Author Archives: Jill Adler

Get Your Spring Ski Groove On; Utah Resorts Get Ready To Close

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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.

April 1 – Orgone free
concert starts at 3 p.m. 

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 Restaurant featuring 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 Cup is 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.

Powder Mountain (Closing April 8)

HAPPY EASTER?PASSOVER!!!

Tourist For A Day (or Two)

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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

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y54sGfn8_zQ&w=560&h=315]

Mormon Mall -aka City Creek Center- Opens Today

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Salt Lake City’s got a shiny new shopping mall opening today that’s destined to find its way onto the Utah ski tourism map. Instead of wondering how you’ll spend the hours between your ski day and your flight departure, just head on down to Main and 100 South. The $1.5 billion City Creek Center is the only shopping center to open in 2012 and one of the largest mixed-use developments in the United States. Retail stores, restaurants, offices, residences and open space spread across 23 acres of land in downtown Salt Lake City. But more importantly, it’s a space that effectively merges the outdoors with the indoors.

Not only does the skybridge over Main Street frame the Wasatch mountains, but a retractable skylight roof opens on warm sunny days and closes at night and in the winter, leaving you with the impression that you’re still outside. So after a week of skiing in Park City you can do a little shopping but still feel like you’re on vacation.

There are two 18-foot waterfalls and a mini creek that runs east-west through it all. There’s nature everywhere with local masonry, native plants, and a trout pond stocked with Bonneville Cutthroat and Rainbow varieties. The developers even brought in the designers of the Las Vegas Bellagio fountains to build three fountains in the Center. These will dance to fire and music.

Don’t be surprised when you hear locals call this the “Mormon Mall”. Center Creek is owned and operated by Taubman Centers, a real-estate investment trust, but the LDS church owns the land it sits on. True to form, no shops will be open on Sunday and no liquor will be served at any of the restaurants. The only exceptions are the Cheesecake Factory and Texas de Brazil Churrascaria. Rumor has it that Cheesecake refused to occupy 65 Regent Street without that golden liquor license.

Nordstrom and Macy’s anchor a food court, a full-service Harmons Grocery Store, and 80 retail stores including Tiffany & Co., and Swarovski, Michael Kors and Coach. While you’re there, check on your flight times just like you would at the airport so you don’t miss your flight. There are several arrival and departure tubes that will update in real time.

Take a walk around and see for yourself or watch this YouTube teaser from the Salt Lake Tribune:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvMZ-9z_XW8&w=560&h=315]


With the earlier opening of H & M in the Fashion Place Mall and now City Creek, you might think Salt Lake was a hip metro like L.A. or New York. Ok, maybe that’s pushing it. We’ll have to wait for Raleigh Motion Picture Studios to open first.

For a list of stores go to www.shopcitycreekcenter.com.


The Wrath Of LCC

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“I’m over it,” my friend Susan said to me as I described my day at Alta. “The traffic, the scene, the waiting in line everywhere. I don’t need it. I can go to Solitude.” She’s right I thought as I paced myself through the last 24 hours.

A storm was brewing. It came in like a sheep yesterday, doing nothing in Park City. Maybe an inch before nightfall. As I made my way home eastbound on I-80 I considered my options. For sure I would ski. The reports were all predicting powder for the morning. But, ugh, Susan was right. Getting up early to sit in the trafficsnake up Little Cottonwood Canyon only to fight all of those lucky souls who were staying in the condos and hotels at the mountain and were out tracking everything before I could get my first boot on seemed futile.

So do I skip it and ski Park City? Or maybe I head up Big Cottonwood Canyon instead. Solitude is an awesome mountain and should absolutely NEVER be considered plan B. But there’s something to be said for the ritual. The one that includes sitting in a line of traffic, anticipating the goods for the extra 45 minutes it tacks onto your journey. Last week, however, in LCC and the line on the tram I was over it too. Yep. It was soft but it was tracked and packed. People everywhere fighting for a turn and a 40 minute wait to get to the top. What to do. Alta has a tendency to get a lot more terrain open sooner than the Bird, the singles line moves ten times faster than the tram line and it’s easy to find new friends. Snowbird is not the place to ski alone. Alta, hell, yeah. It’s like the friendliest place in Utah. I don’t know what it is but no matter when I go, I always come home with the number of a new ski buddy. The people you ride up the lift with want to know you, want to know your story, they ski at your level and they’re happy to share a run or two or the rest of the day with you. That doesn’t happen anywhere else. Ask anyone who has skied there. They’ll all agree.

It was settled. I’d ski Alta and get a room at the Alta Lodge while the storm buried us. The Lodge first opened its doors to overnight guests in 1940 and I could swear the kids of some of those skiers are dining at the table next to us. Generations of skiers return annually either to vacation or work. Some might complain that the ambiance lacks the glitz of a Ritz or Regis but there’s an old money elegance here that keeps you from ever thinking you’re slumming it.

The rooms are clean and quiet and the food itself is some of the best in LCC. Though the employees are all ski bums, they’re alert and friendly. Our server at dinner (the Sunday buffet is included with your room) chatted with us about the tight parking situation around the Lodge before retelling the story of how he stood in line for two hours waiting for Collins to open. It never did. We (I met up with friends once I got to Alta) had a similar experience but I chose not to wait.

We rowtoped it to Sunnyside where I emerged onto the longest line I’d ever seen at the triple. That’s what you get when Collins isn’t open. We found some doubles looking for a single and loaded in less than five minutes. We hit the singles line at Sugarloaf and were skiing soft chunder in ten minutes. The wait was nothing while the skiing was everything.

It was like the first powder day of the season all over again. I got a faceshot! No way, a real faceshot. It had been a month since I skied snow this deep. Last year, we had freshies every day. The trick today was getting around the mountain without the resort’s main lift. The opening of EBT made it easier. We looped around from Sugarloaf and skied under Collins, Greeley and Eagles Nest. The cold wind kept the snow soft and buttery. It felt dense but not heavy. You floated and arced with ease today. My grin nearly cracked my goggles. I’d share photos but they would all look like white boxes.

The road remained open tonight. It’s closing at 6 a.m. with an interlodge at 6:30 a.m. No cars up or down, no people moving between the lodges or from their rooms to the resort. All still while the snowpack is tested. If my calculations are correct. We’ll be first in line at Collins (which finally started to turn by 3 p.m.), there will be 12-24″ of new snow on top of the previous 26″, and the rest of the world will be stuck in traffic at the mouth of LCC. Teehee.

Canyons v. Park City Mountain Resort

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It would be a dereliction of my duties as a ski writer and voice of reason not to write, comment and add my two cents regarding the bombshell PCMR dropped on our cozy little Park City community last Friday. You can read the nuts and bolts all over the web- Here and Here and Here and Here and well, Everywhere. I spoke with peeps from both sides and though they’re hinting, they’re hiding behind the phrase “we’re not authorized to talk because of the ongoing litigation.”

I have my own theories. One involves water rights. Talisker purchased the majority holdings of United Park City Mines in a complex merger and acquisition transaction in 2003 and became the principal owner of UPCM. Talisker Mountain Corp (owned by Canada’s Talisker Corporation) also owns Tuhaye, a high-end golf course community southeast of the Jordanelle Reservoir, Empire Pass and Red Cloud developments on Deer Valley’s slopes, Canyons Resort (the whole resort), The Waldorf Astoria Hotel, Talisker on Main restaurant, Bistro restaurant at the Silverado Lodge and a significant portion of PCMR’s 3300 acres. Water’s always a good reason to fight; especially when you need it. This dry season put a terrible strain on resources for snowmaking.

Another thought is that when the lease came due, Talisker saw it as an opportunity to ‘adjust’ the tab on PCMR. The lease was up March 1, 2011, and PCMR didn’t provide written confirmation that they wanted to extend the lease to 2031 until April 30, 2011. Whoops. Written notice aside, however, Canyons cashed the rent check and allowed PCMR to put $7 mill in renovations back into the resort. Some would argue that’s constructive consent to the lease. As a landlord, if I want to raise my tenant’s rent when the lease is up, I don’t take and cash a check for the former amount. I hand it back with a note saying that rent’s gone up.

Perhaps the amount PCMR has been paying on their lease was well below market value? I don’t know how much UPCM was charging the resort for the surface rights to the slopes but I’d have to wager it was a steal considering they’ve been extending the lease since 1963. But PCMR is a worldly smart corporation. They know the value of the land, the operation and their employees and you can only ride a good deal for so long until the new leasors want to bring you up to speed.

But if, as Canyons says, they have made a fair proposal and if, as PCMR says, they have tried to be ‘more than fair’ on their side, then why wouldn’t the two be able to reach an agreement that makes sense? No one wants to see Park City’s anchor resort sit dormant for 2012-2013. Not even Canyons. “It doesn’t make sense to anybody,” said Canyons’ Steve Pastorino. “PCMR’s success is critical to all of our success.”

Fair market value offer?

Is Canyons trying to squeeze PCMR for more than fair market? Both sides that I spoke with say they “have no idea” what the other side wants. Canyons was surprised PCMR filed a lawsuit and PCMR is surprised they’re surprised. “Maybe they felt like they were stuck,” surmised Pastorino. “But it’s kind of odd. For the last three months, we’ve been talking about how well we (the resorts) cooperate but this flies in the face of that.” (He’s referring to SkiLink and efforts to connect Utah’s seven resorts.)

PCMR controls their water rights, the parking lots and the base area. So what could or would Talisker do with the muffin top if they couldn’t have the whole muffin? So far no one’s talking- to me or to each other. So it makes sense to file a lawsuit to force Canyons to say exactly what they’re after and to find out where you stand but why would PCMR go so public? Most of the time lawsuits fly well under anyone’s radar. This one might have as well. But perhaps PCMR’s throw the first punch strategy is working. They are even posting these ‘what Park City means to me’ video vignettes on YouTube. Talisker is now looking like the Big Bad Wolf in all of this. Someone even tweeted me- “What’s next? Deer Valisker?”

Truthfully, I’m in the dark like everyone else and I don’t have much more to go on than the statements the resorts have released to the public. It seems crazy that two hometown resorts are duking it out like this. I’m sure someone can point to a similar sitch in history somewhere else – Aspen? Tahoe? Winter Park?- but I can’t.

I’m waiting to hear when the date’s been set for that court hearing. It should be mighty interesting.

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