We’re starting to get snowy weather here in Utah (unless you’re lucky enough to live in St. George!). For some Utahns, snow means skiing. For others, it means suffering in the cold and wishing the sun would come out. The trick to living in Utah during the winter is to find fun things to do to keep you occupied.
Rather than despairing over the fact that it’s snowing, get out and do some of these awesome things.
- Take UTA.
SounderBryce/flickr Riding the bus, TRAX or Frontrunner might not be awesome on its own, but it is an awesome way to get where you’re going when it’s snowing. Sit back and relax while someone else battles traffic (or zip along on the tracks and bypass traffic all together).
- Learn to Cook.
OrsonGygi/Facebook The Gygi Culinary Arts Center typically offers a few cooking classes every week (their holiday schedule during December may vary). If Salt Lake is far from your home, check your local listings for cooking classes near you (kitchenware stores, local colleges and some grocery stores also offer cooking classes).
- Gaze at the stars from the comfort of a theater chair.
Clark Planetarium/Facebook Get cozy at the Clark Planetarium and explore the universe at the Hansen Dome. Check out a Cosmic Light Show, too. The Planetarium shows “The Dark Side of the Moon” featuring music by Pink Floyd (if you remember the old Hansen Planetarium from the 1980s, you can appreciate the retro nature of this show).
- Hang out with some dinosaurs.
Thanksgiving Point/Facebook Thanksgiving Point’s Museum of Ancient Life is a great place to hang out on a snowy day. The museum has 60 complete dinosaur skeletons and more than 50 hands-on exhibits.
- Feed some elk.
Hardware Ranch/Facebook Snow or shine, elk need to eat. About 600 of them migrate to Hardware Ranch every winter to enjoy fresh hay. Bundle up and take a hay ride to see them up close.
- Go skydiving.
iFlyUtah/Facebook It’s probably to chilly to jump out of an airplane right now, so skydive inside! iFlyUtah in Ogden puts you in a wind tunnel where you can experience flying.
- Check out the latest offerings at the Leonardo.
The Leonardo/Facebook There’s always something cool at the Leonardo Museum. The Mummies of the World exhibit opens December 18th. You can also see Perception: The Illusion of Reality.
- Solve a mystery.
The Dinner Detective/Facebook Attend a murder mystery dinner. The Dinner Detective in Salt Lake City has shows every weekend.
- Enjoy some art.
Springville Museum of Art/Facebook Springville Museum of Art was named Best of State for Museum in 2015! You’ll find over 2,500 works of art; the museum hosts 15 special exhibits every year.
- Jump, bounce and tumble.
Airborne Trampoline Arena/Draper You’ll find businesses all over the state that offer trampolines, bounce houses and tumbling mats. Get some exercise and have a blast indoors while the snow falls outside. Some businesses include: Airborne Trampoline Arena in Draper, Sky Trampoline Arena in Layton, Get Air Hang Time in Orem, Lowe’s Xtreme Air Sports in Provo and The Jump Zone in Logan.
- Go surfing.
FlowRider/Facebook Yes, surfing! The indoor version, anyway. Catch a wave at FlowRider Indoor Surfing in Ogden.
- Enjoy some live family entertainment.
Hale Center Theater/Facebook Hale Theater offers family-appropriate musicals and plays in both theater locations: Orem and West Valley. This month, get tickets for A Christmas Carol.
- Try a different kind of movie.
Tydence Davis/flickr Sure, there are tons of blockbuster action movies this winter. But have you ever tried a foreign or independent film? The Salt Lake Film Society shows both at its Broadway and Tower theaters. Snuggle in with some popcorn and enjoy a flick.
- Take the kids to the Children’s Museum.
Discovery Gateway/Facebook Let ‘em run, play and imagine at the Discover Gateway Children’s Museum. They’ll surely burn all their energy in the 60,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and play space. If you live near Ogden, check out the Treehouse Children’s Museum.
- Paint at a party with your friends.
The Paint Mixer/Facebook Painting studios have been popping up all over Utah. They offer instructor-led classes that teach the class how to create one, specific piece of artwork. This photo is from The Paint Mixer in Park City; check in your town to find a similar business.
- Feel the need for speed.
Price Museum of Speed Visit the Price Museum of Speed to see vintage race cars and learn about the history of car racing in Utah.
- Go skiing.
Snowbird/Facebook This one is so obvious, it seems silly to even list it…but it is one of the best things to do in Utah when it’s snowing. Enjoy the fresh powder!
What do you like to do when it’s snowing?
SounderBryce/flickr
Riding the bus, TRAX or Frontrunner might not be awesome on its own, but it is an awesome way to get where you’re going when it’s snowing. Sit back and relax while someone else battles traffic (or zip along on the tracks and bypass traffic all together).
OrsonGygi/Facebook
The Gygi Culinary Arts Center typically offers a few cooking classes every week (their holiday schedule during December may vary). If Salt Lake is far from your home, check your local listings for cooking classes near you (kitchenware stores, local colleges and some grocery stores also offer cooking classes).
Clark Planetarium/Facebook
Get cozy at the Clark Planetarium and explore the universe at the Hansen Dome. Check out a Cosmic Light Show, too. The Planetarium shows “The Dark Side of the Moon” featuring music by Pink Floyd (if you remember the old Hansen Planetarium from the 1980s, you can appreciate the retro nature of this show).
Thanksgiving Point/Facebook
Thanksgiving Point’s Museum of Ancient Life is a great place to hang out on a snowy day. The museum has 60 complete dinosaur skeletons and more than 50 hands-on exhibits.
Hardware Ranch/Facebook
Snow or shine, elk need to eat. About 600 of them migrate to Hardware Ranch every winter to enjoy fresh hay. Bundle up and take a hay ride to see them up close.
iFlyUtah/Facebook
It’s probably to chilly to jump out of an airplane right now, so skydive inside! iFlyUtah in Ogden puts you in a wind tunnel where you can experience flying.
The Leonardo/Facebook
There’s always something cool at the Leonardo Museum. The Mummies of the World exhibit opens December 18th. You can also see Perception: The Illusion of Reality.
The Dinner Detective/Facebook
Attend a murder mystery dinner. The Dinner Detective in Salt Lake City has shows every weekend.
Springville Museum of Art/Facebook
Springville Museum of Art was named Best of State for Museum in 2015! You’ll find over 2,500 works of art; the museum hosts 15 special exhibits every year.
Airborne Trampoline Arena/Draper
You’ll find businesses all over the state that offer trampolines, bounce houses and tumbling mats. Get some exercise and have a blast indoors while the snow falls outside. Some businesses include: Airborne Trampoline Arena in Draper, Sky Trampoline Arena in Layton, Get Air Hang Time in Orem, Lowe’s Xtreme Air Sports in Provo and The Jump Zone in Logan.
FlowRider/Facebook
Yes, surfing! The indoor version, anyway. Catch a wave at FlowRider Indoor Surfing in Ogden.
Hale Center Theater/Facebook
Hale Theater offers family-appropriate musicals and plays in both theater locations: Orem and West Valley. This month, get tickets for A Christmas Carol.
Tydence Davis/flickr
Sure, there are tons of blockbuster action movies this winter. But have you ever tried a foreign or independent film? The Salt Lake Film Society shows both at its Broadway and Tower theaters. Snuggle in with some popcorn and enjoy a flick.
Discovery Gateway/Facebook
Let ‘em run, play and imagine at the Discover Gateway Children’s Museum. They’ll surely burn all their energy in the 60,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and play space. If you live near Ogden, check out the Treehouse Children’s Museum.
The Paint Mixer/Facebook
Painting studios have been popping up all over Utah. They offer instructor-led classes that teach the class how to create one, specific piece of artwork. This photo is from The Paint Mixer in Park City; check in your town to find a similar business.
Price Museum of Speed
Visit the Price Museum of Speed to see vintage race cars and learn about the history of car racing in Utah.
Snowbird/Facebook
This one is so obvious, it seems silly to even list it…but it is one of the best things to do in Utah when it’s snowing. Enjoy the fresh powder!
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