We offer a full-service, nationally recognized, in-house relocation department that assists families and professionals moving to Utah. We provide relocating families and individuals with the transition support needed to ensure a smooth location change. Our services include relocation counseling, home purchase guidance, area orientation, neighborhood tours, and assistance with Utah loan processes.

Ultimate Guide to Utah 2023 

Welcome to Utah

Pioneers to Silicone slopes

A BRIEF HISTORY OF SALT LAKE CITY

Salt Lake City was founded on July 24, 1847 by Mormon pioneers moving West. When they arrived in Utah, they encountered an arid, inhospitable valley. Despite the harsh conditions, they saw what the area could be and committed to cultivating the land, which established the foundation for the city today. On May 10, 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was completed just north of Salt Lake at Promontory Summit, Utah; in conjunction to this and the immigration of miners and pioneers, Salt Lake City was nicknamed the “Crossroads of the West.” Since then, Salt Lake City has developed a strong outdoor recreation industry and in 2002, Salt Lake City was host to the Olympic Winter Games. Utah was the fifth state in the United States to host the Olympic Games with approximately 2,400 athletes from 78 nations participating in 78 events in 15 disciplines, held throughout 165 sporting sessions. Many venues are still in operation today and available to the public.

SALT LAKE CITY TODAY

Today, Salt Lake City offers everything from professional sports to concerts and theater to a lively nightlife scene to many kid-approved attractions. Best of all, the city’s backyard offers limitless year round activities and recreations. Salt Lake City ranks in the top 10 of numerous lists including livability, safety, health, affordability, business, and employment opportunities. Steady, strong economic growth and stability coupled with innovative entrepreneurship has captured the attention of the Silicon Valley tech industry and has predicted Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas to be the next Tech Mecca as “Silicon Slopes” continues to grow and innovate. 

SALT LAKE CITY LIFESTYLE

Salt Lake City is active, outgoing, trendy, and unique with a character all its own. Salt Lakers are welcoming to all and once you’re immersed, you’re sure to love it. With a booming economy fueled by tourism, medical research, and technology, a sizable portion of Salt Lake City residents are transplants from all over the country and the world, resulting in an intersection of culture and sociability which generates a truly distinct way of life.

Salt Lake City International Airport

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is Utah’s gateway to the world. Ranked as the 25th busiest airport in North America and 85th busiest airport in the world, Salt Lake City International Airport is #1 for on time departures and arrivals and #1 for lowest percentage of flights canceled. Just a 15-30 minute drive from most Salt Lake City neighborhoods and accessible by the TRAX Light Rail Service, Salt Lake City International Airport features affordable short and long-term parking, 24/7 parking lot shuttles, and curbside check-in and luggage drop-off.

Boasting most major airlines including Delta, United, JetBlue, KLM, and more; Salt Lake City International Airport’s network includes more than 85 domestic direct flight destinations and direct international flights to Amsterdam, London, Paris, Calgary, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Vancouver, Los Cabos, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Toronto.

A $1.8 billion, three-story terminal and linear concourse was completed in 2020 and replaces the older Salt Lake City International Airport with a new structure that highlights Utah's beauty and cuts down on energy costs. Visit www.slcairport.com for more information and updates.

Relocation Services

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties offers a full-service, nationally recognized relocation department that assists families and professionals moving to Utah from other areas of the United States and around the world. We provide relocating families and individuals with all of the transition support needed to ensure a smooth location change. Our services include relocation counseling, home purchase guidance, area orientation, neighborhood tours, and assistance with the loan process. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Utah Properties helps buyers migrate to their perfect home.

Nature & Recreation

THE MIGHTY 5®

Home to five national parks known as The Mighty 5® and over 40 state parks, Utah has adventures for everyone. The Mighty 5® National Parks are a days drive from Salt Lake City. Beginning with the Canyonlands National Park, visitors will experience deep canyons, gigantic mesas, peaks, cliffs, and spires unfolding across 527 square miles. A short drive away, Arches National Park is known for its inconceivable arches—the most famous being a 60-foot-tall freestanding natural arch named “Delicate Arch.” It’s no wonder this 73,234-acre national park is one of America’s favorites. Capitol Reef National Park is one of the more untouched national parks with a seemingly endless landscape and is home to many ancient petroglyphs. Heading south, explorers find themselves in Bryce Canyon National Park, known for its remarkable geological formations and dazzling colors; the looming hoodoos, narrow fins, and natural bridges seem to deny all explanation. Lastly and arguably the most famous of Utah’s national parks is Zion National Park. The southernmost national park boasts especially exquisite canyons and mesas in a state known for dramatic landscape; with 147,000-acres of parkland, Zion National Park has something for everyone.

National Monuments & Landmarks

State Parks

Annual Events

FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATIONS

From rodeos, parades, outdoor concerts, and fireworks there are numerous ways to celebrate our nation’s birth in Salt Lake City:

• America’s Freedom Festival (Provo)

• Independence Day Festival (West Jordan)

• Kaysville 4th of July Water Parade

• Liberty Days at This is the Place Heritage Park

• Oakley's 4th of July Celebration and PRCA Rodeo

• Murray Fun Days

• Park City 4th of July Parade

• Salt Lake City Fireworks (Jordan Park)

• Sandy July 4th Celebration

• Sugar House Fireworks

• Thanksgiving Point’s 4th of July

PIONEER DAY

This annual July 24th celebration commemorates the entry of the first group of Mormon pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley. Some events around Salt Lake City are:

• Days of ‘47 Parade and Rodeo (Salt Lake City)

• Pioneer Day Concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

• This is the Place Heritage Park (Salt Lake City)

• Ogden Pioneer Days Rodeo

SALT LAKE CITY MARATHON

The Salt Lake City Marathon is run in April through the city’s iconic landmarks, against the soaring Wasatch Mountains. The Marathon is paralleled with a 5K, Half Marathon, and Kids’ K.

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

The Sundance Film Festival, held annually in January and headquartered in Park City, is the largest independent American film festival in the United States and is world renowned for fostering independence, risk-taking, and new voices in film.

RED BUTTE GARDEN OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES

Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series is one of Salt Lake City’s most eagerly anticipated music events running May through September.

UTAH STATE FAIR

The Utah State Fair at the Salt Lake Fairpark in September hosts musical guests and other entertainment including the Grandstand Concert Line-Up, demolition derby, truck pull, and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Rodeo.

OKTOBERFEST AT SNOWBIRD

Voted one of America’s top ten Oktoberfests, Snowbird’s Oktoberfest runs every Saturday and Sunday from mid-August through October and attracts over 60,000 visitors. It is one of the largest festivals in Utah.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

During the most magical time of the year, the lights come on daily at dusk through New Year’s Eve. Come and experience the enchantment of over a million holiday lights:

• City Creek Center

• Downtown Salt Lake City

• Gallivan Center

• Temple Square

• Ogden Christmas Village

BALLOON FESTIVALS

The crisp mountain air of Utah’s high altitude and the picturesque views make for magnificent hot air ballooning. Here are some of the premier events in June, July, and August:

Freedom Festival

Balloon Fest (Provo)

Sandy Balloon Festival

Ogden Valley Balloon

and Arts Festival

Autumn Aloft (Park City)

• 

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Utah Offers the "Greatest snow on Earth"

Utah offers 14 world-class ski resorts with an average of 500 annual inches of the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” From Park City Mountain, the largest ski and snowboard resort in the United States, to Snowbird® which features 3,240 vertical feet between the base and the summit, Utah has a resort for every difficulty level and type of skier or snowboarder. Whether it’s downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or cross country skiing an incredible experience is just minutes away.

NORDIC SKIING

• Mountain Dell

• Soldier Hollow Nordic Center

• Wasatch Mountain State Park

• White Pine Touring Center

• Solitude Mountain Resort

ALPINE SKIING

• Alta

• Beaver Mountain

• Brian Head Resort®

• Brighton Resort

• Cherry Peak

• Deer Valley® Resort

• Eagle Point Resort

• Mayflower Mountain Resort - Coming Soon

• Nordic Valley

• Park City Mountain

• Powder Mountain

• Snowbasin

• Snowbird®

• Solitude Mountain Resort

• Sundance Mountain Resort

SUMMER ACTIVITIES

A DIVERSE AND BREATHTAKING ATMOSPHERE

With the Wasatch Mountains to the east,the Oquirrh mountains to the west, and lakes and streams everywhere in between; Salt Lake City boasts a diverse and breathtaking atmosphere for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping, fishing, off–roading, and boating.

If golf is your diversion of choice, the Salt Lake Valley and surrounding areas are home to some of the most scenic golf courses in the country.

TOP 10 GOLF COURSES IN UTAH (Ranked by Gold Digest)

• Bonneville Golf Course (Salt Lake City)

• Bountiful Ridge Golf Club (Bountiful)

• Eaglewood Golf Course (North Salt Lake)

• Glendale Golf Course (Salt Lake City)

• Mountain View Golf Course (West Jordan)

• Thanksgiving Point Golf Course (Lehi)

• TalonsCove Golf Club (Saratoga Springs)

• Old Mill Golf Course (Holladay)

• Mount Ogden Golf Course (Ogden)

The Downtown Farmers Market strengthens and supports small local farms and businesses

as they bring their products directly to the

public. Participating farmers and producers

offer the freshest local fruits and vegetables as

well as a wide variety of grass-fed meats, eggs,

dairy, honey, and flora, along with the region's

best locally made sauces, spreads, baked

goods and culinary accoutrements.

Popular Hiking Trails

Explore the endless trails along the Wasatch Front.

Willow Lake

Ensign Peak

White Pine Lake

Albion Basin

Lake Blanche

Cecret Lake

Big Cottonwood

Canyon’s Hidden Falls

Bell Canyon

Broad Forks

Twin Peaks

Desolation Trail to

Salt Lake Overlook

Top Mountain Biking Destinations

Salt Lake City

While not quite as compact as Park City, Salt Lake City still offers great access from just about anywhere in the city. The Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) encircles the foothills to the east and north of the city with a growing network of roughly 100 miles of multi-use trails with dozens of trailheads throughout the valley.

Park City

Park City is the world's only IMBA Gold-level riding destination. IMBA bestowed this accolade on Park City for the diversity of trails, the bike friendly culture, the proximity of the downtown to trailheads and the amenities for travelers.

Ogden

A growing hub for outdoor industry companies, Ogden has attracted this clientele by offering a veritable product testing lab just outside the city with trailheads stretching from minutes outside downtown deep into the mountains. Generally less crowded than other central Wasatch destinations, riding in Ogden means you have more of the good stuff, all to yourself.

Moab

Synonymous with mountain biking, Moab is known for the classics like Slickrock, Amasa Back and Porcupine Rim. Recently, bikers are rediscovering Moab for new single tracks like the Sovereign Trail, Mag 7 and HyMasa/Captain Ahab. 

St. George

St. George is quickly becoming a destination for year round Utah mountain biking, led by the popularity of Gooseberry Mesa trail network, a technically challenging trail system with slickrock, singletrack and jaw-dropping views toward Zion National Park.

Year-Round Activities

Performing Arts

The Wasatch Front has no shortage of arts, culture, and concerts. The Capitol Theater is a cherished Salt Lake City landmark known for its elegant turn-of-the century architecture and is home to some of the best live entertainment in Utah—Ballet West and the Utah Opera. An architectural landmark in the city, Abravanel Hall, hosts the world class Utah Symphony when they aren’t taking summer residence in Park City for the Deer Valley® Music Festival. Located in downtown Salt Lake City is The Eccles Theater. The theater was designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli and features a grand six-story lobby with dramatic retractable glass walls. Hosting national touring Broadway performances, concerts, comedy, and other popular entertainment events, the theater truly is the heart of downtown. Boasting the best in music, entertainment, and sweeping views of the Wasatch mountains, the Usana Ampitheatre is a 20,000-seat outdoor entertainment venue. Whether classical or modern, Utah has it all when it comes to arts, culture, and concerts.