OUR DESTINATIONS
Let us help you find your perfect holiday by phoning us on
We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
Alternatively, check out some of our holiday offers below.
- Destinations
- North America
- United States of America
- Utah
Utah
A land of extremes, Utah holds a special appeal for outdoor
enthusiasts, encompassing a wide variety of landscapes and
fascinating geological formations that offer unlimited
opportunities for outdoor recreation. Most of the state is situated
on a plateau above 4,000ft (1,219m), but the elevations rise and
fall spectacularly across snow-covered mountains and deep river
canyons. The most significant sights and attractions have been
formed by the dramatic forces of nature, creating ruggedly
beautiful, multicoloured canyons, eroded rock sculptures, red
desert plains, forested mountains and snow-capped peaks. Southern
Utah has five breathtaking national parks, including Zion and Bryce
Canyon, which draw the most visitors, but the lesser-known parks
are just as spectacular.
The Anglo settlement of Utah began with the arrival of the
Mormon pioneers in the Salt Lake area in 1847, led by Brigham
Young. Today more than 70 percent of the population belong to the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, congregants of which
are known as the Mormons. The Mormon heritage defines the state's
modern culture and many perceive Utah as a region stuck in a time
warp due to the strong church influence, emphasis on family values,
and a notoriously strict attitude regarding the drinking of
alcohol. But the people are friendly and unpretentious, the crime
rate is low and there are many beautiful places of interest to
visit.
Salt Lake City is a modern metropolis regarded as one of the top
business environments in the country, as well as being the
spiritual hub of the Mormon religion, home to the sacred Temple and
the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Its proximity to the Wasatch
Mountains makes it a popular base for winter and summer outdoor
recreation, and nearby resorts like Park City, Sundance and
Snowbird offer superb powder snow and Olympic-class skiing.
Information & Facts
Climate
Utah has plenty of sunshine and low humidity. The Utah climate
is semiarid to arid, depending on the region, and most of the state
is at a high elevation. Snowfall is common statewide, except in the
Great Salt Lake Desert and at the southern border. The lower
altitudes usually experience snow from November to March, while the
higher altitudes experience snow from October to May, with snow
cover on the mountains sometimes continuing until July. The Wasatch
Mountains usually experience good snow, making the area's ski
resorts popular with winter outdoor sport enthusiasts. Summer
temperatures in Utah are usually about 79°F (26°C), with winter
temperatures around 30°F (-1°C). In the north, spring is usually
the wettest season, while summer and fall are the wettest further
south. Most of the mountainous areas experience more rain in
winter. Sporadic thunderstorms, caused by monsoons, can occur
during summer and fall, creating flash floods and wildfires.
Language
English is the most common language but Spanish is often
spoken in south-western states.
Money
The US Dollar (USD) is the unit of currency and is divided into
100 cents. Only major banks exchange foreign currency. ATMs are
widespread and credit cards and travellers cheques are widely
accepted. Travellers cheques should be taken in US Dollars to avoid
hassles. Banking hours are Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm.
Time
GMT -7 (GMT -6 from March to November).