Park Yourself at Park City Ski Resort

Just 55 kilometres east of Salt Lake City airport there’s a little place we like to call Park City Ski Resort – mostly because that’s its name.

Come to think of it, it ain’t that little. In fact, it boasts 3,300 acres of skiable terrain, with a top elevation of 10,000 feet.

Last but not least, this year it’s celebrating its 50th anniversary.

But before we can look forward to your next Park City Ski Resort adventure…

Let’s first do a little reminiscing. The region earned a name for itself during the mining boom, and was transformed into the Treasure Mountain Resort in 1963.

When the slopes were made public, skiers shuttled along a special subway in a mine train nearly 4km into the mountain through the pitch-black Spiro Tunnel. At the other end they boarded a mining elevator that took them 530 metres to the surface, with access to the entire mountain. While there was no other ski lift like it in the world, it clocked only four winters. Skiers thought it was memorable, but also slow and as you can imagine, a little creepy.

Today, there remain more than 1,610km of old silver mine workings and tunnels under your skis at Park City Ski Resort and neighbouring resort Deer Valley. Meanwhile, the shaft and other mining ruins remain a feature of the mountain.

In a nod to its roots, many runs and lifts are named after mines and mining terms, such as Motherload Lift, Treasure Hollow, Payday and Silver King. To learn more about the resort’s colourful past, take in the free historic ski tours.

Today’s Park City Ski Resort

Flash forward to Park City Ski Resort today, and it’s regularly named one of the top ten family resorts in North America and one of the top five ski resorts overall.

However you take your thrills and spills on the slopes – skiing, snowboarding, tubing, sledding – here’s a resort with loads to offer. To be more specific that’s: nine powder-perfect bowls, 50 super-groomed runs, and a number of world-class terrain parks including the Eagle Superpipe.

Park City Resort offers skiing and snowboarding for all ages and abilities, with a good range of groomed trails including their “Signature Runs”, the name given to steep, groomed black trails. There’s also great off-piste skiing to be found at McConkeys, Jupiter and Scotts Bowl. Plus, if it’s novelty you’re after, ski from the resort all the way down to Main Street.

When skiing Park City you’ll be in damn fine company. Its home to several training courses for the US ski team, and, if the resort sounds awfully familiar it’s probably because it hosted the halfpipe, alpine and giant slalom events back at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Park City is also base for the National Ability Centre, whose alpine skiing and snowboarding programme for individuals with disabilities has been rated one of the best in the country. For more information visit www.discovernac.org

Park City Mountain Resort for the Little’uns

Do you have wee childlers in tow still getting to grips with their ski legs? Or even little’uns who could teach the old dog (that’d be you…) new tricks? Park City Mountain Resort’s kids signature programs are designed for ages six to 14, from first timers to expert level. Private lessons are also available for all ages and levels.

Speaking of youth, fancy reliving yours?

Jump on the Alpine Coaster and glide through the aspen glades on an elevated alpine slide track as it winds through nearly 4,000 feet of curves, bends and loops. Take the Flying Eagle Zip to new heights, then race against the clock (or your friends) on the Nastar Race Course. And now that you’ve worked up an appetite, take in the unique setting and exquisite food at the Viking Yurt.

Whatever your requirements for your ski vacation, Park City Mountain Resort offers the lot.