Salt Lake is a straightforward choice for any family planning a trip to Utah. With one of the most accessible, ski-ready international airports, the city is a clear choice for those deciding where to spend a winter vacation. If you’re looking for an alternative to Salt Lake City, awesome adventures await you in Ogden, less than 45 minutes to the north.
While it might be smaller than its counterpart down south, Ogden offers no shortage of things for you and your family to do on your winter vacation. Our family guide to exploring Ogden in the winter will give you a great place to start and you can plan your itinerary from there. Here are some good ideas to get you started if you want to spend time in Ogden this winter!
Skiing and Snowboarding
Skiing and snowboarding are a given for any wintertime acticity exploring in Ogden. Ogden provides easy access to three incredible resorts: Snowbasin Resort, Powder Mountain, and Nordic Valley. Snowbasin Resort is a world-renowned resort home to the Downhill and Super G events in the 2002 Olympics (and will host them again in 2034!). Powder Mountain is one of the largest resorts in the United States by skiable acres, committed to remaining uncrowded so you can find some unmatched powder stashes. Nordic Valley is a smaller local resort that offers an accessible introduction to skiing for families with kids of all ages. No winter trip to Ogden is complete without hitting at least one of these resorts, or all three if you can swing it! And it's worth mentioning that both Powder Mountain and Nordic Valley offer night skiing.
Snow Tubing
If skiing and snowboarding aren’t your speed or you’re looking for an alternative for family members who aren’t as snowsports-inclined, snow tubing is an awesome option. You can find tubing parks like Wasatch Parc adjacent to Nordic Valley. This park ditches the traditional straight-line snow tubing in favor of bobsled-like lanes that twist their way down the hill, guaranteeing everyone in the family a great time.
Snowshoeing
Sometimes you need to cut back on the speed and take in the breathtaking winter views at a slower pace, and snowshoeing is one of the best ways to do it. There are dozens of great trails to take your family on a snowshoeing adventure. Check out the Bonneville Shoreline Trail that runs north to south along the foothills of Ogden or head to North Fork Park where you can explore ten miles of groomed single track that weaves through the trees. You can rent snowshoes from spots like Recreation Outlet in downtown Ogden and spend a few hours with your family exploring the outdoors on foot.
Ice Skating
Ice skating is another fun way to get your family together and take advantage of all that Ogden has to offer. The Weber County Ice Sheet is another site of the 2002 Olympics when it hosted the curling events, a role it plans to reprise when the Olympics return in 2034. In the meantime, the Ice Sheet hosts open skate sessions six days per week, Monday through Saturday. Bundle up with a few layers, lace on some rental skates, and enjoy an afternoon or evening of ice skating with your family.
Sledding
If skiing or snow tubing isn’t as accessible, sledding is an excellent alternative to spend some time in the snow and get the giggles going with your kids. Sledding in the winter is as classic as it gets and Ogden offers a variety of incredible places to send your family soaring down the hills. You can find dozens of great spots to sled within city limits, like Rohmer Park in Washington Terrace. Or if you’re feeling more adventurous, head up Ogden Canyon to Highway 167 where you’ll see a larger hill popular with local families for an extended sledding thrill!
Indoor Activity Centers
If you as parents need a break but your kids still have more energy to unload, Ogden has a handful of indoor activity centers open year-round that can keep the young ones entertained indoors. Check out spots like Skinny Dogz in downtown, Rush Funplex in North Ogden, Fly High trampoline park in Riverdale, or Toad’s Fun Zone in Ogden. Here you’ll find indoor mini golf, laser tag, go-karts, trampolines, and plenty of arcade games to escape the chill and occupy your young ones inside for a few hours!
No matter what your itinerary includes, exploring Ogden in the winter is a great option for your family whether you’re a seasoned Utah local or looking for a great family vacation. Check out our activities hub to find more things to do with your kids this winter!
