Introducing Utah

Rugged snow-thick mountains. Pioneer-era relics and prehistoric leftovers. Kaleidoscopic landscapes of desert plains, cliffs and valleys. In Utah, you can see Mother Nature at her raw, dramatic best. Strap on your skis or pull on your hiking boots and immerse yourself in this extraordinary land that’s made for adventure. 

Things to do

SKIING
A tantalising network of ski runs awaits in Utah. From extreme snowboarding to the refined, luxury ski resorts of Deer Valley, you’ll find something to suit every slope-seeker. In summer, there’s still plenty to see and do. Mountain bikes replace ski rental and the countryside is ripe for hiking.

NATURE
Utah is a jigsaw puzzle of national parks. So you rarely have to travel far for extraordinary natural wonders. The town of Torrey officially has some of the darkest skies in the country, so epic stargazing of the Milky Way variety is in order. It also makes a perfect base camp to explore nearby Boulder Mountain and the red sandstone canyons of Capitol Reef National Park, with scenery straight from the set of a ‘spaghetti western’. From there, take the aptly named All-American Scenic Byway 12 to Bryce Canyon and admire its ancient amphitheatres of rock.

CULTURE
Such staggering scenery has made Utah a living film set. Indulge your inner Butch Cassidy (or Sundance Kid) at the eerie Grafton ghost town. Steer through the evocatively named Dead Horse Point on the trail of Thelma & Louise – and stay a while to appreciate its immense beauty. It’s part of the Moab Area, also the site of Indian Jones’ escapades. Western fans shouldn’t miss the classic backdrop of Monument Valley either.

Top Tip from SLH

Try the state’s special take on afternoon tea and tuck into Utah Scones. Dusted with cinnamon brown sugar or drizzled with butter, these puffy cakes are the perfect post-skiing treat.