Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing is for everyone who likes walking, hiking, snow, and pretty winter scenery. If you don’t like any of those things, you probably should go back to whatever the heck you do during Utah’s long winter months (snow falls from September to May, sometimes June, in the mountains).

Also, avalanches are for reals. Check the avalanche conditions before you go. Not only can you get yourself stuck in a possibly fatal situation, but you might trigger avalanches for other backcountry travelers below you. Know your snow, people.

5 Best Snowshoeing Trails in Utah

1. White Pine Trail | Little Cottonwood Canyon

The trail starts out nice and wide and it’s usually packed down from other snowshoers, skiers, and even sledders. When you have gone about one mile you’ll come to Little Cottonwood creek. If you stay left where you would normally go during summer months to get to White Pine Lake, you might find the trail gets a bit more technical and steep. If you stay to the right, you’ll head into “Pink Pine” territory where you can go up the ridge and eventually end up at Red Pine Lake. There’s also an option to check out Maybird Gulch if you want more of an exploratory adventure.

There’s an option for all skill levels:

Mile 1: easy

Pink Pine: moderate

Maybird Gulch: difficult/technical

2. Fairyland Point | Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon’s best season is definitely winter--those snow-covered hoodoos slay hearts left and right. You’ll definitely want to pick up some snowshoes from Ruby's Inn and do some winter wonderland exploring.

The Fairyland Point road is closed during the winter, so the snow piles up nice and deep. You can park just off the main road into the park, and strap into your snowshoes for a wander through the woods that spits you out to an incredible viewpoint at Fairyland Point.

Most of the terrain is flat. Easy.

3. Kessler Peak via Mineral Fork | Big Cottonwood Canyon

If you’re interested in a longer trail in the Wasatch Front, this snowshoeing adventure will get you to 10,403 feet above sea level. Views will be awesome, of course. There’s normally a nice packed trail to begin with, and then you can follow skiers’ tracks the higher you go. But, please don’t walk directly on the skiers’ skin track--it’s just polite, you know? Go ahead and walk right next to it.

This trail is for those with lots of snowshoeing experience. We’d rate it difficult/technical. And, seriously, check avalanche conditions. Always.

4. Mule Shoe Trail | North Fork Park, Ogden

This loop will take you through pretty forests that open up to views of meadows and views of the mountain range you’ll be in the middle of. About a five-mile loop and pretty darn gorgeous. Moderate. Worth it.

5. Sundance Resort Nordic Center | Provo Canyon

The Sundance Nordic Center has about 10km of trails for snowshoers. Any winter activity at a resort is better because hot cocoa afterward in a pretty lodge. And they’ll help you stay safe with the avalanche control practices within the resort. It’s a nice and safe way to just have fun with your newest hobby that may or may not die out at the end of the season.

Other popular snowshoeing destinations: