Utah Ski Preview

The ski season is coming quickly now, with resorts making final improvements before the snow flies.

Exact dates for resort openings will depend on snow conditions; Most Utah resorts expect to be open Thanksgiving week. Here are tentative opening dates, as provided by Ski Utah.

• Alta - Nov 21
• Beaver Mtn - Tba
• Brian Head - Nov 22
• Brighton - Tba
• The Canyons - Nov 27
• Deer Valley - Dec 6
• Park City Mtn - Nov 22
• Powder Mtn - Nov 22
• Snowbasin - Nov 27
• Snowbird - Nov 22
• Solitude - Nov 14
• Sundance - Dec 5
• Wolf Mtn - Tba

In recent years some resorts have opened as early as mid-November, thanks to early snow.

Utah resorts have spent millions during the off-season upgrading and improving facilities. Below are examples of some of the new features and programs:

- At Snowbird, kids 12 and under will ski free with all lodging packages booked through Snowbird Central Reservations or www.snowbird.com.

- Solitude Mountain Resort has added two new high-speed quads, allowing visitors from both Solitude Village and Moonbeam Center quick access to the heart of the mountain.

- Deer Valley has remodeled the Empire Canyon Lodge to allow more seating and improve the guest experience. It has also replaced 44 snowmobiles at Summit Meadows Adventures.

utah.com has what's-new information about each resort.

We've also added video showing many of the runs at the resorts. Now you can see what the resorts are really like as you plan your trip. See those video clips here.

See our ski packages for great discounts.

Focus On:
Canyonlands National Park
Late October and early November are ideal times to explore the national parks in the Moab area.

Early October is busy, with major events attracting swarms of tourists. But now the crowds are thinning and the pace is slowing. The motels have rooms available again; you can find a campsite along the river.

The weather will be perfect for outdoor adventure during the next few weeks. Warm, pleasant days and cool nights. Typically, the weather will be dry and mild, although it is possible a cold storm will blow through.

If you want to hike or bike in the Arches/Canyonlands/Moab area, this is the best time of year to do it.

If you want to get away from it all, consider Canyonlands National Park. This huge park offers great hiking trails into remote regions where you can often find solitude. If you are new to Canyonlands, and you are up for moderate adventure, I suggest hiking into Chesler Park. The trail is easy and well-maintained, and it provides a great introduction to the park's Needles District.

See our hiking guide to Canyonlands National Park.

Featured Event:
Heber City's 14th Annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering
Heber City offers a week's worth of continuous cowboy talent, showcasing genuine devotion to the cowboy way of life with poetry, music, food and live horsemanship. The Cowboy Poetry experience also includes poetry in motion at the Horse Show Extravaganza, top performing acts in Western entertainment, real east Texas BBQ, western vendors & craftsman, horse clinics; and the crowd favorite, the Cowboy Express train ride.

Performers include country western star Collin Raye, the always-entertaining Bar J Wranglers, and many others.

See our Utah Entertainment Section for information about other things happening in Utah.

What's new on utah.com:

• Video clips showing many of the runs at Utah ski resorts. Go there
• We've expanded our Zion Park Destination section, adding new photos, additional things to do and more hiking trails. Go there

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