Park City, Utah - Here We Come!

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My husband, our two kids, and myself have wanted to try out skiing for a long time so we looked for a resort that has a reputation for being kid friendly and has a good school for beginners. The Park City Mountain Resort, ticks all the boxes. It’s said to be one of the best destinations for novices and children and I particularly liked their guarantee of small groups with no more than 5 people for lessons. Our kids can go into the group for 6-14 years of age. So, that’s the plan and we’re going with extended family in February 2010 for our winter adventure. I’m also looking forward to sliding down the Alpine Slide, which is one of the longest slides in the world, more than 3,000 feet with lots of turns!



One thing we do know how to do is skate, so we’ll definitely use the outdoor skating rink at the resort. There’s also a rink at the Park City Arena and Sports Complex, and the kids say that they’d like to take part in the learn to play ice hockey program there.

I want to take the kids tubing at Gorgoza Park, just to see their faces light up when they slide down the mountain. I might have a go too and it’s made easier because they tow you up to the top each time. Perhaps, we’ll go after dark when the mountain is lit up. The kids have a separate play area and they can ride mini snowmobiles.

Now, riding in a horse drawn sleigh is my idea of transport and we are going to book a ride through the Snowed Inn Sleigh Company. They do a Sleigh Ride and Dinner deal with a gourmet meal and live music. That sounds so relaxing after a hard day on the slopes!



Providing we still have enough energy after skiing, tubing, and skating, I’d like to explore some of the hiking trails around the area. These are classed as easy, intermediate or advanced and some of them are used by mountain bikers too. I think I’ll go for the Lake Side Trails, which is an easy 1 mile paved trail round the lakes by Snow Park. The kids will be able to keep up and it’s not too long.

Many events in the 2002 Winter Olympic Games took place at Utah’s Olympic Park, and the children are excited about going there, especially to see the highest ski jumps in the world. If I can pluck up the courage, (and there’s every chance I’ll chicken out), I will ride the bobsled track. This involves rocketing along at 70 miles per hour at 4 Gs of force. Well, it’s cheaper than a face lift! We’ll also look at the exhibits at the Alf Engen Ski Museum and 2002 Olympic Games Museum, which presents memorabilia from the alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding, skating, bobsled, luge, curling, and ice hockey Olympic events. We’ll also see the Olympic Torch and various Olympic Medals on display and the kids can learn about the causes of an avalanche. There’s also a Hall of Fame and information on how a mining town became a prestigious winter resort.

I want to explore the city and, as a history buff, I’m fascinated by Park City’s past as a booming silver mining town. The Old Town is full of historic buildings that have been turned into boutique stores and galleries and ‘looking for history’ is a good excuse for retail therapy. The best place for learning the history of the town though, looks to be the Park City Museum, and there’s lots of hands on things to do to keep the children interested. I’m sure they’ll like the 1926 fire truck and the replica railcar from the time of the early settlers. There are exhibits about the mines and they even let visitors drill the rock face. We can also see the old Territorial Jail and the Dungeon where the city’s hardened crooks, languished.

Eating out is a favorite part of going away and this city is supposed to have more restaurants per capita than any other US city. The only trouble is, I won’t be able to choose between French, Italian and Thai. I also plan to sample what’s known as Park City’s Signature Drink. It was the winner of the Annual Cocktail Contest in 2009. It’s called the Deer Valley St.Germain Elderflower Cocktail and it contains elderflower liquor and Italian sparkling wine.

We usually take in a show on vacation and we’ve read that the program at the Egyptian Theater on Main St, is really good for family entertainment. Hopefully, there will be a musical or a children’s production when we are there.

We are planning our trip in February, so we can go to the Annual Winterfest, 10 days of events that start on 5th February. We’re going to watch the finals of the Sled Dog Race and go on a romantic, guided moonlight snowshoe tour. Local bands provide live music and the last night always features a fantastic fireworks display.



We need large accommodation in a nice location and I’m going to make a choice between two luxury ResortQuest condos. The Resort Plaza Condominiums, are convenient for the ski in / ski out access for the resort and the 4-bedroom, 4 bathroom property sleeps 12, which will be ample. It will be cozy with its gas fire and hot tub and there’s a fully equipped kitchen and a washer/dryer, so important for sorting out clothes when you’ve been on the slopes all day. On the other hand, the Racquet Club Condominiums, are only 2 miles from the resort with the shuttle stop, walking distance away and they are situated on Park Meadows Golf Course and have terrific mountain views. The 3 bedroom / 3 bathroom condo sleeps 10 people and it also has a hot tub, and a modern kitchen. I’m spoilt for choice!

So, that’s all our plans for now and I’m really excited. Sunshine, snow, great food and shopping. Who could ask for more?

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