Visiting Salt Lake City and Northern Utah

Salt Lake City, referred to as the cross roads of the west, rises from the western Wasatch Mountain benches along Interstate 80. The greater Salt Lake metro area runs north and south along Interstate 15, pinched between the Wasatch Mountains to the east, and the Great Salt Lake and Oquirrh Mountains to the west.

Famous for the Salt Lake City Temple, and headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Salt Lake City was settled by mormon pioneers. With wide clean streets, abundant outdoor recreation and amazing dry powder snow, there is a lot to discover and enjoy in Salt Lake City and Northern Utah.

Travelers Tip: Good News! Notorious for its convoluted alcoholic beverage control laws, the 2009 Utah State Legislature further simplified liquor control laws by eliminating private clubs and streamlining service restrictions. Visitors can now walk into bars and clubs, without purchasing memberships, and have a drink at the bar.

Spring Skiing will last well into April, with Snowbird resort pushing the season through to Memorial Day most years. A half hour drive from downtown Salt Lake City gets visitors to Alta, Snowbird, Solitude, Brighton, Park City, The Canyons and Deer Valley resorts - an unbelievable selection for snow sport enthusiasts. Ogden to the north, is central to two of the best resorts in the state Powder Mountain and Snowbasin. These are fantastic options, favored by some locals as they are less well known, and just as high quality.

Utah Resorts are gearing up with a full schedule of spring events. Chalk up some additional ski and boarding days in March, Solitude's Nordic Center Spring Fling is a fun day of team racing, followed by music and a barbeque; Snowbasin hosts Retro Day; Powder Mountain hosts the 2010 Ski for Gold, as fundraiser for the Special Olympics.

Logan, set in an idyllic Northern Utah mountain valley, is home to Utah State University and lots of winter and springtime fun. Beaver Mountain, the local resort, is a well kept secret, with lower prices and fewer crowds it is a good option for a day on the slopes. Beaver Mountain celebrates the end of the season with a day of contests, big Air jumps and pond skimming are among the favorites.

Northern Utah is paradise for snowmobilers with over 180 miles of groomed trails. The Hardware Ranch, Monte Cristo and Logan Canyon snowmobile complexes are linked, making the area a top riding area in the US. Visitors can see one of Utah's premier Elk herds in their winter range at Hardware Ranch or ride through the beautiful scenery of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Best Western Hotels along the Wasatch Front greet visitors with a warm welcome and warm rooms this time of year. With locations convenient to the beauty and outdoor fun of Utah you will want stay at a Best Western Hotel. The affordable rates make it easy to book another night, so you can enjoy another day of Northern Utah.