A year ago people from around the globe turned their attention to Utah's mountains, as Olympic athletes competed in one of the most successful world events ever held. Now, the public is invited to help unveil a legacy cauldron during an anniversary celebration in Salt Lake City on Feb. 8. The ceremony will be held in Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah, beginning at 6:30 p.m., and is free of charge. Olympic athletes and officials will participate.

Stay and Ski free! Book four nights or more with any of the below Park City properties and receive two free ski passes to any Utah ski resort. Silver King Hotel Crestview Condominiums Powderwood Resort Carriage House Condominiums

A fundraising event will also be held to benefit the Utah Athletic Foundation and Utah Sports Commission. It will include dinner, an auction and highlight screening of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games film by renowned director Bud Greenspan. Hosts for the evening include former Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee President Mitt Romney, NBC Olympic Chief Dick Ebersol and Olympic athletes. Individual tickets cost $200; for more information contact Jennifer Nichols at (435) 658-4247.

A special "Stay and Ski" promotion is being offered this winter to accommodate guests. People who stay a minimum of four nights at a participating property can receive two free lift tickets per reservation, and the tickets are valid at any participating Utah ski resort. More information.

People who want a taste of Olympic-style competition can participate in the annual Utah Winter Games, which continue through January and February. The games provide an opportunity for people of all ages and talent levels – from spectators to beginners to seasoned athletes – to watch or compete in virtually every snow and ice sport imaginable.

The games trace their roots back to 1986, when Utah was first starting to bid for the Winter Olympics. Interest has grown steadily and some 11,000 participants are expected this year.

Free learn-to clinics are offered in virtually every snow and ice sport imaginable and free rental equipment is often included! Professional instructors, including many former Olympic athletes, teach clinics. For example, Heidi Voelker teaches Tech Skiing at Deer Valley Resort and John Owen teaches luge at the Utah Olympic Park. Clinics fill up fast and there is usually not room to accommodate walk-ups, so pre-registration is strongly encouraged. For information, or to register for events: www.utahwintergames.org.

Winter is the most colorful time of year at Bryce Canyon National Park. The pure white snow contrasts with the green pine trees and multicolored rock formations, creating a scene of remarkable beauty. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular on groomed or ungroomed trails in the park and snowmobilers can ride several scenic trails outside the park boundary. Bryce Canyon Winter Festival, held at Ruby's Inn near the park entrance, offers free clinics, demos and tours. Activities depend on snow conditions but usually include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, archery, photography and snow sculpture.

The festival will be held Feb. 15-17 (President's Day Weekend). For info call 800-468-8660
or visit http://www.rubysinn.com/winter.html.

About 175 elk are wintering at Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area, in the mountains of northern Utah near Logan. About 25 of the animals are branch antlered bulls. The elk are wild animals but are not startled by horse-drawn sleighs. Visitors riding in sleighs can get very close to the elk for observation and photography.

The ranch is owned and managed by Utah's Division Of Wildlife Resources and offers a visitor center, gift shop and restaurant. The ranch is open Monday through Saturdays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. A dinner/night ride combination is offered by reservation. Hardware Ranch is located 15 miles east of the town of Hyrum, on SR-101. For more information call (435) 753-6206 or visit www.hardwareranch.com.

Fly or drive to Utah and check into a resort or condo participating in the "Stay and Ski" promotion, so you can get free lift tickets. Enjoy night skiing at a nearby resort.

Try the Ski Utah Interconnect, a guided backcountry tour for advanced skiers linking as many as 5 resorts in a single day. (A full day is needed for this adventure.)

Enjoy a family tubing adventure at Gorgoza Park, located along I-80 just west of Park City. Two surface tows take sliders up the mountain where they can choose from several different courses. Imagine a waterslide made of snow, sending you through thrilling bumps and jumps along a steep groomed track. (Allow 1/2 to 1 day)

Drive to Hardware Ranch and enjoy a sleigh ride that takes you out among feeding elk. Bring your camera! Then enjoy a western dinner at the ranch. (Allow a full day)

Visit southern Utah national park country for a unique winter adventure. Lodge and ski at Brian Head. Spend some time cross-country skiing or snowshoeing Cedar Breaks National Monument or Bryce Canyon National Park. Drive to Zion National Park and enjoy warmer weather and snow-free hiking. (Allow 2-4 days)

Snowmobile groomed or ungroomed trails. Some 800 miles of groomed trails extend from the red rock canyons of southern Utah to the rugged, forested mountains in the northern reaches of the state. For those who prefer powder, there are thousands of acres of high-mountain bowls that can be accessed from the groomed complexes. (Outings can vary from 1/2 day to a multiple days.)

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