For over four decades, the Natural History Museum of Utah has connected Utah residents and tourists alike with the natural wonders and native cultures that define Utah. As an active research institution with a remarkable and growing collection of more than 1.2 million specimens and objects, the Museum is an extraordinary cultural and educational asset for understanding the world. Over the years, the Museum has garnered the respect and affection of visitors, state and local leaders, scientists and museum professionals through programs of sustained excellence in the areas of public education, scientific research, collections preservation and environmental stewardship.

“We feel Utah residents will be very proud of our new home, which is the product of the work of literally every community in the state and experts from around the world,” said Sarah George, executive director of The Natural History Museum of Utah. “I believe we now offer one of the nation’s great new cultural buildings in which architecture and exhibition content serve and advance science and education while respecting their natural surroundings. We look forward to many years of telling the exciting and important stories of the natural world.”

Rio Tinto Center – Design

The extraordinary new 163,000 square foot Rio Tinto Center, clad in 42,000 square feet of copper, occupies a prominent place at the edge of Salt Lake City and the University of Utah. The facility blends seamlessly into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the angles of the roof rising and falling with the slope of the foothills in the background. The design reflects the Museum’s mission to illuminate the natural world through scientific inquiry, educational outreach, mutual cultural experience and human engagement of the past, present and future of the region and the world.

Designed by Todd Schliemann of Ennead Architects, the Museum’s new home overlooks the Salt Lake Valley from its stunning 17-acre site. Leading the project team, in addition to Mr. Schliemann, are Don Weinreich of Ennead Architects, as well as David Brems and John Branson of Salt Lake City’s Gillies Stransky Brems Smith Architects.

Inspired by the region’s natural landscape of rock, soil, minerals and vegetation, the Rio Tinto Center rests on a series of terraces that step up the hill and lie along the contours of the site with minimal disruption to the adjacent natural landscape. The new building is located above the shoreline of ancient Lake Bonneville, with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail passing through the property, and provides breathtaking views of the Wasatch Front. Respect for the natural world and human engagement in it is underscored by the design’s “green” initiatives.

With the artful integration of sound principles of sustainability, the design of the Natural History Museum of Utah will play a seminal role in enhancing the public’s understanding of the earth’s resources and systems and be a model for responsible and environmentally sensitive development. By incorporating the use of recycled materials, local resources, photovoltaic energy, radiant cooling and the implementation of an extensive storm water catchment and management system, the Natural History Museum of Utah is seeking LEED Gold certification, which would make it one of only 18 buildings in Salt Lake City with that distinction.

Inside, the building is divided by a sixty-foot-high central public space, The Canyon, which is the centerpiece of the Museum’s interior. One wing of the stunning new Museum contains long-needed spaces dedicated to the objective understanding of our world – research laboratories, conservation labs, collection storage and administration. The other wing houses public spaces with exhibitions dedicated to the subjective or interpretive aspects of our world so visitors can explore the delicate balance of life on earth and its natural history – galleries and spaces in which to present, interpret and study the Museum’s extraordinary collection of artifacts and exhibits.

Museum Exhibitions

The Natural History Museum of Utah houses the state’s world-class collections in new exhibitions designed by Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA) and offers more than 41,300 square feet of gallery and education space, including The Canyon where some Museum theater pieces will be performed. By embracing the tools of modern architecture, exhibition design and media, the re-envisioned Museum presents a fresh, fascinating and immersive journey through the natural formation of life and land around Salt Lake City and throughout the state of Utah.

The Museum’s collections form the basis for all of the Museum’s educational functions, from public exhibits and programming to scholarly research and publication. Its systematic collections in the fields of earth sciences, biology and anthropology rank among the largest and most comprehensive in the western United States. While emphasizing the Great Basin and Colorado Plateau, they also include material from throughout the world. Ongoing development of these collections is directed toward strengthening their comprehensive regional coverage and increasing their significance and accessibility to all communities.

The new Museum’s exhibitions tap its vast collections in new ways and aim to put more of Utah’s treasures on display. This is done in a set of interdisciplinary galleries that explore the diverse ways in which we understand our world. The selection of objects necessitated a careful analysis of the Museum’s existing collections – some of which had never been seen by the public – and a convergence of traditional perspectives to tell a more nuanced story. Nine dedicated, thematic exhibition galleries explore the Sky, Native Voices, Life, Land, First Peoples, Lake (Great Salt Lake), Past Worlds, Our Backyard and Utah’s Futures. Each gallery draws from several scientific disciplines and collections, as well as from the humanities.

The Rio Tinto Center will offer several free areas in the Museum building: The Canyon, boasting expansive views of the valley; the Museum Store; and the Museum Café, with indoor/outdoor seating and access to the University of Utah’s Wi-Fi network.

Field seminars are educational park outings taught by experts focusing on topics such as Yellowstone’s animals, geology, history, and more. Most courses last from one to four days and are limited to 13 participants. They are offered from early-April to mid-October.

“One of our goals of the Field Seminars is to offer a variety of topics that will appeal to many people,” said Jeff Brown, executive director of the Yellowstone Association. “Those with an interest in science, for example, tend to gravitate toward topics covering geology, wildlife behavior, plant life and the effects of fire in the park. Hiking-based programs are more appealing to people who want an active visit. Workshops covering photography, writing and other topics will be geared to people with a more artistic approach.”

New this year: Lamar Wildlife Getaways are offered every month and include three days of wildlife watching and hiking, catered meals, and lodging at the Lamar Buffalo Ranch, some of the best wildlife habitat in North America.

New wildlife courses include a June bear class that looks at grizzly/human interaction, an August raptor course that meets up with the Yellowstone Raptor Initiative, a September pika study that looks at habitat patterns of this elusive creature.

New hiking courses include a backpacking expedition around the base of Electric Peak and another through the heart of Yellowstone’s canyon country, as well as day-hikes off-trail on the northern range and through lake country.

Additional new topics include making your own Yellowstone video, wilderness route-finding, fly-fishing for families, and more.

Many Field Seminars are held at the Institute’s Lamar Buffalo Ranch Field Campus, where simple and comfortable log cabins are available for $30 per person per night. The Yellowstone Overlook Field Campus in Gardiner, Mont. features two three-bedroom, two-bathroom modern log cabins for up to 12 people and a two-bedroom, one-bathroom cabin for up to five people.

In addition to its Field Seminars, YAI offers Private Tours and Lodging & Learning programs. Private Tours are tailored for families and small groups and tours typically focus on wildlife watching, natural history and geology, thermal features and hiking. Lodging & Learning programs are offered in partnership with lodge operator Xanterra Parks & Resorts and combine daily field trips with comfortable lodging in park hotels at night.

Reservations for Field Seminars, Private Tours and cabins at the Yellowstone Overlook Field Campus and Lamar Buffalo Ranch can be made by calling 1-406-848-2400. For Lodging & Learning program reservations call 1-866-439-7375. For more information about any Institute program visit www.YellowstoneAssociation.org or FaceBook.com/YellowstoneAssociation.

For information about becoming a member visit www.yellowstoneassociation.org/membership/.

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The Yellowstone Association Institute is a non-profit field school operated by the Yellowstone Association in partnership with the National Park Service. The Institute was founded in 1976 and offers more than 500 courses each year on the park’s plants, animals, geology and history. Courses are based at the organization’s Lamar Buffalo Ranch and Yellowstone Overlook field campuses, at park hotels, and in the backcountry.

The Yellowstone Association was founded in 1933 to foster the public’s understanding, appreciation, and enjoyment of Yellowstone National Park and its surrounding ecosystem. In addition to operating the Institute on a break-even basis, the Association manages educational bookstores and a membership program that generate revenues for the National Park Service. Since its inception, the organization has raised more than $27 million for Yellowstone.

To receive a course catalog or for more information, go to www.YellowstoneAssociation.org, write to the Yellowstone Association at PO Box 117, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 or call 406-848-2400.

A 23-acre, multi-billion dollar project called City Creek Center is at the heart of the renaissance. Thanks to funding by partner City Creek Reserve, City Creek will open debt-free and is slated to be the first-ever Silver LEED Certified mixed-use development; a sustainably-designed, pedestrian community of residences, offices and retail stores across three expansive downtown blocks.

Other U.S. urban centers have been given a strong boost by mixed-use developments, such as Denver’s Cherry Creek and West Palm Beach’s City Place. By design, Salt Lake’s City Creek Center will also radically reshape Salt Lake’s urban core. Developed by Taubman Centers Inc., City Creek Center is adjacent to Temple Square and the Salt Palace Convention Center in the heart of downtown. This outdoor shopping center features fully retractable glass roofs to ensure a year-round, climate-controlled environment as well as a pedestrian skybridge over Main Street.

The pathways in and around City Creek have been strategically designed to make shopping, eating and strolling along the tree-lined streets an ideal experience for pedestrians. City Creek’s unique mix of retail, restaurants, offices, condominiums and apartments is expected to revitalize downtown Salt Lake and turn it into a mecca for young professionals, empty nesters and visitors alike, drawn by the vibrant energy of the city’s new nucleus. Combined with the recent openings of two groundbreaking museums, the Natural History Museum of Utah and The Leonardo, it’s clear Salt Lake is in the midst of an urban Renaissance with a strong cultural slant.

Dinosaur fossils are just one of the many astounding exhibits at the newly opened Natural History Museum of Utah. The 161,000 square-foot, Gold LEED-Standard museum has eight permanent exhibit spaces featuring 1.2 million objects of natural history, and a 1,200 square-foot children’s gallery. The Leonardo–inspired by namesake Leonardo da Vinci–is a visionary interactive museum of science, technology, and art, housed in the former SLC Public Library. The Leonardo offers visitors exhibits, dialogs, hands-on workshops, performances and major traveling exhibitions.

While the exceptionally wide streets of Salt Lake were originally designed to allow a team of four oxen pulling a wagon to effortlessly turn around, transportation of a different sort is on the minds of 21st century planners. By late 2012, visitors will be able to ride the new Utah Transit Authority Airport TRAX Line into the heart of downtown, a connection that will take 20 minutes to reach City Creek Center, the centerpiece of Salt Lake’s dynamic downtown.

For more information, go to www.VisitSaltLake.com

About Visit Salt Lake

Visit Salt Lake is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination. Visit Salt Lake’s mission is to improve the area economy by attracting and providing support to conventions, leisure travelers and visitors while being a leader in environmental responsibility. Salt Lake is a unique fusion of metropolitan city and quaint mountain town; the towering Wasatch Mountains that embrace Salt Lake offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of downtown. For more information on all that Salt Lake has to offer, go to www.VisitSaltLake.com

“Here in Cody, we look forward to the Cody Stampede and the events that lead up to it as much as a child looks forward to the arrival of Santa,” said Claudia Wade, executive director of the Park County Travel Council. “The entire town is decked out with patriotic decorations, and shops and restaurants are bustling with activity.

Wade noted this year is the 93rd annual Cody Stampede Rodeo, a fact that clearly reflects the town’s long-time equestrian roots.

The celebration kicks off Saturday, June 30 with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo Xtreme Bulls event. This event features 40 of the world’s top bull riders competing for a $50,000 purse and the coveted Cody-Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls title. Cody is the seventh stop on this nine-stop tour, which typically begins in January.

The four Cody Stampede Rodeos – part of the Wrangler Pro Rodeo Tour sanctioned by PRCA – are held July 1 – 4. The first three performances are held at 7 p.m., and the final performance on July 4 is at 4 p.m. The Cody Nite Rodeo, the town’s nightly rodeo, runs from June 1 through Aug. 31, Cody Stampede Rodeo has twice been named the “Best Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year” by PRCA.

Other events during the celebration include parades, a street dance, barbecues and the Wild West Extravaganza in City Park, a three-day festival with arts and crafts booths, food vendors and music.

The Stampede Parade on the morning of July 4 is especially fun, said Wade. At least three marching bands from around the country are invited to entertain the crowds that line Sheridan Avenue, Cody’s main street. And every year, Cody residents look forward to the announcement of the parade grand marshal. Past grand marshals have included John Wayne, Steven Seagal and Chuck Yeager.

Following the Cody Stampede Rodeo on July 4th, Cody caps the annual celebration with the Cody Skylighters Fireworks Show.

Wade advises travelers to plan far ahead if they want to experience Cody Stampede . The town’s inns, lodges, hotels and guest ranches offer more than 1,600 rooms, and most of those sell out during the Cody Stampede.

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Yellowstone Country is comprised of the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as the valley east of Yellowstone National Park.

The area of Park County is called “Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country because it was the playground of Buffalo Bill Cody himself. Buffalo Bill founded the town of Cody in 1896, and the entire region was driven and is still heavily influenced by the vision of the Colonel. Today its broad streets, world-class museum Buffalo Bill Historical Center and thriving western culture host more than 1 million visitors annually.

The Park County Travel Council website (www.yellowstonecountry.org) lists information about vacation packages, special events, guide services, weather and more. Travelers wishing to arrange vacation can also call the Park County Travel Council at 1-800-393-2639.

Michelin Star Chef Gordon Ramsay, known not only for his refined cuisine, but also his TV personality on several hit programs including “Hell’s Kitchen,” “MasterChef” and “Kitchen Nightmares,” has generated world-wide attention and entertained viewers on six continents.

“Few chefs in the world have extended their reputations to as many countries and into as many homes as Chef Ramsay,” said Paris Las Vegas President David Hoenemeyer, “His fiery passion for excellence has been validated by the culinary world’s top epicurean honors, by his legions of delighted restaurant guests and by millions of TV fans. We, at Paris Las Vegas, believe that the addition of Gordon Ramsay Steak, will be an exciting new milestone in the city’s impressive culinary evolution.”

The contemporary steakhouse will boast a total of 274 seats including a large bar area, chef’s table and private dining room, in addition to the main room. Guests will be encouraged to relax in the spacious lounge or enjoy a cozy booth in this ultimate modern steakhouse.

“Vegas is such a vibrant city, and I’m excited to open my first Las Vegas restaurant in a Caesars Entertainment resort – Paris Las Vegas,” said Gordon Ramsay, “The space is really bold and innovative, and we’ve put together a great team and created a contemporary, quality menu. I can’t wait to open and start welcoming guests!”

Gordon Ramsay Steak will be a fresh, high-energy dining environment that playfully transports guests from Paris to London. Set within the Paris casino, which is whimsically modeled after the “City of Lights,” the restaurant design will celebrate Chef Ramsay and the city of London, where he lives. This innovative concept will reflect edgy, exciting, and bold designs and will bridge the resort’s Parisian theme with Ramsay’s British heritage – a prefect synergy as Ramsay’s early education took place in the Paris kitchens of famous Michelin Star Chefs such as Guy Savoy and Joel Robuchon. San Francisco-based EDG Interior Architecture + Design, which previously created designs for Rao’s and Bradley Ogden restaurants at Caesars Palace, will spearhead the design.

This fresh new restaurant will offer guests a look at the exclusive beef aging program created under the direction of Chef Ramsay and his culinary team. The menu selections will range from traditional steakhouse fare with delectable cuts of beef to Ramsay’s signature fish and chips and Shepherd’s Pie. This dynamic new addition to Ramsay’s profound collection of restaurants will offer the freshest seafood to mouth-watering cuts of beef, French-influenced sides, and delicious desserts.

Source: gordonramsay.com

Internationally-renowned Chef Gordon Ramsay / Image via caesars.thedigitalcenter.com

Many of the vehicles were owned and operated by concessioner Xanterra Parks & Resorts. Although the vehicles are not presently available for public viewing, they have been preserved thanks to the dedication of many volunteers and funds provided by Yellowstone Association and Yellowstone Park Foundation. It is the hope of the National Park Service, which oversees the collection, that one day funding will be available to find a more suitable storage and exhibit facility.

Until that day, a look at the collection as well as those vehicles still in use today provides a fun and fascinating review of the park’s colorful past.

“When you look closely at the many vehicles that have made their way down our roads, you will find that they show not only the technology of the day but also reflect the values and priorities of each generation,” said Rick Hoeninghausen, director of sales and marketing for Xanterra in Yellowstone. “Vehicles range from the funky-looking yellow Bombardier snowcoaches still in use today to the drop-belly wagons that were used in early road construction. And without exception, the vehicles offer solid examples of American ingenuity as park managers throughout the generations developed ways to transport guests around our rugged park.”

Here are examples of some of the park’s historic vehicles. Not all of these vehicles are represented in the National Park Service Historic Vehicle Collection.

Snowplanes. These propeller-driven machines, a precursor to the later snowmobiles, were first developed in the late 1920s and constructed of a light steel frame with ski runners and driven by a propeller. Snowplanes were used to transport small numbers of winter visitors from the gateway community of West Yellowstone into the park. Walt Stewart, operator of the three snowplanes that entered the park, reportedly said his planes could accommodate a passenger and a small child if the passenger wasn’t too large. One report indicated 35 visitors entered the park in Stewart’s snowplanes during the month of January 1949. Snowplanes were also used by park rangers for official duties. By the 1950s, the snowplanes were replaced by the warmer, more comfortable snowcoaches.

Bombardier snowcoaches. The brainchild of a young mechanical genius named Joseph-Armand Bombardier, these vehicles look like a cross between a Volkswagen Beetle and a yellow school bus – except for the skis on the front and tank-like tracks where the back wheels should be. Bombardier snowcoaches first began transporting the park’s few, hardy winter-season visitors in 1955. Today, Xanterra operates 16 Bombardiers carrying up to 10 passengers.

Ski-Doos. Recognizing a need for single-rider machines, the park’s first snowmobiles were also developed by Joseph-Armand Bombardier. In 1959 he developed an open-cab snow machine for one rider he called a Ski-dog. A typo on a company memo produced the name Ski-Doo instead. The original Ski-Doo snowmobiles have long since been replaced by the cleaner, quieter four-stroke engine snowmobiles that are used on a limited basis in the park today. Some of the snowmobiles in operation today are still Ski-Doo models manufactured by Bombardier/Ski-Doo Limited of Valcourt, Quebec.

Stagecoaches. Stagecoaches provide a fine example of the important early association between the concessioner, called the Yellowstone Park Transportation Company (YPTC), and the Northern Pacific Railroad. The companies developed a stagecoach line in 1884 that first commenced from the Northern Pacific terminal in Cinnabar, Mont., three miles northwest of Gardiner, Mont., and then from Gardiner beginning in 1903. Arriving by train, travelers would embark on a multi-day “Grand Loop” tour of the park aboard these bright yellow coaches. The largest of these vehicles, six-horse “Tally-Ho” stagecoaches, transported train passengers to the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel just inside the northern entrance. Smaller four-horse “Observation Wagons” were used for the Grand Loop tour. Stagecoaches provided tours until about 1916. Replicas of the Tally-Ho coaches are used for summer tours today.

Surreys. These buggy-like vehicles transported small private groups of travelers during the stagecoach era.

Drop Belly Wagons. These utility wagons had a mechanism under the driver’s seat for raising and lowering the hinged bottom of the rear box, much like a tow truck. The vehicles were used for road construction and custodial duties.

Private automobiles. While other national parks began allowing privately operated automobiles into the park as early 1908, Yellowstone did not permit them until 1915. The reason for the delay, at least in part, was because YPTC head Harry Child had deep financial ties to the Yellowstone stagecoach business as well as many friends in high places. The resistance was also supported, for obvious reasons, by the railroad. Even after private cars became legal, they were not-so-subtly discouraged. Admission in 1915 for a single-passenger car was $5. Today, that $5 would be equal to $93. Additionally, all cars had to stop at checkpoints with attendants who knew exactly how long it would take to get from point to point while driving the speed limit. If drivers arrived too quickly they would be given steep fines. Travelers who drove their own vehicles also faced significant challenges driving on the park’s single-lane dirt tracks.

Concessioner automobiles. In 1917, YPTC began providing tours to affluent visitors in bright yellow touring vehicles of various sizes. These touring cars and buses were built by White Motor Company and operated by drivers called “gearjammers.” The seven-passenger versions featured four doors, front bucket seats, a rear bench seat, two rear jump seats, a canvas convertible top and storage compartment.

Historic Yellow Buses. These distinctive yellow White Motor Company Model 706 touring vehicles were used by summer-season travelers from the 1930s to the 1950s. When private vehicle usage increased to the point where they were not needed, the vehicles were sold and disbursed across the country. In 2007, Xanterra purchased eight of the original vehicles and refurbished them to bring them to acceptable environmental and mechanical standards. With seating for 13 people, the vehicles are now used to for a variety of tours during the summer season.

Xanterra operates lodges, restaurants, tours and activities in Yellowstone. To make reservations and for more information visit www.YellowstoneNationalParkLodges.com or call toll-free (1) 866-GEYSERLAND (1-866-439-7375) or (1) 307-344-7311.

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Xanterra Parks & Resorts® (consisting of several affiliated Xanterra entities) operates lodges, restaurants, tours and activities at national parks and state parks and resorts. Xanterra Parks & Resorts is the country’s largest park concessioner. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the following locations: Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park, Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va. and eight Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Windstar Cruises as well as Grand Canyon Railway in Williams, Ariz.

Xanterra Parks & Resorts has been committed to the preservation and protection of the environment for many years. Through its environmental program, “Ecologix,” Xanterra Parks & Resorts has been recognized repeatedly for environmental leadership in the hospitality industry and is the recipient of many honors, including major awards from the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Travel Industry Association of America, American Hotel and Lodging Association, National Parks Conservation Association, Conde Nast Traveler, National Geographic Traveler, Colorado Department of Public Health, State of Arizona, Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

For more information about Xanterra Parks & Resorts, links to individual properties and reservations numbers, visit www.xanterra.com

The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is set to re-open October 28, 2011 — Nevada Day — at its new location in the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. The 70,000-square-foot Nevada State Museum at the Springs Preserve is double the size of the former museum at Lorenzi Park and includes a 2,500-square-foot changing exhibit gallery that will house the “Unexpected Nevada” photo exhibit.

Featuring 22 images taken by photographer Cameron Grant, “Unexpected Nevada” depicts the state’s landscapes and landmarks in dramatic colour. Grant used the high dynamic range photography technique to enhance the pictures, and then printed them on an aluminum background to add to the image’s luminosity.

“Nevada is a place of unexpected beauty, with wide-open deserts and stunning mountain ranges,” Governor, Brian Sandoval said. “Presenting this information in a new and exciting way is one of the many important functions of our newest state museum. For Nevadans and visitors, the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is an opportunity to discover and re-discover this great state.”

“Unexpected Nevada” will be on display through April 2012. Also on exhibit in the museum’s permanent gallery will be displays on Nevada history, natural history and paleontology. The facility includes a research library, a store and community meeting spaces for rent.

“We are able to offer a more complete picture of Nevada at this new museum,” Peter Barton, administrator for the Nevada Division of Museums and History, said. “It’s also an important community resource.”

The $51.5 million Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is at the Springs Preserve, the 180-acre cultural institution with museums, exhibits, gardens, interpretive trails, event space and more. Visitors to the Nevada State Museum at the Springs Preserve will pay one fee that allows entry into the preserve as well as the museum. The new museum will be open four days a week, Friday through Monday.

With the crowds of the main season gone, the serenity of the parks unfold as you explore nature, take in the scenic beauty and enjoy fantastic fall hiking in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. With temperatures ranging from the mid 50′s to the mid 60′s, late fall/early winter provides sunny warm days that make hiking especially pleasurable.

Known as the mountain bike capitol of the world, Moab provides miles of incredible riding trails, ranging from the low-impact Mill Creek Parkway, providing miles of in-town riding, to the Slick Rock Bike Trail, guaranteed to challenge even the most experienced riders. These trails are accessible year round, as are the multitude of four-wheel drive trails that will transport you into a magical world of breath-taking scenery. Visitors can rent jeeps or take guided tours with one of the many experienced tour operators in Moab.

To experience real tranquility, plan a visit to Moab during the months of December and January. While the daytime temperatures can dip into the 40′s, the generally mild winters still make for pleasant day hikes.

Under a blanket of white, or even a skiff of snow, the views in the parks are magnificent with the glistening white snow creating a stark contrast against the red rock. Rock formations that go unnoticed during the other seasons suddenly come to life in the winter snow. Photograph opportunities are spectacular due to the added dimensions brought out by the white of winter, when even a clump of sage brush is magically transformed into a picture of beauty.

What is perhaps most unique to winter visits to Moab, is that you can be hiking a trail in the red rock desert one day and then cross country skiing the next without changing your overnight accommodations or spending hours driving. The Lasal Mountains, just 35 miles from downtown are the 2nd highest peaks in Utah and offer a variety of winter activities.

WHERE IS MOAB?

Located in southeastern Utah, Moab is located in the heart of the west, with Las Vegas, Nevada to the southwest, Yellowstone National Park to the north, Denver Colorado to the east and the Grand Canyon to the south. Moab will surround you not only with beautiful scenery, but with the warmth and hospitality of a small resort town.

The unique combination of beautiful red rock scenery, the Colorado River and the majestic Lasal Mountains (where you can rise to 10,000 ft in less than an hour), has made Moab one of the most sought after destinations in the southwest. Add this amazing scenery to the numerous activities that can be enjoyed and Moab becomes an “outdoor wonderland” for hikers, bikers, rafters, golfers, four wheelers, hunters and fishers, sightseers, photo buffs, historians, heritage culture seekers and so much more. Most Moab adventures can be tailored to fit the visitor, be it mild, wild or extreme, there is something for everyone.

HOW DO I GET THERE?

Moab’s extreme popularity is due in part to its unique and remote location. Nestled in a green valley beneath towering red rock canyons on the banks of the Colorado River, Moab is a diamond in the rough and well worth the effort to get there.

BY AIR

Located on Hwy 191, just off Interstate 70 in the southeastern corner of Utah, Moab is conveniently located within one day’s drive of international airports in four major cities:

Salt Lake City, UT: 235 miles/4 hours

Denver, CO: 355 miles/5.5 hours

Las Vegas, NV 458 miles/7 hours

Albuquerque, NM 387 miles/6 hours

While the closest international airport is located in Salt Lake City (SLC), there is an airport in Grand Junction, Colorado (GJT) – just 112 miles east of Moab. Great Lakes Airlines connects directly from Denver, Colorado (DEN) to the Canyonlands Field Airport (CNY) located 16 miles north of Moab twice daily, with a Las Vegas flight added during the peak season of May-September.

For more info: www.discovermoab.com/airline.htm

BY LAND

Train & Shuttle Service

While it is not possible to reach Moab via train, you can reach Green River, Utah located 50 miles northwest of downtown Moab. Scheduled and unscheduled Shuttle service from Green River to Moab is available.

Road Trippin’

A good old fashioned road trip is also a great way to visit Moab. Take one of these great tours or create your own:

Utah National Parks tour – www.fiveutahparks.com/nationalparks.itinerary.html

Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway – www.dinosaurdiamond.org

Grand Circle Road Trip www.us-parks.com/the-grand-circle.html

Scenic Byways:

Once in Moab, take one or all of the three State Scenic Byways that Moab is home to;

Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-128),

Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway (U-279)

Dead Horse Mesa Scenic Byway (U-313)

Gilmore, head of Visitor Services and Wood, office manager, have been doing double duty for the VCCTA since the departure of executive director Susan Sutton. They have handled events, tours and marketing for the agency and kept Virginia City Tourism moving forward.

Unions, veterans groups, equestrian units, classic cars and any other entries are invited to join in the parade. Already signed up are the UAW, Civil War Re-enactors, Wild Horse Preservation League and Larry McPherson, former commissioner for Lyon County, among others

The parade will begin at noon at the Historic Fourth Ward School at 527 South C St. Lineup will begin at 11 a.m. and late entries are welcome, but pre-registration is encouraged.

After the parade the Comstock Civil War Re-enactors will fight the ”Battle for C Street” in conjunction with their weekend-long Virginia City Civil War Days, complete with encampments, train battles and demonstrations.

Contestants can pre-register for the parade by calling 775-847-4768, or downloading an entry form at www.VisitVirginiaCityNV.com.

Completed forms can be faxed to 775-847-4744, or send via e-mail to comstockwriter@yahoo.com

Downtown Salt Lake News

CITY CREEK CENTER – Downtown Rising

Downtown Salt Lake will be changed forever just in time for spring skiing with the March opening of City Creek Center, a 23-acre development in the heart of the city. Developed by Taubman Centers Inc, across from Temple Square, this world-class fashion and dining destination will tempt après ski strollers with 80+ stores and restaurants, anchored by Macy’s and Nordstrom. Meandering through the central walkways and plazas is an artful 1,200-foot-long authentic re-creation of the south fork of City Creek, the iconic waterway that once coursed through the city. City Creek Center is not only sustainably designed but will open debt-free, a remarkable achievement in today’s economy. Located just 10 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, City Creek Center will open March 22, 2012. www.shopcitycreek.com

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF UTAH AT THE RIO TINTO CENTER – New Home

Dinosaurs will be just one of the astounding exhibits at the Rio Tinto Center, the new home of the Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City. Tucked into a hillside overlooking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, the 161,000 square foot LEED-Standard museum is on the University of Utah campus. It will tempt skiers to take a break from Utah famous powder and bring their families to explore the eight permanent exhibit spaces and the 1,200-square-foot children’s gallery. Opening in late 2011, it’s a world-class trove of dinosaur bones, Native American artifacts, and rare insects. www.umnh.utah.edu/newmuseumabout

AIRPORT TRAX LINE – Rails to Ski Trails

When the new rail extension by Salt Lake’s TRAX public transportation system connects downtown with Salt Lake City International Airport, it will become a model transportation hub. Scheduled to be completed by early 2013, the train will run along North Temple with six station stops. For skiers freshly arrived at the airport, it will be a fast, 20 minute ride to downtown and Salt Lake’s range of great hotels for every budget. Skiers will find that access to the mountains is quick and easy, thanks to the UTA, Utah Transit Authority, which runs full ski bus service to Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude ski resorts. Service will run every 15 minutes along the six-mile light rail line. www.visitsaltlake.com

THE LEONARDO MUSEUM OF ART – Sci + Tech + Art + Après Ski

Inspiration and creativity are at the forefront of The Leonardo, a visionary museum of science, technology, and art that opens in Salt Lake City this fall. Housed in the former SLC Library, The Leonardo will take a unique, interactive approach to engaging visitors. Inspired by namesake Leonardo da Vinci, the brilliant artist, scientist, and engineer who approached life with unquenchable curiosity, The Leonardo’s mission is to inspire creativity and innovation in young people and adults. Visitors taking a break from the slopes of Ski Salt Lake can expect exhibits, dialogs, hands-on workshops, performances, and major traveling exhibitions that will challenge their beliefs and inspire them. www.theleonardo.org

Ski Salt Lake Resort News

ALTA SKI AREA – Going Green & Getting Smart

Alta Ski Area is greening up as part of a two-pronged base upgrade. The Resort is working with architects, an environmental consultant, and a contractor to plan phase one of a LEED Certified building that will include a new ticket office, ski shop, and various skier services. Alta is also working with its RFID ticketing system to add a smart phone application that will allow skiers to quickly reload their Alta Card for skiing instead of going to the ticket office. For more information, go to www.alta.com

BRIGHTON – Local Hero Makes Good (Snow)

Brighton, considered the locals’ favorite mountain in Big Cottonwood Canyon, is upgrading its snowmaking system to the tune of $500,000 this year and spending another $20,000 to add new features to its Terrain Park. That’s after last year’s investment in two new snow cats and a Zaugg Halpipe cutter. There’s also an emphasis on better ski rentals for 2011-2012, so look for new high end equipment in the demo center. www.brightonresort.com

SNOWBIRD – Not Flaiking Out on Improvements

Snowbird is famous for its extreme skiing, but this year will have several new improvements in place for beginner and intermediate skiers/snowboarders. One of which will be the implementation of the Flaik System through Snowbird Mountain School. The Flaik System is a GPS device that allows parents and kids to track exactly where they went -including how many vertical feet they mastered. The Aerie Restaurant will be also be remodeled. Once complete, The Cliff Lodge will have been completely remodeled, including meeting spaces www.snowbird.com

SOLITUDE MOUNTAIN RESORT – High Five for New WiFi

Always seeking to refine the skier experience, Solitude Mountain Resort recently unveiled free WiFi throughout all of Solitude Village. At a time when smart phones have become part of a skier’s daily life, and Facebook, foursquare and Twitter keep skiers connected to friends and family, it’s a terrific skier-friendly development. www.skisolitude.com

Visit Salt Lake is a private, non-profit corporation responsible for the promotion of Salt Lake as a convention and travel destination. Visit Salt Lake’s mission is to improve the area economy by attracting and providing support to conventions, leisure travelers and visitors while being a leader in environmental responsibility. Salt Lake is a unique fusion of metropolitan city and quaint mountain town; the towering Wasatch Mountains that embrace Salt Lake offer a dramatic backdrop to the vibrancy and activities of downtown. For more information on all that Salt Lake has to offer, go to www.VisitSaltLake.com