Salt Lake City (Winter)

Salt Lake City's diversity and relatively progressive politics may come as a surprise to those who know it only as the epicenter of Mormon culture. Although roughly half of the city's population belongs to the Church of Latter Day Saints, it seems that an equal number moved here for access to the outdoors, specifically the world-class skiing and snowboarding in the nearby Wasatch Range. It’s possible to ride a city bus to the resorts in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird and Alta (which is famously skiers-only). The next canyon to the north, Big Cottonwood, is home to Solitude and Brighton (a favorite of locals and snowboarders). Just over ...

Salt Lake City's diversity and relatively progressive politics may come as a surprise to those who know it only as the epicenter of Mormon culture. Although roughly half of the city's population belongs to the Church of Latter Day Saints, it seems that an equal number moved here for access to the outdoors, specifically the world-class skiing and snowboarding in the nearby Wasatch Range. It’s possible to ride a city bus to the resorts in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird and Alta (which is famously skiers-only). The next canyon to the north, Big Cottonwood, is home to Solitude and Brighton (a favorite of locals and snowboarders). Just over the hill (drive if you must, but take a guided backcountry ski tour if you can) is Park City, with its stash of snow and wealth of resorts. In Salt Lake City, there is much more to do than visit Temple Square...although the downtown square is a good place to start a visit. The nearby Family History Library is a fascinating hotspot for genealogists of any (or no) faith.

About the Expert

Judy Jewell and W.C. McRae are frequent collaborators: together they have written Moon Handbooks to Montana, Utah, and Zion-Bryce and updated the Moon Handbooks to Oregon and Coastal Oregon. Judy wrote the Compass American Guide to Oregon.