We’ve got an official gun, an official dessert, an official grass, an official cooking vessel, an official vegetable, so why not an official winter sport? “I thought we already had one,” said Nathan Rafferty, president of SkiUtah during the annual Ski Utah Local Media Day. Right. It’s hard for the skiers and boarders in this state to imagine that we don’t. After all, what else is there to do in the winter but ride?
Last week, Governor Herbert signed a bill that made it ‘official’. From now on Utah’s state winter sport is ski and snowboarding, according to House Bill 201.
The proclamation was made in front of Utah’s ski writers and broadcasters at Solitude Ski Resort, Friday, April 6.
It’s not like we really need to have a law in place to know what 25 percent of the state knows. There’s not much else you can do from December to April. Plus, the ski industry brings in $1.173 billion dollars to the state, 20 thousand jobs and a healthy lifestyle. What the bill says is that finally our state legislature sees the value in outdoor recreation and tourism. They’ve even coughed up an extra $2 million over last year for the Utah Office of Tourism budget.
The ski season may not have been all that but it was definitely a banner year for it in the legislature. HB201 is the second recreation bill passed. The first was a resolution for interconnecting the seven resorts in the Wasatch. Park City Mountain Resort, Canyons, Deer Valley, Brighton, Solitude, Alta and Snowbird are primed for a European-style experience.
After Gov. Herbert signed the bill, Park City Mountain Resort’s Jenni Smith took the podium for another official announcement – an exploratory committee has been appointed to study the possibility of hosting the 2022 Olympic Games.
The committee will submit a report to the Governor in the next 60 days. After that, he and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker would decide whether to present a bid to the Olympic Organizing Committee (IOC). If we do, we’ll be competing with Denver, Reno/Tahoe and possibly Bozeman, Mont., for 2022. “The question isn’t “why?” but “why not?” said Smith.
The former 2002 venues are still active, they meet the stated IOC criteria of sustainability, carbon neutral and compact and would require little money for upgrades. Judging from past freestyle comps, Canyons would have no trouble hosting the newly added skier and boarder cross events. We did it before and we can do it again seems to be the local consensus. “Maybe I’m bragging but we really had a successful Games,” said Smith. A decision on 2022 wouldn’t come until 2015 so there’s plenty of time plan. Of course, it just makes sense that the state with the official sport of skiing and riding should be the one to host the Winter Olympics, don’t you think?
To follow the progress and minutes of the committee go to the Exploratory Committee on the Utah Sports Commission website.
It was smiles all around for the gang that showed up at Canyons on Saturday; and it wasn’t just the gorgeous spring weather and the Gruv setting up in the Village below. The impromptu idea to have a celebrity ski race and raise a couple hundred grand for a charity called Operation Smile wasn’t long in the making.
Five months ago, a young boy approached the founders of Operation Smile, a non-profit that pays for the operations to repair cleft lips and palates in underprivileged children. The 10-year-old – who just happened to be the son of the president of NBC Entertainment, Jennifer Salke (who, BTW is married to the brother of a girl I went to high school with. Yes, Ryan, everyone from my past is “successful” but me), wanted to give back. Since Henry was born with a cleft lip but had the means to overcome the condition, he decided to help those who didn’t.
Soon Billy Bush from Access Hollywood was on board promoting the event and encouraging his friends from popular television shows to join in. Yesterday, marked the first annual Smile Challenge and you can bet they’ll be back next year. It’s hard to beat a weekend of good fun for a good cause.
The celebs were able to hop a couple of private jets to get to Park City on short notice and many like Lisa Kudrow and Scott Wolf already call Utah, ‘Home #2.’ “I love Utah,” said Kudrow. “We have a place here. Everyone is really nice.”
The former Friends star didn’t ski in the race but said she does know how to ski. She’s just not good enough to have anyone watch her race. Wolf has come a long way since his first days on the slopes during breaks on Everwood. He was schooling Holly Flanders in the course.
Both celebrated the opportunity to support Operation Smile. “It’s so pervasive, the help [kids] are getting,” Kudrow said. “It’s not just a smile, it’s confidence and belonging and feeling like, ‘Yes I’m part of a group and I go to a school and can do well.’ They all just soar afterwards.”
Glee’s Cory Monteith may be the next celebrity to buy into Park City. He gushed with admiration for the Wasatch. “I love this, look at this,” he said. “It’s God’s country. It’s amazing.” The locals welcomed him too. Young girls trembled with excitement to stand next to him for photos. And, no, I wasn’t the one trembling.
A couple of Modern Family stars also turned up for the event. “Our face is our livehood. It’s what everyone judges you on unfortunately; and a great smile is a beautiful thing and to give kids back that confidence is a beautiful thing,” said Jesse Tyler Ferguson (Mitchell). Neither Ty Burell nor Jesse took their chances in the spring slop. They chilled at the Alpine House for the after party. Jesse didn’t know how to ski in the morning but said he had a private lesson later.
Next time, he needs to call me. I’ll be the first to tell him to take a lesson in the morning, not the afternoon, on the last day of March during an excruciatingly hot, dry ski season.
The celebs didn’t have much time to prep before the race. They arrived Friday evening and met their Olympic team leaders Saturday morning before the 11 a.m. start just below and to the right of the Sunrise Lift. Billy Demong, Fuzz Feddersen, Kaylin Richardson, Derek Parra, Holly Flanders, Tracy Evans coordinated the teams of six. Spectators could walk up to the finish area and were treated to a variety of Pro Bar flavors. Good thing too as the gluten-free, vegan nutrition bars would be the best vegetarian alternative to the Schnitzel and corned beef the Alpine House was serving. Unless you have a thing for beet salad.
Food aside, the First Annual Smile Challenge seemed to go off without a hitch and the casualness of the event made it feel like old pals out for a Saturday on the hill rather than some glitzy inauthentic Sundance-ish affair. The smiles were genuine.
Canyons’ Kaylin Richardson smoked the entire field.Billy Demong
Kate Walsh was loving the sun and time with friends and Family.
Tony Hawk, who has his own charity building skateparks for underprivileged kids, gladly came out to ride in Utah for a complementary charity.
Snowbird doesn’t own the spring pass market and Alta’s out to prove it. Not that I’m recommending buying either considering the slim conditions out there and the likelihood of never pulling out of the tailspin we’re in. And who am I to say for sure? We might get a Hail Mary and have the best spring on record….But I’m not holding my breath.
Still, if you have no other season pass, are desperate to make turns or love backcountry corn or already have more than 3 vacation days at Alta planned, then by all means, jump on this deal.
The “April Pass” provides access to all of Alta’s lifts from April 2 through the resort’s final closing weekend, April 29. Just note that the resort is open weekends only after April 15. The pass costs $199 and there are 20 ski days available so if you ski every day it winds up costing you about $10/day. Plus, if you are planning to ski at least three more days next month it makes sense. Not too shabby. However, IMHO, it would have been way cooler to offer $200 off next year’s pass if you buy by April 1, 2011, and then allow everyone to use their new 2012/13 pass until the end of this season. Just saying…
Buy the Pass online at alta.com for pickup on or after April 2 at the Alta Ski Area Ticket Office.
I’m making jokes about summer being here. We had all of six days of winter, a sh*tload of spring and now everything’s toast. Sure, we may get a few random storms but for the most part, with less than a month left, the 2011/2012 “ski” season is wrapping up. The good news is that the trails should be clear to bike and hike sooner rather than later. (Last year we couldn’t bike in the Wasatch until August) and the extra good news is that the sunny weather is lifting spirits disappointed with the winter turnout.
Canyons (Closing April 15)
March 31- April 1 – Don’t know how they did it but Canyons’ celebrity list trumps Deer Valley’s. DV always opens their season with their CBS Celebrity Classic but the starpower is frequently lackluster. Now, Canyons Resort closes their season with the inaugural 2012 Smile Downhill and stars from blockbuster shows like Glee, Modern Family and Grey’s Anatomy have agreed to show. Katherine Heigl, Lucy Hale, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Josh Kelley, Kate Walsh, Chris Case, Billy Bush, Naya Rivera, Lisa Kudrow, Scott Wolf, and Jennifer Salke will race to raise funds for Operation Smile, an international children’s charity that rebuilds smiles for thousands of children born with cleft lips and cleft palates. Anyone can watch the races along the Sunrise trail with the finish line near Canyons Resort Village.
March 31 – Spring Gruv continues with the Red Bull Schlittentag. Three-person teams build the craziest, fastest sled in the Wasatch then it’s all downhill. The party continues in the Village at 3 p.m. with a free concert from Martin Sexton.
Utah Residents receive up to 50% off on lodging rates at select Canyons Resort properties. Anyone booking will also receive special 2 FOR 1 single and multi-day lift tickets. 888-CANYONS.
Park City Mountain Resort (Closing April 15)
April 8- The Easter Bunny arrives at 9 a.m. sharp in the Resort’s Kid’s Korral. Pastries, hot chocolate and coffee will be served. But be ready to roll for the best egg hunt in Utah. The annual “Hunt for the Golden Egg” takes place all over the mountain with two golden eggs containing 2012/2013 season passes. Non-golden eggs have prizes like 2012 Summer Activities, 2012/2013 lift tickets, clothing and more.
Little kids get an Easter egg hunt for candy on First Time face.
Deer Valley (Closing April 15)
DV doesn’t host any spring events or deals but it doesn’t cost a dime to chill at “the Beach” at the Silver Lake Lodge.
The Easter Bunny makes a stop on April 8 but if you want the little ones to go egg hunting, try PCMR, Solitude, Snowbird or Alta instead.
Alta (Closing April 15, reopening Fri.-Sun. through April 29)
March 29 – April 2 – Ladies, don’t put away those boards just yet. The Alta Lodge Women’s Ski Camp brings together the best of the Alf Engen Ski School’s instructors for three days of instruction and four nights of lodging, breakfasts and dinners. You’ll be in a fun environment where you can challenge yourself, improve your technique and meet some new ski buddies. You’ll also get the scoop on the newest women-specific skis so we can help you pick the right skis for you.
April 6-15 – Alta in April. Alta Chamber & Visitors Bureau present a week of après ski events, live music, an on-mountain ski scavenger hunt, a costume contest and more.
April 7: Spring Ski Demo Day presented by Powder House Ski Shops and Alta Ski Shop, free ski demos, live music on the GMD Deck; Beer and Brats at Alf’s Restaurant (mid-mountain in Albion Basin, 11:00-2:00pm, $10)
April 8: ACE Easter Egg Hunt (for the kids, 11:00am start) and Skier’s Photo Scavenger Hunt, an on-mountain hunt for gear and prizes (12:30-3:30pm)
April 9: Apres Ski Pool Party at the Alta Peruvian Lodge – Pool Deck (4:00-6:00pm)
April 10: Apres Ski Wine and Appetizers at the Alta’s Rustler Lodge – Eagle Nest Lounge (4:00-6:00pm) and Open Mic at the GMD Saloon (8:00-10:00pm)
April 11: Apres Ski at the Shallow Shaft Restaurantfeaturing Epic Brewing (4:00-6:00pm)
April 12: Apres Ski at The Snowpine Lodge with the Alta Historical Society Fireside Chat- Alta’s Wild Old Bunch (4:00-6:00pm)
April 13: Freaky Friday Stretchpants and Sunglasses Costumed Ski Day – show off your most wild spring style, and you may win the “Best Dressed” prize! Prizes and drawing on Goldminer’s Daughter Lodge deck (3:30pm)
Snowbird (TBA but closing sooner rather than later. No way they’re making it to Memorial Day this year.)
April 8 – Easter Sunday starts with a free sunrise service on Hidden Peak. The last Tram up departs at 6:43 a.m. so be in line by 6 a.m. to make sure you get on.
The free Easter Egg Hunt for kids under 11 takes place at 9 a.m. on Chickadee.
April 9 – Daredevil Dummy Downhill. Build it and send it down Gad Valley at 5 p.m. Prizes are awarded in a variety of categories including Best Crash.
April 17 – Plaza Deck Bash. Music, giveaways and $40 lift tickets.
Solitude (Closing April 15)
April 8 – Peter Cottontail visits the Moonbeam Center and eggs on the little ones as they hunt.
Brighton (Closing April 22)
It’s not too late to learn. Brighton’s 3-day Learn to Slide package includes a free Smith helmet. Sign up for three group lessons, three full-day rentals and three learner lift tickets all for $199.
March 31- Red Bull Minors Cupis a big mountain “invite only” event for juniors under 18. The judging panel, comprised of top industry pros, will score the difficulty of line, fluidity, innovation of tricks, and speed.
April 14 – Neff Beach Bash Snowboard Jam. First 125 to register get to compete. The rest can party, enjoy the DJ, food, swag and sun.
Sundance (Closing April 8)
It’s one of the first mountains to close but Sundance has a robust summer with some of the best mountain biking in the north. Makes sense to get the skiers off the mountain so the snow can melt.
Snowbasin (Closing April 15)
Spring weekends are filled with music on the Needles deck Friday and Saturday beginning at 2:30 p.m
April 8 – Annual Snowbasin Easter Buffet. $37 for adults, $17 for youth and free for kids under 6. Call 801 620-1021 for reservations.
I just had a sweet relaxing day as a tourist in my own town. That’s right. I checked into the newly remodeled, newly deluxed Washington School House hotel in Old Town Park City. I’m sad to report that we locals won’t get to walk through a haunted house during Halloween anymore but guests staying at the hotel will love the consequences of nicing things up. Count on a new pool and hot tub with mountain views and an original 2002 Olympic fire cauldron for one thing.
I’m usually the go-to person for advice on all things Park City but it’s not every day I actually get a chance to stay in a local hotel, let alone a B & B as fancy as this one. But it wasn’t always like this. The WSH, built in 1889, obviously needed a renovation after its long history and the duck emerged as a swan of a boutique hotel in January 2012. Eight months of interior guttage and design from Paul Allen Design and architect Trip Bennett have crafted 12 Old World suites and rooms that smell of fresh paint and look pure resort colonial.
The St. Regis, Montage, Escala, Waldorf-Astoria hotels moving into Park City have paved the way for smaller lodges to remodel and lure some of that elite audience who might be looking for something just a bit cozier. They’d have a tough time resisting the School House’s original quarried limestone exterior, which has been protected with the installation of a new standing seam metal roof, hardwood floors reclaimed from old barns, 16-foot ceilings, a 10-foot tall antique mirror from an opera house in the south of France and a one-of-a-kind massive antler chandelier in the breakfast room, lacquered in white and layered with crystals.
Can I take home a towel please?
The rooms host king and queen beds, Pratesi linens, down feather beds, Lynova microcotton towels, nine-foot school house windows with automated blinds, ice-white marble bathrooms, heated floors, a showerhead to die for and Molton Brown toiletries. Everything feels soft on your skin.
Walking Distance
The hotel has a designated van to transport you to Canyons or next door. “We actually had our driver take guests to the Riverhorse which is literally directly across the street,” said Jessica Davis, WSH’s General Manager. “But we accommodate all needs.” You can walk a block to dinner at High West Distillery and stumble back or call for a ride.
When it’s morning, it’s a gourmet eggs Florentine with purple roasted potatoes and bacon drizzled with maple syrup. Skis on the Run swings by and drops off your skis and boots, preseleting them for you based on a form you fill out prior to arrival. As much as I wanted them to be wrong, the Volkl Aurora suited me just fine on this mushy spring groomer day. I used my own boots. I always use my own Lange boots. Then it’s time to ski.
Park City Mountain Resort’s Town Lift is just steps away; or get another van ride to the Resort Center.
I’m told you can ski out the back but didn’t see that route. The way back is supposed to be more straightforward- just look for the hotel’s “belfry” to navigate off the mountain and back to the hotel.
Soft pretzels and bison nachos anyone?
Reach for a glass of wine and fancy apps in the new chic ski lounge downstairs for après ski.
The bar is open. Your stay includes breakfast, après and all drinks. They’re rolling out dinner in the next few months but that will be a la carte.
The WSH also has little toys for kids at turndown. Children were welcome in 1889 when WSH was one of the first school houses in Park City and they’re still welcome today. Park City is a family place and even luxury boutique hotels get that. Of course, rooms start at $700/nt (but you might be able to find rates of $300 in the summer and off-season) so your kids better behave.
Reservations can be made by calling 800-824-1672.
P.S. The haunted house tour may be gone but the ghosts are still here. The WSH is a stop on the Park City Ghost Tours
Billy Demong
