DD Web • March 9, 2017
Spring Fever? 10 Utah Destinations to Cure Your Winter Blues
It seems to hit about this time every year. The ‘late-winter blues.’ With the harshest winter months behind us, March ideally represents the beginning of spring season. However, each year we’re quickly reminded not to get our hopes up. The weather constantly teases us — is it spring or winter? Sometimes we get to experience both in the same day, and it’s not uncommon to transition your wardrobe to spring — then back again — several times a week.
It’s easy to get bummed out due to a lack of vitamin D, winter inversion and cabin fever. But instead of wishing for the weather we don’t yet have, try to live in the moment (or at least the coming weekend) and make the most of whatever conditions arise. Pick your favorite trail or outdoor spot and pack up your car with skis, hiking boots, snowshoes, bikes and just…go with it!
Whether you’re enjoying a bluebird day skiing the freshies up on Baldy or Great Scott, or running or snow biking up Millcreek or City Creek Canyons, there are plenty of options for Utah residents wanting to get a jump on spring activities. Here are 10 local Utah destinations that outdoor enthusiasts of all interests can get out and enjoy now!
Golf St. George – Worried that your game is getting rusty in the off-season? Take a weekend trip to southern Utah where there are a dozen beautiful courses available between St. George and Washington County for all ability levels. Golf packages are available year round where unlike the Wasatch Front, cancellations due to the weather are seldom. www.stgeorgeutahgolf.com
Ride Heber Valley Railroad – This historic Utah railroad offers several fun, family-friendly winter packages including a “Tube and Train” combining a ride to Soldier Hollow’s 1,000-foot long tow-lift served snow tubing hill, the Soldier Hollow Express, Lakeside Limited and the upcoming St. Paddy’s and Easter Bunny Train! www.hebervalleyrr.org.
Hike Antelope Island – Few scenes in Utah rival watching the sunset on the Great Salt Lake from Antelope Island, a wild oasis close to the state’s population center. The short drive to the island to enjoy a quick hike or even a winter stroll along the beach is a great way to beat the winter blues. The Garr Ranch and Visitor Center are open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Park hours vary. www.stateparks.utah.gov/parks/antelope-island.
Campout at Sand Hollow – Camping in winter? Utah’s Dixie is known for its warmer than normal winter temperatures, and state parks such as Sand Hollow and Quail Creek offer great places to enjoy the winter sun (especially for trailer, motor home or camper owners). Sand Hollow offers year-round OHV riding while boating and fishing are available at Sand Hollow and Quail Creek Reservoirs. https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/sand-hollow/
Tube Gorgoza Park – While skis and snowboards may be our top choice for getting downhill when the mountains are covered in snow, tubing is a close second. Gorgoza Park offers seven lighted lanes divided into beginner and advanced, and a lane specially built for your youngest tubing enthusiasts. The park is open daily through March, weekdays 1 – 8 p.m. and weekends 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. http://www.gorgoza.com/
Visit Utah’s National Parks – Utah’s five national parks — Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands and Arches — are usually quieter during the winter months. But if you plan right, the weather can actually be better for hiking than in the hot summer months. Many lodging properties in towns such as Tropic, Moab, Springdale and Torrey offer discounted winter rates. Plan a visit now before the warm-weather crowds flock in! https://utah.com/national-parks
Fish the Green River – Some of the best fly fishing on Utah’s famous trout stream can be enjoyed in the winter. Hire a guide and float the Green below Flaming Gorge to catch Browns, Rainbows, and even some Cutthroats and White Fish. Technique and skill-levels vary, but it’s a great option for fishers to get out, explore and enjoy Utah’s ‘forgotten’ season. https://utah.com/fishing/green-river
Snowshoe at Sundance Resort – Snowshoeing is perfect for those who love hiking, snow and breathtaking winter scenery. It’s a relatively easy and inexpensive way to enjoy a fun day outdoors, especially as the weather starts to warm. The Sundance Nordic Center up Provo Canyon offers 10km of trails for snowshoers with excellent views of Mount Timpanogos and Stewart Falls. https://www.sundanceresort.com/mountain-activities/nordic-center/
Dine in the Canyons – Wasatch Front residents who don’t ski tend to view Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons as ‘skiers only’ territory during the winter. They’re missing out! A drive up the canyons on a beautiful winter day is one of the best (and easiest) ways to escape the inversion. With everything from ski resort cafes like the Creekside Cafe to rustic lodges like Silver Fork, both canyons offer several scenic dining options.
Experience Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary – Restless kids at home? These two popular Utah destinations take on a quieter tone and different look in the winter months, but operate year-round. In wintertime, many of the animals are more active and indoor habitats provide warmer viewpoints. Hogle Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. www.hoglezoo.org. Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the winter. www.tracyaviary.org
Utah ranks among the safest, happiest and healthiest states in America — and it’s easy to see why. With one of the nation’s youngest populations, we’ve got plenty of ways to keep the flock entertained, whether hiking our stunning red rocks or grubbing on local fare after a full morning of snowshoeing. See something on this list that sparked your interest? Try something new this month and see what all the buzz is about! It may be one more reason why you fall in love with Utah.
At Novation Title, we take immense pride in being recognized on the 2024 Top Latino-Owned Business List ! As a Latino-owned company, we are passionate about empowering our community through homeownership—one of the fastest ways for Latinos to build generational wealth in America. Why Hispanic Homeownership Matters Homeownership is more than just buying property; it's about creating stability, financial security, and opportunities for future generations. We believe in providing the resources and education needed to help our Latino community navigate the path to homeownership with confidence. Educating & Supporting Latino Homebuyers Our team uses key insights from the NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) reports to share real data on Latino homeownership growth and opportunities. We know that numbers don’t lie , and we want to ensure that every aspiring homeowner and entrepreneur has access to the right information. Advice for Latino Entrepreneurs For those looking to start a business in the title and real estate industry, our advice is simple: educate yourself and lean on data. By understanding the numbers and trends, you can position yourself for long-term success. Thank you to our community and partners for trusting Novation Title. Together, we continue to break barriers and build wealth through homeownership!
At Novation Title, we take immense pride in being recognized on the 2024 Top Latino-Owned Business List ! As a Latino-owned company, we are passionate about empowering our community through homeownership—one of the fastest ways for Latinos to build generational wealth in America. Why Hispanic Homeownership Matters Homeownership is more than just buying property; it's about creating stability, financial security, and opportunities for future generations. We believe in providing the resources and education needed to help our Latino community navigate the path to homeownership with confidence. Educating & Supporting Latino Homebuyers Our team uses key insights from the NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) reports to share real data on Latino homeownership growth and opportunities. We know that numbers don’t lie , and we want to ensure that every aspiring homeowner and entrepreneur has access to the right information. Advice for Latino Entrepreneurs For those looking to start a business in the title and real estate industry, our advice is simple: educate yourself and lean on data. By understanding the numbers and trends, you can position yourself for long-term success. Thank you to our community and partners for trusting Novation Title. Together, we continue to break barriers and build wealth through homeownership!
Welcome, 2020! We made it through the first week of the New Year and are already excited for what’s to come in this brand new decade. Anything can happen, and we have so much to create! Whether you’re a fan of long-term resolutions or prefer setting smaller, short-term goals, it feels good to start the year off with a desire to change for the better. If you know us, you know our approach at Novation Title has always been goal-centric, not only within our business but in our personal lives and out in the community. In today’s world where we are constantly connected (and distracted), it’s no wonder that we increasingly find ourselves overwhelmed mentally and physically drained. Often, the issues in everyday life are the ones that prevent us from enjoying the very same everyday life! How can we balance this out? We believe we can do better. That is why we are introducing meditation into our workspace. While meditation has been practiced for over 5,000 years, it is increasingly becoming a necessary way for us to unplug from the modern world. But what, exactly, is it? Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique — such as mindfulness — to train attention and thoughts. Mindfulness is awareness, it is a state of peace. It is being in the present moment, intentional and serene. It is the process of being aware of your thoughts while also disconnecting from them so you can connect within. Connecting within is the highest form of intelligence and results in proven mental, emotional and spiritual health benefits. Here are just a few science-based benefits of meditation: Reduces blood pressure Increases serotonin production that improves mood and behavior Improves immune system Increase in energy levels Lessens stress and anxiety Increases happiness and creativity Clarity and peace of mind Increased memory retention and recall Enhances self-awareness and self-acceptance Each one of us, regardless of gender, age or other factors, undergo daily stress and tension at some level or the other. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce #NovationMeditation into our business and we encourage others to join us this year. We can ALL benefit from improved mental and physical health in 2020. Who’s with us?!
