Author Archives: Jill Adler

Sundance Hikes Ticket Prices

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There’s no way to sugarcoat the news. Sundance Film Fest ticket prices are going up…33 percent. The $20 ticket charge for films that may go straight to Netflix has more than a few Park City locals miffed. “That’s called gouging,” Tom Richardson posted on The Park Record Newspaper’s Facebook page. “Just ridiculous. We should just wait till they come to the Park City library when they’re a lot cheaper.”

Sundance organizers added $5 to the face value of last year’s $15 ticket in order to offset their operating costs. They seem to be keeping the increase on the down-low though. You would have had to visit the website to notice. The hike comes on the heels of a summer press announcement that the 2013 Festival generated an overall economic impact of nearly $70 million for Utah.

Individual tickets won’t go on sale until January but with the busiest time at the box office starting with the locals-only purchasing period.

Linda Pfafflin, a Sundance associate director, told the Record that it’s been seven years since the last increase. “The funds generated from this adjustment will help us meet rising costs associated with putting on the festival,” Pfafflin said in a prepared response. If it’s any consolation, a waitlist ticket will still be $15.

In comparison, tickets to screenings for the Toronto Film Festival are $21 and those for the Telluride Film Festival taking place this weekend are $25. Sundance organizers say they price tickets competitively but that news won’t take the sting out of those already hard-to-get Sundance tickets. So why pay $20 instead of waiting for Netflix? You’re paying for the experience, the filmmaker question and answer sessions and the chance to spot a celebrity.

Sundance 2014 runs Jan. 16-26. www.sundance.org/festival/tickets.

Park City Residents Weigh In- Vailisker v PCMR

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Vail Resorts is telling Park City what they want to hear. In the wake of the eviction notice Talisker Land Holdings slapped on Park City Mountain Resort last week, Vail Resorts said in a prepared statement that they will not interfere with PCMR’s operations this season.

Kelly Ladyga, the vice president of corporate communications, has routinely opted out of commenting on the TLH lawsuit but finally spoke out.

“As we have previously stated, under the terms of our agreement with Talisker in connection with our lease of the Canyons, we have assumed oversight of the litigation between Talisker Land Holdings LLC and Park City Mountain Resort. We have an obligation to protect and preserve Talisker’s and our interest in this matter. We are concerned with the behavior that Park City Mountain Resort has demonstrated in this situation. Talisker issued Park City Mountain Resort the Notice to Quit as a necessary legal step to bring this issue to the Court and we anticipate that there will be a number of actions required to bring this dispute to closure. With that said, there is no intent by Talisker to take any action that would prevent PCMR’s ability to operate their resort during the upcoming 2013-2014 ski season. We are very cognizant of the importance of this situation to the entire Park City community and we look forward to bringing this situation and its uncertainty to a conclusion.”

Talisker claims Park City Mountain Resort missed the deadline to renew their $155,000 annual lease and backdated their letter of intent to renew, thus showing bad faith in this case.

Local attorneys speculate that PCMR will request a restraining order on the eviction. The Resort’s most recent blog post indicates they are “not going anywhere…We’ve been here for 50 years and look forward to operating this season, the next 50 seasons, and 50 more after that.” But just in case any passholders were concerned or thought they should avoid buying a PCMR pass, the resort is fully guaranteeing it. “In the unlikely event we have to shut down for all or part of the winter, you get the appropriate refund. No questions asked. And no restrictions,” the blog says.

The court of public opinion seems torn on the issue. As one reader commented: I don’t see PCMR charging us pass prices from 50 years ago so why do they expect to pay rent prices from 50 years ago? Michael R agreed: I’ve lived in Park City for 20 years. I had no idea they were paying $155k (Vail is paying $25 million to lease Canyons) and they are clearly not passing on the savings to season passholders.  But Aaron Blunt believes in the fight. “Just like everyone else on the PCMR team from Jenni Smith to the food staff at Legacy, there is passion and desire. That alone is enough to fuel what it will take to continue the stand and put Talisker/Vail in their place. My life, my mountain.”

Take A Flying Leap On Bridge Day

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If your best friend tells you to jump off a bridge there is definitely one time where it would be okay to do it… with a few hundred of your best friends. Ever heard of Bridge Day? No? Then you’ve never been in Fayette County, West Virginia.


The annual Bridge Day Festival started in 1980. It takes place on the third Saturday in October to commemorate the 1977 completion of the New River Gorge Bridge. This year, on October 19, BASE jumpers from around the world will wow nearly 80,000 spectators as they soar off the Bridge- all day long. Last year, they added the Human Catapult to the list of extreme activities.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-FY3aHO6Cw&w=420&h=315]

But if you’re not quite ready to go that big, that’s okay. You can still be part of one of the largest extreme sports events in the world. The town shuts out traffic one day a year to allow pedestrians to legally strut the 876-foot tall steel arch bridge- the world’s third longest and the U.S.’ third highest. There are hundreds of vendor booths and a zipline and rappel line for the general public. No experience necessary for the 700-foot ride over the gorge that stretches from the beams of the bridge. Those experienced in rappelling entered a lottery back in June to be one of the privileged teams to drop up to 850-feet into the Gorge.

There’s still time to win your own tandem BASE jump on Bridge Day. Create a three-minute video showing why you deserve the jump.  Submit your video through Facebook beginning next Friday, August 30 through September 6. Bridge Day fans will then vote. If you’re picked, a charity of your choice will also receive a $1,000 donation, courtesy of Subaru. You do need to be over 18 and weigh less than 200 pounds.


When Temps Drop Head South

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I was asked tonight when the best time was to visit southern Utah. My friend from back East didn’t want to miss his Massachusetts’ summers. I told him not to worry. He had only to wait for September and October

Fall is prime travel time in Moab for “consistently perfect weather, zany community events and backcountry trails just to yourself,” said Jamie Pearce, Manager of the Moab Adventure Center (225 South Main Street, http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/).

Hike Arches Fiery Furnace
with its
twists and turns among sandstone fins, towers, spires and arches or drop into Ephedras Grotto/Medieval Chamber Canyon on a warm afternoon either with a guide or friends with canyoneering simul-wrap experience.

Take advantage of the Fee Free National Park Days Sept. 28 and Nov. 9-11 to explore Arches and Canyonlands national parks.


Everyone knows Moab=mountain biking. Take a tour or grab a map to find the fall foliage of the La Sal Mountains.

Here are some other excuses to head south:

Moab Artwalk: Downtown Moab businesses and community organizations open their doors from 6-9 p.m. Sept. 14, Oct. 12 and Nov. 9 so the public can stroll through featured art exhibits.

Moab International Film Festival:  Dramatic documentaries, environmental landscapes, outdoor action and more will be screened Sept. 20-22.

10th Annual M.O.A.B. (Mother of All Boogies) Skydiving Festival: More than 300 international skydivers will jump from two or three giant twin-turbine airplanes at 13,000 feet, Sept. 25-29. That’s 60 seconds of freefall at 120mph.

Slap sunscreen on that red neck and get ready to ride in the Red Rockin’ Rendezvous Sept. 25 – 29. ATV & UTV trail rides, skill clinics, machine rodeo, dinner, raffles, prizes, and vendors will wash over the Old Spanish Trail Arena (3641 S. Hwy 191)in Moab.

Shows at Tuacahn Amphitheater continue through the end of October and while you might sweat your pants off in July, the gorgeous redrock arena just west of St George is primed for fall. Tuacahn showcases family friendly, Broadway quality productions that will leave you wanting to see every production in the lineup. For sure, don’t miss Mary Poppins. Live horses parade across the stage and real fireworks light up the night sky. Plus, the talent and crew are as good as it gets. Julie Andrews would have been proud. FYI- Be sure to bring a blanket and coat. When the sun dips under the stars so will your body temp.

Make the 8th Annual Moab Ho-Down Mountain Bike Festival and Film Fest an annual Halloween event.
From Oct. 24-27 it’s bikes and movies. Thursday and Friday night are the movie nights at Star Hall. Saturday is race day with a Super D and a Downhill race. Saturday night is the outrageous costume party with live music at Moab Brewery. Sunday is the Dirt Jump Jam at Moab’s newly updated bike park.

Pumpkin Chuckin’ Festival at the Old Airport Runway, eight miles south of Moab, raises money Oct. 26 for the Youth Garden Project. Look for pie-eatin’ and costume contests, food vendors, arts and craft vendors, Weiner dog races, game booths, kids activities, live Bluegrass music, slingshots, catapults, and air cannons shooting giant gourds through the sky.

Of course, if you can’t make it out to Utah this fall, December, January, February are even good times to go; unless you plan on camping. The high desert gets frigid on winter nights. The good news is that local motels run cheap that time of year. I told my friend that the only time NOT to visit Moab is July and August when temps have been known to roast people. Literally. So go ahead and live it up on those New England beaches while you can.

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