When winter officially arrives in Utah, are you excited or sad? If you’ve lived here for a while, you know what to expect during this chilly season. If you’re new to the state, here are a few things that no one tells you about surviving Utah winters.

1. You'll definitely get stuck on the freeway driving 20 mph at least once every winter.
Michael Kappel/flickr
When visibility is down to 5 yards, it doesn't matter that the speed limit is 80 mph. If you're out on I-80 West, there are few landmarks and you can feel like you're lost in the middle of nowhere.
2. There are fewer parking spaces in every parking lot by February.
Dave Shaver/flickr
All that snow has to go somewhere, so the snow plows pick several parking spots and pile all the snow up in them.
3. Your four-wheel-drive truck won't stop any better on an icy road.
Sahtu Wildlife/flickr
Four-wheel drive is great when it comes to blasting through that snowbank, but on an icy road, it won't help you stop any faster. Go slower than the posted speed, or your fancy truck might end up wrapped around a telephone pole.
4. Utahns are stalwart folks who don't need to bundle up just to shovel a little snow.
Lisa Moffatt/flickr
Shorts, a t-shirt, and flip-flops seem like appropriate apparel to some of us. In fact, if you move away, don't be surprised if you still find yourself dressed like this when shoveling snow. Sometimes, habits are hard to break.
5. Just because there's a blizzard outside doesn't mean that there's no school or work.
Cameron Brown/flickr
Luckily, Utah's snow plows are pretty good at clearing the roads and laying down salt to help make the commute a little better. Still, you'll want to leave an hour earlier to be at work on time.
6. Of course, just because the office doesn't close when it snows doesn't mean that you can't call in sick.
Derek Taylor/flickr
There's nothing like the peaceful solitude of fresh snow on a nordic ski trail. We won't tell your boss.

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7. Here's the other thing we do on snow days.
Derek Taylor/flickr
If you're new to Utah and you've never skied, now's the time to learn. It's hands-down the best thing about a Utah winter and there are some of the best ski resorts in the country located in Utah that are the perfect destinations to learn.
8. You'll have a harder time breathing during a Utah winter.
TimeScience/flickr
Utah's inversion is no laughing matter. The pollution that gets trapped in the valleys makes the air quality so bad that school children stay inside during recess, and pregnant women and those with asthma are also told not to breathe the air outdoors.
9. Utahns love to argue about whether or not this year's winter is worse than last year's.
Stefan Jürgensen/flickr
We also complain endlessly about the cold and the snow. And no, we don't want to hear about how temperatures in Minnesota are much colder or how the snow depth in Wisconsin is deeper.
10. While we spend a fair amount of time complaining about winter, we secretly love it.
mohmlet/flickr
Sure, it's cold and it's snowy out. But, in this winter playground, we have plenty of recreation opportunities.
11. Some of the best childhood memories you'll have will be of the time you spent playing in the snow after a really big storm.
Sami Keinänen/flickr
From sledding to building snow forts to just throwing your little sister in a snow bank ... it doesn't get any better.
12. St. George is Utahns' version of going to Florida for the winter.
Ken Lund/flickr
St. George is typically 20 degrees warmer than northern Utah in the winter. If you feel like playing a round of golf or going for a hike, St. George is the place to go and it's only four hours from Salt Lake City.
13. There's nothing more beautiful than a Utah winter.
Diana Robinson/flickr
Sure, the snow can be horrible to drive in, and it's no fun to shovel, but it sure does turn the Beehive State into a winter wonderland.

What other tips would you give new Utah residents about surviving winters in the Beehive State? What are some of your favorite things to do during this chilly time of year? Give our readers your suggestions in the comments.

This winter, make sure to visit these nine awesome places in Utah. And, if you love to explore and enjoy some of Utah’s most breathtaking scenery, check out these nine natural wonders right after it snows.

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More to Explore

Utah winters

Courtnie Erickson | November 17, 2022

What is Utah like in the winter?

Utah is the perfect place to spend a winter. Here, you can enjoy a little bit of everything. In the northern part of the state, you can experience cold, snowy weather. Down south, you can enjoy warmer temperatures and much less snow.

Winter is also the time you get to enjoy one of Utah’s greatest claims to fame — the greatest snow on earth. This is because Utah is a dry, desert state. By the time the snow falls, the snow typically possesses a low moisture content, creating a structure in the snow crystals that make it unique to other places around the country.

What are some of the best activities during the winter in Utah?

There is never a shortage of things to do in the winter in Utah. If you are searching for a few must-do items to add to your bucket list, a few ideas include:

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