The shoulder season of September is actually a perfect time to visit Jackson Hole & Park City as the weather is still dry and the parks are still open, the fall colors are changing with incredible wildflowers and beautiful mountain scenery. The fall’s wild palette of colors makes these areas a heaven for the photo enthusiast or viewers of nature’s annual colorful spectacle. Be prepared for backcountry hiking with knowledge of the area, water and food, and bear spray for the remote chance of a close encounter during fall in Utah.
GORGEOUS SCENERY DURING FALL IN UTAH
CECRET LAKE
The whole family will love the best in the state wildflowers, the easy and lovely hike to the Cecret Lake holds incredible sunsets just below Sugarloaf. The popular day trail begins at 9000 feet of elevation running west from the campground, it climbs a gentle slope, with about 300 feet of elevation gain and is located right by Albion Basin Campground, you have the option to continue hiking up from this trail to Sugarloaf Peak. Take the time to relax at the beautiful alpine lake in the Little Cottonwood Canyons Albion Basin near Alta Ski Resort and Snowbird Ski Resort and take lots of photos of your family with the mountains as a backdrop. Along the way, there are interpretive signs with information about the basin, its plants, animals, and geology. From the lake, you can return the way you came, or explore the area. Remember, swimming is not permitted in the lake!
SUNDANCE
Summer is always a good time to go hiking but fall is even better because colored leaves are breathtaking in the Sundance area. Stewart Falls is one of the most scenic and photogenic waterfalls in northern Utah. Hike to the two over 200 feet tall tiers before it freezes during the winter. It is an easy but steep hike through a beautiful forest on the east side of Mountain Timpanogos, you will spot beautiful vistas and little friends along the way. The recommended trail starts at Aspen Grove, along the Alpine Loop Road. Several trails start here so pay attention to the signs. The Stewart Fall trail is a 3.2 mile moderately trafficked out and back and easy to find trail, it is wide and well maintained. And for the adventurous that want to get to one of Utah’s most recognizable mountains, Mount Timpanogos, take the Aspen Grove Trail, which runs 8.3 miles one way, starting at the Theater-in-the-Pines picnic area on the mountain’s east side. That trail is very scenic and passes several waterfalls. Daytime temperatures along the trails are usually warm but it can get very chilly at high altitudes so dress in layers and bring a jacket!
GUARDSMANS PASS
An easy one mile hike featuring high mountain meadows, pine trees and wildflowers takes you to a popular lake with a rope swing. The trail forks at the trailhead/parking lot but the forks are unmarked. Take the left fork for Bloods Lake. The first three quarters of the trail is a light downhill through meadows and patches of pine trees. The last bit is a moderately steep downhill to the lake. The trail around the lake is flat but there is a section that walks across a boulder field. The trail and lake are heavily trafficked towards midday, especially on weekends. There are some great places for hanging hammocks near the rope swing. This is a kid-friendly and dog-friendly hike. Good to know: The parking lot is shared for several trails in the area and gets full very quickly. Avoid parking on the shoulder of the road outside of the parking lot, Police will ticket cars illegally parked.
AROUND JACKSON HOLE
TWO OCEAN LAKE
Making noise and bringing pepper spray is not a choice, this hike is in BEAR country. Those looking for a more secluded hike will enjoy looping Two Ocean Lake. Leaving from the Two Ocean Lake Trailhead, you can head around the lakeshore for views of the Teton Range. Wildflowers populate the area, brightening up the landscape and making for stunning views. If you hike this trail in September you might see the sunflowers in bloom. The fall colors are in full swing and are just wonderful to look at, on the southern side of the lake you will be in a dense forest then the north side opens up into more open patchy aspens/shrubby terrain, pretty fun! Due to the wet, marshy nature of the landscape, Two Ocean Lake is a popular area for mosquitos so don’t forget your bug spray! Grand Teton National Park charges a fee to enter that varies by vehicle or if entering on foot, horse, or bike. For more information, visit this website.
BRADLEY-TAGGART
Fall is going to be your absolute favorite season in Jackson after doing this trail. Taggart Lake and Bradley Lake Loop is a 6 mile heavily trafficked loop trail. Located roughly 2.5 miles north of the Moose Entrance Station in Grand Teton National Park. This hike visits two of the six glacially-formed lakes that lie at the base of the Teton Range, colorful leaves and fresh snow on the mountains makes it a great place for pictures. Make sure your camera is charged! Grand Teton National Park charges a fee to enter that varies by vehicle or if entering on foot, horse, or bike. For more information, please click here. https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/fees.htm
PHELPS LAKE
Tons of wildlife live in this area, you might be able to see bears, elks, deer and moos getting ready for the winter. Carrying bear spray should not be optional here. Take a moderate 7 miles and only 725 ft gain elevation, out and back trail for the closest views of Phelps Lake. The trail takes hikers through a wooded section, before opening up at the Phelps Lake Overlook. The overlook will place you high above Phelps Lake, with views of the lake and valley. If you are looking to access Phelps Lake you will need to continue another mile down to the lakeshore via a series of switchbacks. In the northeast side of the lake you will find the Jumping Rock, a large 30 feet boulder where people jump from to the lake. Considering that the hike back to the overlook is an uphill climb, relax on the shore of Phelps Beach before heading back.
Contact our team to learn more and find accommodation in Park City, such as one of our lovely Canyons Village rentals, while on your vacation during fall in Utah!
As with everything this year the Sundance Film Festival will look a little different in 2021. Now you can enjoy the festival from the comfort of your home or your home away from home. Bring Park City into your living room with online Park City Sundance 2021 festivities. Below we will be highlighting the changes and what you should expect from the upcoming movie festival in January of 2021.
QUICK TAKE:
WHEN: JANUARY 28 through FEBRUARY 3 2021
WHERE: Virtual screenings + one physical screening for each film in its lineup at more than 25 arthouses around the country + drive-in options in Los Angeles and Park City.
HOW TO FEST: Head to the following website for all the information on how to enjoy this year’s Sundance Film Festival
EXPLORE THE FILMS: Check out the list of films participating in this year’s Fest
TICKETS: Passes and Tickets go on sale on January 7th. Make sure to register for an account
“SLIPPERS INSTEAD OF SNOW BOOTS”
Welcome to the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. A new chapter filled with possibilities. Despite the challenges this year has brought, nothing could stop us from celebrating independent film, visionary artists, unique perspectives, and you, our adventurous audiences. So, for the first time ever, we are bringing the festival to you—both online and in the real world across the US and beyond.
The heart of our festival is our community. The joining of artists and audiences forms something truly extraordinary. We invite you to explore the program, join the conversation, and experience this new festival with us.
-Tabitha Jackson, Director, Sundance Film Festival
The festival has reduced its timeline to seven days from the usual 11 and will take place JANUARY 28 through FEBRUARY 3.
The entire program will be available on festival.sundance.org to pass holders and ticket buyers across the United States, in addition to some international territories that have yet to be finalized. The festival is also planning at least one physical screening for each film in its lineup, as well as drive-in options in Los Angeles and Park City. More than 25 arthouses around the country, from Alabama to Puerto Rico, will partner with Sundance for screenings and events. Its full slate of talks, as well as the New Frontier, XR, and emerging media programs will be available around the world.
Programmers just finalized the lineup including 70-plus features, 50 short films, and four episodic works. Passholders will either gain immediate access or need to request space in advance, depending on the level of their accreditation. A three-hour availability window begins at each film’s scheduled start time. Two days after their premieres, all films will have a second screening window, this one for 24 hours. Because you’re not running between venues this year, the possibility of seeing more films is higher!
The general public also will be able to purchase tickets for virtual screenings, though the festival has yet to determine a timeline for making them available. All talks and events will be free and globally accessible, as long as you have an internet connection.
Confirmed drive-in events will take place at the Rose Bowl and the Mission Tiki in Los Angeles. In Park City, The Ray will host indoor, socially distant screenings. The festival is also exploring around 15 international partners for screening events.
The usual chaos of Park City’s Main Street, will go dormant, however, the festival’s online hub, will include “Main Street,” “Artists Lounge,” and “Festival Village” sections for social engagement.
With vaccines on the horizon, Sundance views its 2021 edition as a temporary setup, but some of this year’s tweaks might stick around.
THE PLATFORM
One of the fundamental values of the Festival is gathering: it’s a place where a global community of independent artists can convene for a generative and open exchange of ideas. This year, that will take place on the platform’s Festival Village, a free-to-all space where Satellite Screens, partners, and Festival sponsors will host a wide range of events, programming, and offerings to complement and enrich the official program. The platform’s Main Street will act as both an homage to the iconic Park City thoroughfare and as an extension of the Festival’s core programming, featuring digital partner spaces hosting conversations, musical performances, and more. The Artist Lounge will feature a space for creators to gather for artist programming, as well as for the Festival’s Class of ’21 to network and celebrate at private events.
FEATURED FILMS AT THE PARK CITY SUNDANCE 2021
As at past Sundance Film Festivals, films will premiere throughout the day, with Day One films set to debut Thursday, January 28, at 6 p.m. U.S. Mountain Time. During the 2021 Festival, each of the 70+ feature films will premiere online in a dedicated time slot, followed by a live Q&A. Multiple films will premiere simultaneously roughly every three hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. U.S. Mountain Time. This rollout is designed to preserve the energy of a Festival, with an abundance of choices and collective experiences, as audiences can begin the film simultaneously, and participate in the live Q&A which follows (viewers can also begin films any time within three hours of their premiere’s start). All films will return to the platform two days after their premiere for a “second screening,” offered on demand for 24 hours. The platform’s movie player is powered by Shift72 and developed with best-in-industry security and access practices. In a Festival first, the entire 70+-feature lineup on the platform will be closed-captioned on demand, and Q&As will be live-captioned.
SHORT FILM, INDIE SERIES PROGRAMS
The Short Film and Indie Series (formerly Indie Episodic) programs, focused on creative storytelling outside the feature format, will include 50 short films and world premieres of four episodic works. These will be available on-demand on the Festival platform for the full length of the Festival.
NEW FRONTIER
Since its launch, the Sundance Film Festival’s New Frontier has served as a showcase for dynamic, innovative work at the crossroads of film, art, and technology — and 2021 is no exception, with 14 works in the program. For the first time ever, adventurous audiences around the world will be given the chance to engage with the works, the artists, and each other via a bespoke virtual platform, accessible via computer and VR headsets. The New Frontier Gallery hosts the complete slate of live performances, AR, VR, and other emerging media works. Cinema House is the Festival’s fully immersive, big-screen theater, and Film Party is an interactive social space where the entire community of accredited Festivalgoers can safely gather together again. The environment also features interactive tools such as proximity audio and video chat.
TICKETING DETAILS
Tickets and passes for those who want to experience the Festival for the full run, a single day, or a single screening will be available to the general public beginning January 7; further details will be available later this month. For more information, sign up at Festival.Sundance.org.
The full list of participating arthouses is below. Check out the Sundance lineup –> Catalog:
Alabama
Birmingham with Sidewalk Film Festival
Sidewalk Film Center, Sidewalk Drive-In
Arizona: Tucson with The Loft Cinema
The Loft Open Air Cinema
California
Montclair with American Cinematheque
Mission Tiki Drive-In
Pasadena with the Rose Bowl
Rose Bowl Drive-In
San Francisco with The Roxie Theater
Roxie Theater, Fort Mason Drive-In
Colorado
Denver with Denver Film
Sie FilmCenter
Florida
Key West with Tropic Cinema
Tropic Cinema, The Key West Lighthouse, The Truman Little White House, The Ernest Hemingway House and Museum
Miami with Third Horizon and O Cinema
South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center
Georgia
Atlanta with Atlanta Film Society
The Plaza Theater, Plaza Drive-In, Dad’s Garage Drive-In
Macon with Macon Film Festival
Douglass Theatre
Hawaii
Honolulu with Doris Duke Theatre at the Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA)
Iowa
Iowa City with FilmScene
FilmScene at The Chauncey
Kansas
Wichita with mama.film mama.film microcinema, Wichita Art Museum, Groover Labs
Kentucky
Louisville with The Speed Art Museum
Speed Art Museum
Louisiana
New Orleans with New Orleans Film Society
The Broad Theater
Maryland
Baltimore with Maryland Film Festival
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Parkway Theater
Massachusetts
Brookline with Coolidge Corner Theatre
Coolidge Corner Theatre
Michigan
Detroit with Cinema Detroit
Minnesota
Minneapolis-St. Paul with FilmNorth
Riverview Theater
New York
Pleasantville with The Jacob Burns Film Center
Jacob Burns Film Center & Media Arts Lab
Ohio
Columbus with Gateway Film Center
Gateway Film Center
Oklahoma
Tulsa with Circle Cinema
Circle Cinema, Circle Cinema Drive-In, Admiral Twin Drive-In, Philbrook Museum, OSU-Tulsa, Tulsa University, Gilcrease Museum
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia with BlackStar Film Festival
Puerto Rico
San Juan with Asociación de Documentalistas de Puerto Rico (AdocPR)
Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (MAPR)
South Carolina
Columbia with The Luminal Theater
Spotlight Cinemas Capitol 8
Tennessee
Memphis with Indie Memphis
Malco Summer Drive-In
Nashville with Belcourt Theatre
Belcourt Theatre
Texas
Austin with Austin Film Society
AFS Cinema
Dallas with Aviation Cinemas
Texas Theatre
Houston with Houston Cinema Arts Society
MoonStruck Drive-In, DeLUXE Theater
Utah
Park City with The Ray
Salt Lake City with Salt Lake Film Society
Washington
Seattle with Northwest Film Forum
BEST HOMES FOR WATCHING SUNDANCE 2021 FILMS
Be sure to check out some of our best movie-watching properties or browse all of our Park City Abodes here!
Park City, Utah isn’t all about skiing. Don’t be shocked by this statement. In fact, there is so much more to enjoy in that area, you’ll be amazed at just how perfect a vacation spot this wonderful place truly is going to be for you, your family, or any group outing. Alright the skiing is top notch, but there are many other activities that aim to please. You can get the best value for your stay, by doing a combination of adventurous ideas, with galleries, shops, great food and so much more to consider. Here are 15 one-of-a-kind things to do in Park City that you’ll love.
WINTERTIME FUN FOR THE WHOLE GANG
15. Heli-Skiing: Alright this is skiing, but it’s extreme skiing for the truly adventurous and experienced skiers. No beginners allowed on these runs.
14. Guided Snowshoeing: This is a excellent way to get into the show without downhill skiing. Snowshoeing through the area with a guide is going to allow you to really breathe in all that nature has to offer.
13. Snowmobiling: Adventure that’s like riding the waves of snow. Go backcountry snowmobiling to truly get a unique experience.
12. Dog Sledding: Luna Lobos Dog Sledding Ranch is open for rides from their famous dog sled teams. An experience that you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
11. Horse Drawn Carriage Rides: Romance is in the air anytime you step into a horse drawn carriage. There is just something absolutely magical about the dashing through the snow in one of these vehicles carried by a team of horses.
10. The Kimball Art Center: Even in the winter, you might want to warm up inside of a great museum. The Kimball Art Center is fantastic for your whole group to enjoy.
SUMMER IS AMAZING IN PARK CITY
9. A Spa Day: There are many amazing spas in the Park City area that will pamper you like a princess. Or even the guys might like a little relaxing massage, buff pedicure, or even a decadent shave and a haircut..two bits!
8. Sundance Resort Zip Lining: A 900 foot zipline? Piece of cake! This is an experience you’ll never forget as you glide over the glorious treetops of the mountainous terrain.
7. Tubing The Provo River: This is a May through December activity, but is a great way to get into the water for some fun in the sun.
6. Bike Or Hike The Trails: A simple morning walk, or more intense hike is a popular activity. It’s all up to what you want to explore on the many trails offered in the area. You can rent bikes too for the whole family.
5. Kayaking: Park City Rafting and Kayaking Company offers guided and solo tours that you can do yourself, depending on your skill level.
DON’T FORGET THESE THINGS TO DO IN PARK CITY WITH THE LITTLE ONES
4. Explore Main Street: Charming buildings, ice cream, and even some toy shops. Kids will love to look around and window bronze as much as the adults do.
3. The Family Tree Center: Learn all about your ancestry to educate your kids. This is actually more fun than it sounds, and just a bit educational to boot.
2. Trolley Rides: What kid doesn’t love to look out the window of a old school trolley? This is tons of fun and it’s actually free to the public. Just wave to the trolley driver along Main Street and he will stop to pick you up.
1. The “Yabba Dabba Doo” Flintstone Car: 1800 Bonanza Dr, Park City, UT 84060. Kids of all ages will actually get a kick out of this replica of Fred Flintstone’s favorite car.
Abode Park City is going to be luxury lodging that will give you access to all the best activities, right out your front door in many of our exceptional properties. Call us today to learn more about how Park City will be the destination you’ll want to return to again and again.
A short drive from the glorious capital that is Salt Lake City, Utah is Park City. If you are a fan of skiing on some of the best terrains with gorgeous snowy vistas, then this is the experience that Park City has to offer. Fly right into Salt Lake City International Airport and get shuttled in under an hour to the vacation destination of your dreams, if you are a ski aficionado.
Whether you ski or snowboard, the resorts in this area are top-notch. It’s routinely ranked as one of the best places to ski in the United States, and it boasts the largest terrain areas in the United States. So if you are planning the best ski vacation, the search is over! Here are 5 things you need to know about Park City, Utah Skiing.
MULTIPLE RESORTS FOR PARK CITY UTAH SKIING
There are three main skiing sections of Park City. These include, according to USA Today Travel section, Deer Valley, the Canyons, and Park City Mountain Resort. Each of these snowy hills, mountains, and peaks is going to offer you the type of adventure skiing you like with different benefits.
Keep in mind though if you are a snowboarder, you are going to want to ski the Canyons, or Park City Mountain because the first one on the list doesn’t allow snowboarding of any kind. It’s just a nod to more old-fashioned skiing, but Deer Valley does have a wide variety of trails that appeal to the most novice of skiers, all the way to the “black diamonds”, who have serious skills in the sport.
Just a fun fact the difficulty of slopes is measured by the percentage of the slope. Most of the advanced trails fall at a 40 percent slope and up. The bunny trails (green) are usually around 6 percent!
RENTAL OPTIONS
Abode Park City has excellent rental options that will all provide a significant five-star experience. This is a great trip for two on a romantic, active honeymoon, or a family ski trip for your extended relatives that will be remembered forever. Whatever the size of your party, Abode can accommodate in spades.
For example, Abode at Riverbend Ranch is 8 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms of pure luxe furnishings. You’ll feel right at home on this ranch piece of real estate that is 16,800 square feet of living space, positioned along the Weber River which runs right through the property. The views and magical aura of this gem can’t be denied.
On the opposite end of the size, spectrum is Abode On Mellow Mountain. A 4 bedroom with expansive views of the Deer Valley Resort. This is the absolute right size for a ski-loving family of four who wants to make their trip to Park City a cherished memory.
REWARDS AND RECOGNITION OF PARK CITY SKI RESORTS
When you go to either the Park City Mountain Resort or its partner the Canyons, you can buy a season pass. With the “Epic Pass Park City” you can enjoy special offers and privileges, like rental grade upgrade options. This also gives you a 15 percent off discount on any food and beverages “on the mountains.” So you can grab a cup of hot chocolate between ski runs if you need to take a little break in front of a roaring fire.
Plus with their “Peaks Rewards” program you can earn points for any of the purchases you make while at the resorts. Exclusive discounts and offers will be made available through this special program. For example, you can treat your party to a few lessons in ski school, if you have some beginners in your group that might need a few pointers.
GETTING AROUND PARK CITY
Park City itself is easy to navigate. Just talk to our concierge about your stay because we’re happy to arrange transportation services for you that will make getting to and from the slopes a piece of cake. Want a sleigh ride to dinner reservations? Just ask! We’ll make getting around Park City fun and easy.
You can also rent a car to keep with you during your stay. That way you can visit the other attractions around the area, like shopping, galleries, or dining when you have had enough time on the slopes.
Or if you prefer to leave the driving to someone else, Uber and Lyft services are also available in this area. To get to the slopes, you can use their special UberSKI services which are, in their words, dedicated to serving the powderhounds of the area. Utah is actually the very first market to have this service.
STAYING NEAR THE SLOPES
Many people want the option of being able to “ski in and ski out” of their vacation home right onto the slopes. For example, there are major properties that ski right out of Deer Valley. These include some like, Abode at St. Regis, Abode in Deer Crest, and Abode on Jordanelle Way.
Another way to be as close as possible to the slopes is to stay at the Ski Out Park City properties. Some of those include Abode on White Pine, Abode at Golden Spruce, and Abode on Main which is about a block from the Park City Mountain Resort. This is truly a grab your gear and go opportunity that ski aficionados won’t want to pass up.
Let’s work together to make this ski trip one for the ages, call us today at Abode to custom plan a vacation experience that will be exactly what you are looking for in Park City.