Utah is a rugged mountain ripe for rappelling. It's a splendid waterfall that fills your soul with the refreshing sounds of H20 at Zion National Park. It's Snow Canyon cycling, Green Spring golfing, rock climbing, roller blading and Red Mountain Spa relaxing.

Stunning natural beauty welcomes guests vacationing in Utah. Best spent enjoying the scenery, partaking of sports, dining, relaxing and re-connecting with yourself, loved ones or meeting new friends, a visit will convince you that you're in the right place. And once you've been to Utah, you'll want to go back.

Host to the 2002 Winter Olympics, Utah contains the Rocky Mountains, the Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau. Known for its arid deserts with sand dunes, pine forests in mountain valleys and stunning ski slopes, Utah is one of the top U.S. destinations for sports. With numerous ski resorts, five national parks that include  Arches, Zion and Bryce Canyon, and cultural attractions such as Sundance Film Festival, the state offers an interesting mix of tourists and newcomers combined with a a majority of residents that are Mormon in faith.

Unlike its adjoining Nevada neighbors, Utah restricts use of alcohol and gambling with laws that do not permit sales of liquor on Sundays. For tourists coming from California wine country, Las Vegas or even New York, there's much to do in this low key state that enjoys a healthy lifestyle.

One of the Four Corners states, Utah is bordered by Idaho and Wyoming in the north; by Colorado in the east; at a single point by New Mexico to the southeast (at the Four Corners Monument); by Arizona in the south; and by Nevada in the west. The federal government owns over 70% Utah under the auspices of U.S. National Forest, parks, U.S. National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, U.S. Wilderness Areas and Bureau of Land Management. Most of Utah is arid (southern Utah receives 12 inches of rain annually), though the mountains turn white with great snowpacks for skiing. 

Zion National Park where Native Americans have lived for several thousand years includes petroglyphs and pictographs dating from 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. It is one of the most scenic parks featuring prominent rock formations, unique soil and rocks colorations and a landscape that appears almost carved.

In addition to its stunning national parks, forests, mountains, trails and flats, Utah attracts tourists with a large number of sporting events and sports activities to metropolitan areas Salt Lake City, Logan, St. George, Ogden-Clearfield and Provo-Orem. St. George is the second-fastest growing area in the country behind Las Vegas. In fact, large numbers of Californians and Nevadans are leaving their states to enjoy what seems to be a slower pace in Utah. When planning a vacation, St. George is located 90 miles north of Las Vegas, featuring a mild desert climate and close proximity to Zion National Park, Snow Cayon, great golfing on 11 year-round courses, Red Mountain and Green Valley spas, Tuacahn Outdoor Theater and outstanding beauty!

Over 60% of residents are affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, though the influx of those relocating from other states is predicted to influence the cultural and religious climate, pushing Mormonism to less than 50% representation by 2030. Due to its high total fertility rate, Utah has the youngest population of any state with over 40% of the population under 18 but that, too, may change. Ranked as one of the top places for retirement, St. George, Utah is seeing an influx of the over 60 crowd.

So for revin', rocking gamblers, drinkers and fun-seekers, why would you want to visit a conservative state where there's no drinking on Sundays? Utah is also one of only two states in the United States to outlaw all forms of gambling; the other is Hawaii. The answer is that people don't go to Utah for gambling or guzzling. Sin City (Las Vegas) is a short drive. Travelers come to Utah to enjoy the good life and good living. Utah offers one of the best travel values in accommodations and entertainment.

A visit to Utah is a great family experience but continues also to be enjoyed and embraced by action sports enthusiasts and thrill-seekers. From mountain biking at Moab to the Butch Cassidy 10K run, Utah offers a healthy place in the sun with surroundings to inspire even the die-hard city dweller.

For information and trip planning, contact: St. George Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1835 Convention Center Drive, St. George, UT 84790. www.utahstgeorge.com