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Top 5 Things To Do In Salt Lake City In Winter

someone skiing in Salt Lake City

Welcome to the ultimate guide of things to do in Salt Lake City in winter with Red River Adventures! Our city transforms into a magical winter wonderland, and there’s no better way to experience it than by embarking on thrilling outdoor activities. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, this guide will help you make the most of your winter stay in Salt Lake City with the expertise and services of Red River Adventures. Get ready to embrace the season and explore the top Salt Lake City winter activities that will make your visit unforgettable.

1. Backcountry Skiing and Snowboarding

Salt Lake City is renowned for its proximity to world-class ski resorts, and winter enthusiasts flock to the area for its incredible powder. But for those seeking a more adventurous and untouched experience, backcountry skiing and snowboarding in the Utah wilderness is a thrilling option. Explore pristine, untracked terrain and relish the tranquility of the backcountry while surrounded by majestic mountain landscapes.

What to Bring: For a day of backcountry skiing or snowboarding, make sure to pack your backcountry gear, including touring skis or a splitboard, avalanche safety equipment (beacon, shovel, and probe), warm clothing, gloves, and a helmet. Always check avalanche forecasts and have the necessary knowledge for safe backcountry travel.

Tips:

    • Before heading into the backcountry, ensure you’re well-prepared and consider taking an avalanche safety course.
    • Familiarize yourself with the local backcountry terrain and conditions, and let someone know your plans for the day to ensure safety.

Introductory Utah Backcountry Touring Ski Package 

Utah’s backcountry skiing in the Wasatch Mountains outside of Salt Lake City is among the best on the planet – we are famous for the “Greatest Snow on Earth.”

Difficulty: Easy | 1,500 to 2,500 vert.

Minimum Ages: 10 years old

1 Person $450 each | 2 People $275 each | 3 People $200 each

Tours will take place either in Little or Big Cottonwood Canyons depending on snow!

2. Ice Skating at Gallivan Center

For a delightful winter experience in downtown Salt Lake City, lace up your ice skates and head to the Gallivan Center. This outdoor ice rink offers a charming setting with twinkling lights and music. It’s the perfect family-friendly activity or a romantic date night under the stars. The rink also hosts themed skate nights, adding a unique touch to your visit.

What to Bring: Dress warmly and bring your own ice skates if you have them. Rentals are available at the rink for those who need them.

Tips:

    • Check the Gallivan Center’s website for skate times and special events.
    • Plan your visit during the evening to enjoy the magical atmosphere created by the lights.

3. Exploring the Utah Olympic Park

If you’re looking for a unique Salt Lake City winter activity, the Utah Olympic Park is a must-visit. You can experience the thrill of bobsledding down the Olympic track or test your skills in the freestyle aerials and Nordic ski jumping facilities. The park also offers interactive exhibits and guided tours, providing insight into the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City.

What to Bring: Wear warm clothing, and bring your camera to capture the excitement. Special gear is provided if you choose to participate in activities like bobsledding.

Tips:

    • Book your activities at the Utah Olympic Park in advance.
    • Take a guided tour to gain a deeper understanding of the Olympic legacy.

4. Warm Up at Local Breweries

After a day of outdoor activities, warm up at one of Salt Lake City’s cozy breweries. Enjoy craft beers, delicious food, and a welcoming atmosphere. Local favorites like Squatters Pub, Red Rock Brewing, and Epic Brewing Company offer a wide selection of brews to satisfy your taste buds.

What to Bring: Your ID to ensure you can sample the local brews. Dress casually for a relaxed and friendly environment.

Tips:

    • Check the brewery’s website for their current beer offerings and special events.
    • Plan for a designated driver if you plan to sample multiple brews.

5. Ice Climbing with Red River Adventures

Experience the thrill of ice climbing with Red River Adventures in the stunning winter landscapes of Salt Lake City. Whether you’re a seasoned climber or a beginner, our experienced guides will take you to frozen waterfalls and ice-covered cliffs for an unforgettable adventure. Red River Adventures provides all the necessary equipment and instruction to ensure a safe and exhilarating ice-climbing experience.

What to Bring: Dress warmly in layers suitable for the cold temperatures. Red River Adventures will provide all the specialized ice climbing gear, including ice axes, crampons, and helmets. Don’t forget to bring your sense of adventure and a willingness to conquer the ice!

Tips:

    • Book your ice climbing adventure with Red River Adventures in advance to secure your spot.
    • Trust our experienced guides and instructors, as they’ll ensure your safety while you scale the frozen walls.

1 Day Guided Ice Climbing Trip

The Cottonwood Canyons and Provo Canyon have some of the coolest ice-climbing routes in the West and Red River Adventures can guide you there!

Difficulty: Easy to Hard | WI2-WI5

Minimum Age: 8 years

1 Person $350 | 2 People $275 | 3 People $225

Level of difficulty and style of climbs are tailored to your ability level!

There are plenty of things to do in Salt Lake City in the winter with the expertise of Red River Adventures, you can push your limits, create lasting memories, and make the most of the winter season. Whether you’re seeking an adventure, a romantic evening, or a relaxing day on the ice, Salt Lake City offers something for everyone during the winter months. Enjoy your visit and embrace the beauty of a Salt Lake City winter!

The River People
Post Author
We strive to ensure that time spent with us is time that you will always look back on fondly. We want to leave you with a memories that bring a smile to your face no matter where you are, no matter what you are doing, and no matter how much time has passed. In addition to a deep reservoir of personal experience, our rafting guides are licensed by the state of Utah, have Wilderness First Responder and/or First Aid/CPR certifications, and are insured. Many guides also have swiftwater rescue training. Our climbing and canyoneering guides are AMGA-certified for the terrain in which they operate. Our skiing guides are certified for the terrain, and some are world-renowned for their experience. All of our guides are intimately acquainted with not only the river, rock and snow, but also with the incredible surroundings of the areas we guide.

River Rafting Reviews and Red River Adventure Testimonials!

Sophie Squirrell
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Sophie Squirrell
July 1, 2025

I had a really wonderful time doing a half day rock climbing experience. Carl was an expert guide and explained everything really clearly as I was a beginner. I felt very safe and Carl was a great coach with made me get the most out of the experience. I will never forget the great view from the top. I would highly recommend using red river adventures

Suzie Simon
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Suzie Simon
July 1, 2025

Sam was a great guide!! Would definitely recommend. Would like to have more white water

Elizabeth Chingren NE-Omaha
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Elizabeth Chingren NE-Omaha
July 1, 2025

Our guide Nathan was great! He was so patient with the little boy in our group who was so scared on the big repel. We all made it out alive 😂 He pointed out interesting sites and taught us about the plants along the way.

Kendall Lyons
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Kendall Lyons
June 30, 2025

Awesome company and great river guides! Very satisfied with this company!

L M
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L M
June 30, 2025

Shout out to Sam! She was our guide for the afternoon and we had a blast! She was very professional and informative about the area as well as keeping us all safe. Thank you, Sam and Red River Adventures for a fun river experience. 😃🛶

Renee Anderley
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Renee Anderley
June 30, 2025

We did the Bow and Arrow Canyoneering trip. We had Nathan as our guide and the experience was fantastic. It was a highlight for my 3 teenagers.

Mark Loucks
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Mark Loucks
June 30, 2025

The family and I absolutely had a fabulous time. The folks at Red River Adventures are all friendly, witty, and fun. A big shout out to our guide Jena who made this a wonder morning float, very knowledgeable, professional and fun. we were in good hands. Would recommend Red River to anyone and would definitely do another adventure with them.

Trip Segars
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Trip Segars
June 29, 2025

A relaxing float down the river, with lots of in the water time. Our guide, Jon, made it really enjoyable.

Sean Miller
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Sean Miller
June 29, 2025

The guides were great, engaging, kind, and cute their presentations and directions. Loved our time with Genna, Savannah, Monarch Butterflies, and BIG HORN SHEEP!!

Kelly K
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Kelly K
June 29, 2025

Great staff! Fun, professional, informative. Safe transport. Great driver. Well maintained equipment. Fun experience!

Clare Ashford
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Clare Ashford
June 28, 2025

We had a wonderful time on the Colorado River! Our guides were knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Our 10 yr old loved it and said he can’t wait to go back. I would recommend this trip to any families visiting Moab!

Crystal Anderson
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Crystal Anderson
June 27, 2025

This trip was amazing and perfect for our first time river rafting! The guides and other staff were super helpful and pleasantly entertaining!! I would highly recommend Red River Adventures to all ages and am all-around super impressed!

Aris Burcham
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Aris Burcham
June 27, 2025

Sam is an amazing guide and I had a lovely time. Thanks so much for the great afternoon adventure!

Jeremy Lindgren
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Jeremy Lindgren
June 27, 2025

Emily was an amazing guide! Very knowledgeable and super fun! Would definitely recommend!!

Paul Larsen
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Paul Larsen
June 27, 2025

Great rafting trip! Guide was fantastic and knew a ton of interesting facts about the river, wildlife and things to see. Will be back for sure!

Jacque Lake
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Jacque Lake
June 26, 2025

Red river company was wonderful! Zero complaints and the guides were great but the actual route only hit level two and the rapids are far apart. Nothing the company could do to change that and all the team was excellent and respectful, kind, genuine and will make you laugh.

Maureen Rosner
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Maureen Rosner
June 26, 2025

Beautiful rafting trip! Guides were wonderful 😁

Delice Bolotin
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Delice Bolotin
June 24, 2025

Guides were very good about explaining everything and making sure people were safe. Had a great time. Savannah was terrific.

Phoebe Schroeder
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Phoebe Schroeder
June 24, 2025

This was my girls’ (10 & 7) first rafting experience and they’re ready for more! Due to high winds it was the most I’ve ever had to paddle, but that’s obviously no fault of anyone. We did the fisher’s towers half day trip that was recommended on their website for ages 5+. It was very tame and if your kids are adventurous I would consider looking at some other sections. That being said, our guide Jonathon did a wonderful job keeping the kids entertained as he challenged them to a couple of games. They enjoyed sitting on the front of the raft and how much fun they were having was apparent in their similes. Thank you!

Juan Carlos Millon
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Juan Carlos Millon
June 24, 2025

This was our first time canyoneering and Nate made my daughters and I feel very safe during the entire process. We had some much fun, got over some fears and loved every second. Highlight our our trip to Moab. Thank you Red river adventures.

Brian Kohnlein
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Brian Kohnlein
June 23, 2025

The half day tour was so much fun! The guides were great.

Jessica Mancill
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Jessica Mancill
June 23, 2025

Our guide Savannah was fun and engaging. She was confident in leading us through the rapids. We had a great time!

Allie McIntire
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Allie McIntire
June 23, 2025

I have done the half day rafting trip twice, and have had a great experience both times! The guides know what they are doing and make it super fun!

Carla Richey
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Carla Richey
June 23, 2025

We had a great half day trip rafting! Our guide Anna was friendly and the whole staff was fun and knowledgeable. The half day trip was the right amount for our kids aged 7-15 who had never rafted before.

E J
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E J
June 23, 2025

Had an amazing trip up to the Longbow Arch with Mary as our guide. She was incredibly knowledgeable about rope systems, climbing, and the area’s history. She was very encouraging and helped one of our team fight through her fears and repel 140ft on her first time. Our whole group rated the trip as. 10-10.

Carissa S
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Carissa S
June 23, 2025

Amazing canyoneering trip with our 3 kids! Chase was so helpful & informative, and made our trip a blast.

Amy Norris
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Amy Norris
June 22, 2025

Great day and amazing staff! Was a very fun experience

Colleen Ranieri
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Colleen Ranieri
June 22, 2025

Chase guided my fiancé and I through the Rock of Ages Canyoneering hike and he was a wonderful guide! We were new to rapelling, but we felt safe with him the entire time. He was also very upbeat, polite, and provided us with great recommendations for the area for our visit. Would book again with Chase!

Robert James
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Robert James
June 22, 2025

Chase was a wonderful and informative guide. We had a phenomenal time with the difficult hike, which was a blast. We got excellent coaching throughout the process. A great time, beautiful views, but maybe not so much for the faint of heart!!

Nick Boyce
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Nick Boyce
June 22, 2025

Great family friendly trip, did the 1/2 day morning trip. All the guides were super friendly and helpful.

Bill G
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Bill G
June 21, 2025

Adam was an amazing guide funny, patient, with teaching new repellers and amazing with kids

Sheila Frost
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Sheila Frost
June 21, 2025

Great intro to white water rafting. Our 9 year old had a blast. Staff were friendly and genuine. I highly recommend!

im_maya
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im_maya
June 20, 2025

We had so much fun and our guides were super chill!

MEgan Z
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MEgan Z
June 20, 2025

We had John as our tour guide, he was great! Great attention to details, he made sure we were safe and taken care of! He had a great time talking with him down the river. 10/10 recommend especially for families

Kristy Jones (Smiley)
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Kristy Jones (Smiley)
June 20, 2025

Sebastian was a great guide. We had a blast! It was a perfect first rafting trip for our family.

Stephanie Younger
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Stephanie Younger
June 19, 2025

Nate was our guide was he was amazing! He made us feel safe, comfortable and showed us a great time. He was so patient and kind and we left with having a great experience. Would recommend 100%!

Jeff Routsong
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Jeff Routsong
June 19, 2025

Red River is a smooth professional operation! Their guides are friendly and very knowledgeable. They are well trained and make the trip fun. We did a half day there were 10 souls on the raft and we all survived. The organization. Was good and the put in and take out were efficient. They are a well oiled machine.

Alan Frost
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Alan Frost
June 19, 2025

Savannah was amazing leading our boat of four bonafide nerds and two kids!!!

Jason Wauson
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Jason Wauson
June 19, 2025

Tour was great. Very safe but also some adventure on the Colorado River. Our guide Emily was fantastic. Highly Recommend.

Brian Harper
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Brian Harper
June 17, 2025

Full day white water rafting trip minus the white water, lol, which was not their fault. The guide was friendly, lunch was odd, scenery awesome. We just didn’t have any rapids which meant a fair amount of paddling.

Bruce Marion
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Bruce Marion
June 17, 2025

Great people working here- very nice easy ride down the Colorado river. I would try to figure out a rope ladder or something to make it easy to get folks back into the raft after a swim though.

Rachel Sachs
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Rachel Sachs
June 17, 2025

Our family had a blast rafting down the Colorado. The guides kept us entertained with funny stories and were great with the whole family.

Jennifer Brey
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Jennifer Brey
June 16, 2025

Our guide Sam was great!! She made the trip so interesting and fun for the kids!

Barry Lunt
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Barry Lunt
June 16, 2025

Great personal attention and care; also very friendly.

Laurent
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Laurent
June 16, 2025

Très bonne expérience, bien organisée et avec des professionnels sympathiques, pour une demi-journée fun et en toute sécurité sur le Colorado.

Samantha Reese
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Samantha Reese
June 16, 2025

It was absolutely amazing! They let us swim a bunch, the rapids were amazing, we found cool rocks and saw a bunch of animals. And our guides were so funny! 10/10 recommend!

Jared Southard
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Jared Southard
June 15, 2025

In two consecutive days we went on the Fisher Towers river rafting tour (John was our guide and he was amazing) and the bow and arrow Canyon rappelling tour (Nathan was our guide and he was perfect for helping a couple of us with our fear of heights). needless to say, we are coming back and plan on asking to work directly with both of them again.

Whitney Palmer
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Whitney Palmer
June 15, 2025

had so much fun!!!!

Sam Pfennigs
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Sam Pfennigs
June 15, 2025

Tom was awesome! Highly recommend this trip!!

Nicole
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Nicole
June 14, 2025

Nate was sweet and thorough.