Home to five national parks, 43 state parks, seven national monuments, two national recreation areas and "The Greatest Snow on Earth", Canadian travellers are not usually short of reasons to visit Utah. But just in case you need that extra little push, here are 15 fabulous new reasons to unwind in Utah this spring...
1. Glorious Glamping
Utah Office of Tourism
Utah's first glamping resort, Moab Under Canvas, opens next month. Just moments away from the entrance to both the Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, the complex's luxurious tents and tipis offer guests the opportunity to enjoy Utah's spectacular desert without giving up the comforts of home.
2. Giddy Up Yoga
For a yoga retreat with a real kick, check out Red Mountain Spa’s ‘Giddy Up Yoga Retreat’. This four-day experience is led by expert horsewoman Patty Arnett and internationally-certified yoga instructor Aileen Epstein-Ignadiou. Guests explore how combining the spirit of a horse with yoga guides a powerful transformation to create a uniquely magical experience. Pricing starts at $2,250 based on double occupancy.
3. Brilliant Beers
Epic Brewery's first restaurant, The Annex, is now open. Salt Lake City's newest gastro-pub features 36 Epic beers paired with eclectic dishes from chef Robert Angelilli and boasts a brilliantly bohemian atmosphere.
4. Free Park Visits
Creativecommons.org/Todd Petrie
Thanks to designated National Park Fee-Free Days, you can visit Utah's Might 5 National Parks –Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef or Zion – on April 19 and 20, and it won’t cost you a dime.
5. A Real Cliff-hanger
The new St George's Inn on the Cliff is built on a cliff's edge, offering views of the sandstone formations of Snow Canyon State Park, the peaks of Pine Valley Mountain and the distant horizon of Zion National Park.
6. Music In Mother Nature’s Auditorium
In anticipation of its 75th anniversary, the Utah Symphony will perform under the direction of music director Thierry Fischer in each of the state’s five National Parks between August 11 and 17.
7. Fabulous Fire Pits
Brian Head Resort has just completed a $3.5 million renovation. Improvements include installing two magic carpet surface lifts to transport skiers and snowboarders up the mountain more efficiently, and a fabulous new patio complete with fire pits.
8. Own Your Own Resort For The Day
Don’t like sharing the slopes? Every Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday you can rent the entire Eagle Point Resort for just you and your friends for $10,000 a day. This is a great option for meetings, parties – or even an unspeakably romantic date!
9. Feel Far Out, Man
Sundance Resort is offering a special wellness retreat to help you get in touch with your inner-hippie. A ‘Sundance Wellness Retreat’ includes: two nights of accommodation, one lunch and one dinner, two yoga sessions, two meditation sessions, a sacred nature walk, a four hour seminar with a workshop and an aromatherapy massage. The retreat takes place April 25 to 27 and costs $894 based on double occupancy.
10. Fix Your Own Flat Tire
Ogden is fast becoming a premier bicycle-friendly destination. This spring six bike-repair stations are being installed around the city, featuring all the tools you need to fix flat tires and make simple repairs.
11. Free Accommodation
Stay three nights at Hyatt Escala Lodge Park City and get the fourth night free. This offer is valid with offer code ‘SNOW14’ until April 20.
12. Pedals And Pints
Taking place on May 4, the Tour de Brewtah is Utah's finest quaff-and-pedal event, a brewery tour where guests cycle to Salt Lake City's acclaimed breweries and enjoy award-winning craft beers. That same day, the city will also celebrate its Open Streets Event, shutting down 1.5 miles in downtown Salt Lake for biking and walking.
13. Inspire Curiosity
utah Office of Tourism
Opening in May, the Museum of Natural Curiosity is a new children’s museum at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. It will feature more than 150 hands-on exhibits to teach science, arts, history, and culture through an interdisciplinary approach to family learning.
14. Stylish Spirits
Two new distilleries opened in Salt Lake City in January. Both Beehive Distilling and Sugar House Distillery are small-batch distilleries that create premium spirits using fresh water from the Wasatch Mountains.
15. Anniversary Ale
Park City Mountain Resort has created a signature Golden Anniversary Ale in collaboration with Wasatch Brewery to celebrate its 50th anniversary season. Alta and Snowbird mountain resorts also have their own brews.