Utah travelers choose from 34 Best Western hotels.

Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah

Central Utah mountains are piled high with snow for end of winter and spring recreation. The Fishlake National Forest east of Fillmore and Beaver are easily accessed via Interstate 70. Take advantage of the snow pack while it lasts. Sand Ledges Recreation Area and Koosharem Reservoir Recreation Site east of Richfield are prime recreation areas for snowmobiling and ice fishing. Spring in central Utah brings out ATVs to replace the snowmobiles. It’s also basketball finals season at Richfield’s Sevier Valley Center as local high schools end the season. There is plenty of recreation and action in Central Utah.

Part of Snow College Sevier County extension in Richfield, the Sevier Valley Center is a popular venue for local and central Utah regional sports and graduation events. With its own 2012 calendar of performances, SVC provides the region exceptional entertainment. Music fans are in for a treat when Kansas joins the Snow College Symphony for a concert on April 25. The event is part of the Kansas Collegiate Symphony Tour - join fans of all age groups in Richfield for a unique evening of musical entertainment.

Just in time for spring’s outdoor adventures, the Richfield Chamber of Commerce hosts the 2012 Sevier Valley Sportsman Expo March 23 and 24. Also staged at Snow College’s Sevier Valley Center, the expo features dog training, fly tying and reloading presentations along with a live fish pond for the kids. Competitions include Dutch oven cook-offs and taxidermy judging. Bring a can of food for the Richfield area Scouting for Food Drive and get discounted admission.

Utah weather doesn’t get better than spring in Torrey or Moab. Torrey, the gateway to Capitol Reef National Park, is a small south central Utah town surrounded by spectacular scenery. The Capitol Reef visitor center is eight miles from Torrey making the myriad of trails easily available for casual day hikes or longer adventures. Boulder Mountain, also near Torrey, offers visitors expansive pine forests and trout filled lakes – a great option on warmer days.

Moab, 30 miles south of Interstate 70 via the Crescent Junction exit, offers a full calendar of spring events. Aside from the natural beauty of Arches National Park and the surrounding red rock country, Moab hosts popular events like the Canyonlands Half Marathon, Easter Jeep Safari and Gran Fondo Moab. With an impressive list of running, cycling and four-wheeling events, Moab is the place for adventure seekers and the active.

Running events for spring 2012 include the 37th Annual Canyonlands Half Marathon and Five Mile Run March 17; The Amasa Trail Run April 14; Red Rock Relay MOAB – a 70 mile six-person relay run on May 12; and the Thelma & Louise Half Marathon for women and girls celebrating Mother’s Day April 12 and 13. Keep those running shoes broken in for your trip to Moab.

Need more adventure? Look for the Adventure Xstream Adventure Race. The 12th annual event features a 50 mile course completed by kayak, mountain bike, trekking and rappelling. Select your best partner for the competition April 14. Moab = Adventure.

Glen Canyon National Rec. Area

Southern Utah winter is just about over. The scenic red rock country surrounding Saint George is Utah’s lowest elevation. At the northeastern edge of the Mojave Desert, Utah’s Dixie feels the first warmth of spring sunshine. However, a short drive away the red rocks blend into the alpine setting of Dixie National Forest. Get your last runs in at Brian Head Resort 30 miles east of Cedar City and 60 miles west of the amazing formations of Bryce Canyon National Park. Travelers down historic Highway 89 will find affordable golf on sunny days in Mount Carmel junction – A good idea any day is a stop at Mount Carmel's Thunderbird Lodge & Restaurant for the “Ho-Made Pie."

Brian Head Resort has announced an extended season to mid-April – bonus for Utah spring skiers. This time of year you can stay at a Best Western hotel in Cedar City or Saint George and enjoy skiing down the slopes and a round of golf in the same day. Brian Head is referred to as one of southern Utah’s best kept secrets, offering great terrain and snow at affordable prices – a nice option for families on a budget.

For a fun day on the slopes, don’t miss Brian Head’s 2012 Spring Fair. Saturday March 31 brings fun for everyone to Dixie National Forest. Catch this year’s Pond Skimming as skiers and snowboarders try to make it across the pond without getting wet. Even enter a dummy into the Dummy Jump Contest – see how high and far they fly, but it’s how they splat that’s best. New for 2012 – the Around the Mountain Relay, get your teammates lined up for fun at Brian Head’s Spring Fair.

Zion National Park is a spectacular destination in spring. Open year-round, however spring means cool weather and small crowds. Zion, one of Utah’s most popular outdoor destinations, offers spectacular hiking through spectacular sandstone formations and scenery. Springdale, the gateway to Zion is an ideal spot to spend some time – enjoy quaint shops and eateries or organize a jeep tour bike ride or even a sky diving experience.

Visitors to Saint George are happy to find the Saturday Market at Tuacahn Amphiteatre 2012 schedule in full operation for the season beginning in March. Alternating with special Saturday events, check the Tuachan calendar for specific dates. BE sure to catch your favorite events including April’s Youth Bike Rodeo and the NTL Mustang Auto Show. May brings the Desert Rodders Car Show the 12 and the Polynesian Festival on the 26. It is the season to enjoy Southern Utah.

Utah State Capitol

Northern Utah looks forward to spring skiing. With a mild 2012 winter hopes are high for big snow to fill the spring ski season. Park City, off Interstate 80, 30 minutes east of Salt Lake City, is a charming resort town. The former silver-mining town is now a mecca for winter recreation. Park City Mountain Resort is located right in downtown Park City, with Deer Valley Resort and the Canyons nearby – three resorts with world-class terrain to fill your vacation itinerary. Just in case snowfall lags, Park City and surrounding resorts offer a variety of spring events. The slopes close mid-April, but the fun continues year round.

Join the fun at the Canyons for the 5th Annual Spring Gruv featuring 10 days of skiing, riding, competition and celebrations. Concerts by Little Feat, John Brown’s Body and Martin Sexton add to the spirit while the Pond Skimming competition and Red Bull Schlittentag events. Get your gruv on this spring in PC.

There’s nothing like a sunny day of spring skiing – Deer Valley’s bikini beach is the place to see and be seen while enjoying the sun and snow. Stop for lunch at Silver Lake Lodge and join the crowd on the snow covered lawn watching skiers on Bald Eagle Mountain. It may get warm, be sure to layer so you can unzip.

Hockey fans don’t miss the 2012 Muddy Puck Spring Fling. Hosted by the Park City Predators women’s hockey team, muddy puck is a coed hockey tournament for novice to elite players. The 2012 tournament is April 19 through the 22 at Park City Ice Arena on Gilmore Way. Remember its equal opportunity – players on the ice must be equal numbers of men and women.

After Salt Lake City and surrounding resort areas hosted the winter Olympics, curling became a part of northern Utah winter culture. The Park City Curling Club and the Odgen Curling Club now host the Utah Rocky Mountain Bonspiel. The 2012 Bonspiel is May 18 through the 20 at the Park City Ice Arena and Sports Complex. Its guaranteed fun with a 3 game guarantee, banquet, auction and prizes – looks like curling is moving quickly into the lower 48.

Well known as the home of the Sundance Film Festival, Park City is infused with film and film related events. The new Park City Film Music Festival is another independent film festival focused on film music. Hosted in Park City and Salt Lake City, the 2012 festival is May 25 through June 3. Events include a film music competition, screenings and seminars and workshops, along with social mixers where guests mix with composers and film industry professionals. Screening venues include Santy Auditorium, the Prospector Hotel Theatre and the Egyptian Theatre – all within reasonable walking distance from each other.