer downtown than in the canyon.

Weather Updates

Places To Stay

The welcoming nature of Salt Lake’s residents extends to our large selection of hotels, lodges and unique places to stay. Salt Lake offers the best of both nightlife and outdoor recreation. Looking to stay slopeside? Salt Lake resorts Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude all have lodging options.

Where to Stay

Things To Do in Salt Lake in Winter

Ice Skating

Ice skating is a favorite winter activity among Salt Lakers. Channel your inner figure skater as you race and twirl around the rink. The Gallivan Center, an outdoor skating rink, falls within the free-fare zone of Salt Lake's public transportation. This means on chilly nights families can opt for a short ride on the TRAX light rail from this popular rink to Salt Lake City's top tourist attractions: Temple Square, the Delta Center (home of the Utah Jazz and Utah Hockey Club) and the Gateway Mall, which houses the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum, the Clark Planetarium and Megaplex Luxury Theatres.

You've probably heard that Utah is home to The Greatest Snow on Earth®, but you may not have realized Utah is also home to "The Fastest Ice on Earth" thanks to the Utah Olympic Oval. More than 100 world records in speed skating have been claimed at the Olympic Oval. While you may not set out to beat those records, your family will love spreading out across its massive ice rink during public skating hours, available most evenings and Saturdays. 

Temple Square

 
Utah’s most visited attraction, Temple Square hosts beautifully landscaped gardens and historic sites that will give you a window into the traditions, history and founding of Utah (Read: Temple Square: The Geographical and Musical Heart of Salt Lake). Each winter, the grounds are lit up with more than a million Christmas lights, making it one of Utah’s most adored spectacles. (Please note: Due to ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple, access to Temple Square is limited through 2026.)

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir also dishes up world-class performances on Temple Square. Guided tours and presentations are available in 40 languages throughout the day.
 

Après Ski & Spa

 
A tradition rooted and refined in many a European resort chateaux, this is the “after ski” enjoyment of good food and drink. Explore après ski spots ranging from slopeside mountain lodges to downtown hotels, or top resort spa experiences found only in Utah. 
 

Snowshoeing

 
Snowshoeing is one of the best winter activities in Salt Lake City if you want to get the family out into the snow. It's a relatively easy and inexpensive way to have a great day — just keep the kids warm with layers, carry snacks and practice a few basic moves before setting out. Oh, and be prepared for the excitement of walking on snow for the first time. No snowshoes? No problem! There are plenty of winter rental shops in Salt Lake City where you can gear up. Better yet, bring along a tour guide to show you their favorite spots.

Sundance Film Festival

 
Since 1984, filmmakers and audiences have been traveling to Utah to see some of the most innovative storytelling in cinema at the Sundance Film Festival. Park City is the epicenter, but Sundance venues can also be found all around Salt Lake City. Make sure to grab your tickets early and dress to impress.
 

Ski City Hot Chocolate

Here are two fairly universal truths: Kids love hot chocolate and Utahns love hot chocolate. There is nothing like a frothy cup to warm the family up after a day in the snow. Almost anywhere you go in Utah, you'll find hot chocolate prominently featured on the menu. Even the widely distributed Stephen's Gourmet brand calls Utah home.

If you're ready to elevate your drinking chocolate experience, here are two Capital City cups that raise the bar:

  • Hatch Family Chocolates — Located in Salt Lake's historic Avenues, solid milk or dark chocolates form the base of their decadent drink, which can be prepared vegan or with dairy, or with espresso. And don't just take our word for it — Yelp has even named the shop one of the "Top 20 Places for Hot Chocolate in the U.S."

  • Chocolate Conspiracy's Chocolate House — Their location next to RubySnap will make for a one-two punch in your search for a Salt Lake City vacation treat. You can expect an education in raw chocolate's nutritional value and exceptional delicacies, including a thick, not-too-sweet mug of hot chocolate. The Chocolate Conspiracy's products are sweetened with raw honey and enlivened with other raw ingredients to preserve their peak nutritional value. Additionally, make a point to savor the premium, natural ingredients in the recipes of RubySnap's beautifully frosted cookies whose flavors and quality are as unforgettable as their branding.

Behind Utah's love for hot chocolate you'll find a passion for the raw material of hot chocolate: cacao. Utah chocolate makers have not only put Utah on the map, they're establishing the state as the nation's epicenter for artisan chocolate production. In addition to the companies mentioned above, Solstice, Ritual Chocolate, Millcreek Cacao Roasters and the highly decorated Amano Chocolates are just a few of the Utah entrepreneurs leading the way. Each has a unique product worth exploring. You can even "try before you buy" at Caputo's Market

World-Class Arts and Culture

When the sun goes down, head downtown and soak up the metropolitan culture and nightlife of this world-class city. Arts lovers will enjoy catching a performance at the Utah Symphony or watching an opera singer belt out the tunes at the Utah Opera. For a theatrical show, catch a family-friendly performance at the Hale Center Theatre or the Pioneer Theatre Company (the professional theater in residence at University of Utah). Salt Lake Acting Company is another local favorite for their irreverence and parody. 

Dance aficionados can watch ballerinas perform at Ballet West or take in a contemporary dance performance by the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. Art lovers will also enjoy taking in the variety of galleries in the city as well as its many history and culture museums.

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Winter Activities

Winters in Utah may be known for having The Greatest Snow on Earth®, but there is so much more to explore off the slopes.

More Winter Activities

4 Days

Traveling Fandom

It's no secret Salt Lake City is a basketball town, but the game is just the beginning. Ski like a local at renowned ski areas Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude by day, and make the easy game night run back down the mountain for award-winning dining, gold medal breweries and world-class arts, culture and nightlife.

Arts, History and Heritage, Ski and Snowboard, Urban Experiences

Highlights

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