Winter weather has already arrived in Southern Utah. While Hildale, Utah, and the rest of Southern Utah experiences relatively mild winter weather, we do still get some snow and ice. Does this mean that you should avoid Southern Utah this time of year? Definitely not! A visit to our Utah resort during the winter months is a great chance to enjoy the region’s more popular attractions with few crowds, hike challenging trails without the triple-digit temperatures of summer, and more.
Water Canyon Resort welcomes guests year-round. If you’re lucky enough to visit when we’ve had snowfall, you’ll enjoy some incredible views of Canaan Mountain covered in wintery white! Our location, just an hour from Zion National Park, makes it easy to take advantage of a crowd-free park. We even have a ski resort just an hour and a half away where you can ski, snowboard, snowmobile, and more!
But if you do plan to visit this time of year, it’s a good idea to make sure that you’re prepared for the chance that you could be driving on some wintery roads. Keep reading to learn a few driving tips you may need during your winter Utah resort stay.
Prep Your Car Before Your Utah Resort Stay
If you’re driving to Southern Utah in your own vehicle from somewhere that experiences winter weather and chilly temps, you’ve likely already prepped your car for the season. For instance, changing your oil and antifreeze can help keep your car running better when temperatures plunge. Because your car’s battery capacity drops in cold weather, if you have an old battery that’s nearing the end of its lifespan, it’s a good idea to replace it before temperatures start to drop.
But what if you’re driving here from somewhere warmer, or renting a car for your visit? There are still a few things that you can do to make driving on slick roads easier. Low tire pressure can make driving on a wintery road dangerous. At the same time, cold temperatures can cause your tire pressure to drop. To combat this, make sure that you’re checking your tire pressure and filling your tires as needed throughout your trip.
Another thing you’ll want to do if renting a car or visiting from warmer weather is to make sure that you have an ice scraper in your car. Driving with windows coated in snow or ice that obstructs your view is not only dangerous but also illegal. Make sure to clear not only your windows, but the top of your vehicle as well to keep ice and snow from falling off while you drive and potentially obstructing other drivers’ views.
Go Slow and Leave Room
Most of Southern Utah sees just a couple of days of snowfall on average each year. The average snowfall in Hildale, Utah in January and February is between two and three inches, while December and March see between one and two inches. But if you’re lucky enough to have a chance to visit when there’s snow, the most important thing you can do while driving is to go slow and leave plenty of space between yourself and other vehicles.
Slowing down will give you more time to spot any potential hazards, like an icy patch of road or a sharp turn. Because it will take you longer to stop in wet or slick conditions, leaving more space than usual between yourself and other cars can help you to avoid an accident.
Understand the Best Thing to Do if You Start to Slide
Heavy snowfall isn’t common in the area. But it’s still a good idea to make sure that you know what to do in case your car does begin to slide on snow or ice.
Often, the first instinct when your car starts to slide is to hit the brakes. But this is actually the opposite of what you’ll want to do, as it can cause your car to slide out of control, especially if your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes.
Instead of hitting your brakes, the first thing you’ll want to do is slowly ease your foot off the gas. Turn your steering wheel in the direction that you’re sliding to keep your car from spinning. If your car is traveling at a high rate of speed or isn’t coming to a stop after letting off the gas, you can gently start pressing your brake.
Preparing for Your Winter Utah Resort Stay
Winter is one of the best times of year to plan a visit to Southern Utah. During your winter Utah resort stay, you can enjoy destinations like Zion National Park with few crowds. If you don’t mind bundling up, you can take on challenging hikes much safer than you would during the triple-digit temperatures of the summer.
No matter what time of year you visit, staying at Water Canyon Resort is a great way to enjoy some peace and quiet during your trip. Away from the overcrowded tourist areas of Springdale and St. George, you can take in the stunning natural landscapes that surround our resort, while still having the option to visit Southern Utah’s most popular attractions.
Another big benefit of visiting Southern Utah during the winter is the chance to save money on your stay.
Right now, when you book a stay of two or more nights before March 15, 2023, you’ll enjoy 25 percent off your entire booking! Book your next visit today to take advantage of this deal.