Family-Friendly Winter Activities in Ogden
OGDEN IS THE PLACE FOR FAMILY ADVENTURES DURING THE WINTER SEASON!
Winter in Ogden, Utah, is truly a winter wonderland experience. Whether you’re a local looking for new ways to embrace the season or a family visiting seeking a winter wonderland getaway, you’re in for a treat. With everything from ski-covered mountains to winter festivals to dinosaur museums—and even indoor skydiving—there’s something for everyone. Here are TEN fun winter activities in Ogden you can experience with your family this winter.
1. Experience the magic at Christmas Village
The holiday season in Ogden kicks off the Saturday after Thanksgiving with the opening of the Christmas Village. The celebration runs until New Year’s Day and includes a dazzling winter wonderland filled with Christmas lights and a unique setting of cottages modeled after Santa’s Village.
The festivities open with the Holiday Electric Light Parade, filled with floats and performers, while finishing with a fireworks show. Children can meet Santa at his castle Mondays through Fridays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. An encounter with Santa stands out as the quintessential winter activity for toddlers.
2. Ski/snowboard at our three local ski resorts
The skiing at the world-class Snowbasin Resort and Powder Mountain offers enough easy trails that are appropriate for kids and beginners. They have excellent ski schools providing skiing and snowboarding lessons for all ability levels, so parents and kids can sign up for a class. Nordic Valley keeps the excitement going after the sun goes down, with 100 percent of the mountain open for night skiing.
In 2023, the Ogden area was honored by topping the charts on Ski Magazine, having Powder Mountain and Snowbasin rank #1 and #2 in the Top 30 Ski Resorts in the West, respectively!
3. Indoor family fun at the Salomon Center
Ogden isn’t only about outdoor adventures. When ready for a break from the weather, head inside the Salomon Center. From indoor rock climbing and simulated skydiving to an exhilarating indoor surf wave, the Salomon Center guarantees non-stop excitement and fun. Start at iRock, where you can try top-rope climbing on walls as high as 55 feet. Ride a gnarly wave at the indoor surf wave at Flowrider. Have you ever wanted to try skydiving? At iFly Utah, you can experience the sport without going anywhere near an airplane. The family can try indoor skydiving in a giant wind tunnel that replicates the sensation of free-falling. (Don’t worry, there’s a soft net for safety!) You can get the thrill of skydiving without getting more than a few feet off the ground. Lastly, let the kids bowl and play laser tag and arcade games at Skinny Dogz.
4. Be a kid at the Treehouse Museum
Take a day to explore the Treehouse Museum, which offers 30,000 square feet of exhibitions, play areas, educational opportunities, storytelling, crafts, and games. Families can explore multiple levels of the museum space, with one giant tree as the center. There’s so much to go through that you’ll want to plan some serious time for Treehouse-ing.
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5. Experience the local art
One thing Ogden is known for is our eclectic art scene. When you are in downtown Ogden, head to Color Me Mine to decorate pottery or to the Artbox to make candles. If you’re lucky enough to be in town the first week of the month, you’ll want to make sure you attend the First Friday Art Stroll from 6-9 PM! Otherwise, check out our endless amounts of murals that showcase local artists.
Check out Green Haus Art Co. in Huntsville if you are in Ogden Valley. This art gallery provides creativity, education, and community. They offer classes of all types for locals and visitors alike to try their hand at different kinds of arts and expressions.
Get Creative at Green Haus Art Co.
6. Go back in time to the Ogden Dinosaur Park
If you have a family member particularly fascinated by dinosaurs, the Ogden Dinosaur Park is a must-see. Along the park’s walking paths, adventurers will find over a hundred dinosaur statues modeled closely after actual fossils and brought to life with brilliant artistry, robotics, and sound effects. Naturally, there are plenty of things to climb on and play on, and there’s also a museum where prehistoric enthusiasts can brush up on their dino facts.
7. Take a glimpse into aviation’s past at Hill Aerospace Museum
One of the most visited attractions in the area is the Hill Aerospace Museum. This fascinating and educational experience will inspire a love of aviation and military history. The museum features many aircraft, including famous planes like the SR-71 Blackbird and the B-17 Flying Fortress. Kids can climb into the aircraft’s cockpits, learn about the science behind flight, and participate in special events and workshops that provide an in-depth look at aviation history.
8. Escape into the mountains for winter hiking
Hiking here in Ogden isn’t limited to specific seasons. Explore the mountains after they transform into a winter wonderland with a hike. Waterfall Canyon, Ogden Canyon Overlook, and Bonneville Shoreline are just a handful of our favorites. Check out th
Trails Foundation of Northern Utah for more trails and resources.
9. Explore the winter snow in the backcountry
There’s no better way to explore the winter landscape than through Club Rec North, which offers options for families looking for a thrilling adventure. The company rents snowmobiles at its Monte Cristo location, about 45 minutes from Ogden and 17 miles east of Huntsville on Highway 39. You’ll find some of the best riding in the Wasatch range here. If you prefer non-motorized sports, Club Rec North also offers tours on cross-country skis and snowshoes.
If winter backcountry isn’t your thing, check out some of our best sledding spots for the little ones.
10. It’s all about the good food, right?
Lastly, we recommend checking out our local and independently owned restaurants throughout downtown Ogden. Also, we know that you’ll need the extra caffeine to keep up with the excitement of Ogden.
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