Year
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Best Recreation Destination
Moab
There's practically no slow season anymore for Moab retailers and restaurateurs. Utah's prized desert recreation town is no longer a state secret, and visitors from all over the world flock here to explore the surrounding national parks. And it's easy to see why: Whether it's hiking Arches, biking Canyonlands, rafting the Colorado River or Jeeping the backcountry, Moab has everything you need to create your perfect adventure. (SA)
discovermoab.com
2nd place: Lake Powell
3rd place: Zion National Park
Best Bike Shop
Contender
You will want for nothing when you head to Contender, as all your bike-related needs will be taken care of. Oh, and it's not just bicycles, parts and apparel here. They've also got tune-up and repair services and Biomechanic fit—Contender's method of providing the best bicycle fit based on science. Serious cyclists might want to sign up for Contender Camp, a series of training blocks designed to "turn you into lean, mean, pedaling machines just in time for spring riding." (SA)
989 E. 900 South, 801-364-0344, contenderbicycles.com
2. Guthrie
3. SLC Bicycle Collective
Best Bowling Alley
Bonwood Bowl
Bonwood's 42 lanes offer simple, unencumbered bowling bliss for the whole family. Grab a snack from the Runnin' Café and a beer from the Trophy Room Lounge and you're set for the night. With a pro shop and dozens of leagues, you don't have to be just a casual bowler to enjoy it here, either. Whether you're setting up bumpers for the kiddos or staring down that pesky nine pin on league night, Bonwood's got you covered. (SA)
2500 S. Main, 801-487-7758, bonwoodbowl.com
2. All Star Lanes & Entertainment
3. Olympus Hills
Best City Park
Liberty Park
You could easily spend your entire day at Liberty Park, Salt Lake's green-space center. Proposed itinerary: Take an early morning jog on one of the outer running tracks, pick up a coffee or breakfast at a nearby café, pop into Tracy Aviary for some morning bird-watching, peruse the folk art at the Chase Home Museum, take an afternoon swim at the pool followed by a round of tennis, bocce, horse shoes, volleyball or basketball, and round out your evening with a barbecue at one of the pavilions. And that's just some of the stuff the park has to offer on an off day when it's not packed from a festival or community event. (SA)
600 E. 900 South
2. Sugar House Park
3. Murray Park
Best Community Event/Festival
Utah Arts Festival
It's a community staple for a reason. Each year, the Utah Arts Festival gets bigger and better, providing support and exposure to artists of all types. Our state is bursting at the seams with creatives and the fest never fails to shake things up with new faces along with well-loved contributors year after year. Four art-centric days is starting to feel like not enough. (SA)
uaf.org
2. Utah Pride Festival
3. Living Traditions Festival
Best kid-friendly Hiking Trail
Donut Falls
Even the name gets kids excited (bonus points if you bring actual doughnuts and eat them at the falls). This wide trail has minimal elevation gain making the 3.5-mile round-trip journey a breeze, and the only complaint you'll hear from the kids is about who gets the one with sprinkles. (SA)
Mill D Trailhead, Big Cottonwood Canyon
2. Bell's Canyon
3. Living Room
Best overall Hiking Trail
Lake Blanche
This 7-mile out-and-back trail is classic Wasatch beauty: Quaking aspens, tree-less peaks and a pristine glacial lake await those who venture onto its well-worn path. With 2,700 feet of elevation gain, the trail is no joke, but the views of iconic Sundial Peak (you can add an extra few steep miles and summit it if you wish) towering over the lake are definitely worth the burn. Go in the morning and take plenty of water. (SA)
Mill B Trailhead, Big Cottonwood Canyon
2. Bonneville Shoreline Trail
3. Angel's Landing
Best Snowboarding
Brighton
That little teaser of snow capping the mountains in mid-September always gets us riled up for snowboarding season, and when Brighton opens up, our days will be filled at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon. Their lift tickets are still some of the best deals in the Wasatch, plus you can get extra discounts by grabbing an online-refillable Go Card. With 66 trails, five terrain parks and night boarding, what more do you need? (SA)
8302 S. Brighton Loop Road, Brighton, 801-532-4731, brightonresort.com
2. Snowbird
3. Park City
Best Public Golf Course
Mountain Dell
Tucked away in the Wasatch Mountains just off of Interstate 80 is high-altitude golfing at its finest. With two courses and an abundance of natural beauty, you can languish the day away teeing off or practicing your drive among Mountain Dell's scenery. Watch out for wildlife throughout the courses and savor the fresh mountain air. (SA)
I-80, Exit 134, 801-582-3812, slc-golf.com
2. Old Mill
3. Bonneville
Best Running Event
Salt Lake City Marathon
Many non-runners think marathons are just for the ultra-fit and super-crazy—I mean, 26.2 miles? In half a day? But the Salt Lake City Marathon incorporates a multitude of race events like the half marathon, 5K and newly added 10K to accommodate a range of runners. You don't even have to run. There's a bike route and skate route, so break out your running shoes or Rollerblades and start prepping for April 21, 2018. (SA)
saltlakecitymarathon.com
2. Ragnar Relay
3. Wasatch 100
Best Skate Shop
Milosport
Forget searching on Amazon or KSL, just go ask the dudes (and dudettes) at Milosport. They'll know what you need and be happy to help customize your ideal skate or snow ride. The iconic Milo logo has been ingrained in Utah shredder culture for 33 years, and, lucky for us, it's not about to disappear anytime soon. (SA)
3119 E. 3300 South, 801-487-8600, milosport.com
2. Salty Peaks
3. Blindside
Best Ski Resort
Snowbird
We're getting stoked for Nov. 22, Snowbird's opening day. Those steep Little Cottonwood Canyon slopes are calling our name, especially since we are now in the lull between Oktoberfest and winter. Better get your Summit Pass quick, as Snowbird is part of the Mountain Collective, which gets you half off lift tickets to 16 resorts throughout the U.S. and Canada. Powder birds: Take flight! (SA)
9385 S. Snowbird Center Drive, Snowbird, 801-933-2122, snowbird.com
2. Alta
3. Brighton
