Dreaming of a Caribbean vacation this winter? Instead of crossing the country, drive just two hours east of Park City to Bear Lake, the Caribbean of the Rockies. Just like people come to Park City for the winters, but stay for the summers, visitors travel to Bear Lake for the summers, but stay for the winters. Winter in Bear Lake is one of the West’s best-kept secrets; it is magic and just two hours away.

Bear Lake is filled with comfy cabins, winter activities—skiing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, stargazing and gourmet dining. It is close enough to home for a weekend getaway, but far enough to feel like you have traveled to a remote destination.

In Bear Lake lodging options range from luxury homes and hotels to cabins, condominiums and bed and breakfasts. There is something to suit every vacation need in Garden City and the surrounding area.

Cozy up with a book or a mug of hot chocolate in one of the Three Bears’ Cabins. Whether planning a romantic getaway or a family friendly vacation, Mimi’s Lodges offers three separate cabins—the Papa Bear, the Mama Bear and the Baby Bear; you will fnd one that fi ts just right.

When not snuggled into the quiet comfort of your lodging, “Ski the Beav!” It is where the locals go for snow sports. Featuring 48 runs and 400 (+) inches of snow each year, this family-run and family-friendly resort will become a go-to. It is small enough to be intimate and large enough to provide terrain for all levels and interests.

Because Beaver Mountain knows that “70 is the new 30,” they offer season passes for just $100 for seniors. Children under the age of five ski for free with an adult. Th e resort is open to both skiers and boarders. Th ey have reasonably priced season and day passes. Th e Beaver Mountain Snowsports School is committed to providing just the right instructor for all of their clients—children to adults and boarders to telemark skiers. Th e instructors know the mountain well; have strong teaching skills and a passion for snow sports.

If you are not on the mountain, you can enjoy the thrill of a snowmobile ride on miles of open terrain. Trail maps are available to guide you to winter waterfalls and almost frozen streams. Climb up for a view of the bright blue Bear Lake. Snowmobiling season starts in late November and continues into April.

The Bear Lake Snowmobile Complex provides opportunities that span the northern part of Utah and southeastern part of Idaho. Hosting tours throughout the area, riders can visit popular destinations like the Sinks, Temple Peak and Hardware Ranch on the Utah side. Traveling into Idaho, snowmobilers will enjoy Swan Flat, Gibson Basin and St. Charles Canyon. Areas for snowmobiling have groomed trails, excellent snow quality and off-trail opportunities. This is a comfortable way to reach the peaks and enjoy the spectacular vistas of Bear Lake.

Bear Lake is renowned for its ice fishing opportunities. Pugstones Sporting is the local go-to for licenses, equipment, advice and bragging. You can join the Cisco Disco in January and early February; the Bonneville cisco spawns at this time. Locals say that the cisco is the “most delicious fish.” With over 9,000,000 in the lake, it’s easy to catch the 30 limit. Th e Bear Lake whitefish spawns next and can be caught in February and March.

Other adventures include tubing, sledding and cross-country skiing. Local, Carol Dyer describes Bear Lake as a “winter wonderland.” Because it is untouched, it is an ideal place to see American bald eagles.

At night, Dyer says, “It is super quiet.” From Garden City Canyon, there is zero light pollution; you can see the Milky Way. Park City painter, Ryan Swisher explains, “It’s quite peaceful. People just don’t expect to go there in the winter.”
The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is the largest annual winter event that includes the Monster Plunge and chili cook-off.

All of these outdoor adventures will definitely make you hungry. Fortunately, Bear Lake has year-round gourmet restaurants and casual dining opportunities. Take a walk in the quiet night along the streets of Garden City to plan your food festivities. Garden City has an eclectic collection of restaurants, coffee shops and delis.

The area considered Bear Lake crosses the border into Idaho. Thirty minutes from Garden City, you can find additional restaurants. Plus, the Idaho towns have a bowling alley and a movie theater.

Bear Lake is becoming a year-round destination. Local teacher, Andrea Payne, notes, “The thing I love most about Bear Lake is the small-town feel. We make two trips a year; one in the summer and one in the winter.”

From cozy comfortable cabins to a family-run and family-friendly ski resort to gourmet dining to the annual Cisco Disco, Bear Lake needs to be on your winter destination list.

Visit bearlake.org… the Bear Lake Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau for additional vacation planning.

BEAR LAKE WINTER EVENTS CALENDAR

 
DECEMBER

12/6-7
MURDER MYSTERY DINNER National Oregon/
California Trail Center
Garden City

12/8
BRENN HILL CHRISTMAS CONCERT National Oregon/
California Trail Center
Garden City

12/15
BAR J WRANGLERS CHRISTMAS Ellen Eccles Theatre
Logan City

JANUARY

1/14
DOKTOR KABOOM! IT’S JUST ROCKET SCIENCE
Ellen Eccles Theatre
Logan City

1/18
USU US BYU GYMNASTICS MEET Dee Glen Smith Spectrum
Logan City

1/22-23
THE KING & I
Ellen Eccles Theatre
Logan City

1/25-26
BEAR LAKE MONSTER WINTERFEST Bear Lake State Park Marina Garden City

1/25-26
MONSTER INDOOR
& OUTDOOR EXPO
Bear Lake State Park Marina Garden City

FEBRUARY

2/8
USU VS BYU GYMNASTICS MEET Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Logan City

2/12˜13
SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Ellen Eccles Theatre
Logan City

2/14˜16
VALENTINE’S DINNER & CONCERT American West Heritage Center Wellsville

2/22
USU VS ALASKA ANCHORAGE GYMNASTICS MEET
Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Logan City

MARCH

3/8
USU VS SUU GYMNASTICS MEET Dee Glen Smith Spectrum Logan City

3/11
JAKE SHIMABUKURO Ellen Eccles Theatre Logan City

3/18
BALLET HISPÁNICO Ellen Eccles Theatre Logan City

SOURCEJulie Hooker
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