There is a very sad phenomenon called SAD, an acronym for Seasonal Affective Disorder. This condition causes many people who live in severe climates to suffer a form of seasonal depression in the winter. According to Psychologytoday.com this disorder affects 10 million Americans.
From Utah Stories’ internal research we have found that adrenaline junkies, powder pigs and extreme mountain enthusiasts are not affected by SAD. Why? Because they are outside in the sun, cold or blizzards, braving the elements and getting their fix from nature.
This guide is intended for everyone who believes the month of February is depressing; that Utah’s red air makes it even more depressing, and that the Utah State Legislature compounds this depression even further.
Check off these fun things to do in February and hashtag #FebFun. We will post the best photos in next month’s issue and on our Instagram and Facebook pages.
Head to one of the world class ski resorts and ski or snowboard your blues away. To find the best slopes for your style, read our Utah Stories article at utahstories.com/2014/11/utah-skiing-which-slope-is-right-for-you/
Rent some snowshoes or buy your own and check out Snowshoeing in Utah. We recommend Mill Creek Canyon’s Dog Lake or Desolation Canyon. Snowshoeutah.com has great advice and places to go.
For those who like their adrenaline on high and have good insurance, there are some local tubing hills at Soldier Hollow, Gorgoza Park and Mountain Dell Golf Course. In town there is Sugar House Park and Eastwood Elementary School.
Take a twirl around the ice at Gallivan Center or the Olympic Oval, utaholympiclegacy.com/oval/
See how the animals do winter at Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary.
Take a visit above the inversion to Bonneville Shoreline Trail (access is across the street from Hogle Zoo). Winter running trails are firm and well traveled. Best of all the air is clean.
Polar Plunge: Special Olympics sponsors Polar Plunges in January and February. Two upcoming plunges are scheduled for Cedar City on February 11th at Cedar City Aquatic Center, 2090 W. Royal Hunte Drive in Cedar City, and in St. George, February 28th at St. George City Pool, 250 East 700 South, St. George. Visit the Special Olympics webpage for more information.
Utah Stories recently ran an article about ice fishing demonstrating that is is much easier to take on than you might think. Visit utahstories.com/2016/12/ice-fishing-in-utah/ For great fishing spots visit utahicefishing.com
In the mood for some art? Visit the art galleries at Park City, UMFA, Local Colors and 15th Street Gallery. Or a museum; Natural History Museum of Utah or the Lehi City Hutchings Museum. There are also the Thanksgiving Point dinosaurs, Clark Planetarium and Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum.
