As winter wanesA series of winter storms pummeled Utah in late February, piling up new powder at resorts statewide. Ski conditions are good and there is ample mountain snow for snowmobiling and other sports.Still, all signs point toward an early spring. Our storms have been warm and seasonal changes are coming ahead of schedule. St. George, known as Utah’s Dixie, already has fruit tree and wildflower blossoms.
March and April are great months to hike our colorful desert areas: Snow Canyon, Zion Park, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase and Glen Canyon all offer superb conditions for short or long hikes, or for extended backpacks. This is the best time of year to do some of our classic backpacks like Grand Gulch and Dark Canyon. Multi-activity resortsNormally, I’m the one out backpacking for weeks on end, exploring the hinterlands, but this month I drew the assignment to do a survey article on multi-activity resorts. Yeah, it’s a tough job but someone has to do it.I was surprised by the quality and variety of the facilities I visited. Utah has grown up in recent years and now boasts spas and resorts that compare with the best anywhere. Whether you are skiing, visiting cultural sites or recovering from an adventure trek, there are great places nearby where you can relax and rejuvenate. I’ve listed some of my favorites below:
Sorrel River Ranch Resort offers a completely different but equally appealing experience. Located on the Colorado River near Moab, the ranch offers horseback riding, whitewater rafting and kayaking, hiking and mountain biking — all the activities that have made Moab famous. Sorrel has a Southwestern theme and amenities including an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, fitness center, massage and spa therapies. The Cliff Spa at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort has long been a favorite with locals and visitors alike. Located in a pristine mountain setting famous for skiing and snow sports, and now a popular destination for mountain biking and hiking, the spa offers an unparalleled environment in which to nurture the body, relax the mind and refresh the spirit. More than 40 professional therapists are on staff to provide full spa services. You can also take advantage of workout facilities including Kaiser pneumatic resistance equipment, bikes, treadmills, climbers, free weights, a eucalyptus steam room, saunas, movement studio, solarium, and a 15-meter rooftop swimming pool, whirlpool and sun deck. Sundance Resort has added a new spa that combines traditional therapies with elements and principles from Native American traditions and ritual. Organic salts and oils are used in treatments that incorporate the music, sounds and words of Mother Earth and Native American culture to compliment the healing power of human touch. Sundance offers skiing and snowboarding during the winter and hiking, biking, horseback riding and fly fishing during warm weather. One of Utah’s most scenic waterfalls is just a short hike from the resort. Red Cliffs Lodge is a new facility built on the banks of the Colorado River, just outside Moab. All rooms front the river and include private patios overlooking the water, which is just 100 feet away. As a result, the rooms offer scenery that is both spectacular and private. The patios face east to catch the morning sun and afternoon shade. Castle Creek Winery is located at the resort and produces award-winning wine from grapes grown locally. Facilities include a tasting room and gift shop. The resort also houses a museum that preserves items from over 100 years of local history, including significant memoranda from Moab’s long history with the movie industry. (Many Hollywood blockbusters have been filmed locally.) Other activities include horseback riding, mountain biking, whitewater rafting, hiking, and guided tours. – Dave Webb SUBSCRIBE / UNSUBSCRIBE / UPDATE
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