Books, Warm Brews & Alpenglow Views
A slow-travel guide to Utah's coziest bookstores, artisanal brews and inviting mountain-side retreats.
What could be more magical than a snowy, alpine backdrop for your next book club retreat? While Utah is known for its world-class ski slopes, you don’t need a lift ticket to experience the perfect mountain getaway. This 3-day itinerary takes you through some of Utah’s best independent bookstores, bustling coffee shops and scenic winter activities all along the Wasatch Mountain Range.
Downtown Charm in Salt Lake City
30 Miles
Start your winter getaway in Salt Lake City, home to some of Utah’s best independent booksellers. Spend your morning lost among the towering stacks and out-of-print treasures at Ken Sanders Rare Books. Just down the road in the historic Trolley Square, step inside the family-owned Weller Book Works serving local readers since 1929.
Before heading into the mountains, wander over to The King’s English Bookshop, a charming cottage filled with handpicked reads, tucked right beside neighborhood favorites like Tulie Bakery and Caputo’s. Once your tote bag is full, leave the city traffic behind and wind your way up Parleys Canyon to Park City for a cozy mountain evening.
Where to Stay: Park City
Alpine Views, Hot Springs & Olympic History
45 Miles
Grab a morning cup of tea and breakfast at Atticus, a cafe bookstore situated right near the slopes of Park City Mountain. Nearby, Dolly’s Bookstore is a beloved Main Street staple that also serves up caramel apples and other delicious treats.
Afterwards, make your way over to Folklore Bookshop in Midway, which offers a welcome respite from the chilly weather with a warm fireplace. Across the street, visitors can take a turn on the ice at the open-air Midway Ice Rink and stop for lunch at Harvest Midway. The Ballerina Farm Store just around the corner is filled with handbaked goods, sourdough bread and other small batch items. The newly opened Storyboard is a bookstore and community hub for readers, coffee-lovers, skateboarders, aprés skiers and anyone else who wants to linger for a while. Those seeking a place to relax will enjoy the nearby natural geothermal hot spring, Crater at Homestead.
Chocolate lovers will enjoy a factory tour and tasting at Ritual Chocolate. (This is a great place to grab a rich cup of hot chocolate and settle in with your book.) If you're looking to add some more adventures to your book retreat, the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway — an official venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics — offers Nordic skiing, snowshoeing and snow tubing.
Where to Stay: Homestead Midway Utah, Zermatt Utah Resort & Spa in Midway or Sundance Mountain Resort in Provo Canyon.
Rare Treasures & Artisanal Chocolates
20 Miles
Today you're heading to Provo. Your first stop of the morning is at Moon’s Rare Books. Located in The Shops At Riverwoods, this bookstore and museum will take you back in time with its rare first editions and antiques. Follow that up with a stop at Planted in Pages, where readers and plant lovers alike will enjoy a Victorian-style interior and plant-filled corners that feel straight out of a storybook.
Pioneer Book is situated right along Center Street, where visitors can take a stroll and explore uniquely curated collections as well as several other local shops like Cat’s Cradle Antiques and The Collective Underground. Finish your trip by bringing your new books over to Rugged Grounds, a coffee shop and community space where all visitors are welcome to stay and read.
Extra: Take to the ice in the evening at Peak’s Ice Arena for public skating and warm up after with a cup of artisan hot chocolate at Taste 117.
Winter Beyond the Slopes
Utah's winter offers magic beyond skiing. Enjoy a five-day itinerary featuring snowshoeing, tubing, ice skating, spas and cozy bookshops for a perfect non-ski winter vacation.
Highlights
- Salt Lake City
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Snowbird
- The Cliff Spa
- Solitude Mountain Resort
- Homestead Crater
- Park City
- Woodward Park City
Sip, Savor and Stroll: A Hot Cocoa Crawl Adventure
Whether you're a cocoa aficionado or simply looking for a cozy treat, we’ve gathered some of our favorite hot chocolate spots in and around Salt Lake City. Try one or try them all with our suggested three-day hot cocoa crawl.
Highlights
- Salt Lake City
- Taste 117
- Hatch Family Chocolates
- Ritual Chocolate
- Normal Ice Cream
- Sundance Mountain Resort
- Temple Square
- Homestead Crater
Movie Magic on Utah's Slopes
Plan a ski trip inspired by iconic movie scenes filmed in Utah.
Stories to Inspire Your Travel
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Pass Go: Making the Most of the Epic Pass
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Harnessing Passion: The Arctic Rescue Sled Dog Team
Maren and Racer Gibson of All Seasons Adventures in Park City, Utah rescue "unadoptable" Huskies and Malamutes. The dogs participate in a dog sledding operation to help find their purpose. Book a dog sled tour with the pups and witness their story as they pull your sled through the area's snow blanketed open spaces.
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Fresh Tracks in Kamas – Utah's Snowcountry
Not far from the hustle and bustle of Utah’s renowned Park City-area ski slopes is an untamed, snow-filled wonderland waiting to be explored. Here in the Wasatch Back, snowshoeing, ice fishing and snowcat skiing set the stage for an outdoors-facing winter getaway imbued with authenticity and solitude.
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Powder Pups to the Rescue
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Best Après Ski Bars in Park City and Beyond
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Where to Find the Best Snowmobiling in Heber Valley
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Woodward Is Fun For the Whole Family
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11 More Utah Winter Experiences Outside the Ski Resorts
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A Winter Retreat
Although it is located only a few miles from the urban hustle and bustle of Salt Lake City, the Big Water Yurt feels light years away. Located at the top of Millcreek Canyon, the yurt is open only in winter and the only way to get to it is by ski, snowshoe or fat bike.
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Insider's Guide to Park City
Kaylin Richardson, Olympic athlete, and a friend share their favorite Park City experiences to encourage you to add the city's culture-enriched valley, scenery, food, art and access to all-season adventure to your bucket list.
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A Mom’s Take On Sharing Skiing With the Next Generation
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5 Festive Activities to Brighten Your Utah Ski Holiday
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Family and Budget Guide to the One and Only Ski City: Salt Lake
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Snowshoeing the Wasatch
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How to Photograph Snowflakes — Nature’s Fleeting Work of Art
Where there’s snow, there’s magic. Snowflake photography offers a microscopic peek at the pristine beauty of nature — whether you’re deep in Wasatch Mountain wilderness or steps outside a Salt Lake City hotel door.
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Winter Yurt Dining: A Cozy, Culinary Escape in the Heart of the Mountains
Explore six locations enriched with solitude and winter charm.
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5 Reasons Utah's Weather Guy Loves Spring Skiing
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AndShesDopeToo's Insider's Guide to Ogden
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In the Key of Ski
A video tribute to the Utah Symphony musicians finding inspiration and rich notes in the mountains.
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Salt Lake City: A Place to Play
Utah Symphony musicians say the state's one-two punch of arts and recreation is hard to beat.
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A Cauldron of Continuing Olympic Fervor
Since hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, in many ways the Olympic spirit and world-class athletes that seized Utah have never left.
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A Utah Ski Vacation (or Two) for Less
Shop for ski gear like a local. Get discounts on lift tickets. Learn everything you need to know for a cheap luxury ski trip.
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Why Backcountry Snowmobiling Is an Unforgettable Way to Experience the Uinta Mountains
The Uinta Mountains are about 100 miles east of Salt Lake City and just a few minutes from Vernal in Eastern Utah. It's one of the state's top snowmobiling destinations.
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Exploring the Snowmobile Trails of Northern Utah
Snowmobiling is one of the most popular winter sports in Northern Utah, thanks to an abundance of snow, trails, and easy access. Here are the details on local pros who can help get you the gear or guide your adventure.
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Top Ski Towns in Utah
The best ski towns in Utah tout easy access to The Greatest Snow on Earth®, along with lively culture, fine dining and off-mountain activities.
