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Comments
Just because the author was in one part of the park in February and there wasn't any snow does not mean that it is anywhere near the norm for the park.
"I hate to break it to you, but snow hardly ever falls in Southern Utah"—a quick image search of "southern Utah in winter" will instantly dispel this claim. My sister lives in Kanab, Utah, about as Southern Utah as you can get, and they, officially, average half of foot of snow in both January and February.
I have been to Zion many times—in March—where there was plenty of snow in the park. I've had to drive through snow covered roads to enter the east entrance and have hiked on snow covered trails. On the western side, an area the other commenter mentioned, I have had to turn the car around as the snow was so deep on the road that we feared getting stuck—again, in March.
Yes, Zion is still great in the winter but one should not casually visit without being prepared for varying weather.
*When I first read that the "post was written in collaboration with ZionNationalPark.com" I was surprised that the park would spread such inadequately complete information—I then realized that this not the National Park but a chamber of commerce (or the like) site for the nearby cities that want you to spend your money there (and as far as "collaboration" goes, the author is listed as the main contact for this organization). While you should visit these places, eat and sleep in their towns; it is irresponsible for their promotions to be couched in a blatantly misleading editorial.
From consumer.law.com: "Deceptive advertising, also known as false advertising, refers to…confusing, misleading, or blatantly untrue statements when promoting…"
No where in the reading of the article is it mentioned Zion NP's elevation differences play a significant role in what's experienced. Zion absolutely does experience snow and ice that lingers. While the Lodge and lower valley area at around 4k ft and the town of Hurricane in mid 3K ft elev can be beautiful winter hiking weather with no snow or ice as one increases in elevation it can turn into full blown winter weather. Not realizing this is problematic. One examples is the Kolob Terrace area of Zion NP at 8k + ft.
As the NPS rightly states: Be Prepared
Zion is known for a wide range of weather conditions. Temperatures vary with changes in elevation and day/night temperatures may differ by over 30°F.
Suggesting braving frigid hypothermic Virgin River Narrows hikes where one can be swimming, being immersed for long periods, and in remote areas in off season without mentioning the need for a wet/dry suit is also painting an overly rosy unrealistic picture of doing this in winter conditions.
What the author might have - should have - included is this information.
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