There is no shortage of things to do in Park City, but for those who want to venture a little further, there’s a town just a short drive away with several amazing attractions of its own.

Midway, located in the Heber Valley about 25 minutes from Park City, is full of small-town charm thanks largely to its history as a settlement for Swiss immigrants. Elements of that history are everywhere, including the historic Midway Town Hall and its delightful glockenspiel.

Here are a few things to do if you head over the hill into Midway this winter.

HOMESTEAD CRATER:

Take an hour or so to visit the Homestead Crater, a geothermal spring located inside a 55-foot-tall, beehive-shaped limestone rock which was formed over a 10,000-year period. For just about $20, you can swim and soak in the hot spring, with its 90-degree and constantly replenishing fresh water, or if you want, you can snorkel or even scuba dive to the bottom of the crater about 65 feet below. The hole at the top of the dome lets in fresh air, and on snowy days, it’s hard to imagine a more magical place to be.

Make a stay of it, too, if you like, as the crater is located at the Homestead Resort.

For more information, visit homesteadresort.com.

SOLDIER HOLLOW:

Part of the Olympic Legacy Foundation, Soldier Hollow Nordic Center was home to Olympic events in 2002 and now hosts several fun activities for visitors, including cross-country skiing and winter tubing.

Its cross-country skiing courses are impeccable, with numerous offerings available, including season passes for both adults and children.

The center, meanwhile, boasts 1,200-foot tubing lanes, and the magic carpet means you don’t have to trudge your way back up the hill to go again.

Tubing is offered in two-hour blocks, and prices range from $12-$30 depending on the day.

For more information visit utaholympiclegacy.org.

ICE CASTLES:

Another unique experience on offer is the Midway Ice Castles, a winter attraction boasting incredible ice sculptures for visitors to tour, walk inside or even crawl through. There are caverns with hand-sculpted icicles, an ice maze and even ice slides. Truly, the Ice Castles are something that have to be seen to be believed.

Admission ranges from $11-$22, and more information can be found at icecastles.com/utah.

The post Adventure Guide: Adventure and wonder, just over the hill appeared first on Park Record.

The biggest draw of winter in Park City is the skiing and snowboarding offered at Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort — there’s no question about that. Sliding downhill on the greatest snow on Earth, the gorgeous Wasatch Range and beyond as your backdrop, delicious
après ski waiting for you back on level ground — that is hard to top. Maybe even impossible! But it is most definitely not the only thing Park City has going for it this time of year. There are plenty of other options for the adventurous among us, from helicopter skiing to snowmobiling and so much more.

Read on for a few suggestions for off-mountain adventures and the outfitters who can help you make them happen.

HELICOPTER AND CAT SKIING

PARK CITY POWDER CATS

435-649-6596 pccats.com

POWDERBIRD HELISKIING

801-396-7177 powderbird.com

BACKCOUNTRY SKIING

SKI UTAH INTERCONNECT ADVENTURE TOUR

skiutah.com

SNOWMOBILING

BACKCOUNTRY SNOWMOBILING

435-336-7669 backcountrysnow.com

LOFTY PEAKS ADVENTURES

385-239-8196 loftypeaks.com

NORTH FORTY ESCAPES

435-640-3239 northfortyescapes.com

RED PINE ADVENTURES

435-649-9445 redpinetours.com

SUMMIT MEADOWS ADVENTURES

435-645-7669 deervalley.com

THOUSAND PEAKS

1-888-410-5197 powderutah.com

ICE SKATING

MIDWAY ICE RINK

gohebervalley.com/Midway-Ice-Rink

PARK CITY ICE ARENA

parkcity.org/departments/park-city -ice-arena

PCMR RESORT CENTER ICE RINK parkcityicerink.com

DOGSLEDDING

ALL SEASONS ADVENTURES allseasonsadventures.com

DESTINATION SPORTS & ADVENTURES destinationsports.com

LUNA LOBOS DOG SLEDDING lunalobos.com

TUBING

SOLDIER HOLLOW

utaholympiclegacy.org

WOODWARD PARK CITY

woodwardparkcity.com

BACKCOUNTRY YURTS

For a truly unique experience, why not book a yurt in the backcountry for a few nights? It’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Out in the woods in the middle of winter, there’s nothing but you, the beautiful surroundings and maybe a family of deer to keep you company.

What is a yurt, exactly? I’m glad you asked! A yurt is a round dwelling, often portable, that is covered in animal skins or other material for warmth and insulation. Their use dates back centuries, and nowadays there are much more modern and well-appointed yurts, with comfortable amenities so you can enjoy a rustic weekend in style.

If you’re interested in giving it a try, we have good news for you! There are plenty of them around Summit County. Here are a few of your options.

THE LODGE AT BLUE SKY

aubergeresorts.com/bluesky

CASTLE PEAK

whitepinetouring.com

EAST CANYON STATE PARK

stateparks.utah.gov/parks/east- canyon/

LILY LAKE YURT

brorayurts.org

MILL HOLLOW YURT

ymcautah.org

ROCKPORT STATE PARK

rentatrockport.com

The post Adventure Guide: Get into the action appeared first on Park Record.

Park City knows how to take care of its visitors. Sure, there’s the incredible skiing and the world-class dining, but what if you want to be pampered? Or what if you want to get shredded?

There are no shortage of spas and fitness centers to serve your needs, whether you want to spend big or prefer something a little more budget friendly.

As always, though, remember that there may be COVID policies in place, so be sure to call ahead to learn what is expected of you!

PUBLIC RECREATION FACILITIES

Park City Municipal Athletic & Recreation Center (PC MARC)
1200 Little Kate Road
435-615-5401

parkcity.org
Monday-Friday: 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Costs vary by age, residency

Basin Recreation Fieldhouse

1388 Center Drive
435-655-0999
basinrecreation.org
Monday-Friday: 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Costs vary by age, residency

South Summit Aquatics and Fitness Center

350 E. 200 S., Kamas 435-783-2423
ssafc.org Monday-Thursday: 5-9 a.m.,

noon to 1 p.m., 2:30-9 p.m. Friday: 5-9 a.m., noon to 9 p.m. Saturday: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday: Closed
Costs vary by age, residency

COMMERCIAL FITNESS, MASSAGE AND SPAS

Align Spa

1792 Bonanza Drive, Bldg. C 435-647-9300 alignspa.com

Athletic Republic

3126 Quarry Road, Suite G 435-729-7230 parkcity.athleticrepublic.com

Enlighten Wellness

1912 Sidewinder Drive, Suite 105 435-649-7413 enlighten-wellness.com

Eventful Yoga

435-640-1443 eventfulyoga.com

The Lodge at Blue Sky

27649 Old Lincoln Highway, Wanship
435-571-0349 aubergeresorts.com/bluesky

LYT Yoga Park City

435-503-4055 lytyogaparkcity.com

Max Testa Training

1612 W. Ute Blvd., Suite 115 435-602-2872 maxtestatraining.com

Massage Express

435-645-8144 massageexpress.org

Now and Zen Massage

1765 Sidewinder Drive 435-640-8439 massagenowandzen.com

Oasis Massage

1890 Bonanza Drive, Suite 103 435-659-7511 oasismassageut.com

Orange Theory Fitness

1678 Redstone Center Drive 435-575-5575 orangetheory.com

Park City Yoga Adventures

415-695-4502 parkcityyoga adventures.com

Pura Vida on Main Salon and Spa

201 Heber Ave. 435-658-9411 puravidaonmain.com

Rock Resorts Spa

4000 Canyons Resort Drive 435-615-8035 parkcitymountain.com

Remede Spa at St. Regis

2300 Deer Valley Drive E 435-940-5830 stregisdeervalley.com/spa

Saltz Spa Vitoria

1441 W. Ute Blvd., Suite 140 435-655-6612 saltzplasticsurgery.com/spavitoria

Scott Kelly Coaching

700 Bitner Road 435-649-3902 scottkellycoaching.com

Serenity Spa by Westgate

3000 Canyons Resort Drive 435-655-2266 westgateresorts.com

Silver Mountain Sports Club & Spa

2080 Gold Dust Lane 435-649-6670 silvermountainspa.com

Silver Mountain Sports Club & Spa

1526 W. Ute Blvd. 435-575-0350 silvermountainspa.com

Spa Montage Deer Valley

9100 Marsac Ave. 435-604-1300 montagehotels.com/ deervalley/spa

SYNC Float Center

1200 W Lori Lane, B10, Kamas 435-333-7962
syncfloat.com

The Beau Collective

7132 Silver Creek Road 435-729-9245 thebeaucollective.com

The Shop Yoga Studio

1167 Woodside Ave. 435-649-9339 parkcityyoga.com

The Spa at Hotel Park City

2001 Park Ave. 435-940-5080 hotelparkcity.com

The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge

7 7 0 0 Stein Way 844-362-4305 steinlodge.com/spa

Waldorf Astoria Spa

2100 Frostwood Drive 435-647-5500 waldorfastoriaparkcity.com/spa

The post Adventure Guide: Pampered in Park City appeared first on Park Record.

There’s some really wonderful sightseeing to do in the Park City area, from the incredible mountain ranges to historic Main Street, but there are other sights to see, too! There’s a decent chance, for one, that you could turn a corner in Park City and find yourself snout to snout with a moose. And that’s amazing! But do you know how to behave in the event you encounter wildlife in the, uh, wild?

MOOSE

Moose sightings are relatively common here, and they can often be found wandering around Park City’s populated areas. But if it’s your first time encountering a moose, you might be surprised at just how big they are. The adults can weigh in at 800-1,200 pounds and stand 6 feet tall at the shoulders. These are not animals you want to upset.

First tip? Do not try to feed a moose! And if you have a dog, keep
it on a leash at all times. It’s Utah law, and a dog chasing a moose could turn the situation bad in a hurry.

If you encounter a moose, give it lots of space and watch its behavior. If it exhibits any signs of aggression, such as snout licking, the hair standing up on its neck or pinning its ears back, slowly back away in the direction you came, make your presence known by talking, and do not run.

If a moose charges or chases you, try to get behind something solid like a tree. If it knocks you down, curl into a ball and protect your head, and lie still until it leaves.

ELK

The Rocky Mountain Elk, Utah’s state animal, can be spotted throughout the mountains of northern Utah. In the winter they tend to congregate in valley bottoms and forage on south-facing slopes, where the sun melts snow more quickly.

If you encounter a bull or cow, give it plenty of space and watch its behavior. If it holds its head high, flares its nostrils or stomps its front hooves, it’s agitated. Definitely do not try to feed an elk.

If you find an elk calf, leave it alone! Calves have no scent and they’re camouflaged well, so hiding them is how mothers protect them for the first few weeks of their lives. If you find one, stay away, because the mother is likely nearby and, just as importantly, your scent could draw a predator to the calf.

BEARS

Utah’s mountains and forests are black bear country, and while you aren’t nearly as likely to encounter a bear in the winter — they are hibernators, after all — it is still possible. So if you decide to venture into the wilderness of, say, the Uinta Mountains, it’s best to be prepared.

According to the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, the worst thing you can be as a hiker or camper is “sloppy.” Secure your food, drinks and any other items with a strong scent in sealed bags, and dispose of items the same way.

You should also be aware of the time, because bears are more active at dawn and dusk. And if you encounter a black bear, it’s critical that you stand your ground and do not run or climb a tree. Give the bear a chance to leave.

The post Adventure Guide: Wilding out appeared first on Park Record.

If you’re planning a trip to Park City Mountain Resort, it’s best to set reasonable expectations for yourself. Unless your trip is a month long, chances are you won’t have time to see it all. At 7,300 skiable acres and with more than 330 trails, PCMR is the largest ski area in the United States and second largest in North America. To call it “massive” would be an understatement. There is much more to PCMR beyond skiing and snowboarding, too, so read on to learn more about amenities, dining and changes coming this season.

COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Park City Mountain Resort has made some changes to its COVID-19 safety protocols this season. Masks will not be required anywhere outdoors, including on lift chairs or in gondolas. Face coverings will be required indoors, and guests who wish to dine indoors at PCMR’s cafeteria-style eateries will be required to provide proof of vaccination in addition to wearing masks while not eating.

All chairlifts will be loaded at normal capacity this season.

To learn more about safety protocols, visit parkcitymountain.com.

PARK CITY ALL TERRAIN PROGRAM

This season PCMR is launching a new Ski and Snowboard School program for kids ages 7-14 designed for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders who want to explore the resort further, called Park City All Terrain Program.

Those interested in participating should be comfortable on blue runs and above. The class lasts all day, with lunch included. Participants will meet kids their age and ability level and spend the day completing an ATP Challenge, which will vary based on the interests of participants and the day’s weather. At the end of the day the classmates will enjoy a celebration and receive a prize to commemorate the day.

To learn more about ATP and other available lessons, visit parkcitymountain.com.

GUEST EXPERIENCE CHANGES

PCMR announced several changes for this season that are aimed at improving the guest experience. For one, the resort will limit lift ticket sales on the three most popular holiday periods in order to prioritize skiers and snowboarders who hold an Epic Pass. Those dates are: Dec. 25-Jan. 2, Jan. 14-17 and Feb. 18-27.

The resort is also launching a new daily forecast of lift line wait times in the EpicMix app to help guests better plan their day.

DINING OPTIONS

To-go and carry-out food options abound at PCMR, but guests who would prefer to sit down to dine at one of the resort’s mountain restaurants can do so, and with the help of the EpicMix app. The app’s new Time to Dine platform allows guests to book a mealtime in advance, so they can continue to enjoy the mountain until their reserved time. No need to beat — or wait out — the lunch rush. Reservations will open at 7 a.m. the day before and will be required for some restaurants, so be prepared and download the app ahead of time.

Time to Dine restaurants can be viewed on the app’s dining reservation page.

In other good news, the resort’s bars will be open again this season, including the Public House at Mid-Mountain Lodge.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Last season’s COVID-19 precautions put special events on pause, but this season they are back with a bang! More events and dates/times will be announced as the season goes on, but some of the planned events include:

Friday nights: Silver Sky Nights firework shows at Canyons Village

TBD: Spring Gruv celebration
TBD: Pink Park City fundraiser for the Huntsman Cancer Institute

For more event details visit parkcitymountain.com

The post Adventure Guide: PCMR: Endless Shredding appeared first on Park Record.

The 20th anniversary of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City is fast approaching, and with that in mind, why not spend some of your time in Park City enjoying one of the most iconic venues from that Games?

Located near Kimball Junction, the 400- acre Utah Olympic Park is home to one of just four sliding tracks in North America, as well as six Nordic ski jumps and a museum dedicated to the 2002 Games and the history of skiing in the intermountain West. It’s an official United States Olympic Committee training site, so it’s home to serious athletes, but there is also plenty to do for visitors.

WINTER BOBSLED EXPERIENCE

The ultimate thrill ride, UOP’s Winter Bobsled Experience puts you inside a real Olympic bobsled and sends you rocketing down the actual track used for bobsled, skeleton and luge events in 2002. It’s a pure adrenaline rush.

The cost for the ride, $195 per person, is no joke, but then again, the ride is no joke, either. You will experience up to five times the force of gravity, and it’s intense enough that UOP recommends anyone with chronic neck or back issues stay away. Pregnant women are not allowed to ride, nor is anyone under age 16.

But if you’re a thrill seeker without those safety concerns, don’t pass up the experience — it’s one you’ll be talking about for years to come.

The ride is open through April 10 and reservations are required. For more information, visit utaholympiclegacy.org/ product/winter-bobsled-experience/.

GUIDED TOURS

Explore the park and hear stories about the 2002 Games from a UOP tour guide. Take a bus ride up to the top of the Nordic ski jumps and try to imagine how much money you’d have to be paid to ski down them. The one-hour tour costs $12-$15 and is available daily at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and reservations are strongly recommended.

To learn more, visit utaholympiclegacy. org/activity/summer-guided-tours/.

ALF ENGEN SKI MUSEUM

One of the most interesting things to do with your time at UOP is to visit the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center, home to the Alf Engen Ski Museum and Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum.

If you have any interest in the history and evolution of snow sports or the 2002 Games, there is no better place to learn more. The facility boasts interactive touchscreen displays, videos and a virtual reality ski theater, as well as games and topographical maps. Immerse yourself in a gallery of the 2002 Games and see artifacts from the event up close.

The center is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and admission is free. To learn more visit engenmuseum.org.

The post Adventure Guide: Bask in the glory of the games appeared first on Park Record.

The post Park City Home: Winter 2022 appeared first on Park Record.

The holidays are meant to be over-the-top. Once Thanksgiving rolls around, even minimalists know it’s time to abandon their less-is-more aesthetic and embrace all things fun and festive.

Jason Oliver Nixon and John Loecke, partners at the design firm Madcap Cottage, are famous for mixing prints and patterns — stripes, plaids, florals, trellises — in a gleefully chic mélange. Come November, they pull out all the stops and think you should, too. As Nixon says, “Have some fun. Break the rules. Put stars in people’s eyes.”

Put up multiple trees
“The magic doesn’t have to be confined to the living room. You can do a mini forest festooned with simple white lights in one room, your own version of Sweden,” suggests Nixon. Or mix it up and play with different themes, colors, and styles. “Put your statement tree in the living room, a smaller one in the foyer, and a tabletop one in the kitchen.” Every room gets its own dose of charm.

As far as lights go, Madcap has a couple of simple guidelines. For a naked tree that won’t be decorated, stick to white lights. If it will be festooned with ornaments, use colored lights. In that case, says Nixon, “Use as much color as possible. It can be blue or purple or whatever. Pull a lighting color from your ornaments or the tree topper.”

Trim like a pro
When it comes to decorating those trees, Loecke has a few rules of thumb. “You want a mix of ornament sizes. Build from the inside out. The largest go inside the tree, toward the trunk. From there, work outward with smaller ornaments. Do that all up and down the tree.” And he advises using a lot of ornaments. “Depending on your ornament sizes and how full your tree is, I’d use about 50 to 100 ornaments per foot of circumference.”

Fake it
Nothing beats a real tree in terms of olfactory pleasure, but when it comes to decorating, faux is the way to go. And not only because you’re avoiding a fire hazard, says Nixon. “Good fake trees — we like the ones from Balsam Hill — are pre-lit, can be put together in five minutes, and allow us to focus on the decorating.” He cites the annual struggle to erect a real tree as a test of even the best relationship. And, he says, modern fakes are intentionally designed not to look too perfect. Once you load on the ornaments, the result is hard to beat.

One fake feature that nobody loves: the metal base. Nixon says it’s an opportunity to get creative with containers. “It can be a great planter, a drum-shaped surround, or a basket with the bottom cut out. Think about the base of the tree just as much as the topper. And if you have a found object you can wrap it in — a length of velvet or faux fur — it will add value at the base of tree.”

Don’t neglect the nooks
Everyone expects outdoor lights and a big Douglas fir in a place of honor, but Nixon and Loecke believe in creating special moments throughout your home. “It’s about walking through the home and adding slight embellishments as you go. A bowl of ornaments in a hallway. A ribbon tied around a porcelain dog. Bottles of champagne cooling in a bathtub.” Treat guests to a visual surprise as they move from room to room.

Take the diners out of the dining room
Although the Madcap duo love a dining room, they concede that it makes for a fairly formal meal. Nixon says, “If you’re having a smaller gathering, bring it out of the dining room. Place a game table, which is making a real resurgence, in front of a living room fireplace. It’s more cozy, intimate, and unexpected. Or put a hall table in the foyer. Unexpected seating makes people’s eyes sparkle.”

Think beyond red and green
The combo may be classic, but it isn’t the only color option in town. “This year we’re having a Mexican moment, with bright oranges and purples and lots of tin ornaments inspired by Acapulco back in the day.” Nixon encourages people to think about moments in your life that made you happy, and to bring those moments to life. “Why not have a garden themed Christmas, with bright floral ornaments and some shaped like garden tools? If you love seashells, do a beach tree — you don’t have to live at the shore. Or why not mix pink and orange? Have some fun!”

And don’t worry about matching your holiday décor with your home’s overall design. “If you have a modern home and you want to go traditional, go for it. Midcentury décor in a traditional home, great! Use color to unite the decorations with your interior scheme.”

Get creative with garlands
No need to stop with mantels and stairways, the traditional spots for greenery. “We’ve done a beautiful swag on the antique dish rack in our kitchen. Swag a bathroom mirror. And if you don’t feel like finding needles in the carpet in five years, try a fake garland. It can be magnolia leaves, even honeycomb party balls, a mix of rounds and stars and suns and all sorts of fun shapes.”

Master the mix
Combining patterns and textures without creating a chaotic scene can sound intimidating. Nixon says that if you’re scared, “Pick one color and carry it throughout your tree and holiday accents. If it’s blue, for example, use navy, aqua, turquoise, and royal blue. You can layer the prints and patterns but the eye will still connect all the dots.”

Set the table with joy
Again, the Madcap team like to mix it up at the table. “Bring in Granny’s china and layer it with your everyday dishes. Make it fun and easy and evocative. Do low-scale floral arrangements. Use place cards. Break out the great flatware. Scatter objects across the table.”

Loecke has a few how-to’s for turning supermarket flowers into a low-slung holiday centerpiece. “Look for a color palette that works with your décor. Cut the stems short, then mix in cut evergreens or holly for a holiday scent. You can find all kinds of floral picks at crafts stores, to add sparkle and luster. Put a scattering of cranberries down the table. Add a bowl of oranges and lemons in a beautiful tower and top it with a wired ribbon.” The produce aisle is full of inspiration: pomegranates, clementines, even artichokes.

Tell your story
Above all, says Nixon, think of your tree as a story. “Our living room tree is full of ornaments we’ve collected over the years and pieces we’ve created during our journey. We have ornaments John made for his mom and the angel I made in grade school. Just as in decorating, you don’t want your tree to look like a showroom. Our tree is a nostalgic celebration of family and the places we’ve been. It brings our story to life.”

The post Park City Home Master Class: A Whimsical Wonderland appeared first on Park Record.

Everyone who’s recently purchased property in Park City, or even spent a minute glancing at local real estate listings, knows that this is an expensive place in which to settle. Over the last year and a half, the numbers have gotten truly stratospheric.

According to the Park City Board of Realtors, in the second quarter of 2021 the median price of a single-family home within the Park City Limits rose to $2.75 million. That compares to $1.82M in Santa Monica, $1.7M in Vail, and $2.3M in Greenwich, Connecticut. At the end of the second quarter of 2020, average time of a property on the market was 7.8 months. A year later, average market time is 45 days.

Home prices rose in all 50 states between the first quarters of 2020 and 2021, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency House Price Index. And Utah was second only to Idaho in housing appreciation; according to bankrate.com’s Housing Heat Index, the state’s home values jumped 28% in the 12-month period ending June 30, 2021. Bankrate.com ranked Utah as the nation’s number one housing market, thanks to strong job growth, low state and local taxes, low mortgage rates, and few delinquencies. Let’s dig into the details.

Big ticket sales
Within Park City Limits, the number of total single-family home sales more than doubled over 2020, to 367. Meanwhile, the sales volume tripled, from $390 million last year to $1.2 billion this year.

All neighborhoods saw a massive price increase. In Old Town, the median single-family home price topped $2.1 million. In the exclusive Aerie neighborhood, the median price more than doubled year-to-year, to $3.4 million. Snyderville’s median price rose 37%, to $1.75 million, while sales also spiked around the Jordanelle reservoir: In the Tubaye/Hideout area, the median rose 40% to $2.4 million. The number of sales units in Promontory went up a staggering 118%, but the dollar volume saw an even more impressive 154% hike.

Other neighborhoods that saw their year-over-year numbers double, both in terms of sales and in volume were Thanes Canyon, Deer Valley (upper and lower), Deer Crest, Canyons Village, Old Ranch Road, Glenwild, and Heber East. In the overall region, the number of single-family unit sales went up 65%, with median prices rising 58%.

Cashing in on condos
There’s plenty of activity in the condo market as well, as Old Town prices rose 14% to $702,000, and sales shot up an impressive 66%. In Prospector, which had seen sales drop in two previous quarters, volume rose 27%. Meanwhile, the ski-in, ski-out condos at Deer Valley’s Empire Pass saw sales more than quadruple, with prices climbing to $2.93 million, up 46% from the previous year.

Wasatch County neighborhoods fared almost as well. Jordanelle Park, Tuhaye, Hideout, and Red Ledges all saw gains of 100% — or more — in units sold, with Red Ledges’ median price hitting $900,000. And beyond, Sun Peak/Bear Hollow sales more than doubled.

Custom customers
The lack of inventory revealed just how serious people are about putting down Park City roots: despite what the National Association of Homebuilders says was a 300% surge in lumber prices from April 2020 to May 2021, overall land sales in Summit and Wasatch counties were up 129%. As would be expected, the median sales price for lots was also up — 28%, to $363,800.

It’s been noted that the amount of vacant land purchased in the past
18 months represents 4 to 5 years of historic sales. The Board of Realtors speculates that this may be investors looking for a safe place to put their money, as much as those who intend to actually build.

The takeaway
It’s not always easy being the most popular kid in school. According to the Park City Board of Realtors, sellers are encountering more buyer resistance as shoppers react to the unprecedented price increases. That means although plenty of people are looking for a home, there are fewer written offers, as buyers wait to see if the market will dip.

The post Park City Home: The Price of Popularity appeared first on Park Record.

While Park City Mountain Resort had planned to kick off the winter season Nov. 19, Mother Nature unfortunately had other plans.

Still, the team at PCMR is excited to welcome back skiers and snowboarders as soon as the lifts are able to start turning, and spokesperson Jess Miller said the resort has been hard at working preparing, including now making snow in earnest.

“The energy is high and we know we have many fun days of skiing and riding ahead of us,” she said. “Our snowmakers have taken advantage of the cold weather this week and have made some good progress. We are keeping our eyes on the forecast and will issue an update on our new target opening day soon.

“In the meantime, we are continuing to monitor the weather minute-by-minute and making snow at every opportunity conditions allow.”

When opening day does arrive, Miller said the resort will have DJs at both Park City and Canyons Village base areas, complimentary treats and hot beverages and, of course, the traditional opening day banner breaking. The brave souls who are first in line will receive T-shirts to mark the achievement.

So what else is on tap this season? Miller said special events are back, for one thing.

Festivities will kick off on Friday, Nov. 26, with PCMR’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration in Canyons Village. Complimentary activities will begin at 4 p.m. with a live music performance by Flamingo, hot beverages, photos with Santa and an ice carving demonstration.

“We’ll also be handing out souvenir Park City Mountain ornaments to attendees,” Miller said.

The fun will continue throughout December and into the new year with a series of events including Silver Sky Nights firework shows in Canyons Village on select Friday nights and two of the community’s favorite holiday traditions: Santa coming down the Town Lift on Dec. 17 and the Torchlight Parade on Dec. 24.

“Looking ahead to spring, we’re also excited to bring back our annual Spring Gruv celebration with live music, daily après ski, Pink Park City and more,” Miller said.

As far as workforce concerns, Miller said that is something PCMR contends with every year, though she acknowledged this season may present “unique challenges.” But, she said, the resort is offering more perks in hopes of drawing more talent.

“We recently announced that, starting this season, we’ll be offering paid sick time off to all seasonal full-time employees who are not already eligible, in addition to COVID-19 emergency sick leave,” she said. “In June, we also announced the decision to raise our minimum wage to $15/hour, which will be the largest single investment we make as a company as we head into next season.”

There will be changes with the dining experience on mountain this season, as well.

Guests who would like to sit down to dine this season can book their table through the Time to Dine platform on the EpicMix app, which Miller said is a convenient way to book meal times so guests can enjoy skiing and riding “without worrying about the lunch rush.”

“Our bars will also be open again this season, including the Public House at Mid-Mountain Lodge,” Miller said.

This week, PCMR also announced new strategies taking effect this season to enhance the guest experience and prioritize pass holders. This includes limiting lift ticket sales during the three most popular holiday periods. Dates include: Dec. 25-Jan. 2, Jan. 14-17 and Feb. 18-27.

Miller said the resort is also deploying a new operating plan which should “significantly improve” how efficiently lifts and gondolas are loaded and reduce wait times, and launching a new daily forecast of lift line wait times in the EpicMix app to “help guests better plan their ski and ride day.”

One tip from Miller? Make sure you have the EpicMix app and check @ParkCityMtnAlert on Twitter for the most up-to-date information on lift line times and any weather delays or closures. Those who don’t have Twitter can see the feed at parkcitymountain.com/status.

The post Opening day was pushed back, but PCMR has lots in store this winter appeared first on Park Record.