Originally Posted On: https://texaslifestylemag.com/travels/salt-lake-city-winter/
Salt Lake City, the Capital of Utah, is a vibrant and dynamic city known for its stunning natural surroundings and thriving outdoor recreation. Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, it offers a unique blend of urban amenities and easy access to word-class skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
Evo Salt Lake: Where Adventure Meets Comfort
Evo's 50 rooms provide total comfort, style, and functionality for those looking for something a little different. Photo courtesy Visit Salt Lake.
Evo is a leading snowboard and ski brand that offers retail, online shopping, and experiential services for outdoor enthusiasts. In January 2022, evo Hotel Salt Lake officially opened its doors in the heart of Salt Lake City, transforming a 100,000-square-foot warehouse into a vibrant hub for the community. Here, guests can sleep, connect, meet, climb, skate, and move — all under one roof. As a boutique hotel, evo provides a cozy and inviting atmosphere, with thoughtfully designed lounge spaces scattered throughout, making it an ideal spot to relax or get some work done.
From Morning Brews to Evening Views
Enjoy many of the different seating areas in the lobby during your stay. Photo courtesy of Visit Salt Lake.
Be sure to check out the signature pink coffee bar, Curator’s Coffee, located in the evo Hotel lobby. Kickstart your day with a variety of coffee options brewed from locally sourced Publik beans, or opt for a fresh fruit smoothie — crafted to be the perfect companion for your outdoor adventures. Whether you’re gearing up to conquer a trail or tackle your inbox, Curator’s Coffee also offers light breakfast options designed to energize and satisfy. After a day of exploring, unwind with a drink at Crown Bar, which overlooks Salt Lake City’s Granary District and offers stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains. The bar provides a relaxed space to gather and collaborate, and it’s pet-friendly too, welcoming dogs at the rooftop bar and throughout the hotel.
Shop, Rent, and Explore
One of evo’s party tricks is its in-house retail store, offering a wide selection of skis, snowboards, bikes, skateboards, and apparel. Guests can take advantage of a range of services, including ski, snowboard, bike, and backcountry rentals — available at a 30% discount for evo guests — along with expert ski and snowboard tuning, boot fitting, and bike repairs. The space also offers an art gallery featuring a rotating selection of works curated by local artists. As a vibrant community hub, evo regularly hosts events such as art shows, fundraisers, and film premieres, all centered around fostering the ski, snowboard, and mountain bike communities.
Fitness and Fun at evo
Keep the active streak going and head out to the bouldering wall when you're not on the slopes. Photo Analise Flatt.
Evo Hotel is a life-sized choose-your-own-adventure experience, with excitement around every corner. Step through the entrance, and you’ll find yourself in the heart of the Salt Lake Bouldering Project. This world-class facility features expansive climbing walls, dedicated yoga and fitness studios, and an open functional fitness space equipped with weights and cardio machines. Each stay at evo Hotel includes complimentary day passes for two guests, welcoming everyone from first-timers, seasoned climbers, yogis, and everyone in between.
The adventure continues at evo, home to the All Together Skatepark (ATS). This 5,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor skatepark is designed to facilitate progression and fun for skaters of all skill levels. Featuring wood and Skatelite surfaces, ATS is equipped with flat banks, quarter pipes, a half-pipe, ledges, flat bars, and more. Every booking at evo includes a complimentary skate session for two guests, welcoming skaters of all ages and abilities.
Powder Paradise: Skiing Alta and Brighton
To get some extra time on the mountain, you can even night ride at Brighton! Photo courtesy Visit Salt Lake.
Once you’re well-rested at evo, it’s time to hit the slopes at Alta Ski Area. Nestled in Little Cottonwood Canyon, about 30 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Alta is one of the few resorts in the country that maintains a ski-only policy, prohibiting snowboarders. Delivering over 2,600 acres of skiable terrain, the mountain is divided into 15% beginner, 30% intermediate, and 55% expert runs. With an unusual average of 500+ inches of snowfall each year, Alta is known for its legendary powder and challenging terrain, making it a must-visit.
Keep the momentum going by heading to Brighton Ski Resort, located about 45 minutes up the canyon from Alta. Brighton welcomes both skiers and snowboarders, creating a fun and inclusive atmosphere that’s especially popular with families thanks to its renowned ski school. Known for offering some of the most affordable lift tickets in Utah, Brighton provides a well-balanced mix of runs to suit all skill levels. It’s also famous for its night skiing, featuring over 200 acres of illuminated terrain — one of the most extensive night skiing options in the state.
Explore Solitude Beyond the Slopes
When you’re ready for a break from downhill skiing, switch things up by gliding through some of Utah’s most stunning terrain at the Solitude Nordic Center. Conveniently located near Solitude Village, the center offers both classic and skate-style Nordic skiing, as well as snowshoeing. If you’re looking to refine your technique, private and group lessons, along with guided snowshoe tours, are available. These tours are led by the center’s expert coaches, who provide detailed instruction while sharing the rich history of the land.
A taste of where the magic of the winter games were held in 2002 and what's to come in 2034! Photo courtesy Visit Salt Lake.
Relive Olympic Glory at the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center
Looking for more adventure? Experience the ultimate thrill with the Winter Bobsled Experience at the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center, where you can race down the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Sliding Track. The track hosted the bobsled, skeleton, and luge events during the 2002 Winter Olympics. On this exhilarating ride, professional pilots will guide you through the Olympic track, offering a once-in-a-lifetime Olympic experience you won’t want to miss! Be sure to check in as soon as possible to ensure your group can share a bobsled. Riders must be at least 13 years old and weigh 100+ pounds to participate.
The Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center is also home to the Alf Engen Ski Museum and the Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. This world-class facility showcases the history of skiing in the Intermountain region with interactive touchscreens, videos, a virtual reality ski theater, games, and topographical maps — all available free of charge. Visitors can also explore a gallery of visual highlights and artifacts from the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Dining
Lupessa
All spots are good spots at Lupessa, even the bar! Photo Analise Flatt
The ambience: A contemporary interpretation of classic Italian fare in a room of flourishing greenery and natural woods.
The Bites & Bevs: homemade pasta, fresh ingredients, and extensive wine offerings.
Pro tip: Make a reservation
Wasatch Brew Pub Sugar House
The Brand: For over 30 years, Wasatch has been cooking delicious meals and brewing beer at the top of Main Street in Park City, now with a Sugar House location.
The ambience: Chill brewery with a fun twist; an all-day breakfast menu!
The Bites & Bevs: Choose between local draft beers, craft cocktails, or if you are going the breakfast route, coffee. As well as a wide variety menu from soups, salads, and rice bowls to burgers, pizzas, and of course… breakfast.
Pro tip: Pizza happy hour is Mon-Fri, 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., and all pizzas are $9.
Lake Effect
Enjoy Lake Effects hand-crafted cocktails that are almost too beautiful to drink! Photo courtesy Visit Salt Lake.
The Ambience: Gorgeous interiors paired with live music every day and an extensive liquor selection – the largest in the state!
The Bevs & Bites: Unique handcrafted cocktails and tapas style small plates! Cocktail of choice – ‘50 Ways to leave your lover’ & fan faves include the Croquets, Wagyu Skewers, and Marboqua Tacos.
Pro tip: Order small plates one by one and enjoy the good vibes and live music!
Oasis Café
The ambience: Tropical escape in the midst of a cold city.
The Bevs & Bites: Choose your adventure; order small bites to go or seat down for a full hearty breakfast!
Squatter’s Pub
Featuring daily special and traditional pub favorite such as bason topped meatloaf and a delicious array of burgers, and of course award-winning craft beer, Squatters is Salt Lake's premier brew pub. Photo courtesy Visit Salt Lake.
The ambience: Salt Lakes premier brew pub, offering award- winning craft Beer.
The Bevs & Bites: Incredible menu offerings, with a personal fave of the prosciutto pizza and the fireside flannel cocktail.
Pro tip: Pizza happy hour is Mon-Fri, 11:30a.m. – 4 p.m., and all pizzas are $9.
Raw Bean Coffee House and Drive-thru
The ambience: Easy spot to pop in on a busy day or on your way up the mountain!
The Bevs & Bites: Large selection of latte flavors and easy grab & go breakfast items such as oatmeal.
Legends Pub & Grill
What's better than poutine in a sports bar? Photo Analise Flatt.
The ambience: The perfect spot to watch the big game.
The Bevs & Bites: Classic favorites with a wide variety from steaks to sandwiches to calzones. Personal fav: the Poutine!
From Scratch
The ambience: simple interior and café style vibes.
The Bevs & Bites: The restaurant title is taken very seriously, from items being made with house ketchup, mustard, and butter to their hand-made Austrian flour mill and wood- fired oven.
Toaster’s Deli
Delicious breakfast sandwiches being enjoyed in one of the many hangout spots in the Evo lobby Photo Analise Flatt.
The ambience: Fast & easy, and GREAT customer service.
The Bevs & Bites: Delicious breakfast sandwiches and any type of coffee your heart desires.