Winter in Utah does not have to mean hibernating. The snow brings some of the most fun dates of the year: skating, skiing, sledding, light displays, and warm drinks afterward. It is also the season when a specific plan matters most, because "let's hang out" easily turns into staying home and scrolling.
Here are winter date ideas around Utah Valley, Salt Lake, and the Heber Valley.
On the ice
Peaks Ice Arena (Provo)
Built for the 2002 Winter Olympics, Peaks Ice Arena holds public skate sessions with rentals. Check the schedule before you go.
Utah Olympic Oval (Kearns)
Another 2002 Olympic venue, with public skating on a huge oval. Great for skating laps and talking as you go.
Outdoor rinks
Seasonal outdoor rinks pop up around the Wasatch Front, including downtown Salt Lake. Skating outside under string lights feels festive.
On the snow
Sundance Mountain Resort
Tucked up Provo Canyon, Sundance is the closest ski resort to Provo. It is smaller and more relaxed than the big resorts, and the base area is charming even if you only go for lunch.
Cottonwood Canyon resorts
Brighton, Solitude, Alta, and Snowbird sit up Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons from Salt Lake. Check road conditions and traction rules before heading up.
Snowshoeing and Nordic skiing
Sundance has a Nordic center, and Soldier Hollow in Midway, a 2002 Olympic venue, offers cross-country skiing and a snow tubing hill.
Sledding
Find a local sledding hill after a fresh storm, and bring a thermos of hot chocolate for between runs.
Lights and holiday dates
Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point
A walk-through holiday lights event in Ashton Gardens in Lehi. Book tickets ahead, because popular nights sell out.
Temple Square lights
The Christmas lights in downtown Salt Lake are a long-standing tradition. Pair them with dinner at City Creek Center.
Ice castles
Seasonal ice castle attractions have been built in the Heber Valley in past winters. Check current-season locations and tickets before planning around one.
Warm up
Homestead Crater (Midway)
A geothermal spring inside a beehive-shaped limestone dome, where you can swim, snorkel, or paddleboard in warm water. Reservations are required.
Hot chocolate crawl
Pick two or three cafes or dessert shops and rate the hot chocolate at each. Simple, cheap, and fun.
A planned night in
Make soup together, play a board game, or have a movie marathon. A planned night in still counts as a date.
Planning winter dates
Winter plans need a little more detail: what to wear, where to park, and a backup if the roads get bad. "Skating at Peaks Thursday at 7, rentals are there, bring gloves" is much easier to say yes to than a vague invite.
Holiday events and ski days can fill up, so book ahead. And keep first dates short. A skate session and hot chocolate beats a full ski day with someone you just met.
Post or request a plan like this on Rove
On Rove, every date starts as a specific plan. Here are a few plans inspired by this page. Men can post one like it, and women can browse and request the ones that sound fun.
- “Public skate at Peaks Ice Arena, then hot chocolate. Thursday at 7.”
- “Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point. Tickets are on me. Saturday at 6:30.”
- “Snowshoeing at Sundance, then lunch at the lodge. Saturday at 10.”
Frequently asked questions
What is a good winter first date in Utah?
Public ice skating followed by hot chocolate is a great winter first date. It is active, public, and has a natural end point.
Where can you go ice skating in Utah Valley?
Peaks Ice Arena in Provo has public skate sessions. The Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns is another option closer to Salt Lake.
Do I need reservations for Homestead Crater?
Yes. Homestead Crater in Midway requires reservations, and popular times fill up early.
