The skiing cognoscenti have long regarded the Wasatch front in northern Utah as one of the finest alpine playgrounds to be found anywhere. Now the rest of the world will see first-hand the dramatic terrain, abundant snowfall and first-class resort facilities that make the region such a compelling destination.

What's even less familiar is the burgeoning golf scene in and around Salt Lake.

If Utah registers in the minds of traveling golfers at all, they would think automatically of St. George.

This flourishing golf hamlet some five hours southwest of the capital was little more than a wide spot in the road in the era of the Lake Placid games. Now the desert landscape is dotted with fine courses, at least a dozen worthy choices for the inveterate golfing tourist.

But there are certain charms to be found in the northern environs of the state as well, not the least of which is the impressive Golf Club at Thanksgiving Point. This Johnny Miller design is about 30 minutes south of Salt Lake in the tiny town of Lehi.

The first thing most players notice is that the course is super-sized from the tips at more than 7,700 yards, although the ball carries further because of the higher elevation. Needless to say, most daily fee players will be better off at the middle markers, not exactly pint-sized at 7,300 yards.

The Jordan River winds gracefully through the rolling terrain of this well-conditioned layout. Majestic pines guard and define the fairways, and undulating greens insure that two-putt pars are anything but automatic.

Depending on the severity of the winter, this course can be playable up to 10 months a year, with only December and January as downtime. Call 801-768-7400 for details.

All Olympic fans will be hoping the most popular course in the state is buried in snow come February. The Park City Golf Course lies at the foot of the Park City Mountain Resort, some 30 miles east of Salt Lake. The ski resort is home to the slalom and snowboard competitions in the upcoming Games.

In the warm weather months, this 6,700 yard confection offers thrills of its own, albeit not the type where one risks life and limb. Instead the thrill comes from launching tee shots that hang against the mountain backdrop in the near distance, before coming to rest on bentgrass fairways.

At sea level, a course of this length would offer a respectable test, but at 6,000 feet of elevation, Park City's town course requires thoughtful consideration on the tee box. Driver can be used with some regularity, but often for little gain. Fairway woods and even long irons are the cerebral play on a course with insidious creeks, semi-hidden grassy swales, and all sorts of subtle difficulties.

It's a course that won't bludgeon, but could conceivably paper-cut you to death. Call 435-615-5800 for details.