Top 7 Reasons to Visit Midway Utah in the Winter

Midway is definitely one of the best towns to enjoy a weekend getaway.

It’s not a secret that living in Utah is a struggle for me during the winter. After the holidays are over, the cold that once felt magical quickly turns bleak and gray and leaves me feeling low.  

I spend many hours in January through March thinking about all the tropical places I’d rather be, and often even go as far as researching flights and long-term Airbnb stays that will help me leave all the winter blues behind. Occasionally I book those trips, but 9/10 I usually talk myself out of it due to not wanting to sacrifice my current long-term goals for my short-term happiness (although let me tell you, four months of winter does not ever feel short-term). 

At the Ice Castles, you can also see reindeer, buy hot chocolate, and take a horse-drawn sleigh ride.

While this year I luckily did have a few warm work trips planned, I wanted to try and find ways to (dare I say) enjoy winter, embrace the cold, and do my part to change my attitude since I can’t change the weather (sounds corny, but I really needed an attitude adjustment). The truth is, I know winter can be beautiful, but I spend most of it cooped up inside wishing it away.

This year though, I bought some good snow gear (turns out that’s the key to not freezing to death) and instead of booking a tropical escape, I booked a weekend trip to the mountains — in January.  

There are tons of amazing stores to explore in Midway.

As it turns out, there are actually a lot of fun things to do outside in the winter, even if you don’t ski. Consider this post your new BFF guide to some of the best experiences winter has to offer and allow me to introduce you to your new favorite cold destination: Midway, Utah. 

Where is Midway?

Midway is a small town about thirty minutes from Utah’s better-known ski town, Park City. While Park City is quite touristy, Midway is smaller and has several unique experiences that put it on the map as a travel-worthy destination.

Note: Midway is also known as Utah’s Little Switzerland (after you visit, it’s easy to see why).

The Midway Ice Castles are one of only four ice castle locations in the US.

Top Things To Do In Midway

1. Visit the Ice Castles

The Midway Ice Castles are one of the region’s most popular attractions and the biggest reason I chose Midway as my winter escape destination. These castles are man-made creations that take around two months and around 12,000 icicles a day to build. There are only four ice castle locations in the US. If this wasn’t enticing enough, at night they come alive with colorful lights that illuminate the icy tunnels, passageways, and slides! You can also see reindeer, buy hot chocolate, and take a horse-drawn sleigh ride. (Don’t forget snow boots and gloves!)

Check out my Ultimate Guide to the Midway Ice Castles here. 

Tubing is the perfect activity if you’re looking for some adventure!

2. Go Tubing at Soldier Hollow

Also worth a visit is the Olympic venue, Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, just a quarter mile up the hill. This venue offers snow tubing (longest lanes in the state at over 1,200 feet), world-class cross-country skiing, and a biathlon experience.

I took Liam here when he was just three years old and he loved it! You can buy tubing tickets in two-hour blocks and it’s a great activity for friends, families, or couples. 

3. Visit Utah Thermal Crater Hot Spring

To take a break from the cold, you can visit the hot springs in Utah. The Utah Crater located at Homestead Resort is a geothermal hot spring that sits beneath a beehive-shaped limestone rock. What makes this place so special is that it’s the only warm-water scuba diving destination in the continental US! Visitors can swim, scuba dive, snorkel, indulge in a therapeutic soak, or even take a paddleboard yoga class. This is such a unique activity for this area, you’ll want to be sure to check it out. 

Midway is considered to be Utah’s Little Switzerland.

4. Visit Midway Ice Rink

Add even more winter fun to your weekend getaway by visiting the Midway Ice Rink – the largest outdoor ice skating rink in the state! This ice rink offers daytime and evening skates and even has a “warming hut” where you can watch others skate while enjoying a delicious hot chocolate or cider. 

One of the pups at Rancho Luna Lobos.

5. Go Dog Sledding

I’ve lived in Utah most of my adult life and I didn’t know we had dog sledding in this state until this year! I was stoked when I found out I didn’t have to go all the way to Alaska to see real dog sledding. Rancho Luna Lobos is a year-round dog sled operation that offers incredible experiences. You can snowshoe with retired sled dogs, book dog sled adventures, or take the family on a kennel tour to meet the rescued dogs. When I was there they even had puppies! 

Enjoy pizza in your very own snow globe!

6. Eat Dinner In A Snow Globe

If you’re looking for a dining experience you won’t soon forget, you should definitely book a table at Café Galleria. This restaurant – which serves traditionally made Italian pizzas – offers orb-shaped private dining on the outdoor patio along the quaint Midway Main Street. The cozy globes are heated and create the illusion that you’re eating inside your very own snow globe. The food was great and the vibes definitely make it one of the best places to eat in Midway!

Zermatt Bakery is a great place to grab coffee and breakfast.

7. Indulge At Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory

For chocolate lovers everywhere, this is your stop. Buy hand-made chocolates for every occasion and treats that will fit in your carry-on for the trip home to remind you of your Midway getaway. Pop in at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for a quick dessert or ask about their chocolate tours!

The Best Time To Go To Midway

While Midway is beautiful in every season, if you’re intentionally going to enjoy the winter activities, I recommend January or February to ensure your best chances of snow and weather to enjoy some of the activities I mentioned above. 

Opening day for activities like the Ice Castles, tubing, and ice skating varies each season depending on the weather. Typically, you can visit from late December through early March, but if it’s not cold enough, sites might be closed. To ensure the best trip, be sure to check this website for the most updated reports on events and attractions. 

Unfortunately Zermatt Utah Resort and Spa didn’t live up to the hype…

Where To Stay In Midway

We stayed at the Zermatt Utah Resort and Spa, located in Midway and around five miles from the Ice Castles. I wanted to love my stay here, partly because this hotel is so cute and looks as if it was plucked right out of an old-school Swiss ski town, however I was truthfully disappointed.

I was required to pay a resort fee and found out later their hot tubs were indefinitely out of service, they no longer offered room service, and even the hotel telephone wasn’t working. I chose to stay here because it’s iconic to the area, but I unfortunately wouldn’t recommend it as I didn’t have a great experience. 

However, the Zermatt Bakery was amazing! The bakery is attached to the outside of the hotel, and the German pastries were very authentic to the ones I’d eaten in Germany a few months prior. This is a great place to grab coffee or breakfast, even if you have to go a little out of the way to get there. 

Add some time in your schedule to explore the quaint Midway streets.

Depending on your budget, here are a few other hotels you could check out:

-The Homestead Resort — the same location as the Crater, and most likely where I would try next.

-The Heber Senator Bed & Breakfast — I have a thing for quaint historical bed and breakfasts and this one looks like an experience back in time! 

-The Invited Inn – This seems like a great place to experience Utah’s little Swiss Alps with its charming architecture and raving reviews. This stay is specifically for couples or adults (as it doesn't accommodate children under 18) and is a great escape for couples or parents needing a little reconnecting time.

Go down the Main Street on the free trolley.

How To Get To Midway

If you want to fly to Utah, the closest major airport is in Salt Lake City. Then, from Salt Lake City International Airport, the trip to Midway is around 51 miles. You can travel these remaining miles by car (rent one or grab a taxi).

Alternatively, you can get a flight to Provo Municipal Airport then it’s only a 31 mile trip to Midway. 

Find my top tips for getting super cheap flights here. 

Rancho Luna Lobos is the place to go for dog sledding adventures!

A Winter vacation to see Utah's Ice Castles is an unforgettable experience that needs to be on everyone's travel bucket list – even if you don’t consider yourself to be a winter person! This spellbinding winter wonderland – with its stunning ice sculptures and breathtaking landscape – will leave even the biggest sun seeker in awe. 

Plus, the things to do in Midway, Utah, and its surroundings are perfect for couples looking for a romantic weekend away or families seeking some adventures. 

So, pack your bags and get ready for an enchanting adventure in Midway, Utah, to create magical winter memories!

Always cheering for you,

Ashley

Images by Robin Kunzler