Active Pursuits

Salt Lake City is an excellent base for skiing and snowboarding, and plenty of opportunities for hiking and other warm-weather activities lie just outside the city in the 1.3-million acres of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. For maps and detailed trail information, contact the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, 125 S. State St. (tel. 801/236-3400; www.fs.fed.us/r4/wcnf). Another good source of information is the nonprofit Public Lands Information Center (tel. 801/466-6411) located in the REI building.

Sports Authority outlets (www.gartsports.com) can meet most of your recreational equipment needs. The Salt Lake City area has several locations, including 5550 S. 900 East, Murray (tel. 801/263-3633), and 10200 S. State St., Sandy (tel. 801/566-7404). Recreational Equipment, Inc. (REI), 3285 E. 3300 South (tel. 801/486-2100; www.rei.com), offers a wide range of sporting goods, both sales and rentals. A good source for sales and rentals of ski and golf equipment, bikes, and in-line skates is Utah Ski & Golf, 134 W. 600 South, in downtown Salt Lake City (tel. 801/355-9088; www.utahskigolf.com), and at several other locations.

Biking

A number of bikeways are strung along city streets, some separate from but running parallel to the road, some a designated bike lane on the road, and others sharing the road with motor vehicles. From mid-May through September, City Creek Canyon, east of Capitol Hill, is closed to motor vehicles. It's open to hikers and in-line skaters at any time, and bicyclists can use the road on odd-numbered days. For information on the best places to bike, as well as rentals and repairs, stop at Canyon Sports, 1844 E. Fort Union Blvd. (tel. 800/736-8754 or 801/942-3100; www.canyonsports.com); or Guthrie Bicycle, downtown at 156 E. 200 South (tel. 801/363-3727; www.guthriebike.com), established in 1888, quite possibly making it the nation's oldest operating bike shop.

Boating

The Great Salt Lake, at the city's front door, has marinas on the south shore and on Antelope Island.

Diving & Snorkeling

South of the Great Salt Lake, Bonneville Seabase, 1390 W. Utah 138, Grantsville (tel. 866/866-3483 or 435/884-3874; www.seabase.net), has three diving bays up to 62 feet deep. All have exotic sea life, and one has a boat wreck; rentals and classes are available; day use fees are $15.

Fishing

Trout populate the rivers feeding into the Great Salt Lake, although no fish can live in the lake itself. Popular spots include Big and Little Cottonwood creeks and Mill Creek. Fishing licenses are required; you can get one, along with maps and suggestions, at most sporting-goods stores.

Golf

Salt Lake City has ranked as Golf Digest's number-one golf city in the United States in recent years. The central contact for general information and reservations for the city's nine courses is tel. 801/485-7730 or 801/484-3333 for the automated tee-time reservation system (first call the main number to get an access code); and the excellent website, www.slc-golf.com. Rates range from $6 to $15 for 9 holes and $22 to $27 for 18 holes, and all courses require reservations. The 18-hole, par-72 Bonneville, 954 Connor St. (tel. 801/583-9513), has hills, a large ravine, and a creek. The 9-hole, par-36 Forest Dale, 2375 S. 900 East (tel. 801/483-5420), is a redesigned historic course with huge trees and challenging water hazards. The 18-hole, par-72 Glendale, 1630 W. 2100 South (tel. 801/974-2403), features fine bent grass greens and splendid mountain views. The Jordan River course, 1200 N. Redwood Rd. (tel. 801/533-4527), is a challenging executive par-3, 9-hole course that meanders along the banks of the Jordan River. Two 18-hole courses are located at Mountain Dell (tel. 801/582-3812), in Parley's Canyon east on I-80: the par-71 lake course and the par-72 canyon course, with breathtaking views and a strong likelihood of seeing deer, elk, moose, and other wildlife. The 9-hole, par-34 Nibley Park, 2730 S. 700 East (tel. 801/483-5418), is a good beginner course. The 18-hole, par-72 Rose Park, 1386 N. Redwood Rd. (tel. 801/596-5030), is flat but challenging. The city's top course is the 18-hole, par-72 Wingpointe, 3602 W. 100 North, near the airport (tel. 801/575-2345), a very challenging links-style course designed by Arthur Hills.

Jogging

Memory Grove Park and City Creek Canyon are both great places for walking and jogging. The park is on the east side of the Capitol, and the canyon follows City Creek to the northeast. In town, you can stop at one of the city parks, such as Liberty Park.