Park City Resort Review

By Logan Campbell

Summary: Park City Mountain Resort had its biggest moment in the spotlight hosting
the ski and snowboard Giant Slalom and the Half-pipe at the 2002 Olympics.

World-class athletes have been in Park City for decades, though. The gnarly mountain
groomed Utah local Ted Ligety for his 2006 Olympic gold, and has attracted many other
Olympians and X-Games stars such as Tanner Hall to make Park City their home. As
host to an annual World Cup Ski Race and Robert Redford's illustrious Sundance Film
Festival, Park City and its active nightlife defy Utah's tame reputation.

Like all skiing in the Wasatch Mountains, there is plenty of snow and great terrain for
everyone at Park City. There is something attractive to everyone here- challenging
slopes for expert skiers, a renowned terrain park and half-pipe for the freestyle riders,
bunny hills for beginners and perhaps best of all: plenty of things to do when your ski
day is over.

With shopping, movies, bars & clubs, sledding, ice skating, and an amazing variety of
high-class international restaurants for a town of 8,000 people, you can see why many
Hollywood celebrities (and even former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney) have
moved in or purchased a second home in town. People flock to Park City to strut their
style. Whether it's the houses, the top notch skiing and boarding skills, or the clothing,
the combined efforts of Hollywood and the Olympics invading an old Utah mining town
make Park City truly one-of-a-kind.

Do not expect to visit PCMR without spending some significant cash, but it will certainly
be an exciting and memorable experience. If you want to minimize the damage to your
wallet, consider staying in a more affordable Salt Lake City hotel and driving up the
easy 30-45 minutes for the skiing and/or partying in Park City. Shop the grocery store
for sack lunches, and look for discounted lift tickets at REI, Smith's Food & Drug, or at
a ski rental shop. Visiting Park City during the peak times of the season can cost a lot
more as well. Things really pick up the week before Christmas until kids go back to
school after New Years. Also, avoid Presidents' Day weekend if possible. Weekends tend
to be a bit busier than weekdays of course.

If you want to stay in Park City, there are plenty of places to stay for a bit higher cost
than in Salt Lake (again, especially at peak times of the year).

It would be wise to rent a car to get to Park City from the Salt Lake airport, though a
shuttle or taxi ride is an option. Transportation within Park City is actually quite nice-
there are free buses going to and fro all day and well into the night, with several routes
hitting key lodging, skiing, and shopping destinations.

Lodging Choices: Lots of hotels, condos, and homes right at the resort or in the town.
Salt Lake City offers more affordable options, only 30-45 minutes away.

Terrain: 3,100 feet (17% Beginner, 50% Intermediate, 33% Expert)

Highest Elevation / Vertical Drop: 10,000 feet / 3,100 feet

Snow: 360 inches per year

Activities for Non-Skiers: Great shopping on Main Street or at the Outlet Mall,
movies, fabulous restaurant selection, art galleries, sledding, ice skating, the works.

Ski School: Has all the usual options for adults and kids of all ability levels. Prices for
2009-2010 not yet available.

Day Care: Prices for 2009-2010 not yet available, but yes, day care is certainly
available.

Getting There: Only 41 miles from the Salt Lake International Airport, just follow I-80
East until you see start seeing signs for Park City. Four-wheel drive is highly
recommended, though you can live without if the weather is clear throughout your trip.
Shuttles and cabs are available to get you there from Salt Lake. Free buses will take
you throughout the town of Park City and the resort.

Insider Tip: Find significantly discounted lift tickets at Smith's Food & Drug in Park
City or at REI in Salt Lake.

Visit our forum for readers' opinions on this resort

Logan Campbell is a local Utah skier, middle school teacher, and writer with published
works of fiction, poetry, op-ed, and now ski reviews. Contact Logan by email-
lcampbell@mcgillisschool.org.