Bryce Canyon is even more beautiful in the wintertime! For the casual visitor, hopping in and out of their warm car at the overlooks to see the striking contrast of white snow, red rock, and blue sky might be thrilling enough. However, for the more adventurous winter recreationists, many opportunities beckon. BEFORE setting out on one of the adventures described below, stop at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center to get up-to-date weather and safety information.

The best time of winter to visit Bryce Canyon is during the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival. This annual event is held over President's Day Weekend. This year's festival will be February 19-21, 2011. 

Prohibited Activities
Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, etc. off of the Bryce Canyon Rim into the canyon is illegal due to the highly dangerous nature of such activities and the damage to the resource they can cause. The annual 200 daily freeze-thaw cycles that form our unique hoodoos also make steep sections of the canyon susceptible to avalanches and even the more dangerous and unpredictable mud-snow slides! Though we've never had a fatality from such an event, visitors who ignored this warning and became victims of mud-snow slides, have been injured and badly traumatized by the experience. Avoid these hazards by staying on designated trails and NOT skiing (or sliding) off of the canyon rim!  

Winter Hiking
After a big snowfall most of the park's day-hiking trails require snowshoes. However, after a few days of melt, and with continued use, the trails become so well packed and icy that snowshoes are often more of a liability. For much of the winter the most popular trails are so icy that steep sections cannot be safely traversed without some sort of additional traction device for your hiking shoes or boots. While mountaineering crampons work fine, they are heavier and much more expensive than the traction devices pictured at left. The Bryce Canyon Natural History Association's bookstore at the Visitor Center sells such devices for the discounted price of $27.   

Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is allowed throughout the park. Though snowshoes make it possible to travel through deep powdery snow, snowshoeing is still a highly strenous activity. "Most people can snowshoe about as far as they can swim!" jokes Park Ranger Kevin Poe. "Especially if you haven't been taught good technique!" adds Park Ranger and Snowshoe Instructor Jim Jakicic. These gentleman and other rangers offer snowshoe guided hikes (when snow depth is sufficient) every weekend and sporadically during the week. Designed for beginner snowshowers, but also enjoyed by experts, these outings help you learn or refine your showshoe technique, while also teaching winter ecology and other winter survival skills. High-tech snowshoes made by MSR are provided for all participants of ranger guided snowshoe activities. Sign up at the Bryce Canyon Visitor Center or make a reservation by calling 435-834-4747.  Attendance is free.

Ranger Guided Full Moon Snowshoe Hikes

From November through March (when snow depth exceeds 12") we offer full moon snowshoe hikes. Snowshoes and poles are provided but you must provide your own snow-boot or waterproof hiking boots. (Click here for more info and moon hike schedule)

Cross-country Skiing
Another great way to explore Bryce Canyon is on cross-country skis. Though it is illegal to ski off of the rim into the canyon, you can enjoy a variety of routes above the rim. These include the rim trail between Bryce Point and Fairyland Point; Bristlecone Loop; Paria Ski Loop; and the unplowed Paria View and Fairyland Point roads.

On rare occasions when the snow depth allows, you can ski into the bottom of the Bryce Amphitheater from the outskirts of the town of Tropic. Another nearby favorite that allows for skiing among hoodoos, is the Red Canyon Bike Path. Also outside of the park, Bryce Canyon City maintains many miles of groomed ski trails. If you don't have your own skis, cross-country skis as well as snowshoe equipment can be rented in Bryce Canyon City.

Winter Backpacking
Bryce Canyon's backcountry is difficult anytime of year but it is especially challenging in the winter. Concerns are not limited to just deep snow and sub-zero temperatures, more importantly following the trail can be extremely challenging when covered in deep snow. Losing the trail makes it difficult to find the key routes back up to the rim and the Rainbow Point Road. For this and other reasons (open fires are prohibited, access road may be closed for several days after a big storm, etc.) winter backcountry permits are issued to only the most experienced and well prepared adventurers. Ski and/or snowshoe equipment is highly recommended. If you don't have your own equipment snowshoe and cross-country equipment can be rented in Bryce Canyon City. Click here for more information about backcountry camping.

 

Sledding
Although sledding is allowed above the canyon rim (sledding off of the canyon rim being strictly prohibited), there are very few suitable places within the boundaries of  Bryce Canyon National Park to enjoy sledding. Local residents prefer to do their sledding in nearby Red Canyon.

Winter Astronomy
Yes! Even in the winter time we offer Astronomy Programs! Join us every Saturday and additional holiday weekends from November - March for winter astronomy. Cold and dry air (sometimes as low as -30 F!) makes fabulous stargazing at Bryce Canyon - the last grand sanctuary of natural darkness.
(click here/photo for astronomy list)