The Magic of Utah in Winter

Drive toward the Wasatch Range, which you cross (you will come back at the end of the trip, unless you choose Las Vegas instead of Salt Lake City as the final point).

The route follows the Spanish Fork and then Soldier Creek rivers, then crosses Price Canyon. Treat yourself to a wonderful trip back in time in Helper, halfway between Salt Lake and Moab.

This quirky and charming little town had its golden age with coal mining, followed by a long hibernation... and a great revival! Vintage facades and signs shine again, and shops, restaurants and art galleries are now taking over—or reclaiming—the place.

After Price and Green River, you reach Moab on the banks of the Colorado River. The adventure 'outdoor' capital, Moab enjoys an exceptional location, a stone's throw from two of the most beautiful American national parks: Arches and Canyonlands.

Overnight in Moab (or 30 minutes away, in a lovely resort on the Colorado / supplement applies).

You are surrounded by two of Utah's (and the USA's) most beautiful national parks! First, Arches. With nearly 2,000 natural arches in improbable shapes and glowing red colors, it's the largest concentration of sandstone arches in the world.

Delicate Arch is the ultimate symbol. In winter, crowds are much thinner—and the colors are often of incredible purity.

Then, Canyonlands. The park is divided into three districts, but it's Island in the Sky that will fill your day: the absolutely exceptional views over the White Rim will take you back to the creation of the universe. With the La Sal peaks in the background, and the Colorado and Green River below. With or without snow... suspense!

If you crave a little thrill, we can arrange a guided half-day 4x4 outing on the Shafer Trail.

Overnight in Moab (or 30 minutes away, in a lovely resort on the Colorado / supplement applies).

About 100 km south of Moab, you can detour to the Needles district in Canyonlands National Park. Here you can admire the famous 'needles': giant spire-like rocks that seem to mark the border of another world.

After Blanding, detour to Butler Wash in Bear Ears National Monument. It's one of the many canyons scattered across the region. You'll see Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) remains, including cliff dwellings and petroglyphs.

Drive to the iconic Monument Valley, a sacred place for the Navajo. Sitting on the outside bench of a pick-up and guided by a Navajo, you'll follow the Valley Drive right among the mesas. You may also do the loop with your own vehicle (if you have an SUV, and subject to the Valley Drive being passable). Countless films have immortalized this emblematic Western site.

Overnight in Mexican Hat or Bluff.

Optional: overnight at The View hotel, on the Monument Valley site, facing the mesas (supplement).

Leave Monument Valley for Goosenecks State Park, a magnificent viewpoint over three meanders of the San Juan River, with a bit of a Horseshoe Bend feel (near Page).

Head to the nearby switchbacks of the famous Moki Dugway, from which you'll enjoy one of the most beautiful views in the American West, over the mesas of the Valley of the Gods!

At Natural Bridges National Monument, you can see three superb natural bridges, which—unlike arches—are the result of water erosion. Arrive in Hite, on the eastern edge of immense Lake Powell. A fantastic viewpoint over the Colorado River awaits you before climbing back up through Hot Springs Canyon.

After Hanksville, you can push on to the magnificent Cathedral Valley (a dirt track, therefore subject to being passable) in Capitol Reef National Park. Arrival in Torrey, at the park's gateway.

Overnight in Torrey.

Today's program: nothing less than one of the most beautiful roads in Utah and the American West: Scenic Byway 12, crossing the rugged landscapes of Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument.

The road climbs to over 3,000 m near Boulder Mountain. Snow is not out of the question, which is why we plan a 4x4 vehicle rental. Views of the snow-capped La Sal Mountains are magnificent. Near Boulder, and if weather allows, take the Burr Trail, paved almost all the way to the top of the famous Burr Trail Switchbacks, a series of hairpins with a splendid view over the Waterpocket Fold. Back to Highway 12.

Pass through Escalante. Depending on road conditions, you can make a detour to the quirky Devil's Garden, home to beautiful sandstone arches (including Metate Arch). You'll be alone—or almost.

After the rock formations of Kodachrome Basin, arrive in Bryce, at the gateway to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Overnight in Bryce.

Enjoy the morning strolling through the amphitheater of Bryce Canyon National Park, among the 'hoodoos'—impressive sandstone spires—and arches. What a joy to discover this incredible world with snow and hardly anyone around!

In the afternoon, drive toward another Utah wonder: Zion National Park.

The road there via Mount Carmel is magnificent (subject to opening at the time of your visit), including the fabulous Canyon Overlook (a 20-minute walk) offering an incredible panoramic view over Zion Canyon.

Arrival in Springdale, at the park's entrance. It's a pleasant, rather upscale town (but quiet in winter). Depending on the time, don't hesitate to take your car along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, open to private vehicles in winter.

Overnight in Springdale.

In the morning, if conditions allow, put on a wetsuit and hike up the iconic The Narrows, an immense natural gorge carved by the Virgin River at the bottom of the Zion Valley. You'll often stay dry—but not always... Surrounded by towering red sandstone walls, it's a unique experience.

Head to Cedar City. On the way, take the beautiful dead-end (red) road through the Kolob Canyon area, in the northern part of Zion National Park.

About ten viewpoints overlook small canyons topped with ochre-colored cliffs over 600 m high. There are great hikes, including the one to Kolob Arch.

Pass through Cedar City, a pretty nice town, before reaching the Brian Head ski resort, near Cedar Breaks National Monument, a sort of 'mini Bryce'.

Overnight in Brian Head.

Though modest in size (about 50 km of runs and around ten lifts), the Brian Head ski resort (in the USA, they say 'ski resort') is unique for its location. It is the southernmost ski area in Utah. Above all, you'll ski with views over the hoodoos of Cedar Breaks National Monument and the desert plains. Hard to beat for originality... And the legendary quality of Utah's powder snow is real: it contains less water after crossing the desert (in short).

Caribou Travel will book your lift pass and equipment rental. All that's left is to clip in and enjoy!

Overnight in Brian Head (or nearby).

Note: it is possible to remove this ski day. In that case, the itinerary will be the one presented on day 10 (which would then become your day 9).

Return to Salt Lake City—or rather, to the Wasatch Range and its fabulous ski resorts in northern Utah. This more direct route first reaches Provo on the Front Row (the long urban strip facing the Wasatch peaks).

After Provo Canyon and the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls, you pass near the town and Sundance ski area, dear to the late Robert Redford, who owned a ranch there. The route skirts the large Deer Creek Reservoir before reaching Midway, a very pleasant town in the Heber Valley.

Midway was founded by a few families from Switzerland, who left their mark... The Homestead Crater is a kind of natural cauldron about twenty meters deep. Its crystal-clear waters hover between 32 and 35°C. It's great for swimming and diving—especially in winter! Unfortunately, the very cool Midway Ice Castle, a fairytale ice creation, will not open for the 2025–2026 season. To be confirmed.

Overnight in Midway (or in a resort itself, depending on availability).

You are in the heart of a gigantic playground: more than 1,000 km of runs are spread across the Wasatch massif. Many believe the region offers the best snow on Earth. And with over 5 m of snowfall per year, quantity is rarely an issue.

Park City Resort is the largest ski area in the USA, with over 300 runs and lifts taking you above 3,000 m.

Not far away, Deer Valley offers more than 200 km of runs. A few turns away, we also love Brighton and Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon. They're smaller (around 60 km each), but with elevations between 2,400 m and 3,200 m, the fun is guaranteed!

Caribou Travel will advise you and book your lift pass and equipment rental. All that's left is to glide...

Overnight in Midway (or in a resort itself, depending on availability).

The region has other ski resorts, starting with Sundance, less than 30 km south of Midway, with around 40 runs. The small town (quite upscale nonetheless) has some nice galleries and shops.

Less than 30 km from Salt Lake City Airport, the three resorts of Snowbasin (115 runs), Snowbird (149) and Alta (118) share a common pass. You could even choose to stay in Salt Lake instead of Midway!

For après-ski, chic and fun Park City wins. Founded by the Mormons in 1848, it boomed in the 19th century thanks to silver mines—before white gold...

The small downtown has kept its Western heritage, and Main Street still features historic buildings. Boutiques, galleries and restaurants have replaced the saloons. Park City hosts the annual Sundance Film Festival, created by Robert Redford.

Overnight in Midway (or in a resort itself, depending on availability).

Depending on your flight schedule, enjoy Midway or Park City a little longer before driving back to Salt Lake City Airport.

Return your rental vehicle at the airport and fly back to Europe (arrival the next day).

Note: we may need to add 1 night in Salt Lake City if your return flight is in the morning. Please contact us.