(EMAILWIRE.COM, August 25, 2009 ) Cedar City, Utah–The Cedar City-Brian Head area of southern Utah boasts some of the best snow in the country and the terrain of Cedar Mountain east of the city, including Dixie National Forest and Cedar Breaks National Monument, are considered among the best un-groomed trails in the country for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing. The Alpine Pond Trail at Cedar Breaks starts on a seasonally closed highway at the junction of Highways 143 and 148. From the trailhead parking area, it is a 4½ mile journey round trip. Along the way the yurt at the ranger station offers hot cocoa. The only access to this part of Cedar Breaks National Monument in the winter is via cross country ski, snow shoe or snowmobile.

Four miles along Highway 14 southeast of the National Monument is the Deer Valley Non-Motorized Winter Recreation Area, which currently features six miles of marked trails, plus many unmarked side loops. The trails at Deer Valley by Navajo Lake are not open to snowmobiles and are slated for future grooming and expansion. Other trails in the area include Rattlesnake Trailhead, Midway Trail and Bristlecone Pine Trail, all located in the Dixie National Forest. All of these trails are at 9-10,000 feet elevation, so the snow builds up quickly, but the weather is very changeable. Detailed maps and trail condition information is available from the local Cedar Mountain Nordic Ski Club at www.cmnsc.org. .

For more information on winter activities, as well as lodging and events, call the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau at 800-354-4849.

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Contact Information:
Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism
John Kloster
Tel: 814-602-5566
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