From the moment I arrived in Park City, Utah, the snow was
falling from the sky and it never stopped. Beds of powder kept
building as I skied down winding trails. The snow piled up, but I
was never in too deep.
Had I arrived earlier in the day, I would have been eligible for
a great deal from Park City resorts called Quick START, which
stands for Ski Today and Ride Today. Clients flying in will receive
a same-day complimentary lift ticket the day they arrive for use at
any of Park City’s three resorts. Unfortunately, my flight arrived
after dark due to weather. I took full advantage of the time I had,
however.
My first morning at The Canyons Grand Summit Resort, I woke to
find a cheery message on my phone telling me the snow conditions on
the mountain. I headed out and skied my first day at The Canyons
Ski Resort. A scenic ride up the Flight of the Canyons Gondola
allowed me to get the lay of the land before starting. Here clients
can ski more than 3,500 acres and 146 trails with no lift lines or
bottlenecks on the slopes.
After lunch on the mountain it was time to ramp up the
excitement with a snowmobile ride through the backwoods. Our small
group was shuttled to a remote location outside of Park City by the
owner/operator of Thousand Peaks in the Uinta Mountains. A
full-throttle ride through the woods and meadows of a privately
owned ranch followed. The name of the game was speed, and if I was
surprised by anything, it was how the group was so comfortable to
rev up their machines and go fast.
Tired from all the excitement, I sought treatment at the Spa at
the Stein Eriksen Lodge, where I found the perfect amount of luxury
and pampering. If that were the end of my trip to Park City, I
would have been fulfilled.
However, the next day it was off to the slopes at Deer Valley
Resort. Again, the conditions were deep powder.
I took advantage of a ski lesson from a top-notch instructor at
Deer Valley. Not only are the instructors incredible skiers in Park
City, but many are former competitive amateur and professional
racers who are more than willing to teach clients the finer points
of the sport. Deer Valley Resort, as well as The Canyons Ski Resort
and Park City Mountain Resort, hosted several Olympic events during
the 2002 games.
In fact, Deer Valley hosted the FIS Freestyle World Cup this
January, where the world’s best competed before the Winter Olympics
in Turin, Italy. This is only one in a long list of annual events
in the area. After all, this is where the stars shine when Park
City plays host to the Sundance Film Festival.
After my lesson, I spent a night at the upscale Hotel Park City,
a good option for ski-savvy clients. Home seemed far away sitting
in my terrycloth robe by the fireplace, listening to Miles Davis
over the Bose audio system.
Nightlife
On Main Street in downtown Park City, there are a core of shops
and restaurants that cater to every taste and whim. Designer
clothing and jewelry shops are cozily perched next to java huts
filled with skiers still wearing their gear. Many fine restaurants,
such as Chimayo, with their eclectic menus and extensive wine
lists, have all the charm and sophistication to satisfy anyone with
cosmopolitan tastes. Yet it’s comfortable and relaxed, since the
dress code is usually “mountain casual.”
Getting to Main Street is easy with a ski lift located in the
center of town. Much like a bus depot anywhere else, this is the
hub of winter commuting. Clients staying in one of the many bed and
breakfasts or hotels in the area would have little trouble getting
around.
Before departing on my last day, I skied at Park City Mountain
Resort. The weather was letting up a little and the sun began to
come out for the first time. Here, the groomed trails go on
forever. I had fun cutting my way through trails and falling into
the fluffy powder.
With the combination of great snow, picturesque scenery and a
customer-first attitude from everyone, it is easy to see why Park
City was chosen to host a large-scale event like the Winter
Olympics. This is a first-rate ski resort that clients who love
winter sports will most certainly enjoy.
