Salt Lake City in April
 

I'll be visiting Salt Lake City for a conference in mid-April. I have two questions:<BR>1) What kind of weather can I expect?<BR>2) How close is the city to the lake? I would like to see the lake, but I won't have a car. What are my options by public transit?<BR>Thanks!

hi Tania! Weather in the city in April should be relatively warm days about 50-60 F and cool nights. Be prepared for some rain & possible light snow.<BR><BR>The lake is really not worth seeing and I don't think there is any public transporation out there. It's a very shallow lake, considering its size, and is extremely salty. This means nasty insects all around the shore. Also, it's usually quite windy & cold near the water. The best view you'll have of the lake is flying into the airport - It's at the edge of the lake. There is a large island, Antelope Island, that you can take a boat out to. It has a historical ranch & buffalo, but I'm not sure what the weather would be like in April.<BR><BR>There are so many nicer & more beautiful things to see in the Salt Lake area other than the lake. Temple Square is interestig for a short visit if you enjoy history. Also the Geneological Library is a very big draw, everyone can go in & search their roots. Red Butte Gardens, near the U of Utah is nice in spring. Spring skiing at Snowbird or Alta is incredible. Great snow, warm days & NO crowds. Or, you might like to come up to Park City & see the Olympic Park where the bobsleds, luge, skeleton & ski jumps are. They have very interesting tours & a new ski museum. Trolley Square in SLC is kind of interesting for shopping/dining. There are also lots of cultural events, the Utah Symphony, plays at the U, and we have the Utah Opera & Ballet West.<BR><BR>Write back if you would like more details.

This is for Dayle, who has been very helpful. How close are these resorts--is it really that easy to go to <BR>PC one day, DV the next, the Solitude etc? How long are these shuttles? Are they comfortable, come often etc? Can we drive and find close parking at these resorts? Also, is Solitude ok for a beginner? thanks again.

Dayle's right about the lake - although they do cruises out on the lake and I hear once you get away from the shore the flies and the smell aren't there. I'll have to try a cruise some time. You would want to rent a car if you decide to go out to the lake. It's probably a 30 min. drive from Salt Lake with no traffic.<BR><BR>Solitude is a great resort for beginners. The shuttles Dayle refers to are the Park City shuttles and would be limited to Park City. The Park City ski areas (Park City, Deer Valley and The Canyons) are about 45 min. from Salt Lake. Solitude, Brighton, Alta and Snowbird are also about 45 min. from Salt Lake, but up different canyons. There is a road across the mountain between Park City and Brighton/Solitude, but I don't think it's open in the winter. So you have to come down one canyon and travel over to go up another one. I would think it would take around 90 min. to travel from Park City to Solitude.<BR><BR>Good public transportation is just beginning in Salt Lake and renting a car is probably the best idea. All of the ski resorts have plenty of parking.

Hey Em! You've got good local advice from Barbara. Yes, the road over Guardsmens Pass from Park City to Big Cottonwood Canyon is closed in winter. It's very easy to get skiing in on a business trip. UTA buses go from downtown SLC to the Big (Brighton & Solitude) & Little (Alta & Snowbird) Cottonwood resorts. Park City would require a car or a van service. To drive in a private car from Park City to Big Cottonwood would take about 1 hour. Little Cottonwood a bit longer. Note: Alta & Snowbird are so close together in the canyon, that this year they started offering a joint ticket. You can ski both areas on one lift ticket, however, boarders are NOT allowed at Alta. You'll love Utah skiing!