Utah is one of the best places in the world for cross-country skiing. One look at the Wasatch and Uinta mountain ranges and it’s not hard to see why. While downhill skiing is perfect for adrenaline junkies, cross-country skiing is best for endorphin addicts. If you start your day with a morning of cross-country skiing at Soldier Hollow, consider some of the other items on this list as a way to create your ideal snow day.
If there’s anywhere in Utah that is perfectly situated and maintained for cross-country skiing, Soldier Hollow is the place. The site of the 2002 Winter Olympic biathlon and cross-country events, Soldier Hollow features 31 kilometers of classic (and skating) trail and biathlon range. An adult trail pass is only $18, and if you’re interested, Soldier Hollow offers lessons, clinics, and rentals. If you get bored of the skiing, you can check out their snowshoeing trail, tubing hill, and cozy lodge.
A morning (or full day) of cross-country skiing could leave you feeling a bit stiff. And if you want to treat yourself, a therapeutic massage has never been a bad option. At Summit Orthopedic & Sports Massage, you can choose between a Swedish (lighter) massage, a deep tissue massage, a sports/injury recovery massage, a prenatal massage, a hot stone massage, and a Thai yoga massage. A 30-minute massage is only $40 and a full hour is only $70.
Small town, vintage-esque theaters aren’t exactly common community fixtures anymore, so when you find a good one, it’s always fun to relish in the nostalgia of your youth (or your parents’ youth!) at a tiny theater in the middle of a small town. In the charming town of Heber City (just 10-15 minutes from Soldier Hollow), you’ll find the Ideal and Avon Theatres, both of which have been remodeled and updated while still maintaining their historic charm. Avon Theatre (the larger of the two) features a candy shop and an old-fashioned ice cream parlor.
If you decide to head to Park City after cross-country skiing, make sure to drop by Atticus Coffee & Teahouse which is located near the bottom of Park City’s historic Main Street. Named for Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” the coffee shop is a nice place to warm up and enjoy some coffee and/or tea. Atticus Coffee & Teahouse isn’t like any old coffee shop—its hip, cozy, and locally-focused. What’s better? It has an in-house book shop and a bunch of unexpected offerings such as “matcha lemonade” “Starburst tea.”
Shabu Shabu House is a bustling restaurant on the outskirts of Park City. Shabu shabu is incredible. This Japanese hot pot experience is almost universally appealing. You’ll slurp some seriously flavorful broth and cook your own choice of meat (think thin slices of wagyu beef and fresh salmon) and vegetables in your personal pot of boiling broth. This is a steamy, comforting way to finish off a cold and exhausting but enjoyable way.
If you’re still craving some movement after cross-country skiing, the Swiss-inspired town of Midway has its very own outdoor ice skating rink in the town’s center. The rink is comparatively small and quaint, but that’s part of what makes the experience so wonderful. Fares and skate rentals are cheap, so this is also a great activity for a family.
If you want to experience a true winter wonderland, Midway’s annual ice castles are a surreal and inspiring, wintry experience. Man-made, the ice castles actually feel like a castle. It’s almost as if you’ve stepped into the movie “Frozen.”
If you decide to stay in Midway for the remainder of your day, Tarahumara may be your answer to a tasty and memorable Mexican meal. Although Tarahumara has a new location in Park City, its first and most popular location is in Midway. This is your spot for cheesy quesadillas, chicken enchiladas, tamales, carne asada tacos, and an extensive (and addicting) salsa bar. If you have room after the meal, the restaurant’s tres leches cake is one of its most famous items.
On a winter-oriented list, you probably wouldn’t expect to see a cheese shop. But the Heber Valley Artisan Cheese shop in Midway is well worth your visit, especially if you are a dairy-lover. This place is more than just a shop, but a small family dairy farm and creamery that is really passionate about premium milk products. When you try one of their cheeses or ice creams, you will be too.
