If you’re like many parents across the globe, you’ve suddenly been thrust into the world of homeschooling your students, yet with very little time to prep, mentally or organizationally. Trying to find the balance between continuing important instruction during the next five weeks (minus one week for Spring Break – yay!) while maintaining a positive and nurturing household environment can be challenging for even the most Zen parents. That’s why I’ve compiled my favorite homeschooling tips for the coronavirus shutdown, from tackling the schoolwork itself, to ensuring mental and physical health are prioritized above all else. Bottom line: We’re all in this together, albeit, from the confines of our individual homes and yards.
Assess the Situation
At-home learning will look different for each family, so try taking a step back to breathe and determine the priorities for your situation. For families with older students, their kids are often already on autopilot and can navigate online learning seamlessly from home, though it’s still important to check in with them to hold them accountable and ensure they’re getting their work done.
It’s the families with elementary-aged children who are discovering the need for guided instruction throughout the day to be more than they think they can handle. Start by creating a learning area, if you don’t already have one, and assure your children that you’re in this together. Experts agree that children thrive off structure, so review the materials and expectations shared by your child’s teacher and be honest with yourself as to what part of each day can be dedicated to instruction. If you’re a working parent, your day is likely built around meetings and deadlines, so fold those into the schedule as times for your child to read, draw or just relax. During a typical elementary school day, there are multiple opportunities for your kids to take a break, so make those the times when you do the work that cannot wait.
Don’t beat yourself up about your student possibly falling behind or not meeting educational benchmarks, as every parent across the U.S. is in the same boat as you. However, it’s also not necessarily the time to just give up and say you “can’t do this,” because you CAN if you map out a plan.
“No one is expecting you to magically have a master’s in education overnight,” Oona Hanson, an educator and parenting coach, recently told POPSUGAR. “So many elements of a successful at-home learning experience require skills you already have as a parent.”
Find Projects That Interest and Excite
Budding bakers can try their skills during this extended time at home.
For many students, doing lesson after lesson online or in a workbook is torture without the promise of an upcoming class period where they get to do something they love, be it P.E., band or art. Take a tip from Ana Homayoun, a Bay Area educational coach, who told NPR she advises parents to find things for their kids to pursue that they haven’t had time for previously. If you have a budding Cake Boss, break out the pans and give them permission to experiment (baking is all about chemistry, right?). For a promising Picasso, find an area to set up the paints you’ve discouraged them from using in the past because – admit it – you didn’t have time previously to even thing about getting acrylic out of your rugs. Maybe take this time to train as a family for the Park City 4th of July 5K, or investigate the many, no-cost online exercise options, such as HIIT, with exercise boards and playlists offered by the local Beau Collective. This is the time to find a common interest you might not have discovered without the advantage of spending so much time together.
School fieldtrips tend to be one of the things many of us remember most fondly about childhoods. Trips to the science center or the zoo were often the highlight of a school year, and this year should be no exception for your children, even while learning from home. Check out some local nonprofits who are providing educational and engaging opportunities, including Utah’s Hogle Zoo, which is holding a live Facebook Fieldtrip every day at 11:30 a.m. that’s posted to their YouTube channel afterward. The National Parks Service also offers virtual tours of their locations across the country, so take advantage of the opportunity to “visit” areas that feature Natural Science or U.S. History, such as Denali National Park or the Erie Canal.
Dino fans will love the online learning opportunities offered by the American Museum of Natural History, which offers science classes and quizzes to sharpen minds of all ages. To support arts education, the Metropolitan Museum of Art provides dozens of resources, including art-making classes, audio guides and 360-degree videos of its collections. And for those whose goals take them to infinity and beyond, the Kennedy Space Center is providing free, online distance learning videos focused on space-related science, technology, engineering and math using Facebook Live, with presentations in both English and Spanish – an excellent opportunity for kids in Spanish Dual Immersion to receive instruction in their target language. Meanwhile, French Dual Immersion kids can take advantage of online tours of the Louvre en français.
Adjust Your Expectations
I
was going to write, “lower your expectations,” but for many of the hyper-driven
types I know, this would be impossible. Instead, take stock of what is critical
– maintaining a sleep schedule, reading and checking in with your child’s
teacher to let them know you’re dialed in and doing your best, talking with
your child to see how they feel homeschooling is going, or if there are other
concerns they’re harboring related to the pandemic. And reach out to your
“village” – there’s a reason “virtual happy
hours”
have become so popular as of late. It’s a great time to get support from other
parents facing the same challenges, while other virtual get togethers can offer
your kids a chance to see and chat with family members across the country and
around the globe.
The close-knit community and excellent educational opportunities
are one of many reasons so many people Choose Park City for their new home or vacation
property. To learn more about the variety of schooling options across Summit
County that make the area so special, connect with Christine Grenney at
435-640-4238, or visit her website by clicking here.
It’s barely March, but spring is known to zoom by for parents and visitors gearing up for summertime kid activities in Park City! Summer camp options abound, and mapping out a summer that’s equal parts action and education will make even the most persnickety camper smile! Many camps sell out of certain sessions early on, so if you missed an opportunity last year, be sure to get upcoming registration dates on your calendar! (Reminder: Park City School District breaks for summer on June 2 and resumes on Aug. 20, 2020.)
Starts at Trailside Park and Ends at Ecker Hill daily (435) 655-0999
Basin
Recreation offers
a full-summer option with their Summer Blast Youth Day Camp. Beginning on June
8 and finishing on August 19, this camp welcomes kids ages 6-12 and features themed
weeks filled with games, arts and crafts, weekly visits from the Kimball Art
Center and swimming. Registration is offered by the day, week or entire summer,
and starts at $40/day. Hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with early drop off at 8 a.m.
and late pick up at 5 p.m.; registration opens at midnight on April 1. In
addition to their Day Camp, Basin Rec also offers weekly camps, including “Basketball
Camp,” “Mountain Bike Camp,” “Introduction to Lacrosse Camp,” “H20 Adventure
Camp,” “Tennis Camp,” “Pickleball Camp,” “Indoor Volleyball Camp,” and
“Preseason Soccer Camp.” For more information, visit the Basin Recreation site
by clicking here, or call the Field House at 435-655-0999. (Photo credit: Basin Recreation)
1354 Park Avenue (City Park) Park City, UT 84060 435-615-5401 (435-615-5440 when camp is in-session)
Park City
Recreation offers
a summer-long day camp, headquartered out of its City Park building (by the
Miner’s Hospital). New this year is an early, priority registration starting on
March 15 for residents living or working in the 84060 zip code, or for any
full-summer campers returning from last year. Regular registration for all
others begins on April 1. Camp is held daily from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., and includes
arts and crafts, sports, games, fields trips every Friday, and Wednesday trips
to the outdoor pool at the MARC. Full-summer cost is $1,975, beginning on June 8
and ending on August 14. Daily campers pay $53 per day, and there are no longer
weekly options available. Add-on activities include four-day golf lessons,
swimming lessons and skateboarding. Park City Recreation also offers a
Counselor in Training (CIT) program for teens ages 13-15. The program focusses
on leadership and job skills while working side-by-side with Summer Day Camp
staff and campers. Applications for CIT are due on Monday, May 4th,
and can be found here.
2250 Deer Valley Drive South (Snow Park Lodge) Park City, UT 84060 435-645-6648
Deer Valley Resort’s Summer Adventure Camp takes full advantage of its location at the base of the ski area, with headquarters at Snow Park Lodge. Hiking, mountain biking and SUP are complemented by games, puzzles, arts and crafts, and field trips. As a state-licensed center, infants as young as two months are welcome, with options available for kids up to 12 years of age. Camp begins on June 8 and runs five days per week throughout the summer. Prices for 2020 have not yet been posted, but a full-summer camper in 2019 was $2,793 for Explorers (ages 5 & 6) and Mountaineers (ages 7-12) and Explorers (ages 5-6), and $3,038 for ages 2 months – 4 years. Visit Deer Valley’s website for more info.
4501 UT-224 Park City, UT 84098 801-839-3379 Headquartered out of Park City Community Church (behind Park City Nursery on S.R. 224), this YMCA day camp offers a new adventure every day, with outings that include local Park City venues, Salt Lake field trips and explorations in the Uinta Mountains. The camp is for ages 5-12, with a special quiet room for the five-year-olds and a staff-to-child ratio of no more than 1:6. Beginning on June 8 and running through August 14, some of the weekly themes include “Wild Animals,” “World Explorers,” “Ancient Adventures,” “Olympics,” and “Don’t Try This at Home.” Daily hours are 8:30 – 4:30 p.m. for $225 per week, with optional extended care starting at 8 a.m. and ending at 5:30 p.m. for an additional $15 per week (financial assistance is available). Registration is now open – click here to learn more.
3863 Kilby Road Park City, UT 84098 435-222-2378 Heading into its first summer open for business, Woodward is elevating the action sports game for kids ages six and older of all ability levels, with an offering that includes mountain biking, skateboard, BMX, scooter, cheer, parkour, multisport and digital media. Camps are offered beginning the week of June 8 in groups of five or 10 sessions, and can run either Monday-Friday, or on the same day each week for five or 10 weeks. Sessions include lunch, recreational games and activities, positive relationship building, arts and crafts, and will be held rain or shine, with instruction from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily, plus 8:30 a.m. early drop off and 5:30 p.m. late pick up. Visit the Woodward website here for more details and to register.
(Locations throughout Park City) 435-640-8642 The Young Riders Youth Cycling program offers weeklong camps from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. beginning June 8, and provides opportunities for riders ages 5 – 14. Camps are available throughout the summer for every level of rider, including Pee Wee (ages 5 – 7), Beginner Youth (ages 7 – 9), Beginner Junior (ages 10 – 13), Intermediate (ages 9 – 13) and Advanced (ages 10 – 14). Registration opens on Wednesday, March 25 at 7 a.m., and camps fill up quickly, so be sure to click here to pre-register and ensure your biker is ready to roll!
3419 Olympic Parkway Park City, UT 84098 435-602-9401 The UOP’s Fundamentals Sport Camp is for kids ages 7 – 10, and features activities such as golf, sailing, swimming, tennis, karate, gymnastics, skateboarding and art. Each of the six sessions are held Tuesday – Friday, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (early drop off at 8:30 a.m. is available), and include an opportunity to try freestyle skiing skills in the park’s famous pool. Cost is $335 per week, and registration opens on Monday, March 16. Click here for more details, or reach out to Matthew Terwillegar, 435-602-9401/[email protected].
4056 Shadow Mountain Drive (off Old Ranch Road) Park City, UT 84098 [email protected] Each year, Summit Community Gardens’ offers enriching summer camps to give kids a chance to spend time outdoors while learning about nature, gardening and growing healthy food. Each week features a different gardening theme with hands-on activities with partner organizations EATS, Recycle Utah and Kimball Art Center. While this year’s schedule is not yet posted, last year’s camps were $180 per week and ran Monday – Thursday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Registration will open on April 1. Click here for more info and to sign up for a reminder email.
1650 Park Avenue, Ste. 200 Park City, UT 84060 435-649-9884 Summit Land Conservancy offers adventure camps for kids who just love to be in the great outdoors! Children will learn about ecology, botany, biology, wildlife identification, local history, and the importance of land stewardship while acting as a junior conservator. Themes set for Outdoor Explorers (ages 7-12) include “Mountain Bike Monday,” “Trail Trekking Tuesday,” “Weber River Wednesday,” “Thrill Seeker Thursday” and “Farmer Friday.” Outdoor Explorers costs $375 per week, with dates beginning June 15 and ending August 14. This year, Summit Land Conservancy is offering a Summer Camp Lottery for those agreeing to support the organization throughout the year. Lottery forms must be received no later than March 15, and can be found by clicking here. General registration opens on March 30, but with the lottery, many spots might be filled before general registration opens. For more information, contact Caitlin at 435-640-9884 or [email protected]. (Photo credit: Summit Land Conservancy)
1258 Center Drive Park City, UT 84098 435-649-1767 Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter offers popular weeklong camps from run June 15 through August 14, and include both half-day and full-day options. Because camps sell out quickly, they offer early registration on March 15 for members who joined by Feb. 28, with general registration opening on March 23. This year’s camps include programs for kids in kindergarten through 7th grade, with a Counselors in Training program for kids in grades 7 & 8. Some of the weekly themes include “EcoExplorers,” “Nitty Gritty Nature,” “Down to Science,” Wild Sprouts” and “Disgusting Discoveries.” Click here to check them out and set a registration reminder for yourself.
1401 Kearns Boulevard Park City, UT 84060 435-649-8882 Camps at the Kimball Art Center are taught by professional, practicing artists with teaching experience, featuring a curriculum vetted to inspire, educate and foster an appreciation for art in all of its forms. From June 8 – August 14, four-day camps are offered for kids ages 3-17 featuring artistic endeavors such as illustration, digital painting, mosaics, watercolor and clay. Classes are offered in the morning and afternoon; please click here for more information and to register.
Various locations around Park City 435-645-5617 Park City School District offers a full summer of courses through their Leisure Learning department, with opportunities ranging from arts and crafts, to coding and babysitter training. The full catalog and class details usually go online at the end of March, and can be found by clicking here, or by emailing Jane Toly at [email protected].
301 Wakara Way Salt Lake City, UT 84108 801-581-6927 Kids can experience a Day at the Museum with the Natural History Museum of Utah’s (NHMU) weekly camps, held at NHMU on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City. Camps begin the week of June 8, and include trips to nearly locations such as Red Butte Garden, This is the Place, Utah’s Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary. A full schedule of camps and age ranges can be found by clicking here. Most camps for younger kids are half-day, while older kids attend from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Registration opened on March 9 to the general public – click here for more information.
2600 Sunnyside Avenue (840 South) Salt Lake City, UT. 84108 801-584-1700 Utah’s Hogle Zoo presents weekly summer camp options for kids in grades 1st through 8th, with themes like “Animal Olympics,” “Curious Creatures and Fearsome Features,” “Harsh Habitats” and “Animal Sense-ations.” Prices range from $80 for half days to $300 for full days, with discounts for zoo members. Check out the entire lineup by clicking here.
12033 Lone Peak Parkway Draper, UT. 84020 801-355-FISH (3474 For kids fascinated with life under the sea, the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium offers weeklong camps throughout the summer. Themes include “Tide Pool Titans,”“Feathers, Fins and Fur” and “Full STEAM Ahead.” Campers ages 4-17 can find a variety of experiences specific to their interests, including “Pirate Science,” “Creature Challenge,” “Feathers, Fins, and Fur” and “Ocean Explorer.” All campers receive a t-shirt, water bottle, backpack, behind-the-scenes experiences and animal encounters of the most creepy-crawly kind! Camps begin on June 3 and end August 16, with half days from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., and full days run 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., with extended care options. Prices per week are $130 for half day and $255 for a full day, with discounts for aquarium members. Click here for all the offerings.
Overnight Adventures
Highly-revered overnight camps are nearby via the YMCA’s Camp Roger (on Mirror Lake Highway jut past Kama) and the Girl Scouts’ Camp Cloud Rim (above the Montage in upper Deer Valley). Camp Roger offers week-long camps throughout the summer for ages 6-15, featuring mountain biking, hiking, archery, arts and crafts, and horseback riding. Camp Cloud Rim offers an idyllic, lakeside setting at 9,200 feet, where girls entering grades 1-12 can experience week-long, themed camps, such as “Boating Bonanza,” “Artrageous” and “Backpacker.” Some camps even allow younger and older siblings to share in the experience, with younger kids staying just a few nights, and older siblings camping for the full five days.
The amazing
array of summer camp options is just one of the many reasons to Choose Park
City. Be sure to connect
with Christine today at 435-640-4238 to explore future adventures of your
own!
Though Park City’s reputation as a winter sports destination was built on the more traditional pursuits of ski jumping, skiing, and – ultimately – snowboarding, every now and then, it’s fun to shake things up and try something out of the ordinary. For Parkites and visitors, opportunities to go beyond the norm abound, so I’ve put together a list of my current top five ways to stretch your limits while in the Wasatch.
3863 Kilby Road, Park City Open daily from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. 435-658-2648
The highly-anticipated Woodward Park City opened its doors just two months ago, but it’s already become the hottest destination in town. Designed to accommodate year-round fun, the 60+ acre attraction encompasses action sports and mountain parks that include everything from lift-accessed snowboarding, skiing and mountain biking, to both indoor and outdoor facilities designed for all levels of BMX, scooter, skateboard, parkour and cheer. Throw in an upgraded tubing experience with two surface lifts and the longest lanes in the state, and you have an experience certain to engage athletes of all ages and abilities.
Lessons are offered at a cost significantly lower than at local ski areas, with two-hour group lessons for $74, and full-day lessons from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. for $122.
For those aged seven and older looking to improve their snowboarding, skiing or multi-sport skills (including trampoline, parkour, skateboard scooter and bike) in a camp setting, the facility offers Woodward Weekends, a flexible Saturday and/or Sunday series of four, six, 12 of 24 full-days of instruction from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Two upcoming Winter Camps are also being offered during President’s Week (Feb. 17-21) and Spring Break (April 6 – 10). Further, the facility is throwing its hat into the summer camp ring with multi-day programs for kids six and older, offering either single-sport or multi-sport programs that also include more traditional summer camp offerings, such as arts and crafts. All camps provide for drop-off starting at 8:30 a.m. and a late pick-up at 5:30, with lunch included and discounts for members.
To learn more, visit Woodward’s website by clicking here.
“We believe that life is too short for lift lines, powder panic, and icy moguls.” – Park City Powder Cats
In the spirit of going where no man (or woman) has gone (or tracked) before, Park City Powder Cats offers 43 pristine acres of private terrain accessed by snowcats with heated passenger cabins, each accommodating 10 guests and two guides.
The typical day starts at 8:30 a.m. at the PC Powder Cats cabin in the Uinta Mountains, approximately 35 minutes from Park City. By 8:40 a.m., guides will distribute beacons and snowcat assignments, and participants will receive orientation and safety protocols. At 9 a.m., safety protocols are reviewed and everyone is in their cats, with a 9:45 a.m. arrival time at a slope, followed by the first run. From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., skiers and riders will experience untouched power, with five- to 10-minute cat rides between laps. Lunch of sandwiches, wraps, soups, teas and baked goods is from 12 – 1 p.m., followed by more skiing and boarding in powder, bowls, chutes and glades. Everyone returns to the cabin at 3:45 p.m. with departure at 4:30 p.m.
Because there is no groomed terrain at 1000 Peaks Ranch, participants must be advanced or expert skiers or riders who can handle an ungroomed black diamond run in any condition, including powder, slush, ice or crust.
To learn more and book your snowcat adventure, click here.
6965 East Highway 158 Eden, Utah 801-745-3772, ext. 181
For a budget-friendly snowcat experience that doesn’t require a full-day commitment, Powder Mountain Ski Resort offers single-ride cat skiing or snowboarding at just $20 per ride for season pass holders, or $25 per ride for those with day passes. The snowcats bring skiers and riders to areas of the mountain lifts cannot access, providing an experience rivaled by heli-skiing, for a fraction of the cost. Located less than 90 minutes from Park City, Powder Mountain boasts 8,000 acres of skiable terrain, placing it among the largest resorts in the U.S., but the resort is known for being uncrowded with a laid-back vibe. To purchase cat skiing passes as add-ons to season or lift tickets, click here.
If cat skiing doesn’t provide enough of an adrenaline rush, give the good folks at Powderbird Helicopter Skiing a call. With 46 years of experience bringing skiers and snowboarders into the backcountry for guided heli-skiing and mountain adventures, Powderbird operates out of two conveniently-located base facilities, one near Historic Park City and the other at the base of Snowbird. With the ability to access the mountain in the gnarliest of conditions, Powderbird provides all guests with safety equipment, including an airbag pack, beacon, shovel and probe. At the beginning of each adventure, guests are trained in basic avalanche safety and how to use the aforementioned equipment, after which guides pick runs based on the group’s ability levels and current snow conditions.
Guest are not required to be expert skiers or boarders, but they should have an adequate level of fitness and skill set to fully enjoy the experience.
To connect with Powderbird, visit their website by clicking here, or call 801-341-2454.
To fully experience the Greatest Snow on Earth, Ski Utah offers its Interconnect Tour, allowing skiers (alas, not snowboarders) the chance to visit up to six ski resorts in just one day for an abundance of in-bound and out-of-bounds excitement.
Priced at $430 per person, the Interconnect Tour includes two Ski Utah guides, lunch at one of the resorts, lift access, transportation to the resort from which you’ve departed, and a finisher’s pin. Gratuity is not included, (but always encouraged).
The Deer Valley tour departs from DVR on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and provides an opportunity to visit Deer Valley, Park City Mountain, Solitude, Brighton, Alta, Snowbird, in addition to the backcountry between the resorts. With an average of 25 miles covered on skis, this tour requires participants be in good physical condition and able to ski variable conditions.
For more advanced skiers, the Snowbird departures on Thursdays and Saturdays cover Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude and the backcountry, and requires more hiking, sidestepping and a stronger overall skiing ability than the Deer Valley tour.
Private tours provide a more customized experience and cost $3,000 for up to six clients, or $4,500 for up to 12 clients.
For availability and online reservations, please click here, or call 801-534-1907.
Few towns match Park City when it comes to opportunities to step outside of your winter sports comfort zone. Similarly, when you Choose Park City, you’re guaranteed an experience above all others. Learn more about the many experiences unique to Park City by connecting with Christine Grenney at 435-640-4238, or visit her website by clicking here to learn more about the area’s neighborhoods.
As Virgil said, “The Greatest Wealth is Health,” and there are few places where that rings true more so than in a resort town. Staying in shape physically and emotionally is critical to one’s overall wellbeing in order to truly appreciate the opportunities and beauty outside each of our backdoors.
Luckily, local wellness experts can help you usher in 2020 with strength and serenity. I’ve put together a list of a few practitioners I rely upon to keep my work/life balance in check throughout the year so that I can both work and play hard for my clients and my family.
Founded in 2015 as a “concierge approach to fitness, happy hours and life in general,” Beau Collective – or Beauco – describes itself as “so many things … challenging fitness, fun social spots, great local businesses, motivational forces, family, life’s whatnot … & then blends them all together for a group of willing badasses for 3 months at a time …”
Based around 12-week sessions of twice-weekly 45-minute HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) classes, Beauco also offers a six-week “Teen Fitness and Social Series,” along with a “Youth Series” for ages 10+, both beginning on Jan. 8. Located in the Alpine Distilling Building in Silver Creek, the studio takes advantage of the social aspect of its host facility by offering a social room where workout warriors can mix and mingle after their session.
Yogis looking to sweat out the sins of a night out on Main Street can visit Tadasana Yoga Studio, located in Pinebrook and offering power vinyasa classes that take place in a toasty 96 degrees. Focusing on core tenets of “motion, athleticism and grit,” all levels are welcome to purge impurities while becoming bendy versions of their former selves. Those looking to build upon the basic can sign up for Tadasana’s sculpt classes, which include weight training and cardio.
Summit Spa & Float provides an opportunity to enter a warm, zero-gravity environment for 60, 90 or 120 minutes, where – free from distraction – your body relaxes and you can enter a state of deep meditation free from pain and anxiety. The water is treated with Epsom salts to refresh hair, skin & nails, and floating has been linked to lowered diastolic blood pressure after just five minutes. Other services include chemical peels, cupping massage and microblading.
For locals and visitors hindered by dietary restrictions, Element Kitchen & Bakery provides delicious and healthful options while dining on-site, or via grab-and-go items available for takeaway. Dairy-free, keto, gluten-free, paleo and vegan dishes abound, but the menu has something for every interest, including brunch, lunch and dinner offerings ranging from avocado toast and croque monsieur, to housemade gnocchi with pepita pesto and slow smoked Notch Peak brisket. Element also offers pre-made meals, party platters, snacks and baked goods perfect for après ski at home.
HeartSpace is the local retreat center for Plenty Consulting, which offers experiential workshops and coaching for clients to help foster teamwork and improve results. The retreats offered at HeartSpace provide multi-day offsite transformational experiences focusing on strategic development, product & campaign launches, turnaround and culture reinvention. With a mission to “connect, inspire, and support idealists to create massive positive change in the world,” HeartSpace offers a wide range of retreats and workshops, which can be viewed by clicking here.
Local mothers and credentialed health & wellness coaches, Kelle and Nina lead with the mantra, “Yell Less. Play More. Be Grateful” in their effort to help coach moms toward a grounded and fearless life. Moms who feel overwhelmed, distracted or time-starved can start with a free, one-on-one strategy session to see if Kelle and Nina’s strategies and tactics can help with their daily struggles. To learn more, visit their site at KelleAndNina.com.
Whether or
not your life is already in balance, wellness beckons when you Choose
Park City. Learn more
about the many ways Park City can center your soul by connecting with Christine Grenney at 435-640-4238, or visit her
website by clicking here to learn more about the area’s neighborhoods.
With the early promise of a snowy winter season, Park City is
ready to show off for the holidays in all of its winter wonderland glory.
Getting into the holiday spirit is easy in December, with a month of events to
entertain locals and visitors both young and old. I’ve curated a list of the
top ten things to do over the Holidays below:
(Photo Credit: Heber Valley Railroad)
North Pole Express
Heber Valley Railroad 450 South 600 West, Heber City Mondays – Saturdays through Dec. 23 All ages
Take your kids on a train ride to the North Pole while enjoying
Mrs. Claus’ famous chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa on the Heber Valley
Railroad’s North Pole Express. Santa joins the 90-minute round-trip ride, visiting
each child and presenting them with a special gift. “North Pole” (regular) and “First
Class” tickets are available, along with private cars available for groups.
Tickets and dates are listed here,
but be sure to book early, as this event always sells out.
(Photo Credit: Holiday Nights™)
Holiday Nights™
Jordanelle State Park Upper Fisher Loop, 515 UT-319, Heber City (approx. 10 minutes from Park City) Nightly through Jan. 4, 5 – 10 p.m. All ages
Holiday Nights™ at Jordanelle State Park has taken the
tradition of driving through neighborhoods to check out holiday light displays
to a whole new level. This 1-2-mile leisurely drive winds through the state
park and features more than 40 sparking LED displays, including animated
snowmen, elves, poinsettias, candy canes, a 200-foot light tunnel and a mega
tree display at Santa’s Holiday Village. Advance tickets range from $20-$40,
depending on date and car size, and can be purchased by clicking here.
(Photo Credit: DeJoria Center)
Santa on the Ranch
DeJoria Center/State Road Restaurant 970 North State Road 32, Kamas (approx. 20 minutes from Park City) Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 & 21 from 5 – 9 p.m. All ages
Head a few miles outside of Park City to the picturesque Kamas
Valley for a special evening with Santa at the DeJoria Center & State Road
Restaurant. “Santa on the Ranch” features dinner, pictures with Santa, cookie decorating
and letters to Santa with his helpers. Adults ages 13 and older are $48, kids ages
4-12 are $38 and kids 3 and under are $10. Reservations are required, and can
be made by calling 435-783-3530. Click here
for more information.
(Photo Credit: Park City Santa Pub Crawl)
Park City Santa Pub Crawl
Various locations on Main Street Park City Saturday, Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Ages 21 and over
Parkites love any excuse to dress in costume, and the
holidays are no exception, as evidenced by the annual Park City Santa Pub Crawl.
Revelers dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus abound, along with reindeer, angels,
elves … the costume creativity knows no bounds. The evening begins at 6 p.m. at
Butcher’s Chop House and Bar (751 Lower Main Street), then heads to the
Downstairs (625 Main Street) from 6:45 – 8:15 p.m. Attendees can then spread
out and choose the No Name (447 Main Street), The Spur (352 Main Street) or
Flanigans (438 Main Street) from 8:15 – 10:30 p.m., with the final stop at The
Cabin (427 Main Street) for the End of Night Crawler Party from 10 p.m. – 1
a.m. There’s no cost to participate, but everyone is encouraged to bring a new,
unwrapped toy for the Park City Toy Drive, along with cash, as the bars get packed
and credit cards can slow the flow. Stay up-to-date on the event by following there
Facebook page here
and checking out fun pics from past years.
(Photo Credit: Egyptian Theatre)
Park City Holiday Spectacular & Sing-Along!
Egyptian Theatre 328 Main Street, Park City Friday, Dec. 14 & Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. All ages
Start a family tradition with this annual showcase of local
entertainers of all ages and abilities as they take the historic stage at the Egyptian
Theatre. Performing acts are interspersed with chances for the audience to
singalong to holiday classics. Regular seats are $12 for youth and $15 for adults,
with Front-of-House tickets are $19 and Cabaret tables immediately in front of
the stage are $25 each. To purchase tickets, please click here.
(Photo Credit: Park City Mountain)
Santa Arrives on the Town Lift
Town Lift Plaza 825 Main Street, Park City Saturday, Dec. 21, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. All ages
In true ski town-style, Santa comes to Main
Street each year via the Town Lift to spend some time with his biggest fans on
the Plaza. Past years have included, live music, hot chocolate and cookies for
those awaiting Father Christmas’ 6 p.m. arrival, which is followed by photo opps
with the man of the hour. For more info, click here.
(Photo Credit: Kurt Bestor)
Kurt Bestor
Egyptian Theatre 328 Main Street, Park City Saturday, Dec. 21 – 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22 – Wednesday, Dec. 25 – 6 p.m. All ages
Emmy Award-winning Utah favorite, Kurt Bestor, visits Park City every
holiday season to bring his larger-than-life personality and talent to the
Egyptian Theatre for a five-night engagement featuring holiday favorites and
original music in an intimate setting. Tickets are $34 for House Seating, $40
for Preferred Front of House seating, and $50 for Cabaret Table Seating in
front of the stage. To purchase tickets, click here.
(Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort)
Santa Claus Visits Deer Valley Resort
Deer Valley Resort Snow Park Lodge (2250 Deer Valley Drive South, Lower Deer Valley) Silver Lake Lodge (7600 Royal Street, Upper Deer Valley) Tuesday, Dec. 24, 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. All ages
It wouldn’t be Christmas Eve without Santa
making his annual appearance to take photos with all of the good boys and girls
on the slopes of Deer Valley Resort. St. Nick will visit guests at the Snow Park
Lodge area from 9 – 11 a.m., and at the Silver Lake Lodge area from 12 – 1:30
p.m. For more information, click here,
or call 435-649-1000.
(Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort)
Deer Valley Resort Torchlight Parade
Deer Valley Resort 2250 Deer Valley Drive South, Park City Monday, Dec. 30, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. All ages
Another quintessential ski town tradition is a
torchlight parade, where skiers travel in formation down a ski run at dusk holding
torches to create an otherworldly glow. Deer Valley Resort’s Torchlight Parade is
held on Big Stick ski run (behind Snow Park Lodge) at around 6 p.m., with
complimentary hot chocolate, cider and cookies served on the plaza from 5:30-7:30
p.m. Click here
for more information.
(Photo Credit: O.P. Rockwell)
Roaring ‘20s New Year’s Eve Party Gold Standard Music
O.P. Rockwell 268 Main Street, Park City Tuesday, Dec. 31 – 9 p.m. 21 and over
Swing in the New Year with the opulence of “The Great Gatsby” at this
Roaring ‘20s-themed party, dancing to the jazz/electro/soul hybrid sounds of Gold
Standard Music. Opt for the VIP Dinner & Party package for $175, which
includes dinner in The Rockwell Listening Room followed by VIP entry to the
O.P. Rockwell Mezzanine lounges, or join the party for $100 with free
appetizers in General Admission. The venue is requesting guests arrive in
themed attire, such as top hats, cravats, evening gown and bow ties. For full
details, click here.
Whether
it’s an outing for the whole family or a special date night experience, when you
Choose Park City, you’re certain to have a unique
and memorable time. Learn more about possibly calling Park City “home” by connecting
with Christine Grenney at 435-640-4238, or visit
her website by clicking here to learn more
about the area’s neighborhoods.
Locals who have lived in Park City for any length of time will likely
have a few Sundance Film Festival
stories to share – whether it was getting to attend the premiere of a soon-to-be-famous
film (think “Napoleon Dynamite” or “The Blair Witch Project”), or simply spotting
celebrities strolling along Main Street or dining in their favorite eatery –
nearly every Parkite will agree that Sundance brings a certain energy to town,
but knowing how to survive those ten days can mean the difference between a positive
or a negative Festival experience.
(Photo credit: Sundance Institute)
This year’s Festival runs Thursday, January 23 through Sunday, February 2, though the first weekend tends to be the busiest in town, with the highest profile premieres occurring in the first few days. If you don’t have to go into town during the day, it’s best to avoid the I-80 off-ramps at Kimball Junction, S.R. 224 from Kimball Junction into town, Old Town/Main Street, and the Prospector neighborhood, especially Kearns Boulevard. Consider sticking to shopping and the restaurants in Kimball Junction, or plan on early and late-hour grocery runs.
In the past, Park City High School and Treasure Mountain Junior
High have adjusted their release times to account for afternoon screening times
at the Eccles Center (adjacent to the high school), so if you have students at
those schools, keep an eye on emails and social media for updates.
Stay up-to-speed on traffic incidents, road closures, weather
conditions and other emergencies during the festival by signing up to emergency
alerts. Just text FILMFEST to 888777, and you’ll receive alerts during the
event, which can be helpful for locals navigating around town.
In the spirit of, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em,” consider
volunteering for this year’s Festival. Not only will you receive one of the
super-cool volunteer jackets, you’ll have a chance to meet film buffs from
across the U.S. and throughout the world. Check out the volunteer opportunities
by clicking here.
(Photo Credit: Sundance Institute)
Looking forward to hitting Main Street for that coveted Jon Hamm sighting?
It’s a great time to use Park City Transit, especially the Ecker Hill Park-and-Ride
and Kimball Junction Transit Center. Just download the “myStop Mobile” app for
current routes and departure/arrival times, and get ready to mix and mingle
with locals and visitors while en route!
Though the local pass and ticket packages went on sale Oct. 15 and
have already sold out, you can still find ways to “Fest” during this year’s
event. “Open Tickets” are available at the Main Box Offices and online through
Feb. 2, and cost $25 each, or $10 for Kids Screenings. Another option are eWaitlist
Tickets, which means you join an electronic queue for the chance to score last-minute
tickets to films via the web at ewaitlist.sundance.org (NOTE: This site is not yet
up-and-running for Sundance 2020) or by using the mobile app. To “get in line”
for the eWaitlist, just register your account, choose a film, and then receive
your eWaitlist number. You’re then required to arrive at the theater no later
than 30 minutes before the screening, and can see the likelihood of getting
into the film within the system, though tickets are not guaranteed. These tickets
are $25 each, or $10 for Kids screenings, and are cash only.
The two much-anticipated free screening opportunities for locals –
Townie Tuesday and Best of Fest – are still scheduled for this year’s festival,
but tickets will not be available in advance, as they have been previously.
Instead, tickets for both will be available through the eWaitlist system described
above, with Townie Tuesday on Jan. 28 at the Redstone Cinema at 7 p.m., and Best
of Fest screenings scheduled for Monday, Feb. 3. Best of Fest screenings will
be announced online the morning of Sunday, Feb. 2, and eWaitlists for films on
both days will open two hours before each screening.
Regular ticket packages for the first half of the Festival have also
sold out, but there are still Express Passes and Eccles Theatre Passes
available for the second half of the Festival, which is Jan. 29 – Feb. 2. The
Express Pass is $3,500 and includes access to screenings at all theaters with priority
access, plus one official Festival photo credential and one awards party ticket.
The Eccles Theatre Pass is $2,000, and provides access to all screenings at the
Eccles Theatre, where most premieres are held, along with priority access and a
Festival photo credential. There is also a 10 Ticket Package for the second
half of the Festival for $600, which includes 10 tickets, two official Festival
credentials and two awards party tickets, or you can purchase a standalone non-screening,
non-photo Festival credential for $300, which provides access to non-theatre
venues, including the Filmmaker Lodge, New Frontier, and daytime admission to
the ASCAP Music Café (must be 21). Information for all passes and packages can
be found by clicking here,
but you must register or sign-in to access the page.
(Photo Credit: Sundance Institute)
Once the Festival starts, be sure to bookmark
the Festival Map on your phone to easily locate shuttle stops, theatre
locations and box offices. As in years past, the Festival Headquarters are
located in Prospector Square at the Sheraton Park City (formerly the Marriott
Park City – 1895 Sidewinder Drive). The Main Box Office also returns to its
previous location at the corner of Swede Alley and Heber Avenue in Old Town, and
is where patrons pick up ticket packages and passes.
If you live out of town and need help planning your trip, the Festival is incentivizing patrons to utilize their online portal to book lodging by offering the choice of a Lyft voucher, Whole Foods gift card, or two film vouchers with certain bookings. And there’s no need to rent a car, as there is no parking at any of the screening venues, so plan to utilize the Festival shuttles or rideshares.
However, I would be remiss if I didn’t recommend you head to Main Street at least once during the Festival. It’s highly likely you’ll spot a few celebrities ranging from A-listers to that “person you saw in an HBO series once, but can’t quite remember their name.” The energy in Old Town during Sundance is unmatched, and if you’re up for venturing out at night, check out O.P. Rockwell’s, a sophisticated live music venue with an excellent dance floor and raised stage perfect for taking in both established and up-and-coming musical acts.
Sundance
definitely brings a unique set of challenges and opportunities to the community
each year, but with some foresight and patience, it can be a positive experience
for both locals and visitors. And it’s just one more reason why so many people Choose
Park City for their new home or vacation property. To learn more about
the special events that make Park City so special, connect with Christine
Grenney at 435-640-4238, or visit her website by clicking here.
Giving is good for the soul, and
there is no day better for the souls of all Parkites than Live PC Give PC – a one-day, 24-hour giving event that has
raised more than $10.3-mllion for local nonprofits since its inception in 2011,
with $2.4-million raised in 2018 alone. This year’s Live PC Give PC is on
Friday, Nov. 8, and I suggest you mark the day in your calendar and begin to
ruminate on which of the more than 100 participating nonprofits
inspire your support.
What’s particularly amazing about
this day of giving is it’s all done online. That means donors can donate to
their favorite charities from the comfort of their homes, in their pajamas, no
rubber chicken dinner or toe-pinching stilettos necessary (though some local
fundraising evenings are a notoriously good time!).
Each year, I select certain
charities that I believe match the mores of clients I’ve had the good fortune
to work with during the past year and donate in their name. It’s my way of showing
gratitude for the good fortune I’ve had as a realtor in our community, and to demonstrate
to my daughters that sharing my success is just part of an altruistic life.
I’ve already earmarked a few worthy
nonprofits that sometimes fly under-the-radar in the Park City’s robust giving
scene, which include:
PC READS was founded in 2014 by two local mothers, each with a daughter who struggled to read early on and was eventually diagnosed with dyslexia. They advocate for recognition and education of dyslexic students, and promote elevating literacy through early identification of struggling readers, effective reading interventions and appropriate classroom accommodations. PC READS provides resources and support to families with struggling readers, particularly those identified as dyslexic.
Photo Credit: Mountainlands Community Housing Trust
As a realtor, I know firsthand
how rising home values and scarcity within rental opportunities can price some
residents out of the area. Mountainlands Community Housing Trust
(MCHT) operates based on the belief that a safe, affordable home is often a
family’s first step towards economic self-sufficiency. Having served 164
families and 376 individuals since 2003, MCHT’s Transitional Housing
Program (THP) has maintained over a 95% success rate in locating
affordable permanent housing for its participants while empowering them in the
attainment of other life goals.
As Park City and
the surrounding communities continue to grow, the effort to preserve open space
is becoming more critical with each passing year. Summit Land Conservancy is the
only nonprofit dedicated to saving the open spaces of Park City and Summit
County. They protect and monitor this community’s investment in local open
spaces by defending 38 permanent conservation easements on 5,766 acres of
land—and they’re currently working to preserve an additional 5,000+ acres of
the landscapes the community cherishes.
Avalanches go hand-in-hand with having
the Greatest Snow on Earth, so the Utah Avalanche Center works with the U.S. Forest
Service to help make backcountry and sidecountry fun and safe by providing
up-to-date avalanche forecasts and education and mountain weather forecasts.
Created in 2013 in response to community
concerns over the health and wellness of Park City youth, PC EATS empowers children and their families to take control of their nutrition
and food through Curious Cooks cooking classes, Garden Education and Community
Collaborations to increase access & ensure opportunities to develop
lifelong healthy habits and access to fresh, nutritious appealing food. They collaborate
with Park City School District to ensure the availability of healthy school
lunches and nutrition information for all kids.
And because we all know Park City
loves a good party, Live PC Give PC donors aged 21 and over are invited to a
celebration at High West Distillery & Saloon (703 Park Avenue) from 8 p.m.
to midnight that evening, where final donations are tallied and celebrated. What
a great opportunity to revel in the charitable efforts of your fellow Parkites,
and just another reason why so many Choose Park City, as charity and community continue
to be a top priority for so many of us.
To connect with Christine Grenney, call
or text 435-640-4238, or visit her website by clicking here and learn more about the
many ways new and current residents can give back to the amazing community in which
they live.
Thanksgiving has many definitions, but one that resonates – yet is
often lost in the hubbub each fourth Thursday of November – is simply, “The act
of giving thanks.”
This Thanksgiving, I once again challenge you to use Thanksgiving
as a teaching moment. Show your children the many ways to express gratitude,
and help them to step outside of their own experiences and place themselves
into the shoes of those who are less fortunate, which can help deepen their
appreciation for all they have.
Collect Items for the Peace House
Photo Courtesy: Peace House
In 1995, the Peace House domestic violence shelter was built in response to an incident three years earlier when a local woman was murdered by her husband in a local grocery store parking lot. Since then, the critical services provide by the Peace House have expanded to include a Community Campus, where transitional housing and childcare are provided to complete the continuum of care that allows survivors of domestic violence to work toward independence. The Peace House can use many types of contributions – both cash and in-kind – but one way your kids can help is to organize a neighborhood goods drive. Items listed by the Peace House as “urgent needs” include toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, cases of bottled water, soft soap pump bottles, children’s snacks and juice boxes. Help your children create flyers to distribute to throughout the neighborhood, inviting your neighbors to contribute the listed items and deliver them to a box placed on your front porch. Contact the Peace House’s Volunteer Donations Coordinator, Kathy Churilla, at 435-649-6823 or [email protected], for information on delivering your donations.
Make Items for Patients at Primary Children’s Hospital
Photo Credit: Primary Children’s Hospital
Many of us have had to take advantage of Primary Children’s
Hospital in SLC, and certainly gave thanks at the time that we have easy access
to such a world-class health facility. With our heightened awareness of
bullying and the detachedness social media can cause, teaching
empathy to kids is critical to help build their mental health and
acceptance of others, and can even lead to a more successful adulthood. Teaching
your kids about having empathy for children facing medical issues is
facilitated with step-by-step
directions provided by Primary Children’s Hospital for creating play dolls,
teddy bears and monsters, and fleece blankets. This would make a great
post-Thanksgiving dinner activity, or during a playdate over the long holiday
weekend with your children’s friends.
Craft a Thankfulness Turkey
Photo credit: Kidnurse.org
To help get your
Thanksgiving guests in on the gratitude train, create a Thankfulness Turkey.
This engaging activity can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of age, and involves
creating a large turkey, then cutting out multi-colored feathers upon which
each guest can write what they are thankful for as they arrive. Children get
the fun of affixing the feathers to the turkey, providing a gratifying and
gratitude-building experience for everyone!
Deliver Food Boxes to Families in Need
Photo Credit: Utah Food Bank
Did you know that Utah has a childhood food insecurity rate of 20.4%, with 13.4% of children in Summit County struggling to access food regularly. To help raise awareness with your children that kids are going hungry locally, consider volunteering for the Utah Food Bank. Children ages six and older can participate in their Family Volunteering programs, which include decorating and delivering food boxes to families in need. Each box includes one week’s worth of non-perishable food, plus bread, fresh produce and protein. Food Box Volunteers are required to deliver to a minimum of three clients per month, for a minimum of six months, so this is a consistent commitment your family can look forward to participating in together. The Utah Food Bank is located in Salt Lake City, but their services touch all corners of the state. To learn more, contact the Food Box Coordinator at (801) 887-1271 or [email protected].
Create a Gratitude Chain
Photo Credit: WithLoveIma.com
In the spirit of the paper
chains many of us made as schoolchildren, take the month of November to create
a chain of gratitude to display during the holidays. Simply cut out colored
construction paper into one-inch strips and have each family member write down
one thing they are grateful for every day in November. This placed the focus on
being thankful throughout the month, and not just on Thanksgiving Day. Since
it’s suggested that articulating your gratitude can have very real
benefits,
this exercise not only provides for a festive holiday decoration, but could
also improve your physical and psychological health.
I
am continually grateful to live in a community like Park City, where
opportunities to support nonprofits and share in these experiences with our
children abound.
To learn about more about the many reasons new homeowners Choose
Park City, connect with Christine Grenney at 435-640-4238, or visit
her website by clicking here to learn
more about the reasons Park City and its surrounding communities are unmatched
in their charitable endeavors.
With snow from the weekend
blanketing our mountain town, minds are turning toward the impending ski
season. Whether or not we have a banner year to match last season, one thing is
for certain: Winter is what you make of it.
That’s why the Ski Utah 5th & 6th
Grade Passport is such a great way for
young skiers and snowboarders to sample all of Utah’s mountains during one
season for just $45. Yup! Just $45 for 5th Graders to receive three
passes at each resort, or 45 days of skiing (that’s $1 per ticket if you use
all 45), or one pass at each resort for 6th Graders! Not to be left
out, adults can join their kids by purchasing the Yeti Pass to receive one
pass at each resort for 15 days of skiing for just $649.
Photo credit: Ski Utah
“Ski Utah is so proud to offer the 5th And 6th
Grade Passport to families looking to get outside and experience Utah’s
mountains,” explained my friend Anelise Bergin, director of communications
at Ski Utah. “Not only does the Passport give families an affordable ski
pass option, but the pass also encourages our visitors and our locals to
explore all 15 resorts in the state of Utah and enjoy the wide variety of
skiing and riding options that our beautiful resorts have to offer.”
To learn more about this amazing opportunity, I asked Anelise a few questions to help parents and grandparents navigate the registration and redemption process.
Last year was the 20th anniversary (the program
started in 1998). The passport initially started with only 5th grade, then 6th
grade was added three years later.
What is the goal of the program?
The main goal of the program is to encourage growth
in the sport and to offer a low cost opportunity for kids (and families) to
explore the entire state of Utah and ski or ride all 15 resorts on one pass.
How many students participate annually?
The program has seen healthy, consistent growth over
the last few years. On average we see around 10,000 participants.
Do you have to have a Utah address to enroll?
No — this is open to any 5th or 6th grader in the
world! The majority of passport holders are locals, but we encourage any
families with 5th or 6th graders to consider the Passport as an option.
What is the deadline for enrolling?
The passport does not have a deadline, but it is highly recommended to apply before Christmas. We suggest signing up sooner than later, this way families have the most time to explore all the resorts and have the passport ready and approved as soon as they are ready to ski.
What are the steps for redemption?
Most of the resorts allow you to redeem the Passport
at their ticket windows, but Park City Mountain requires participants to redeem
at a pass office. More details on redemption are listed here: https://www.skiutah.com/passes/passports/fifth-grade-passport-faq/index.html/#how-to-redeem. The student needs to state their
first name, last name, and date of birth, but identification is not needed at
redemption.
Are there Yeti Passes still available for adults who might want to ski or ride with their kiddos?
Yes! But quantity is limited on
these passes, so we advise purchasing ASAP.
Anything else that would be
helpful for parents to know beforehand?
Sign up sooner than later, and read through the
information on our website. There is an ample amount of helpful information
listed here: https://www.skiutah.com/passes/passports/fifth-grade-passport-faq. We also send regular emails to
passport parents that will have helpful information, resort opening dates, and
more — be sure to open and read these to stay up to date!
Is Woodward Park City included on the Passport?
Yes! Three full days at Woodward Park City are included as a part of the 5th Grade Passport, with one full day for the 6th Grade Passport. Reservations are recommended for this pass redemption.
Other facts:
The Passport program gives fifth graders three days
(45 days total) and sixth graders one day (15 days total) of skiing or riding
at each of Utah’s 15 resorts. Since the inception of Ski Utah’s school program,
more than 200,000 fourth graders have learned to ski or snowboard and more than
150,000 fifth and sixth graders have continued to hone their skills on the
slopes in Utah.
I’m looking forward to exploring a few new resorts with my 6th
Grader this season, thanks to the Ski Utah Passport program, and hope to see
some of you out there taking advantage of the breadth of local resorts, as
well!
Learn about more unique-to-Utah opportunities that inspire so
many new homeowners toChoose Park City. Connect with Christine Grenney
at 435-640-4238, or visiting her website by clicking hereto learn more
about the reasons Park City and its surrounding communities are unmatched in
experiences for kids throughout the year.
Though many warm mountain days still lie ahead,
fall is prime time for deciding where to ski during the upcoming season. An
impressive snowpack during the 2018-19 will assuredly get more folks out on the
hills this year, so being strategic as to where to spend those ski or snowboard
dollars is imperative if crowded slopes aren’t your thing.
However, while Utah’s liquor laws might be
confusing to some, trying to figure out the best opportunities among the
newly-minted, multi-resort pass options might be even more challenging to
comprehend. While this
helpful article from The New York Times manages to unravel the myriad
of opportunities that make up the 2019-2020 multi-mountain passes, we’ve also
put together the following primer as a resource to help you decide which
mountain (or mountains …) calls your name.
It should be noted that discount tickets are
available for most resorts (if purchased in advance) at local ski/snowboard
shops or Costco, but season passes are usually the best value, as long as you spend
a certain number of days on the mountain.
Deer Valley Resort
Photo credit: Deer Valley Resort
The toniest of Utah resorts, the skier-only Deer Valley Resort was consistently ranked as one of the top resorts in North America by Ski Magazine until the periodical eliminated its resort rankings last fall (though Deer Valley still earned a “Best Service” distinction). But for those of us who have chosen to “Ski the Deer Valley Difference®” (yup, the saying is even registered) for years, the ranking was just window dressing to miles of corduroy leading to large servings of world-famous chili. With its recent acquisition by Alterra Mountain Co., Deer Valley’s full season pass options now include certain ski privileges provided by the Ikon Base Pass at 40 resorts, including limited days at Utah resorts Solitude, Brighton, Alta and Snowbird.
Full season passes are outlined in the table
below, with restrictions regarding the Ikon
pass as noted.
Pass Name
Through 10/16/2019
Beginning 10/17/2019
Adult One (23-64)
$2,365
$2,766
Midweek (Mon-Fri)*
$1,350
$1,465
Young Adult (13-22)
$1,400
$1,695
Child (5-12)
$660
$765
Senior (65+)*
$1,100
$1,236
Military Season Pass**
$1,650
$1,650
Tot Season Pass***
$160
$185
Adaptive Pass*
$1,235
$1,235
*Midweek, Senior and
Adaptive Season Passes do not receive a complimentary Ikon Base Pass
**Military Season Passes are valid for active, reserve, honorably discharged and retired
U.S. Military personnel and their spouse and are non-transferable. A current
valid military photo ID for each pass holder must be presented at the time the
pass is issued. Honorably discharged members of the military can purchase a
military pass by calling 435-645-6626
***Tot Season Passes are not included in the Wasatch Benefit
Program
There
are also more wallet-friendly options available, such
as Midweek Season Passes at just $1,350 (until Oct. 16) good Mondays-Fridays
(but not during the Christmas holiday), or via Locals Only® Passes, which provide
discounts of up to 40% off the ticket window rate:
Pass Name
Pass Price
Per-Day Pricing
Adult (18+) 5 Pass (Valid seven days per week)
$525
$105
Adult Midweek 5 pass (Monday-Friday)
$450
$90
Young Adult (13-22) 5 Pass
$440
$88
Child (5-12) 5 Pass
$320
$64
When (weather permitting) the resort opens on
Dec. 7, it will be interesting to see the effect of the Ikon Pass as it
continues to offer up Deer Valley terrain to more skiers than before.
Park City Mountain
Photo credit: Park City Mountain
As Vail Resorts, Inc., which owns Park City Mountain, continues to resemble Pac Man – gobbling up resorts like blinking ghosts – the value of the company’s Epic Pass continues to grow. New this year, Epic Passholders have access to Snowbasin, Sun Valley and (if you’re in the area) Rusutsu-Japan, providing access to a massive number of resorts across North America and around the world.
But unlike Deer Valley Resort, which limits its
number of skiers each day, Park City Mountain does not have a daily limit, sometimes
resulting in long lift lines on the busiest days of the season. With the most
terrain of any resort in North America, however, there’s plenty of mountain for
everyone once you’ve made it past either the Park City or Canyons base areas.
Its cornerstone pass product, the restricted Epic Local pass, includes some blackout dates, but costs just $719 for adults, $579 for teens (ages 13-18) and $379 for children (ages 5-23). While unrestricted full Epic Passes are $969 for ages 13 and older, or $509 for ages 5-12, and offer unlimited riding at Vail’s wholly-owned resorts, with limited days at additional ski areas in Canada, Europe and Peak Resorts in the Northeast (pending regulatory reviews). Little ones through age four can receive a free season pass.
A truly “epic” value when it comes to passes is the Military Epic Pass option, which offers a full, unrestricted pass for just $159 for either active or retired military, with the same price offered to their dependents.
Snowbird, Alta or … Both?
Photo credit: Snowbird
For skiers and snowboarders, alike, Snowbird is hallowed ground, where extreme
athletes and every-day cruisers can both find terrain to their liking. However,
skiing purists (but not snowboarders) might prefer the Alta-Bird Pass, which offers a great
value by allowing unlimited access to both resorts, while the Ikon and Mountain Collective passes provide access to additional ski areas beyond Little
Cottonwood Canyon. For those looking to stay at Snowbird, or preferring to
combine Alta and the Bird, the pass options are as follows (info on Alta-only
passes can be found here):
Pass Type
Current Price (through Sept. 13, 2019)
Summit Adult
$1,149
Summit Senior (65+)
$799
Summit Young Adult (19-25)
$1,249
Summit College/ Medical Resident
$739
Summit Military
$739
Summit Teen (13-18)
$439
Summit Youth (7-12)
$299
Summit Family 4-Pack (two adults, two kids)
$2,299
Pass Type
Current Price (through Sept. 13, 2019)
Alta-Bird Adult
$1,549
Alta-Bird Senior (65+)
$1,299
Alta-Bird Young Adult (18-25)
$1,249
Alta-Bird Military
$1,249
Alta-Bird Teen (13-17)
$619
Alta-Bird Youth (7-12)
$459
Alta-Bird Family 4-Pack (two adults, two kids)
$3,099
Alta-Bird 6 & Under
$89
Ski Utah 5th & 6th Grade Passport
One of the sweetest benefits of living (or just visiting)
Utah is the Ski Utah 5th
& 6th Grade Passport. At an all-in cost of just $45, 5th
Graders can ski or ride three times at EACH of Utah’s resorts – which means a
whopping 45 days on the mountain for just $45. The 6th Grade
Passport is a little more modest with just on ticket at each mountain, but that’s
still 15 days of skiing for just $15. Of course, the kids will likely need an
adult to drive them to the mountain, so consider getting the Ski Utah Yeti Pass for
$649, and receive on ticket at each of Utah’s 15 resorts to accompany your little
shredder on his or her quest to conquer ALL the snow in Utah.
Additional areas to consider in Northern Utah
include the budget-friendly Brighton, easy-to-navigate Solitude, charming
Sundance and deeply-snowed Snowbasin. But wherever you find your favorite stash of Utah powder,
you’ll find just one more reason why people Choose Park City. Connect with Christine
Grenney at 435-640-4238, or visiting her website by clicking hereto learn more about the distinctions between each
resort, and the many mountain properties providing easy access to each.
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