Park City, Utah: Not Just a Ski Town

For years, Park City, Utah has been known as a popular winter sport destination.  If you hadn't heard of it by 2002, the Olympics brought it fame as one of the best ski vacation spots in the country.  Bragging the "Best Snow on Earth" due to high amounts of snowfall and almost no humidity, resulting in massive amounts of light, fluffy powder, Park City is a powder junkie's paradise.  The three local ski resorts, Deer Valley, Park City, and The Canyons, are a popular vacation spot throughout the winter holidays, spring breaks, and, of course, the Sundance Film Festival (www.sundance.org).  But winter isn't the only time of year worth visiting Park City.  The quaint and eclectic mining town has grown into a year-round hot spot for all sorts of outdoor lovers.  

Biking (mountain and road) has become a very popular pastime in the quiet mountain town.  Miles and miles of trail span across the three resorts and are often accessible by gondola or chair lift.  Hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing, golfing, and a number of other activities are reasons for a trip to Park City.

The Canyons Resort (www.thecanyons.com) is opening for its summer season on June 22nd, when the gondola begins running again.  The gondola, called "The Flight of the Canyons" is not only a scenic ride, but drops you off at the hub for some of Park City's best hiking and biking trails, as well as some fabulous outdoor eating.

Park City Mountain Resort (www.pcmr.com) is open as of May 26, and boasts a number of exciting summer activities, including the Zip Rider, a suspended cable ride down the mountainside, and the Alpine Slide, a summer version of a winter sport.  Also, this year Park City is opening its Alpine Coaster on July 20, an elevated track in which toboggan-coasters whip and wind through the trees and bends of the mountain.  If those don't catch your eye, there's always the Human Maze, the Legacy Launcher trampoline, mini-golf, scooter rentals, a climbing wall, and horseback riding.