(435) 414-1516

logo ×

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Before the buildup for the Olympics 10 years ago, Snowbasin in Utah was little more than a mom-and-pop operation, with aging lifts and amenities and offices in a single-wide trailer.

Now even its bathrooms are turning heads, with the Italian marble day lodge restrooms recently voted top five in the U.S.
Plenty has changed since the 2002 Winter Games put Utah’s ski industry on the map.

The state’s 14 resorts have undergone roughly a billion dollars in improvements, from high-speed lifts and bubble chairs to the construction of high-end global hotels such as the Montage Deer Valley and Waldorf Astoria Park City.

Overall skier visits have increased 42 percent to 4.2 million, skiable acres are up 26 percent, and a trend of late has been multi-generational vacations – grandparents on the slopes with their children and grandchildren.
The international clientele also is on the rise, particularly at Park City’s three resorts, which report international business has increased 200 percent in 10 years. Bilingual instructors and foreign accents on the slopes are now quite common, with Aussies outnumbering UK skiers in Park City for the first time but more and more groups coming from Mexico and Brazil.

There’s even a non-stop flight from Paris to Salt Lake City International Airport five to seven days a week.
“In many respects I don’t think we were even on the radar screen. The Olympics did a great job of exposing us,” said Bill Malone, president of the Park City Chamber and Visitors Bureau.

He said the Olympics also provided a giant “Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval,” reflected in places such as Deer Valley being voted North America’s No. 1 overall ski area for the fifth straight year by Ski Magazine readers. Before the Olympics, Park City had one five-star resort; now it has five.

“Even if you didn’t know a lot about us, being able to say we hosted the Games creates credibility,” he said.
What hasn’t changed is the snow, still billed as The Greatest Snow on Earth because of its low moisture content and touch of salt.
It’s what drew Evan Unger to Utah nearly 40 years ago when he was a student at Cal-Berkeley. He had planned to ski Tahoe, only to encounter rain. He ended up heading to Snowbird instead and discovered the “magic” powder that has been bringing him back ever since. These days, Unger, who has skied just about everywhere in the world, is often accompanied on trips to the backcountry with his daughter.
In fact, multi-generational ski vacations are a growing trend. “Ten years ago we wouldn’t have seen that,” Malone said.
“People are living longer and are active later in life,” added Nathan Rafferty, president of the trade group Ski Utah.
To Dave Fields, such opportunities are priceless. He still remembers the tears streaming beneath goggles on his father’s face last winter when three generations skied the same green run at Powder Mountain.

It was a bluebird day, with warm sun on their backs and a good snowpack underfoot. His then-69-year-old father Chuck, a 50-year member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, pulled off to the side as his 8-year-old grandson and 5-year-old granddaughter went by.
“It was so important to him,” said Fields, who grew up skiing Alta and at 40 is now vice president of resort operations at Snowbird. “That was his legacy to his family, this love of recreating outdoors. It was a great day that I will never forget.”

While powder-hounds have been venturing to Utah for years, numerous Olympic athletes now call Park City home because of what the Games helped create.
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association is based in Park City and Olympic hopefuls now train at the 85,000-square-foot Center of Excellence, which opened in 2009 and offers programs in everything from cardio to sports physiology and nutrition.

Olympic bronze medalist Bryon Wilson has relocated there as have Shannon Bahrke (moguls silver and bronze) and Billy Demong (nordic combined gold and silver). Emily Cook (aerials), Heather McPhie (moguls), Jen Hudak (halfpipe skiing) and Liz Stephen (cross country) also moved to Utah for the convenience, with great snow just 35 minutes away from an international airport.
Malone calls the athletes a link to the Olympic legacy, past and future.
“We still have a real connection to that part of the business,” he said.

Since the closing ceremonies ended, there have been dozens of international competitions in Utah. World Cup events have been held in bobsledding, skeleton, luge and speedskating and world championships in freestyle skiing. The U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix is set for Canyons Resort again in February, and the 2012 Freestyle World Cup is headed to Deer Valley.

“Everyone’s training here, a lot of athletes live here,” Malone said. “It wasn’t like we had one shot, had the Games and never had competition again. It’s kind of in our DNA.”

Snowbasin for the second straight year will host the Winter Dew Tour Championships. In February, the event drew 44,000 people over a four-day period.
“The Olympics really showed we could handle a global-level event, with significant crowds,” said Jason Dyer, marketing manager at Snowbasin. “We used it as a platform.”

It’s a big jump up from the old days at Snowbasin, which now has the capability to move 14,650 people up the mountain in an hour.
Many of them no doubt have checked out those ultra-lux bathrooms.
“Hosting the big party has its advantages,” said Rafferty.
A look at what’s new in Utah this season:

– At Alta, skiers can skip the ticket window and head straight to the powder using the resort’s new Smartphone application that allows them to reload their card. The popular Corkscrew Run also is being modified to ease the pitch and fulfill a promise to provide a true blue run from top to bottom.
-Beaver Mountain has added a new triple chair to provide access to additional beginner terrain.
– Brian Head in more accessible now that a new United Express nonstop flight has been added between Los Angeles International Airport and the new St. George Airport.
-Brighton Resort is investing $500,000 in snowmaking upgrades and $20,000 in terrain park features.
– Canyons Resort will offer heli-skiing from the resort in conjunction with Wasatch Powderbird Guides.
– Deer Valley is redesigning its beginner/learning area on Wild West ski run and adding more Sunkid conveyor lifts.
-Eagle Point has added 200 more skiable acres in its second season as well as tree skiing and spa services.
– Park City Mountain Resort has two new conveyor lifts for beginners. Snowmamas – real moms from around the country – will be chosen to help create unforgettable winter family vacations now that it has been named top family destination in Ski Magazine. The resort also improved its terrain park and overhauled 3 Kings lift to double capacity.
-Powder Mountain expanded its single-ride snowcat terrain by 50 percent and added more gladed terrain.
-Snowbasin added two more snowcats for grooming and new outdoor gas fireplaces on Earl’s Patio.
-Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort remodeled its flagship hotel and is introducing three new programs, including an adult adventure camp and Expedition Team for expert young skiers/boarders.
-Solitude unveiled free Wi-Fi throughout Solitude Village.
-Sundance is expanding and moving its terrain park so it can remain open during night operations.
-Wolf Mountain has better uphill transportation, added a handful of new runs and more pricing options.
—
Online:
http://www.skiutah.com/winter/index.html

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/olympics/wires/11/14/2080.ap.us.travel.utah.skiing.post.olympics.1st.ld.writethru.1623/index.html#ixzz1dnWsEyLD

Predicting what the weather will do over the course of a winter season is about as easy as figuring out when a Las Vegas slot machine is going to pay off big.

This is especially true in a state such as Utah, which is on the fringe of being affected by La Nina and El Nino weather patterns.

As a rule, a La Nina pattern generally favors northern Utah ski areas with massive amounts of snow, as was the case last winter. El Nino events usually give southern Utah mountains more of the white stuff.

Taking that into consideration, weather forecaster Glen Merrill of the Salt Lake City office of the National Weather Service said he thinks the La Nina weather pattern could possibly lead to another good snow year in northern Utah.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the Pacific. El Nino, on the other hand, is marked by warmer-than-normal ocean temperatures in that same region.

“It’s hard to compare much to last year, which was an exceptional year,” said Merrill. “The large-scale pattern shows we have entered into another La Nina. Typically what that does is form a more active storm branch on the northern track. Places like the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia and northern Rockies states such as Idaho and Wyoming get above-average snowfall.”

The problem for forecasters is that Utah fits in the middle of most patterns.

“A lot of times, the north does see above-average snowfall in La Nina years,” said Merrill. “But not every time.”

Abode is offering 20% off on Park City ski vacations this week. Please contact us at 888.841.9990. We have availability in 2, 3, 4 and 5 bedroom accommodations in the Park City and Deer Valley area. At abode we can accommodate all your ski vacation needs to make your Park City ski vacation an experience of a lifetime!

Ski season bookings are starting to fill up, so get on top of your winter schedule and book soon!

Check out the cheap flights to Park City:

http://www.dealbase.com/flight-deals/to-Salt-Lake-City-SLC

Utah’s 14 ski resorts are rolling out the white carpet to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games. The event officially put Utah on the map and spilled the secret of its “Greatest Snow on Earth” worldwide. Since 2002, Utah has blossomed with a cascade of improvements and amenities resulting in a 41 percent increase in skier day visits.

The 2011-12 season will feature a number of improvements both on and off the slopes. Here’s a summary from UtahSkiAndSnowboard.com of what’s going on state-wide:

ALTA SKI AREA

Starting this season skiers can skip the ticket window and head straight to the powder at Alta using the resort’s new smartphone application, which will allow skiers to reload their Alta Card for skiing directly through their phone.
Alta’s popular Corkscrew run in Collins Gulch, which brings skiers to the base of the mountain, is being modified to ease the pitch and fulfill the promise of a blue run from top to bottom.

The resort is also proceeding with planning for stage one of a two-pronged base upgrade. Alta is working with architects and environmental consultants to design a LEED certified building, which will include a ticket office, ski shop and other skier services. Construction on the project may occur as early as summer 2012.

Alta’s surrounding community has launched a new nonprofit, The Alta Chamber and Visitors Bureau, which aims to attract new visitors through focused marketing and the new website www.discoveralta.com.

BEAVER MOUNTAIN

Family friendly Beaver Mountain near the Idaho border in Logan Canyon has added a new Little Beaver lift for the 2011-12 season. The new lift is a triple chair, 400 feet longer than the previous lift providing access to additional beginner terrain with increased capacity.

BRIAN HEAD

Brian Head Resort in southern Utah is adding the new Chair 9 Deli & Pub and real-time snow alert texting options. The resort is also launching a new website and expanding its demo and high-performance rental packages. Additionally, a new United Express nonstop flight between Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and the new St. George Airport (SGU), only a 90-minute drive to Brian Head, provides easier access to the resort.

BRIGHTON RESORT

Brighton is investing $500,000 in snowmaking upgrades and $20,000 in terrain park features for the 2011-12 season. Additionally, the resort will add new high-end equipment to their demo center.

CANYONS RESORT

Canyons will open the 2011-12 season with the first phase of their resort re-creation totally complete. Myriad additions to the resort appeared throughout last season with two new chairlifts including the Orange Bubble chair with heated seats, more than 300 acres of new terrain, a completely remodeled ski beach base area and a number of new restaurants and services. Additionally this season, Canyons will offer heli-skiing from the resort in conjunction with Wasatch Powderbird Guides.

DEER VALLEY

Deer Valley is redesigning the beginning/learning area on Wide West ski run and installing additional Sunkid conveyor lifts. The resort is also opening a new children’s clothing retail outlet in the Snow Park Lodge. Forty-one energy efficient air-water snowmaking guns will also be purchased for the 2011-12 winter season.

EAGLE POINT

Eagle Point is sprucing up for their second season with 200 additional skiable acres. The terrain will add tree skiing and steeps to the resort in south-central Utah east of the town of Beaver. Additionally, the resort has added new amenities to the Canyonside Lodge with an outdoor hot tub garden and spa services.

PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT

Beginners of all ages will enjoy a new dedicated learning zone featuring two new conveyor lifts. New Snowmamas (real moms from around the country) will be chosen this fall to share and assist with the ins and outs of creating the perfect Park City winter family vacation. A new zip line will also run through both the winter and summer seasons.

Park City will also see improvements to its terrain park experience, overhauling 3 Kings lift, which will double skier and rider carrying capacity. Dirt work conducted over the summer will enable the resort to open the 22-foot Eagle Superpipe even earlier in the season as well.

Finally, a functional wind turbine, solar panels and an interactive kiosk devoted to educating visitors on the resort’s commitment to exploring renewable energy sources will be located at the top of Silverlode lift.

POWDER MOUNTAIN

With over 7,000 skiable acres, visitors to Powder Mountain are offered several ways to transport themselves to the resort’s many peaks. As the use of snowcats continues to grow in popularity, Powder Mountain will expand their single-ride snowcat terrain by 50 percent with the addition of 350 skiable acres and an additional snowcat. The resort’s trail crew has also gladed additional terrain, adding new tree skiing to Powder Country, Backcountry “DMI” Tour areas as well as the Snowcat Powder Safari Zones.

SNOWBASIN

Snowbasin is warming up their season with new outdoor gas fireplaces on Earl’s Patio. Slope modifications on School Hill will increase the efficiency of building the Resort’s 22-foot Dew Tour regulation halfpipe. The resort will host the winter Dew Tour once again February 9-12, 2012. Two new additional snowcats will be added to Snowbasin’s already extensive grooming equipment. The resort will also add seventeen light posts to Earl’s Base Area and the upper parking lot.

SNOWBIRD

The completion of The Cliff Spa and Aerie Restaurant will mark a complete remodel of Snowbird’s flagship hotel, The Cliff Lodge. The Aerie Restaurant will also feature a new chef and manager.

The resort’s mountain school is introducing three new programs: Expedition Team for youth ages 10-15 who are expert skiers/boarders, with sidecountry camps and backcountry skills training, and an Adult Adventure program for parents of Adventure Team kids. The School is also implementing the Flaik system and equipment so children and parents can track the terrain and vertical feet they cover.

Snowbird also recently unveiled version 2.0 of its free iPhone app, featuring snow reports, live mountain cams, road conditions, and even allows users to brag about how many days of skiing they’ve logged at Snowbird throughout the season.

SOLITUDE

Solitude Mountain Resort recently unveiled free Wi-Fi throughout all of Solitude Village. The resort aims to keep families and friends connected through the use of popular social media and Smartphone tools.

The Thirsty Squirrel will be expanded for this season as well. This expansion will give visitors the elbow space needed for more animated story-telling, high fives and backslaps. The bar will feature live music throughout the season as well.

SUNDANCE

Sundance Resort is expanding its terrain park for the 2011-12 winter season. This move is primarily focused on putting the terrain park in a location that would allow it to remain open during night skiing operations. The resort will not only move the terrain park but will expand its size and number of features. Additional lights will be added to enhance the night riding experience in the park. Sundance is also expanding its pass options this winter to include both a 5-punch and 10-punch pass in addition to the All Seasons Pass.

WOLF MOUNTAIN

Utah’s best kept family skiing and boarding secret, Wolf Mountain, has once again made improvements to the resort. The 2,700 foot long Wolfdeedo lift cable was replaced this summer. Wolf Mountain has also improved a handful of the ski runs, added additional snowmaking machines and improved some of the physical features of the lodge. New daily ticket pricing options will also be added this year to accommodate every guest’s time schedule.

SKI UTAH

New for the 2011-12 winter season, Ski Utah has launched the Yeti Pass enabling pass holders to ski one day at every Utah resort for $499 ($35 per day).

abode specializes in luxury ski lodging in Park City and Deer Valley. If you would like to receive the most up to date Park City vacation deals, all you need to do is read our blog and follow us on Facebook, by clicking here. Our current deal of the week is:

-Book 5 nights and receive the 6th free.

Mention this offer when booking to secure the deal.

Inquiries regarding Park City luxury lodging for the holiday period have been coming in early and often and our inventory is starting to fill up. The Christmas-New Year’s time period is just about full and Martin Luther King holiday and Sundance are starting to book as well. Go ahead and act if you are thinking about booking a Park City ski vacation this winter! Just call us at 888.841.9990 or email rob.alday@www.abodeparkcity.com.

Check out the links below for great Park City and Deer Valley vacation rental deals. There are fantastic flight deals and even better lodging discounts offered through Living Social:

Flight Deals: http://www.dealbase.com/flight-deals/to-Salt-Lake-City-SLC

Park City and Deer Valley discounted lodging: http://livingsocial.com/escapes/97125-park-city-%20-deer-valley-rentals?msdc_id=547

Come and enjoy are cool temperatures here in Park City! There is plenty left to do this summer with concerts, fishing, hiking and biking all part of the action. Just call us today at 888.841.9990.

PARK CITY AND DEER VALLEY LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS AND SKIING

 

Not too early to start think about ski season! Remember to look to abode for all your Park City and Deer Valley luxury accommodation needs. Use the code EARLY BIRD when booking this winter to get 15% off.

See below for season pass information at the Park City area ski resorts, as well as list of improvements that will take place at Park City and Deer Valley:

PCMR IMPROVEMENTS

Deer Valley Resort Improvements

Deer Valley Resort Ski Passes

Deadline is Oct. 31

Adult Season Pass: $1,725

2nd Adult Season Pass: $1,400

Adult Midweek Pass: $880

Seniors Season Pass: $880

Teens Season Pass: $715

Child Season Pass: $435

Tot Season Pass: $115

Hospitality Pass: $4,215

Locals (Utah residents) Coupon Books: starting at $54 a day.

7-days a week, 10 days: $610

7-days a week, 5 days: $320

Teen for 10 days: $530

Teen for 5 days: $270

Child for 10 days: $350

Child for 5 days: $185

Weekdays only, 10 days: $540

Weekdays only, 5 days: $275

Park City Mountain Resort Ski Passes

Deadline is Sept. 15

Adult Mountain Access Pass: $725

Add covered parking: +$250

Add night skiing: +$200

Add EZ Access Fast Tracks: +$225

Teen Mountain Access Pass: $185

Youth Mountain Access Pass: $135

Senior base pass: $465

Super Seniors: $260

College/Young Adult base pass: $465

Teen and Youth may add night skiing for $75 or Fast Tracks for $225

Children ages 6 and under are free with the purchase of an adult pass.

Coupon books:

10 days with EZ Access Fast Tracks: $560

GREAT SNOW TOTALS FOR ALL PARK CITY SKI RESORTS

 

Snowbird Sets All Time Single Season Snowfall Record!

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort hit a 40-year all time record for single season snowfall on April 26, reaching the 690-inch mark thanks to a spring storm that has brought two feet to Little Cottonwood Canyon in the last 48 hours. Snowbird’s previous single season official record was 688 inches, set in the 1983-84 season. The resort’s mid-mountain base currently stands at 190 inches, with more snow forecasted through the weekend.

“This has been a remarkable season for Snowbird,” said resort president Bob Bonar. “We’ll be celebrating with skiing til Memorial Day and most likely beyond, with conditions that are anything but typical spring skiing.”

690 inches, or 57.5 feet, measures nearly the height of each sculpture face at the Mount Rushmore National Monument, more than a third of the height of the Statue of Liberty, and easily tops Utah’s Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. This is the fourth consecutive season Snowbird has topped 600 inches mid-mountain, with water content in this year’s snowfall well exceeding record levels. The latest closing date in the history of the Little Cottonwood Canyon resort is July 4 (in 1995 and 2005).

“Having skied at Snowbird for 16 years, I can honestly say this is by far the best year of powder skiing I’ve ever experienced,” said local pro athlete Ben Wheeler. “The mountain is incredibly filled in, with areas that used to be 30-foot cliffs completely buried under all this snow.”

Lodging packages are currently available from $99/person for skiers and snowboarders looking to make one last powder-filled trip. Full details and more lodging options available at www.snowbird.com/lodging/hotdeals.php. Apr’s ski fun includes free live music on the Plaza Deck, Saturday and Sunday afternoons through the end of April (weather permitting) along with daily food and drink specials. Snowbird is currently offering a Tram and Chair lift ticket for a reduced price of $64.

To see photos and video of the recent powder skiing and riding, go towww.snowbird.com/birdsnest/. For media information, contact Jared Ishkanian at (801) 891-3496 or jishkanian@snowbird.com. You can also follow Snowbird at www.facebook.com/snowbirdUT or www.twitter.com/snowbirdski.

GREAT ARTICLE ON PARK CITY, ENJOY DEER VALLEY YEAR ’ROUND, AND A FEW SPRING SPECIALS IN PARK CITY

 

 

Here is a nice article regarding Park City skiing experience from CNN Travel

Deer Valley announces that the Deer Valley cafe will stay open year ’round, so you can always enjoy a little Deer Valley: http://www.deervalley.com/newsletters/deer-valley-grocerycafe-to-remain-open-year-round.html

Now here are some great spring discounts and specials in Park City and Deer Valley:

-2 for 1 coupons at 350 Main

-35% off at the Grub Steak to celebrate their 35 years in business

-$10 all you can eat Pad Thai at Bangkok Thai on Main St

-2 for 1 dinner’s at Chimayo, Grappa, and Washo http://www.billwhiteenterprises.com/

-Half off all Easy Street menu items

The spring is a great time to enjoy Park City like a true local and get awesome deals everywhere! Contact us for the best deals in lodging and anything else in Park City.

PARK CITY SPRING SKIING

 

Are you ready for Park City spring skiing? Reserve your Utah house or condo rental with abode Park City today. Our properties are fully furnished and come with luxury amenities. Ski-access, pre-planned excursions, car service, concierge, personal chef and more. Reserve your home or condo rental and take part in spectacular spring skiing in Park City.

×