Utah isn’t just a pretty face. Beyond those national parks and that snow is a place where you can expect the unexpected. It’s where Post Malone roams free, where the soda comes dirty, and where Hollywood can’t resist staging an epic car chase. Let’s take a closer look at the Utah you didn’t see coming.
Karryon caught up with Utah Office of Tourism’s Global Markets Director Rachel Bremer and Global Programs Manager (and powderhound) Zach Fyne to dive into the quirks, charms, and surprises that make Utah a can’t-miss destination for travellers craving a unique twist on the American West.
The Greatest Snow on Earth
According to Fyne, Utah’s snow is actually the best on the planet. And that’s not just marketing. “It’s science,” he says. The state’s unique geography makes for snow so light and fluffy it’s like skiing on powdered sugar. Thanks to the Great Salt Lake doing weather magic, storms roll in, pick up extra moisture, and dump it across Utah’s slopes in pure, soft flakes.
“And in Utah, you can be on the slopes an hour after you land,” adds Fyne.
“You can practically ski right off the plane.”
Celebrities who found (and kept) their groove in Utah
Utah is quietly becoming Hollywood’s best-kept secret, a place where celebrities can swap the red carpet for a ski slope, or paparazzi for peace. Take Post Malone, who’s traded L.A. for a quiet life in Cottonwood Heights, just outside Salt Lake City. The chart-topping rapper and Utah transplant has gone all-in, frequenting Jazz games and even opening his own Raising Cane’s chicken joint (yes, it’s all done up in Post Malone pink). It’s a low-key setup for someone of his fame, but in Utah, that’s exactly the point.
And he’s not the only one. Robert Redford has been calling Utah home for decades, building Sundance Mountain Resort and launching the Sundance Film Festival here. He’s brought Hollywood royalty to Park City each winter, and once the glitz settles down, Utah continues to shine sans paparazzi. Other regulars? Will Smith, Katherine Heigl and Michael Jordan are known to frequent their properties in the state, blending in as if they’re long-time locals.
As Utah Office of Tourism’s Bremer says, “We’re seeing a lot of people who don’t want to leave, and we love that!” Whether they’re skiing, stargazing, or just seeking a bit of privacy, Utah is where celebrities come not to be seen but to stay.
The other stargazing
This state isn’t just famous for spotting celebrities on the slopes; it’s also a prime place for spotting constellations.
With 26 certified Dark Sky Parks, Utah’s skies are some of the darkest (and most dazzling) in the world. Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef offer perfect stargazing vantage points, where the only bright lights are the constellations overhead. Here, you can watch the Milky Way roll out across the heavens, and wonder if the stars look quite as impressive over Beverly Hills.
But you don’t have to take in all that wonder from some plasticky tent that smells of insect repellent. Not in Utah. Utah’s luxe outdoor scene has turned camping into a five-star experience, where you’ll find plush beds, gourmet meals, and unobstructed views of the cosmos.
“We call ourselves the glamping capital of the world,” says Bremer, “not just because of how many glamping experiences we have, or their quality, but because they offer a view of the cosmos you won’t find anywhere else.”
Filmed in Utah: Hollywood’s unexpected muse
From classic westerns to cult hits, the state’s dramatic red rocks and sweeping landscapes have been a go-to for directors wanting that “wild and rugged” vibe, or even a touch of small-town American flair. Here, the very places where Thelma & Louise made their famous cliff jump are just a short drive from the high school where High School Musical’s Zac Efron first burst into song. Want a dash of ‘80s throwback? Footloose was filmed in Lehi’s Roller Mills, making Utah not just a muse but a place of pure movie magic.
For film buffs, a Utah road trip doubles as a behind-the-scenes journey through iconic movie moments. Dead Horse Point’s cliff edge played a dramatic role in Thelma & Louise and Utah’s Goblin Valley hosted Galaxy Quest’s infamous alien battles.
With the new Utah Film Trail, you can wander through movie history, hitting up the exact spot where Forrest took his famous run across America or the Martian landscapes of John Carter. Hollywood might call it set design, Utah calls it Tuesday.
Dirty soda and fry sauce: Utah’s must try culinary delights
What would happen if you mixed a Dr Pepper with coconut cream and lime, topped off with a few syrupy shots of pomegranate and vanilla? You’d have yourself the perfect dirty soda, served at one of Utah’s drive-thru hot spots. Utah’s residents swear by these fizzy, syrupy concoctions that sound like a dessert gone rogue, but weirdly works.
And then there’s fry sauce, Utah’s answer to ketchup and mayo that’s way more than the sum of its parts. Utahns slather this tangy, pink condiment on anything fried, and it’s practically an unwritten rule that if you’re eating fries without it, you’re doing it wrong.
“You haven’t had fries until you’ve had them with fry sauce,” Bremer says. “It’s one of those small things that feels like a rite of passage in Utah. And once you try it, you can’t go back.”
Fry sauce is to Utah what chicken salt is to Aussie chips — non-negotiable.
Utah’s tourism tagline, Life Elevated, isn’t just talk—it’s the way Utah rolls. From fluffier snow to darker skies and sodas that are a little dirtier, Utah takes the ordinary and elevates it into something unforgettable. Whether you’re there for the stars above, the powder below, or a tomato sauce made better, Utah takes everything to the next level. So, go experience life, elevated.
