As the headquarters of the Mormon Church—with most streets named in relation to their distance from the temple, lest you forget the focus of the city—Salt Lake City has long had trouble shaking its conservative reputation. But with recently relaxed liquor laws, a burgeoning cocktail scene, farm-to-fork dining, and some of the best skiing in North America, this "Crossroads of the West" is a hidden gem for mixing adventure, relaxation, and surprisingly top-notch options for fun.
Powderhounds will feel at home at one of SLC's 14 nearby ski resorts, which get steady snow as late as April, and off-the-slopes diversions abound both in the city center and its neighboring communities. So pack your snow jacket, hop a direct flight from OAK or SFO to Salt Lake in less time than it would take you to drive to Tahoe, and prepare to forget everything you thought you knew about this ideal mountain getaway.
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Temple Square
Even those who don't count themselves among the Latter Day Saints will find Temple Square's impressive architecture worth a stroll. The 10-acre property can be explored on a free tour, which is the only way you can see points of interest like the star-studded dome of the rotunda at the North Visitors' Center, where you'll also find an 11-foot statue of Jesus. Plan your visit to coincide with a Wednesday or Thursday night performance by the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, complemented by hand bells or an 11,623-pipe organ. // 50 N. Temple, templesquare.com
Ski Utah
One of the main reasons to head to Salt Lake is its proximity to prime skiing and snowboarding. You can find 14 resorts in seven different areas, most less than an hour away from the airport, meaning you can fly into SLC and be on the slopes before those suckers stuck in Tahoe traffic even strap on their skis. For old-school charm, try Brighton, which has been operating for 80 years this season. If big-time snow is your passion, Alta's Cottonwood Canyons are one of the snowiest places on earth, averaging 551 inches annually. Snow often falls until April around SLC, so you can ski well into spring, and if you sign up for the Ski Utah mobile app, you'll receive an alert on heavy powder days. See 7x7's guide to Utah's best spots for powder here.// skiutah.com
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Utah Museum of Contemporary Art
As Utah's only contemporary art museum, UMOCA manages to showcase boundary-pushing works in an intimate setting. The small size means you can stroll the grounds without feeling overwhelmed, and the venue also plays host to film exhibits and work from local artists. On February 3, stop by for a museum-wide opening reception for six new exhibitions, ranging from an examination of violence and man-made atrocities to a photographic exploration of homelessness titled "Only God Can Judge Me," after the neck tattoo of one of the subjects. Closed Sunday and Monday but open late on Fridays, the museum earns bonus points for free entry (although a $5 donation is suggested). For an extra dose of art, join the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll the third Friday of each month, when galleries across Salt Lake are open to the public and often offer the opportunity to mingle with the artists. // 20 S. West Temple, utahmoca.org; gallerystroll.org
Courtesy of Urban Lounge
Urban Lounge
If the boom in bars and pubs is an indication of Salt Lake's thirst for nightlife, Urban Lounge solidifies the idea that the city truly comes alive once the sun goes down. The concert venue features nightly live performances, ranging from comedy nights helmed by local comedians, to DJ dance sets, to visits from indie darlings such as The Album Leaf, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Why? In business for more than 15 years, the 21+ venue continues to draw big names into a space that's cozy without feeling crowded. // 241 S. 500 E., theurbanloungeslc.com
Ensign Peak Hiking Trail
At more than 4,200 feet in elevation and surrounded by the Wasatch Range, Salt Lake serves up plenty of challenges for seasoned hikers. But located about 15 minutes north of the city center, the easy one-mile Ensign Peak trail rewards visitors with fantastic views without all that huffing and puffing. Time your climb with sundown, and you'll see Salt Lake City sprawled out below and tinged in pinks and purples, including the capitol building and the Great Salt Lake in the distance to the northwest. // Ensign Peak Trailhead, utah.com/hiking/ensign-peak
Image by Kelly Ann Taub
Sundance Film Festival
Started by Robert Redford back in 1978, Sundance quickly evolved from under-the-radar fest into the place for movie stars looking for some indie cred or to prove their chops. More than 45,000 people descend on Park City and surrounding towns every January to get a sneak preview of the buzziest films slated to hit big screens later in the year, and past festival standouts—ranging from 2015's horror film The Witch to last year's slavery drama The Birth of a Nation—often showcase the best in independent filmmaking. // Various locations, sundance.org.
