Park City Mountain Resort Blog

Thriller Snow Dance Promises Another Snowy Season

This year's Thriller Snow Dance was an omen for another incredible season at Park City Mountain Resort. Over 100 people convened on Park City Mountain Resort’s Town Lift Plaza to participate in the second annual "Thriller Snow Dance." Even Michael Jackson himself showed up to support our dance to the snow gods. I'm pretty sure thats an omen for an incredible season! You don't want to miss it (season pass prices increase November 1 so buy your pass today).

Participants, from young to old, enjoyed a two-hour dance lesson from Brooke Clawson and Jamyn Miller, of Precision Dance Camps, prior to the "official" Thriller Snow Dance. This year’s complimentary face painting was a perfect addition to create a zombie-like atmosphere prior to the Halloween holiday.

 

Park City Mountain Resort is scheduled to open on Saturday, November 20. Do you think the Thriller Snow Dance will help us have a snowy season?

Park City's First Snow Triggered by Threat of Thriller Snow Dance

It's five days before our 2nd Annual "Thriller Snow Dance" and 1 week until our season pass prices increase on Nov 1, 2010. When I heard that snow was expected in Park City, I knew that I would have to go on a snow hunt. After all, Park City Mountain Resort is the reason we received this storm. The snow gods heard we are planning the 2nd Annual "Thriller Snow Dance" and felt threatened, therefore they had to give us a preview of what they are capable of. Call it immature, but apparently some grade school taunting triggered Park City's first snow. And guess what, we're not backing down. Just wait until after the Snow Dance occurs and the real blizzard hits!

Back to the snow hunt. Being my first full Winter in Park City, I was not going to miss out on finding myself some fresh snow. Snow was expected to hit higher elevations Saturday and Sunday, then make its way down to town by Monday. Saturday I left early and drove to the top of Guardsman. Day 1 of my snow hunters mission was a success, but it left me thirsty for more. Sunday, I returned to the top of Guardsman and set out to hike to the top of Jupiter Bowl. Jackpot! It was puking snow and the trees were covered. Winter is here whether you are ready or not. This morning (Monday) I awoke to snow outside my window and it hasn't stopped. We've received seven inches of snow as of noon today.

Enjoy this video of my Snow Hunters mission and join us for the 2nd Annual "Thriller Snow Dance" to keep the snow pouring down. Don't forget to buy your 2010-2011 Season Pass by October 31st for the best prices. With the snow gods on our side, Park City Mountain Resort is the place to be this season.

According to the National Weather Service, a winter storm warning will remain in effect until the morning of Wednesday, October 27, 2010. Park City Mountain Resort is scheduled to open for the 2010-11 season Saturday, November 20.

The "Thriller Snow Dance" will be held on the Town Lift Plaza, located on Lower Main Street, in Park City. Practice will take place from 3-5 p.m. and the Thriller Snow Dance will begin at 5 p.m. Participants are encouraged to don zombie and/or winter attire to dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". Make-up artists will be on-hand to help paint faces.

As a reminder, our "My Pass. My Way" early season pass pricing will be available until October 31, 2010. Adult (25-64) Mountain Access season passes start at $699. Options including Fast Tracks, night access and underground parking can be purchased for $200 each. Youth (7-12) Mountain Access passes start at $125. The Teen (13-17) Mountain Access pass starts at $175. Youth and Teen options include night access for $50 and Fast Tracks for $200. Children (2-6) receive free season passes. http://parkcitymountain.com/pass

Ski Magazine Tells Us Why their Readers Love Park City Mountain Resort

As we posted a few weeks ago, Park City Mountain Resort was once again ranked in the top five by the readers of Ski Magazine in their annual readers poll. This past weekend, Ski Magazine hosted its first Resort Awards Gala and we were able to get some face time with Greg Ditrinco, the Editor of Ski Magazine. Greg was kind enough to give us some insight as to what their readers think of Park City Mountain Resort. Here's what he had to say:

Make the video full screen by clicking the square in the bottom right of the player.

Airfare Deals to Salt Lake City

One of the things that makes Park City Mountain Resort so great (aside from the snow, the people, the terrain parks, the town - yeah I can keep going on...), is the fact that it's just 35 miles (on Interstate 80) from the Salt Lake City International Airport. That means that I can drive from a major international airport (not a regional mountain airport) to my house in Park City in under an hour, I don't know of any other world-class ski resort (aside from our neighbors here in Utah) that have that kind of accessibility. The best part is that airfares right now are incredibly good. Check out this article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution that features a $238 RT fare from Atlanta to Salt Lake City valid for travel up through next September!

Even if you don't live in Atlanta, there are super competitive airfares from almost anywhere to Salt Lake City right now for travel this winter, check out some of the resources below to track them down:

• Airfarewatchdog.com - neat way to track fares to and from any US city
• ITA Software - flight search software that powers many major sites and is in the process of being acquired by Google
• Park City Mountain Central Reservations - if searching it out yourself isn't your thing, we're happy to help you find the best airfare and combine them together with the perfect package for your vacation needs. Call us at 800-331-3178 or check out some of our fantastic package deals.

And if you want some "insider tips" on the best days and times to fly, watch this quick video from Farecompare.com - yet another good site to help track down the best deals on airfare.

 

Remembering the Top 5 Moments from Winter 2009-2010

The snow guns are staged on the mountain, we've had our first dusting of snow and all of Park City Mountain Resort is in full Winter prep mode. As the Winter season rapidly approaches, so does the deadline for purchasing a 2010-2011 Park City Mountain Resort Season Pass at the lowest rate. October 31st is the last day to get in on the early season deal and prices will increase November 1st. Purchase your pass online at http://parkcitymountain.com/pass.

As the countdown to opening day begins we thought we'd reminisce about some of our favorite moments from the 2009-2010 season. We polled our team, shared some fun stories and came up with the top 5 moments. Here they are in no particular order.

First Chair
We all know that scoring first chair of the season earns you bragging rights until closing day. Last year we had one eager skier attempt to make the first chair of the season, PayDay’s 6 pack chair, a 7 pack. Now that's dedication. Take some time out for a quick laugh and watch this video. 

JJ Thomas, 2010 US Snowboarding Grand Prix

Grand Prix
The US Snowboarding Grand Prix was held in our very own Eagle Superpipe in January of 2010. This was the final stop of the Grand Prix series, which determined the US Snowboarding team for the Olympics. We were fortunate enough to host the event as well as the ceremony naming the 2010 Olympic team. It was a night to remember as Shaun White received the highest score ever given in a Grand Prix competition with a 49.5. For the full event recap click here.

Santa Arriving at Town Lift
This holiday event is so magical it would even put Scrooge in the holiday spirit. Santa and Rudolph fly their sled full of goodies into Park City on the Town Lift as a crowd of eager families await. The evening included holiday carols, stories, hot chocolate and cheer. This event is not only a highlight of the holiday season, it’s something to be remembered all year.

End of Season Storms
Apparently the Snowdance worked because this season we were blasted with one storm after another from March until close. We received so much late snow that we were able to extend our closing date. On the 8th of April we still had a base of 110”. Our guests couldn’t have been happier and so were we! Here are some of the highlights.

Snowmamas
Let's face it: Taking your family to the mountains for some fun in the snow can be overwhelming! What to pack? Where to go? How to get kids from the condo to ski/snowboard lessons on time? The questions are endless. This season snowmamas.com launched a forum for moms all over the world to share their tips and advice for planning a family vacation in the snow. snowmamas.com

We can't wait to start making new memories this season. See you on the slopes!

Thriller Snow Dance Returns for Another Year

Park City Mountain Resort presents another record breaking attempt to bring on the snow when it hosts the second annual "Thriller Snow Dance." With this event Park City Mountain Resort brings ski and snowboard enthusiasts together to celebrate snow, early-bird season pass pricing and Halloween. We invite you to join us Friday, October 29, 2010 at the Town Lift Plaza, located on lower Main Street, to be a part of this unique event. Participants are encouraged to don zombie and/or winter attire including ski or snowboard boots, to dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller". There will be makeup artists on-hand to help paint zombie faces.

Whether you are a "Thriller" first-timer or a veteran we encourage you to indulge your inner zombie and participate in this community event. Last year the Thriller Snow Dance was broadcast live on Fox National News as well as several regional networks. So bring your friends, wear something crazy and join us for a celebration of snow!

There will be a dance teacher on hand the day of the event who will be teaching newcomers the Thriller Dance from 3-5 p.m. at the Town Lift Plaza.

WHO: Anyone who wants to have fun and “Thriller” dance for snow! Please come dressed in costume or winter apparel including ski or snowboard boots.

WHERE: Town Lift Plaza located on Park City’s lower Main Street.

WHEN: Friday, October 29, 2010
Practice: 3-5 p.m.
Dance: 5 p.m.

Below is a video from last year's inaguaral Thriller Snow Dance. If you haven't already purchased your season pass with the early bird rates, do so now before the zombies get you! http://parkcitymountain.com/pass

High Road Cooler World Music Festival 2010

We at Park City Mountain Resort are continually striving to strengthen our environmental initiatives and promote awareness to our visitors. It's an uphill battle that must be fought daily. This weekend we chose to be involved in the High Road Cooler World Music Festival. This event was just one of more than 6,800 events happening in more than 188 countries over the weekend as a part of a larger global initiative to increase awareness about climate protection. The goal of the festival was to provide top notch entertainment that would gather the Salt Lake community and provide a platform for different groups to teach them about climate protection.

PCMR's Brent Giles had this to say about Park City Mountain Resort's involvement as title sponsor of the event. "It was important for Park City Mountain Resort to support the Cooler World Music Festival as well as other events that focus on reducing the effects of global warming. We need to be good stewards of our environment and take responsibility for our actions. Global warming will decrease snowpack. Snowpack is water, water is life."

The High Road Cooler World Music Festival featured Big Bad Vodoo Daddy as the headlining act and brought in local supporting acts with Insatiable, Muscle Hawk and Rumba Libre. Festival attendess were treated to a whole village of local environmental and community groups, green businesses, and human and civil rights organizations ranging from Rocky Mountain Power to Whole Foods Market as well as a wide variety of food carts catering to even the pickiest of eater.  A steady crowd gathered around the stage dancing and hula-hooping to the musical entertainment throughout the entire day. In between sets, films and information on living greener were presented to willing listeners. At one point festival goers were gathered in a "350 days of action" logo by 350.org.

Overall the festival proved to be a pleasant mix of smiling faces, delicious food and great entertainment. We want to thank former SLC Mayor Rocky Anderson for organizing such a progressive event and allowing Park City Mountain Resort to be involved as title sponsor.

Check out photos of the event below and on our facebook page.

Snowbug Gets Early Season Turns at Park City Mountain Resort

A dusting of snow welcomed employees to Park City Mountain Resort this morning. We all know the excitement that comes with the first snowfall and found one of our Snowbugs on Homerun looking for one of the Resort’s new Adventure Alleys.

Don't let this snowbug beat you to getting your first turns of the season.  Make sure to purchase a season pass today with “My Pass. My Way.”   www.parkcitymountain.com/pass. Remember Park City Mountain Resort's season pass pricing increases November 1, 2010.

Shaun White Gets Summer Thrills at PCMR

We found one of our Park City All Stars getting in some summer thrills at the resort a few weekends ago. Shaun White proved that he's not just a fan of Park City Mountain Resort for our awesome Winter products, but for our summer adventures too! He and a few friends headed up to the mountain after Dew Tour and rode the Alpine Coaster, Alpine Slide and ZipRider™. Enjoy hearing Shaun White and friends scream like girls on the coaster and some sweet POV footage on the ZipRider™.

Thank You for Making us a Top Five Ranked Resort Yet Again!

Park City Mountain Resort has once again been ranked amongst the top five resorts in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine. The Resort was ranked fifth behind Deer Valley, Vail, Whistler Blackcomb and Beaver Creek. The Resort first broke into the prestigious top five in the 2004-05 season and since then, has received this top ranking six of the past seven years.

According to SKI Mag, "Park City ranks so high because it's a skiing family's paradise." Snowmamas®, Kids Signature Programs, Adventure Alleys and Snowbugs were created to enhance the overall planning and mountain experience! These are things you'll only find at Park City Mountain Resort. Our passion to help families create lifelong memories is a driving factor in the programs we create and has helped us to also be named a top three resort in the Family Ski Trip category.

But, it's not just about family! It's about the memorable mountain experiences we provide to all of our guests. Once again, to quote a Ski Mag Reader, "easy drive, something for everyone.  Good Mountain to ski with boarders." 

Our Signature Runs, commitment to the environment and the multiple terrain parks and Superpipe are a few reasons why our guests continue to choose Park City Mountain Resort as their top resort. Of course, none of this would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our team members. Their passion and enthusiasm are contagious! 

Park City Mountain Resort ranked in the top ten in several categories including:

• Family Programs
• Grooming
• On-mountain food
• Off-hill activities
• Terrain Parks
• Access
• Après Ski
• Dining
• Lodging

Thanks again PCMR guests, SKI Mag readers and SKI Magazine for choosing us.