About Utah
The University of Utah in Salt Lake City is located on the western slope of the Wasatch Mountains, with unique access to some of the finest recreational opportunities in the country, as well as a multitude of cultural activities.
Utah has seven ski resorts, three Nordic ski areas, and stunning backcountry skiing within 40 minutes of Salt Lake City. Utah offers diverse terrain for winter sports such as skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, ice skating and snowmobiling. Average annual snow fall is over 500 inches.
Utah is also a center for a host of warm-weather outdoor activities, including hiking, backpacking, fishing, cycling, river rafting, kayaking, and rock climbing. The red rock country of southern Utah is just four hours from Salt Lake City.
| UUGPGC Students in Class of 2008 |
There are seven national forests and five national parks within the borders of Utah, including the well-known Arches National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Zion National Park. Utah also has seven national monuments, two national recreation areas, and one national historic site.
| UUGPGC Fall Hike, 2011 |
Utah is home to professional sports teams, including the Utah Jazz (NBA), Utah Grizzlies (ice hockey), Salt Lake Bees (baseball), and Real Salt Lake (soccer). The University of Utah fields nationally recognized teams in basketball, football and gymnastics. An expansion of the Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah was was the site for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.
Salt Lake City is the state capitol and Utah’s largest city (population ~186,000). Utah’s estimated population is 2.7 million. Utah has a strong arts community, including the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, symphony, ballet, theatre, opera, modern dance companies, Utah Shakespearean Festival, Salt Lake Art Center and Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Utah also has many arts events such as the Utah Arts Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Farmers Market, and Jazz and Blues Festival.
Utah has a reputation as a family-oriented state, with many attractions and activities available for families. There are families with many cultural backgrounds in Utah, celebrated in events such as the Living Traditions Festival, Mondays in the Park Concerts, Oktober Fest, Cinco de Mayo celebration, Utah Asian Festival and Greek Festival.
The University of Utah is 2 miles east of downtown Salt Lake City, with access by light rail train and multiple bus lines. Student housing is available in Heritage Commons (the former Olympic Village), University Student Apartments and off-campus housing (http://www.utah.edu/students/housing.html).
Utah Links
Life in the Valley Magazine
Why Utah? A Guide for Future Graduate Students
University of Utah