Bordering the 1,425-acre University campus are the rugged Wasatch Mountains, a mecca of pristine beauty and, for winter sports enthusiasts, unsurpassed downhill and cross-country skiing. Seven ski resorts, including three in the historic mining town of Park City, are within an hour's drive of campus.

Spring through autumn, the nearby canyons, streams and lakes offer a variety of other recreational activities. Some of the country's most breathtaking and varied parkland is within a six-hour drive of Salt Lake City, including five National Parks in Southern Utah: Bryce Canyon, Zion, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reef.

The scenic campus helps convey the University's diversity. Between historic buildings on President's Circle and the contemporary Health Sciences Center are spacious malls, unique fountains and a wealth of native and exotic plantings. Five minutes away is downtown Salt Lake City the heart of state government and a vigorous urban center that reflects the area's expanding economic and cultural life.

Salt Lake City is the cultural and sports center of the vast intermountain region between the Sierras and the Rockies. It supports professional groups such as the Utah Symphony, Ballet West, two modern dance companies and Utah Opera Company. Salt Lake is also home of the NBA's Utah Jazz and the Buzz Baseball Team. An international film festival, the Sundance Film Festival, takes place annually in Park City, and several major arts and entertainment festivals are annual local traditions. Utah's museums of Fine Arts and Natural History are located on campus, as is the state's arboretum and gardens.

The University of Utah has recreational facilities for racquetball, handball, golf, basketball, tennis (indoor and outdoor), volleyball, gymnastics, squash, weight training and numerous other sports. Three indoor pools assure access to swimming year-round. The field house has an indoor track, courts for tennis and other racquet sports, as well as exercise areas, whirlpools and saunas. Campus Recreation offers organized programs and inexpensive rental equipment for popular off-campus outdoor activities. There are many outstanding cultural opportunities at the University of Utah, including theatre, dance and music, as well as the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, the Utah Museum of Natural History, and Red Butte Garden and Arboretum.

Utah and Salt Lake City

What to do around Salt Lake City