Wintertime Fun in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a great year-round destination for families, but, in the wintertime, this amazing city comes alive with fun. Whether you are looking for outdoor excitement or warm indoor entertainment, there is plenty to do in the Crossroads of the West to keep the entire family on their toes.

SLC has quite a reputation as a city of outdoor adventure and the cold winter months are no exception. Visitors will find no shortage of slopes for skiing and snowboarding to take advantage of the cold weather and high elevations. With towns like Park City and Sundance not far from the city center, there are plenty of world-class runs to test your skills or learn some new ones. Snowshoeing, snowmobiling and even hiking are also ideal ways to enjoy the snow the area is known for during the winter months.

After a long day of hitting the slopes, take the family to visit “Christmas in Color” in the Salt Lake suburb of South Jordan. This fun little adventure lets families stay warm in the car while they enjoy the colorful Christmas light display at the Salt Lake County Equestrian Park. Just sit back, tune the radio to the synchronized holiday music and enjoy the ride as you cruise through the dazzling light show on the park grounds. The event runs daily through Dec. 31 (with the exception of Christmas Day) and costs $26 per vehicle ($31 on Fridays and Saturdays).

A must-see for anyone visiting the city is Temple Square. This 35-acre complex located at the heart of the city is well-known for the numerous historical sites located on its grounds, including the Salt Lake Temple, the Seagull Monument and the Salt Lake Tabernacle (home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir). While there is an abundance of sites to see during the day, at night during Christmastime the entire complex is lit up in all its glory. In addition to the amazing light display, there are nativity scenes throughout the grounds and free holiday musical performances for visitors to enjoy.

If you are looking for a place to get out of the cold with your little ones during your wintertime visit to SLC, then Kangaroo Zoo is a must. This inventive indoor playpark is a fun and safe way for kids to jump and play to their hearts’ delight. They’ve got bounce houses, slides and even an inflatable dragon, not to mention a parent’s lounge where you can enjoy a rest in a massage chair while your little ones burn off some pent-up energy. Admission is $9 Monday through Thursday and $10 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Kangaroo Zoo, baby elephant playing © Petermiraglia | Dreamstime.com