Bryce is beautiful in the winter, when the white snow creates a perfect frosting on the red, pink, orange, and brown statues standing proudly against the cold winds.
Winter Safety -- Although the entire park is open to cross-country skiers, rangers warn that it's extremely dangerous to try to ski on the steep -- and often slick -- trails leading down into the canyon.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross-country skiers will find several marked, ungroomed trails (all above the rim), including the Fairyland Loop Trail, which leads 1 mile through a pine and juniper forest to the Fairyland Point Overlook. From here you can take the 1-mile Forest Trail back to the road, or continue north along the rim for another 1.2 miles to the park boundary.
There are also connections to ski trails in the adjacent national forest.)
Stop at the visitor center for trail information, and go to Best Western Plus Ruby's Inn, just north of the park entrance (tel. 866/866-6616 or 435/834-5341; www.rubysinn.com), for information on cross-country ski trails and snowmobiling opportunities outside the park. Ruby's grooms over 30 miles of ski trails, some of which connect to trails within the national park, and also rents cross-country ski equipment.
Snowshoeing
Snowshoeing is allowed anywhere in the park except on cross-country ski tracks. There are also numerous areas outside the park that are suitable for snowshoeing. Snowshoes can be rented at Ruby's Inn.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.