USA
What’s New in Utah
Dry tripping across the state for soda
Going beyond Dry January, alcohol-free getaways known as “dry tripping” continue to influence travel year-round. Utah is not a dry state, but its soda culture easily supports sober sojourns. Utah is home of the “dirty soda” – fountain soda with added ingredients such as heavy creams, flavoured syrups, fruit juices and even candy pieces. Due to Utah’s large population of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who abstain from alcohol and hot beverages (such as coffee and tea), the dirty soda trend took off. Visitors will find the largest variety of soda shops in the U.S., with a variety of chains and hundreds of drink combinations. These soda shops are located across the state, including at the Salt Lake City International Airport, and are often a drive-through model, allowing road trippers to quickly grab a dirty soda to go.
Heber Valley home to new resort gateway
Deer Valley Resort has soft-opened its highly anticipated expanded terrain, Deer Valley East Village, for the 2024-25 ski season in Utah’s Heber Valley, located 45 min. from Salt Lake City International Airport and half way between Park City and Sundance Mountain Resort. This gateway will offer visitors an alternative arrival option to Deer Valley Resort, and provide access to three new chairlifts, over 300 acres (121 hectares) of terrain and several debut ski runs. The brand new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley has also opened in the Heber Valley, providing luxury accommodation with 400 rooms and suites, five food and beverage outlets, outdoor heated swimming pool with three hot tubs, and a spa opening later this year. Four Seasons Resort and Private Residences Deer Valley has also announced it will be building in the Heber Valley.
