You get brisk exercise, the freedom of the mountains and the chance to see nature wrapped in her winter mantle. Another plus is that your pocketbook only takes a minor hit and you're not contributing to the destruction of the mountains. For these reasons, these two winter sports are becoming increasingly popular. The self-propelled skier or snowshoer will find extraordinary variety in the Salt Lake area. If you're experienced and in good physical shape, you can take daylong tours through the backcountry of the Cottonwood Canyons of the Wasatch.
Beginners can also find many suitable cross-country and snowshoe tours in the canyons.
Every summer hiking trail become a cross-country or snowshoeing trail in the winter. See the Parks and Recreation chapter on information about some of these trails. Skiers and snowshoers should always check weather and avalanches conditions before setting out. Weather conditions can change dramatically in a short time. If you prefer a resort atmosphere and groomed trails to the backcounty, you can find a number of excellent cross-country runs, many of which are described in the following entries.