Jenny Willden
Freelance Writer and Editor
Managing Editor of Outdoor Sports Guide magazine + freelance adventure travel/gear writer. Specializing in travel, outdoor adventure, profile, gear. Salt Lake City & Philadelphia based.
PROJECTS
Marriott Traveler
Open Your Eyes — and Mind — Through Utah’s Top-Shelf Cultural Arts Scene
No longer a sleepy hamlet, Salt Lake City’s cultural arts scene is thriving. From world-class theater to opera, ballet and gallery strolls, experience Salt Lake’s sophisticated side with a night out on the town.
Marriott Traveler
Ditch the Pavement and Head Into the Wild on Salt Lake’s Biking and Hiking Trails
Endless vistas, brilliant wildflowers and alpine lakes — find it all and more hiking and biking around Salt Lake City, Utah. A gateway to spectacular natural scenery (often within city limits), Salt Lake is the perfect basecamp for exploring the wonders of the Wasatch Front.
Marriott Traveler
Why Salt Lake Is America’s Legendary “Ski City”
Imagine spending a full day skiing legendary powder and making it back to the big city in time for craft cocktails, artisan eats and world-class theater. This is Ski City — also known as Salt Lake City, Utah — a bustling urban center with four legendary ski resorts only 35 minutes away.
Marriott Traveler
Loopholes, Appy Hours and the Zion Curtain: Demystifying Salt Lake’s Liquor Laws
Yes, you can get a drink in Salt Lake City. Utah’s once restrictive drinking culture is changing fast — along with the arcane laws that long sat on its books. Thanks to this modernization, there’s never been a better time to imbibe in Salt Lake City. Get up to speed with this primer on drinking (responsibly) in Utah.
Marriott Traveler
Eat Your Way Through Salt Lake’s Award-Winning Culinary Scene
Not long ago, Salt Lake City’s culinary scene was pretty standard. Chain restaurants and run-of-the-mill eateries dominated the Utah capital’s landscape — aside from a few independent favorites. But today the food scene has transformed, fueled by people seeking farm-fresh, locally sourced menus, and inventive eats. Don’t miss these internationally influenced SLC hot spots showcasing everything from homestyle Mexican to flown-in sushi.
visitutah.com
A Year-Round Guide to Great Salt Lake State Park
Standing on the Great Salt Lake’s quiet southern shore, I can almost imagine this place in its heyday. A half-dozen bathing resorts lined the lake, and people screamed on the roller coaster while couples danced the night away on “the world’s biggest wooden dance floor.”
But when the bathing boom went bust, the glory days ended for good and the Great Saltair closed in 1958. Today, the area is home to an entirely different attraction: Great Salt Lake State Park.
visitutah.com
Get to Know Echo Reservoir: Utah's Newest State Park
Nestled in the Wasatch Range near the old mining town of Coalville lies Utah’s newest state park, Echo State Park. It’s just a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City, making it a great spot for an afternoon of kayaking on sparkling waters.
visitutah.com
3 Best Rafting Trips on the Colorado River
Westwater Canyon is just one of many epic trips on the grand Colorado River as it flows through Utah, and its combination of raging waves, historical sites, and isolated camping make it my favorite. But for those looking to chart these untamed waters by raft, all three trips offer incredible experiences like those had by explorers of yesteryear — with much better equipment, of course.
visitutah.com
How to Experience the Thriving Arts & Culture of St. George
From the freeway, it’s easy to mistake this hamlet for a strip mall-filled border town, but visitors discover that St. George, Utah, boasts a flourishing art and culture scene that beckons exploration. From theater to galleries to a thriving music scene, this red rock utopia is more alive than ever....
visitutah.com
How to Maximize an Afternoon at the Natural History Museum of Utah
Hit the Natural History Museum of Utah’s highlights in an afternoon, giving you plenty of time to add other stops to your itinerary for a fun-filled day.
visitutah.com
Three for the Price of One: Exploring the Snowmobile Trails of Northern Utah
Venture off the path and into the epic landscapes of northern Utah, exploring backcountry snowmobile terrain that climbs to 9,000 feet above sea level, winds through forested canyons and opens up into powder-filled meadows that snowmobilers dream about.
visitutah.com
Tooele? Tuilla? The Fascinating History of this Utah Town
A land of ancient settlements, pioneers, missiles and race cars, the Utah town of Tooele rests along the shores of the Great Salt Lake just 34 miles from Salt Lake City and boasts history and landmarks aplenty.
blog.deervalley.com
6 Outdoor Activities to Do with the Kids at Deer Valley Resort
Planning your family’s summer vacation can be hard when you are struggling to manage a variety of age levels, interests, and abilities. If getting outside and finding adventure is your inspiration, then Park City’s Deer Valley Resort may be the perfect answer.
blog.deervalley.com
3 Days at Deer Valley Resort: The Perfect Utah Summer Staycation
Locals know: Park City, Utah is a come-for-the-winter, stay-for-the-summer kind of town. Once the snow melts off the mountains, the fun begins with miles of biking and hiking trails, outdoor concerts, bustling farmer’s markets, and festivals. And best of all, it’s just 30 minutes from Salt Lake City.
blog.deervalley.com
Deer Valley Mountain Biking: The Best Rides According to a Local
Deer Valley Resort is the hub of Park City’s lift-served, downhill riding scene. From easy, flowy rollers to steep downhills with wild berms and jumps, there’s a ride for everyone. And who better to share the highlights than a local?