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Utah Travel Headlines

Friday, December 28, 2007

Snowmobile Enthusiasts Enjoy Snow, Cautioned About Avalanche Danger

The Utah snowmobile season is now in full swing - developed trails are being groomed regularly and conditions are great.

See trail grooming reports here.

More snow will fall over much of Utah this weekend, adding to the fun.

Snowmobilers need to pay attention to avalanche danger, particularly if they venture off groomed trails into the backcountry. Our groomed trails are relatively safe because snow conditions are monitored and the trails avoid areas where avalanches are a known hazard.

Avalanches caused 2 deaths in Utah during the past few days, claiming one skier and one snowmobiler. This news article has details.

Monitor this website for the latest avalanche advisories and information.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

First Night New Years Eve Celebrations

Music, dance and other activities will be featured at New Years Eve celebrations around Utah. The two biggest celebrations will take place in Salt Lake City and Provo and both will offer plenty of family-friendly entertainment.

Salt Lake Weekly describes the Salt Lake event in this report. Here are excerpts:

As in years past—15 to be exact—this Downtown Alliance event is one you can make an evening out of, or just stop by for a bit of fun during your party-hopping circuit. Although the performers and entertainment provide ample enjoyment for those willing to brave the cold, the hands-down best part of any First Night is the fireworks display marking one year’s death and another’s birth. Even without alcohol, blasts echo off downtown skyscrapers and the reflection of falling light explosions in the surrounding glass provides a stimulating experience fit to usher in another hopeful new year. Here’s to one free from war and filled with peace.

First Night @ Gallivan Plaza, 239 S. Main, Dec. 31, 6 pm-midnight, $8 in advance at Albertsons and The Gateway concierge or $10 day of the event at Gallivan Plaza, Albertsons, and the Gateway concierge. Children 12 and under free. Participants can ride TRAX free of charge on New Year’s Eve from 5 p.m.-1 a.m. by wearing a First Night Salt Lake ’08 button.


Here's the event website.

Provo's First Night is described in this Deseret Morning News article. Here are tidbits:

Those events include craft activities for children (making beaded key chains, candy sand art items and a sketched bookmark), dancing to three live bands, rock climbing, balloon artistry, tricycle races, karaoke contests, beauty makeovers, an eating contest, game shows, races, inflatables and tattoos.

Buttons buy a partier's way in as well as everything except food items and movies. They are available at Provo Parks and Recreation offices, 351 W. Center, and from the customer service desk at the mall. Buttons are a dollar cheaper if purchased in advance and are good for discounts at mall stores the day after First Night.


Here's the website for the Provo event.

Friday, December 21, 2007

New Rules for Obtaining Big Game Hunting Permits

Utah's Division of Wildlife Resources will begin accepting applications for big game hunting permits on Jan 2, 2008. Some 230,000 people may apply. Hunters are encouraged to apply early to have the best chance of obtaining the permits they want.

Keep in mind these important changes:
You must have a hunting or combination license before you can apply for a permit.
Applications will be accepted only through the Division of Wildlife Resources' Web site.

You can apply for a 2008 permit at wildlife.utah.gov starting Jan. 2. Your application must be received through the Web site no later than 11 p.m. on Jan. 31 to be entered in the draw for permits.

If you're not comfortable applying on the Internet, you can also apply over-the-phone. To apply over-the-phone, you must call (801) 538-4700 no later than 5 p.m. on Jan. 31.

More information.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

St George Welcome Center Moves to New Location

Utah operates six welcome centers, which provide information to people visiting the state. The busiest, located in St George, has been moved to a new temporary location in the Dixie Convention Center. Road signs direct travelers to the new location.

The center was located in a convenient spot just off I-15, but had to be moved to allow development of a freeway interchange. A new center will be constructed as construction work is completed.

Last year the St George Welcome Center served some 240,000 visitors.

Other welcome centers are located along I-15 near Brigham City in northern Utah, along I-80 near Echo, in northeastern Utah near Jensen, along I-70 near Green River, and at historic Council Hall near the capitol building in Salt Lake City.

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Big Snowstorm Will Rock Northern Utah

A winter storm warning is in effect for Utah's Wasatch Front and western Uinta Mountains, as a big storm approaches. An avalanche warning has also been issued for the same area.

You can read the full text on the National Weather Service Salt Lake website. Here are excerpts:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SALT LAKE CITY HAS ISSUED AWINTER STORM WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 3 AM THURSDAY TO 12 PM MST FRIDAY.

THIS WARNING IS FOR THE WASATCH AND WESTERN UINTA MOUNTAINS OFNORTHERN UTAH. STORM TOTAL ACCUMULATION OF 1 TO 2 FEET IS EXPECTED IN THESE MOUNTAINS BY MIDDAY FRIDAY WITH LOCALLY GREATER AMOUNTS POSSIBLE.

AVALANCHE ADVISORY IS FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERNUTAH AND THE WESTERN UINTAS. STRONG SOUTHWESTERLY WINDS AND ADDITIONAL SNOW WILL INCREASE THE AVALANCHE DANGER BY THURSDAY MORNING. BOTH HUMAN TRIGGERED AND NATURAL AVALANCHES WILL BE PROBABLE...

BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELERS SHOULD AVOID STEEP SLOPES AND AVALANCHE RUNOUT ZONES. THIS ADVISORY DOES NOT INCLUDE SKI AREAS OR HIGHWAYS WHERE AVALANCHE CONTROL IS NORMALLY DONE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.AVALANCHE.ORG OR CALL 1-888-999-4019.

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

At Hardware Ranch You Can See Hundreds Of Wild Elk

Hardware Ranch is open for the season, with both snow and elk available to visitors.

The ranch, a wildlife management facility operated by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, serves as wintering ground for hundreds of wild elk. The animals are fed in the high mountain valley, to keep them from migrating lower and impeding farm operations.

Horse-drawn sleighs are used to carry hay out to the elk. Visitors are allowed to ride on the sleighs, out among the animals. The wild elk are not afraid of the horses and often allow the sleighs to approach quite closely, providing a unique opportunity for visitors to see and photograph the wild animals.

Several large bulls usually winter at the ranch.

A visitor center provides interactive wildlife displays and staff works are happy to answer questions. Limited services are available at the center.

Hardware Ranch is located east of the town of Hyrum, near Logan, in northern Utah.

This news release has details about elk viewing opportunities.

See the Hardware Ranch website for more information.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Utah Featured Prominently in America the Beautiful Book

Utah scenes are displayed prominently in the new book, Life: America the Beautiful, from Life magazine. This news report describes the publication. Here are excerpts:

As Life magazine picked the 100 most spectacular locations in the country, Life Books Editorial Director Robert Sullivan says they tried to convey something about the soul of each location. "We wanted to do something that celebrated this country of ours and reminded us all of what we have that is so splendid, both naturally and man-made," he said.

"Every time we turned around there was another place from Utah fighting its way into the book. Six in all, which is as many as we had from Alaska," Sullivan said.

The book includes a panoramic view over
Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley stretching for miles, Canyonlands' red-rock beauty, and Zion.

Read the entire article.

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Ledges Golf Course Makes Golf Digest "Best Of" List

The Ledges Golf Club of St. George is listed at #5 in Golf Digest's ranking for best new public golf courses with green fees of $75 and above.

This news report has details. Here are excerpts:

"We are very excited about this award and are grateful for this accomplishment," said Colby Cowan, Director of Golf at the Ledges.

The Ledges of St. George is a uniquely distinguished, well-appointed community that embodies luxury and leisure, and at its social center is a gorgeous gathering place called The Clubhouse.

Here's Golf Digest's full list.

Monday, December 10, 2007

Skiers Enjoy Powder After Big Snowstorm

A huge snowstorm dumped on Utah over the weekend, bringing abundant powder that thrilled skiers even while it snarled traffic. Our resorts now offer very good conditions for skiing and boarding, and the weather guy promises more new snow during the next few days.

Nine of our resorts received 20+ inches of new snow from the storm. Several picked up more than 30 inches. Brighton now leads the snow derby with a base of 60 inches. Not bad for early-December.

All of our resorts are now open except two. Powder Mountain is set to open this Saturday (Dec 15) and Beaver Mountain has yet to announce a firm date.

The long-term weather forecast suggests we are in for a snowy winter - with storms lining up at the starting gates. It looks like the Christmas season will be great this year - perhaps the best conditions ever for skiing during that popular time period.

Better get out your skies.

Friday, December 07, 2007

Make Utah's Zion National Park A Snug Winter Retreat

The Los Angeles Times recommends Zion National Park as its $81 Travel Deal of the Week in this article.

The article suggests staying in the lodge, inside the park, and hiking among the nearby towering cliffs.

The deal: The Zion in Winter special, available Dec. 2 through March 13, applies to standard rooms Sundays through Thursdays. Weekend rates are $91 per night for a standard room, $101 for a Western cabin and $121 for a suite. The rates include breakfast.

Read the complete article.

Area hotels/resorts also offer winter specials.

Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Hundreds of Miles of Utah Rivers Could Be Protected As Wild and Scenic

The Forest Service is recommending 24 river and stream segments in Utah as suitable for protection under the US Wild and Scenic Rivers system. Those segments total 212 miles.

Conservationists had hoped more Utah waters would be included in the program, but are expressing support for the Forest Service proposal.

The Salt Lake Tribune has this article on the recommendation. Here are excerpts:

That's only about a quarter of the waterways the agency previously found eligible. But any Utah river designated wild and scenic would be a significant accomplishment, said Utah Rivers Council spokesman Mark Danenhauer.

The council has been pushing for all 840 miles of waterways in 86 eligible rivers and streams to be put on the list. Many other conservation groups and individuals likely will be disappointed in the preferred alternative detailed in the Forest Service's recently released draft environmental impact statement, Danenhauer said.
Still, he said, "they are recommending 24 segments. That is not a small number of rivers. It is a really good step forward."

The Wild and Scenic Rivers Act initially aimed to slow dam construction in the East. The West's distinct ecosystems, especially in arid Utah, pose a challenge to interpreting the law here, (Dixie National Forest Spokesman Kenton) Call said. And the streams that come alive only during thunderstorms or spring runoff may be underrepresented in the national system, he said.

Read the entire article.

Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Helper's Electric Light Parade

The small town of Helper (near Price) shows big spirit during the Christmas season. A favorite activity is the annual Electric Light Parade, where vehicles decorated with Christmas lights parade down the street. Individuals also dress up and walk the route.

The parade is held both Friday and Saturday nights. A chili dinner is held at the Civic Auditorium both days before the parade (4-7 pm).

Participants can enjoy breakfast with Santa on Saturday from 9-11 am.

There will be fireworks after the Parade on Saturday.

For more info contact Vickie Miller, 435-472-0883

Monday, December 03, 2007

Thousands of Dinosaur Tracks Found Near Coral Pink Sand Dunes

Tracks from dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures have been found in a football field-sized area about five miles SW of Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.

This Salt Lake Tribune article describes the find. Here are excerpts:

About 190 million years ago, a sharp-toothed and clawed carnivorous dinosaur about the size of a robin left a lasting impression on southern Utah.
And those fossilized footprints - along with stone tracks of five other dino species, including three-toed crocodiles and a 35-foot-long, four-toed plant-munching prosauropod - have been discovered in a popular off-road-riding area of Kane County.

"Everyone agrees the site should be preserved," said Crutchfield, noting tire marks have scarred some tracks.

Officials plan to fence the site and add interpretive displays.

One of the site's most tantalizing features is a series of about 100 layers that allow the geologic record to be read like pages in a book.

"It is like a window we can look through at a time 190 million years ago, see its ecosystem," said Martin Lockley, who heads the Dinosaur Tracks Museum at the University of Colorado at Denver.

Read the complete article.
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