Photo: Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau
Winter is amazing around the Bear Lake Valley. Incredible “bluebird days” can offer plenty of opportunities to explore the region’s backcountry canyons, forests, and of course, the incredible ski resorts. Here are five fun Bear Lake winter activities that are perfect for the whole family!
Photo: Adobe Stock
A pair of resorts can be found in and around the Bear Lake Valley: Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, in Logan Canyon, offers fresh powder for downhill skiing, snowboarding, and night skiing—while the family-run Pine Creek Ski Resort in Cokeville, Wyoming, hosts downhill runs for skiers and snowboarders, as well as trails for snowmobilers.
With over 350 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, it’s easy to see the area’s scenic beauty. The occasional wintertime waterfall, wildlife like moose and elk, scenic vistas, and the glacier-fed Bloomington Lake make Bear Lake a perfect place to hop on your sled.
Anglers of all stripes enjoy year-round fishing in and around Bear Lake. There are actually four endemic species of fish that you can’t find anywhere else in Utah or Idaho. They include Bonneville Cisco, the Bonneville Whitefish, the Bear Lake Whitefish, and the Bear Lake Sculpin.
The Bonneville Cisco spends its winters close to the shore in order to spawn. It’s an ideal time for anglers to enjoy. Nearby Montpelier Reservoir is a popular ice fishing destination in the area, and is home to rainbow trout. As winter turns to spring and the weather warms up, cutthroat and lake trout can be caught in Bear Lake’s clear waters.
The Sinks is a natural limestone sinkhole in Logan Canyon. They are famous for being the coldest spot in Utah. Not only do they hold a Utah cold temperature but one of the sinks, Peter Sinks, is also known for the second-coldest recorded temperature in the lower 48 states. -69.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Brrr!
Bear Lake rentals are often a hot commodity in the summer, but during the winter they are much easier to come by. So it’s a great time to just hang out, take in some great views, and maybe take a dip in a hot tub. Renting a cabin in Bear Lake is the perfect way to decompress this winter.
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