New Beginnings in Park City
Last year we weren’t even sure if Park City Mountain Resort (PCMR) was going to open. The ongoing litigation between Vail Resorts and the previous owner, Powdr Corp, had the ski resort, and even the town itself, in a sea of uncertainty.
Eventually, the lawsuit was settled and Vail assumed ownership of PCMR. With the new ownership came a new mountain experience for the 2014/15 season. It wasn’t a whole lot different; uniforms had changed, the ticket scanners had changed, and of course, all the locals had Epic Passes.
For the winter of 2015/16, the experience is going to be a lot different. You may have seen #OneParkCity floating around on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram – Vail Resorts has taken two different resorts and created One amazing ski experience.
The New Park City Mountain
The first part of the integration is the name change. Locals and visitors will stop using the terms “Canyons” or “PCMR,” and refer to both as simply, “Park City Mountain.” The key to creating this One resort is the new Quicksilver Gondola that will connect the two existing resorts. I’ve often longingly looked at Pine Cone Ridge, the impenetrable wall separating PCMR and Canyons, and wondered why the resorts weren’t linked. At the base of the new gondola will be a brand new lodge. Formerly The Snow Hut Restaurant, the new Miners Camp Lodge will feature 7,600 feet of floor space, a new menu, and gorgeous views.
So what is Park City Mountain? It’s not just two resorts being linked together. Skiers and boarders will now have access to 22.39 miles of chairlifts! 17 peaks and 14 bowls will be accessed by 38 different chairlifts that are at your fingertips (ski tips?) Most impressive is the fact that the entire mountain will include a whopping 7,300 acres, making it the largest in the United States. For you pigskin-minded folk, that’s 5,530 football fields worth of ski terrain! Maintaining that amount of terrain won’t easy, so it will be backed up by 38 snow cats and over 480 snow guns.
For those that err toward the terrain parks, you’ll still see the iconic “I Ride Park City” brand, its team, and videos. And you’ll be skiing on over 150 terrain park features, perfectly manicured by the terrain park team.
Other improvements include switching the former Motherlode chairlift at PCMR from a three-person chair to a detachable high-speed quad. New snowmaking and trail widening on the Canyons side will ensure that the mountain opens sooner this season. New menus will treat guests to delicious gourmet food at all of the lodges at Park City Mountain. The base areas of both resorts will remain largely the same other than new branding. Canyons base area has been re-branded as, “Canyons Village at Park City Mountain.”
Not Everything is Changing
Thankfully some things haven’t changed in the process of becoming One. Snowboarders and skiers will still be able to access Historic Main Street via the Quit N Time and Creole ski runs and will be able to take the Town lift back up the mountain.
This means we can still access the world’s only ski-in and ski-out whiskey distillery, High West. Another lunch option, and a personal favorite of mine, is Davanza’s – the local pizza joint right at the bottom of the Town chairlift.
Why You Should Be Skiing in Park City
Yes, the times are a changin’ in Park City. I am personally happy that with one lift pass I’ll be able to access 7,300 acres of world-class ski terrain with ease.
There has never been a better time to come visit Park City. Just 35 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport and now boasting one of the largest ski areas in the world, Park City is sure to deliver a ski experience that will be one-of-a-kind and world-class. The town itself has preserved its rich history, making it fun to explore the shopping, bars, and restaurants after a hard day on the slopes.
And you’ll be glad to know that our three locations at the base of Park City Mountain are staying right where they are. You’ll still find an awesome retail selection, ski rentals, world-class tuning, and professional boot fitting – just steps from skiing at America’s largest ski resort.
Come by and check us out this winter. Our Experts will be happy to help with all of your skiing needs and share the best way to get around One Park City.
Paul Boyle, Marketing Associate
