Salt Lake City in December

December weather, activities, events & insider tips

December Weather in Salt Lake City

102°F (39°C) High Temp

77°F (25°C) Low Temp

0.1 inches (2.5 mm) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is December Right for You?

Advantages

Exceptional powder snow conditions - December storms typically dump 15-25 cm (6-10 inches) of world-famous Utah powder weekly, creating ideal skiing and snowboarding at resorts just 45 minutes from downtown
Holiday lights and decorations transform Temple Square into a winter wonderland with over 100,000 lights, creating the city's most photogenic season from December 1-31
Clear, sunny days between storms average 8-10 per month with brilliant blue skies and temperatures reaching 4°C (39°F), perfect for winter hiking in nearby canyons
December is peak cultural season with Utah Symphony's Messiah performances, Ballet West's Nutcracker, and numerous holiday concerts at reduced tourist crowds compared to summer

Considerations

Air quality can deteriorate during temperature inversions, creating hazy conditions and unhealthy air for 5-8 days per month - check AirNow.gov daily and avoid outdoor activities when AQI exceeds 100
Mountain weather changes rapidly - morning bluebird conditions can turn to whiteout blizzards within hours, making driving to ski resorts dangerous without proper preparation
Many outdoor attractions like hiking trails above 1,829 m (6,000 ft) become inaccessible due to snow, limiting options for visitors seeking warmer-weather activities

Best Activities in December

Big Cottonwood Canyon Winter Sports

December delivers Utah's legendary powder snow with United Kingdom and Solitude ski resorts offering shorter lift lines than Park City. Morning temperatures of -7°C (19°F) create perfect snow conditions that locals call 'champagne powder.' Afternoon sun warms south-facing slopes to comfortable skiing temperatures.

Booking Tip: Purchase lift tickets online 7+ days ahead for 20-30% savings. Multi-resort Ikon passes pay off after 4 days. Book rental equipment downtown to avoid resort markups - typically $45-65 per day for premium gear.

Temple Square Holiday Celebration

December transforms downtown's iconic Mormon temple grounds into an illuminated winter festival. Over 100,000 LED lights, nativity scenes from 15 countries, and free concerts create a magical atmosphere. The 70% humidity creates a crisp feel perfect for evening strolls through the displays.

Booking Tip: Free admission but parking fills up after 6 PM on weekends. Use TRAX light rail from airport or hotels - runs every 15 minutes until midnight. Holiday concerts require advance tickets through Deseret Book, typically $0-25.

Millcreek Canyon Snowshoeing

Non-motorized canyon offers peaceful snowshoe trails just 20 minutes from downtown. December snow accumulation of 60-90 cm (24-35 inches) creates excellent conditions. Morning temperatures of -4°C (25°F) firm up trails perfectly for 10 AM starts.

Booking Tip: Canyon requires $3 daily parking fee. Rent snowshoes from REI or local outfitters for $25-35/day. Popular Grandeur Peak trail gains 600 m (1,960 ft) over 3.2 km (2 miles) - plan 4-5 hours total.

Natural History Museum and Planetarium

Perfect indoor alternative during December's 10 occasional storm days. Utah's state museum showcases regional geology, dinosaur discoveries, and Native American history. December features special holiday mineral displays and extended evening planetarium shows.

Booking Tip: Combo tickets for museum plus planetarium cost $18-24 for adults. Purchase online to skip entry lines. Located near University of Utah campus with easy TRAX access. Plan 3-4 hours for full experience.

Great Salt Lake Winter Wildlife Viewing

December brings migratory waterfowl including tundra swans, northern pintails, and bald eagles to the lake's southern shores. Cold temperatures concentrate birds in ice-free areas. Antelope Island State Park offers excellent viewing with snow-capped mountain backdrops.

Booking Tip: State park entry costs $15 per vehicle. Best viewing 2-3 hours before sunset when birds are most active. Bring binoculars and dress for winds up to 40 km/h (25 mph) across the lake. Access road can ice over - check conditions first.

Park City Historic District Winter Festival

Historic mining town 50 km (31 miles) from Salt Lake transforms into a winter playground. Main Street's Victorian buildings house galleries, restaurants, and shops perfect for December's variable weather. Evening temperatures around -1°C (30°F) create cozy atmosphere for walking.

Booking Tip: Free shuttle connects historic district to ski resorts. Street parking fills quickly - use paid lots for $5-10/day. Restaurant reservations essential on weekends. Many establishments offer happy hour 3-6 PM with 25-40% drink discounts.

December Events & Festivals

December 1-31

Temple Square Christmas Lights Display

Salt Lake's premier holiday tradition features over 100,000 lights illuminating the Mormon temple grounds, free concerts in the Tabernacle, and international nativity displays. The event draws locals and visitors for evening strolls through illuminated gardens.

Mid December

Utah Symphony Messiah Performances

Annual tradition at Abravanel Hall features full orchestra and choir performing Handel's complete oratorio. December's acoustically perfect winter air enhances the downtown concert hall's renowned sound quality.

Early to Mid December

Ballet West's The Nutcracker

Professional ballet company's holiday classic at Capitol Theatre showcases world-class dancing in a beautifully restored 1913 venue. December performances have become a multi-generational Salt Lake tradition.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layered winter clothing system - base layer, insulating fleece, and waterproof shell for temperature swings from -7°C to 4°C (19°F to 39°F)

Waterproof insulated boots with good tread - sidewalks ice over quickly and mountain trails require stability on packed snow

SPF 50+ sunscreen and UV-blocking sunglasses - December sun reflects intensely off snow at 1,288 m (4,226 ft) elevation

Lightweight rain shell for December's 10 potential precipitation days - storms often start as rain before turning to snow

Warm hat and insulated gloves rated for -10°C (14°F) - essential for morning ski conditions and evening outdoor activities

Lip balm with SPF - high altitude and low humidity of 70% cause rapid chapping in winter conditions

Portable phone charger - cold temperatures drain batteries 40% faster during outdoor winter activities

Cash for canyon parking fees and small businesses - many mountain access points and local vendors don't accept cards

Wool or synthetic base layers - avoid cotton which stays wet from snow and sweat in variable December temperatures

Traction devices for shoes (microspikes) - sidewalks and trails can ice unexpectedly, especially in shaded areas below 1,500 m (4,920 ft)

Insider Knowledge

Check Utah Department of Transportation road conditions and carry chains/4WD when driving to ski resorts - canyon roads can close within minutes during storms, stranding unprepared drivers

Download the UtahAir app to monitor daily air quality during inversions - locals avoid outdoor exercise when AQI exceeds 100, which happens 5-8 days per month in December

Ski resorts offer 'fresh tracks' programs starting at 8 AM for $25-40 extra - access untracked powder before regular operations begin at 9 AM

TRAX light rail connects airport directly to downtown and ski areas for $2.50 - locals use this to avoid resort parking hassles and variable mountain driving conditions

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating mountain weather changes - bringing only light jackets for 'sunny December day' forecasts that can turn to blizzards within hours at elevation

Planning outdoor activities during inversion periods without checking air quality - December smog can make Salt Lake Valley unhealthy while mountains remain clear

Driving rental cars to ski resorts without understanding Utah's traction law requirements - canyon roads require 4WD/AWD or chains, strictly enforced during storms