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I visited Utah in the winter for the first time and made 4 mistakes I won't repeat
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
- Visiting Utah in the winter isn't for everyone.
- I learned that the hard way in January 2025.
- My first mistake led to the rest.
Gazing out my window at the snowcapped mountains on the train to Utah, I had no idea that I'd already set myself up for regret. Some mistakes were set in motion before I'd even left my apartment.
In January 2025, I flew from my home in NYC to Denver and hopped on a 15-hour Amtrak train to Utah's Silicon Slopes — a tech hub lining the Wasatch Front that includes Salt Lake City, Park City, and the surrounding suburbs.
I spent three days exploring Utah's pocket of luxury amid ski season and left with four regrets.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
As a first-time visitor to Salt Lake City and Park City, I thought seeing the mountains blanketed in snow would be awe-inspiring — and it really was.
I knew winter would be a popular time to visit Utah since it's a ski hub, but I underestimated how busy it would be. Park City was packed with winter sports enthusiasts.
Skiers and snowboarders crowded the sidewalks lining congested streets in downtown Park City, all suited up — some with gear in tow.
I stopped by the slopes at Deer Valley Resort and spotted long lines of skiers waiting for lifts. I waited in line to ride a funicular up and down the mountain.
Maybe seeing the snow was worth the crowds — I won't know for sure until I visit during another season. But had I realized I'd be visiting during the busiest time of year, I would have pushed my trip to the spring, during the shoulder season.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
Overpacking is a rookie mistake when traveling, so I go to great lengths to avoid stuffing too many outfits into my bag. But this time, I overcorrected.
When packing for a trip that's less than a week long, I typically only bring layers I can wear all at once when needed or mix and match. Since I was traveling in winter, I brought a couple of extra shirts, one additional pair of pants, and zero extra outer layers.
But in January along Utah's Wasatch Front, when temperatures ranged from 24 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit, I needed to wear most of my layers daily.
After bundling up for a flight and a train ride, I felt desperate for fresh layers when I arrived in Salt Lake City.
Joey Hadden/Business Insider
What do you do when you need clean clothes on the road? Utilizing the hotel's laundry services seemed the most straightforward solution, but I regretted it.
That night, I stayed at the five-star Grand America Hotel, where laundry services were top-tier. My shirts and sweaters were returned to me on hangers, each in an individual hotel-branded bag. Smaller items were wrapped in paper in a cardboard box.
I felt like I was opening a present as I sorted through my clean clothes. It excited me — until I saw the receipt.
I paid $115 for three shirts, two pairs of pants, one hoodie, six undergarments, and one two-piece blazer. It was certainly the most luxurious laundry service I'd ever experienced, but for the same money, I could have bought a whole new outfit — and what a great excuse it would have been to treat myself.
GEORGE FREY/AFP via Getty Images
I didn't consider other winter activities I could have enjoyed besides skiing and snowboarding.
I wish I'd taken time to tour Utah Olympic Park in the snow and get a feel for what it was like during the 2002 Winter Olympics.
After my trip, I learned that Park City offers mountain-top snowshoe yoga classes, which I would have loved to try.
Next time I travel to the Silicon Slopes, I'll pack enough clothing and make use of the season's offerings.
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