by ML Lodging
Bailey’s Farm provides an old-fashioned tree-picking experience in Liberty, Utah. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the pristine, white snow past the elk and reindeer to choose the perfect evergreen Christmas tree. Trees range from $40-$120 and traditional Christmas wreaths are also available. To make an appointment call (801) 791-1545.
Each winter Huntsville Town folk create an outdoor skating rink under the stars. The ice is groomed and maintained by a rural Zamboni (a tractor with a 6’ wide sweeper), creating a winter wonderland setting complete with a pine tree enveloped in the ice. Join in a pick-up hockey game or just skate for fun, the rink is open to all. Bring a hot chocolate and enjoy a night on the ice, rental skates are $2 and usually available at Detours across the street. Visit the rink at 300 S 7400 E Huntsville, Utah for free! Just another reason to love Huntsville.
In winter, the entire valley turns into a snow sport playground. Plentiful powder, hills galore, and Nordic Valley’s tubing enterprise are all worthy of bundling up and heading out into the mountain air. Mountain Luxury Lodging offers tubes, sleds, and snowshoes for your stay. Make sure to reserve them when booking, supplies are on a first come, first served basis.
While it isn’t for everyone, fisherman and beer drinkers both love ice fishing. When Pineview Reservoir freezes over it’s time for catching Yellow Perch, Crappie, and Tiger Muskies (aka very ugly fish). Clear the snow from a spot on the ice, power auger in, and then the fun begins. Actually catching a fish can take some time, hence the beer part of the sport. Be careful near the edge of the lake and call to find local guide to show you the best spots.
Venture to North Fork Park in Liberty, Utah to take advantage of the corduroy groomed trails or cross country tracks. Forget the lines, crazy prices, and dragging equipment across the parking lot and opt for a day skiing in the shadow of Ben Lomond. Both cross country and skate skiing lessons are available at Ogden Nordic for a small fee as well as equipment rentals at the yurt. This is also your jump off point for backcountry skiing. Call (801) 317-7662 for more information.
Get an early start on the New Year Holiday with friends and family at Nordic Valley Ski Resort. The annual torchlight parade and fireworks show is a huge hit between 7-8 pm. Perfect if you want to celebrate and then put the kiddos to bed long before the ball drops in New York. This little resort is perfect to practice turns and not break the pocket. Grab some authentic tacos at the Nordic Valley Grill and hit the slopes, the lifts will be open until 6:30 pm.
Each year Snowbasin Ski Resort hosts an elegant Thanksgiving Dinner complete with a carving station, hot and cold food selections, fresh seafood, crepes, and desserts. This year’s event has completely sold out nearly two months in advance. Don’t worry though, when staying with Mountain Luxury, it’s easy to hire a professional chef! Our private chef will prepare an entire Thanksgiving meal for you so be sure to ask about this option when booking.
Before Santa visits the good girls and boys, catch him at Snowbasin! Snowbasin’s annual Christmas Eve Celebration is a very merry time of year indeed. Cookie decorating, Christmas Eve dinner, photos with Santa, the Yule Log burning, the famous torchlight parade and holiday fireworks all take place at this popular event beginning at 5:30. Please note, there are no reservations, so arrive early before all of the hustle and bustle. Dinner is available in a buffet style, not the typical Snowbasin spread.
Hands down, the best part of winter in Ogden Valley is ripping down the mountain in deep Utah powder! Snowbasin Ski Resort features 107 runs over 3000 acres of terrain serviced by 8 lifts, 2 gondolas and the Olympic Tram topping out at the 9,350 foot summit. With the closest lodging to Snowbasin Resort, Mountain Luxury Lodging is the perfect place to unwind after a long day on the slopes. Make it easy to get back and forth with our new private shuttle and upon arrival ski rentals.
As soon as your plate is cleared at Thanksgiving dinner, it’s Christmas time in Ogden! Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend is celebrated with the Ogden, Utah Santa Run. Registration includes a full santa suit and milk and cookie refuel stations where the elf volunteers will be cheering you on. Start the holiday season right and get your cookie on. Register for the race here.
Right after the Santa Run the grand Electric Light Parade signifies opening the endearing Christmas Village tradition. Washington Boulevard will be closed from 22nd Street to 26th Street for some O-town floats, performers, and holiday spirit! The party doesn’t stop when the parade is finished, the floats remain on display on Historic 25th Street for the remainder of the evening. Ogden Amphitheater fills the air with live music ending the evening with a climactic fireworks show. Ho ho ho.
Ogden’s Christmas Village is a unique holiday tradition. Illuminated by thousands of lights and spectacular displays every year from the Saturday after Thanksgiving until January 1st. It is a vintage collection of cottages depicting scenes from Santa’s village in the North Pole. This winter wonderland is cold so dress warm, grab a hot cocoa and put the kids on the train. Be prepared, your kids will not want to leave. Lights are on from 5pm until midnight each evening and admission is free. Santa is also onsite so check for his hours. Find times for Santa’s castle and train rides here. View the displays and a map of Ogden’s Christmas Village here.
One of the greatest Utah light displays is Temple Square in Salt Lake City. Illuminated the Friday after Thanksgiving the radiant, warm glow of holiday jollity is open from 5:30pm until 10:00pm. As a bonus December 14-16th, the Tabernacle Christmas Concerts take place and the lights remain on until 11:00pm. See the beauty of Salt Lake City adorned in Christmas cheer!
Stay somewhere beautiful over the holidays with our Ogden Valley Vacation Rentals. The mountains are the place to be during Christmas and New Years, especially with Snowbasin just moments away. Don’t forget to look at our Homes for Sale in Huntsville, Utah and make the vacation permanent!
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