I took a winter trip to Utah for the first time and made 4 mistakes I won't repeat on future visits

6 hours ago 1

The author sits on a ledge next to a street with snow on the ground and houses in the beckground

On a winter trip, I explored Salt Lake City, Park City, and surrounding suburbs in Utah.
It was my first time visiting the area, and I regretted booking my trip during peak season.
I made other mistakes, like packing too light and missing out on winter activities.

In January, I flew from my home in NYC to Denver and hopped on a 15-hour Amtrak train to Utah's Silicon Slopes — a tech hub lining the Wasatch Front that includes Salt Lake City, Park City, and the surrounding suburbs.

I spent three days exploring the luxurious wealth enclave amid ski season and made four mistakes I'm still mulling over two months later.

My first mistake was booking my trip in the peak winter season as a non-skier.

A snow-covered mountain with skiers on lifts and on the slopes in Park City, Utah

As a first-time visitor to Salt Lake City and Park City, I thought seeing the mountains blanketed in snow would be nice — and it really was.

I knew it would be a popular time to visit Utah since it's a ski hub, but I didn't realize just how busy it would be. Park City was packed with winter sports enthusiasts. Skiers and snowboarders roamed the sidewalks of traffic-filled streets in downtown Park City all suited up — some with gear in tow.

I stopped by the slopes at Deer Valley Resort and spotted long lines of skiers waiting for lifts. I waited in lines to ride a funicular up and down the mountain.

Maybe seeing the snow was worth the crowds — I won't know for sure until I visit during another season. But had I realized I'd be visiting during the busiest time of year, I would have likely pushed my trip to the spring during shoulder season.

I didn't pack enough clothing.

The author stands in a park in Salt Lake City.

Overpacking is a common mistake when traveling, so I go to great lengths to avoid stuffing too many outfits into my bag. But this time, I overcorrected.

When packing for a trip that's less than a week long, I typically only bring layers that can be worn all at once when needed or that I can mix and match. Since I was traveling in winter, I brought a couple of extra shirts, one additional pair of pants, and zero extra outer layers.

But in January along Utah's Wasatch Front, when temperatures ranged from 24 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit, I needed to wear most of my layers daily.

After bundling up for a flight and a train ride, I felt desperate for fresh layers when I arrived in Salt Lake City.

Doing laundry at the hotel was another mistake.

Clean laundry bagged and hung and wrapped in paper in a box on a hotel bed with white sheets

What do you do when you need clean clothes on the road? Utilizing the hotel's laundry services seemed the most straightforward solution, but I regretted it.

That night, I stayed at the five-star Grand America Hotel, where laundry services were top-tier. My shirts and sweaters were returned to me on hangers in individual hotel-branded bags. Smaller items were wrapped in paper in a cardboard box.

I felt like I was opening a present as I sorted through my clean clothes. It excited me — until I saw the receipt.

I paid $115 for three shirts, two pairs of pants, one hoodie, six undergarments, and one two-piece blazer. It was certainly the most luxurious laundry service I'd ever experienced, but for the same money, I could have bought a whole new outfit — and what a great excuse it would have been to treat myself.