Category Archives: Summer Guide

Spring Savings At Utah Resorts

 

 


Spring break season in Utah is here. The slushy slopes are spilling with happy smiles and goggle tans. Take advantage of some recently added discounts to make those grins even bigger.

If you purchase Canyons tickets through Axis Freeride you’re not only getting a slick deal but supporting a worthy cause. The non-profit youth organization provides kids a solid and safe foundation in terrain park riding. Buy adult lift tickets for $60 through Axis. That’s $26 off the online price and $47 off the window price. The ticket is good through the last day of the season. Just email  HERE to get tickets.* They take cash, check or credit cards and it’s tax deductible. BTW, Canyons’ ticket prices drop to $59 on April 7 but they’re not tax deductible.

If you’re interested in test-driving the Axis program and you have girls, check out the Freeskiing All Girls Camp at Park City Mountain Resort. The 2-day program is a fun-filled learning environment catering to girls 9 and up. Coaches will focus on terrain park and all-mountain skiing but no previous terrain park skills are needed. The camp runs March 29 and 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The cost is $125 (lift tickets not included). 435-655-5366, or email mary@axisfreeride.com

Other Spring Savings-

This one’s a tease: Park City Mountain Resort will announce a deal next week and it promises to be news worthy so keep an eye on their website.

Brighton isn’t exactly slashing for spring but they are slashing for ‘taxing’. April 15, they’re offering Tax Day relief with half off tickets…so that’s a $34 ski day. And on April 11, college students get half off with their student ID. 

Don’t forget about Alta’s Boarding Pass Program: Fly into Salt Lake City and ski at Alta or Snowbird the same day for half price. You have to register online before you leave to convert your airline boarding pass into a half-price AltaSnowbird lift ticket. The offer is valid within 24 hours of arrival, Monday through Friday, so if you get in at 9 p.m. you can ski the next day for half off!

Keep checking Groupon and Living Social in Utah for deals. Right now Alta’s offering a $59.99 lift ticket that’s good for the rest of the season. Use it this weekend for the Snowflake Festival. Tomorrow (Saturday) is One-Piece Ski Outfit Day. Don’t miss the free ski demo day April 11. Alta Ski AreaAlta Ski Shop and Powder House Ski, Shoe, Bike – Utah
are teaming up with as many ski manufacturers as possible for “testing”. All you’ll need are your boots and a credit card (in lieu of a deposit) to ski as many skis as you can from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Spring is the perfect time to get the little ones out skiing. Kids 6 and under ski FREE at Eagle Point, Park City Mountain Resort, Powder Mountain, Snowbasin, Snowbird, and Solitude. At Brighton, the deal extends to kids under 8! Canyons, however, got stingy this year and lowered the limit at 5 years old.



Finally, Costco in Salt Lake City has several lift ticket packages that will save you BIG bucks. You can’t order them online, however, so ask a friend to pick them up for you or get yourself a rental car for a quick roadtrip. PCMR: 5 tix for $350; Sundance: 2 tix for $87; Canyons: 2 tix for $150; Snowbird: 2 tix for $145.

Summer In Park City Starts Today!

The snow melted months ago but finally the Park City resorts are open for summer play. The rain may dampen activity at Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort today but as things clear up, the good times will shine. If you can’t wait for Deer Valley’s June 15 opening for lift-served mountain biking and hiking you can always park up at Silver Lake and ride around on your own.
 

CANYONS RESORT

The resort village and the 18-hole putting course open today and the rest of its activities on June 14. That means disc golf, the Ziplines, and Mountain Bike Park with four flow trails and trails for hiking.The annual Farmers’ Market opens for biz every Wednesday starting June 6 in the cabriolet parking lot.

Canyons will also host the Sundance Institute Summer Film Series with documentary/family programming. The choices are a little too “conscious” for me but other may really dig them. Too bad because it would have been cool to take my five-year-old to see an outdoor screening of Cars 2 or something. Anyway:

Thurs., June 21: Under African Skies – Paul Simon returns to South Africa to explore the incredible journey of his historic Graceland album.
Thurs., July 12: CSNY Déjà Vu – The war in Iraq is the backdrop as the Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young “Freedom of Speech Tour” crisscrosses North America.
Thurs., July 26: Filly Brown – A Hip Hop-driven drama about a Mexican girl who rises to fame and consciousness.

Other notable dates-

  • Community Fireworks Celebration & Concert: Tuesday, July 3
  • Friday Night Beats & BBQ: Friday, July 13 – August 31
  • Summer Concert Series: Saturday, July 14 – September 1



PARK CITY MOUNTAIN RESORT

Hiking, biking, alpine sliding and zip lining start today at PCMR off the Pay Day lift. All of the base-area activities like the Alpine Coaster, an 18-hole putt-putt course, the adventure zone, Legacy Launcher, and the Little Miners Park open June 8.


DEER VALLEY RESORT 

DV’s been biking for 20 years. They’ll start up three lifts for the summer – the Silver Lake Express, the Sterling Express, and Ruby Express, for a 60-mile network of single-track and hiking trails. Once a month they’ll host a free historic guided hike that starts at the Silver Lake Village. The two-hour tromp goes to the different remnants of the silver mines. The resort also offers a state-licensed childcare center and summer adventure day for kids up to 12 years old. Make sure you set aside time for a signature mojito on the deck of the Royal Street Café!


Essential Summer Gear Item….SUNSCREEN!!!

The sun in the mountains at altitude is wicked evil. Not only will it give you an uncomfortable, ugly red countenance but it can give you cancer and make you look old beyond your actual years.

Dr. Robin for Kids isn’t just for kids. It goes on kind of thick and white but quickly dissipates. It seems to stay on your skin longer than most other sunscreens so if you get caught up in the summer fun and forget to reapply sooner rather than later, you should be ok. I did only one application on myself and Sage before our day at Seven Peaks Water Park and got home without a burn. The SPF 30+ sunscreen is gentle, chemical free, and formulated to minimize allergic reactions. So Baby won’t have to sit in a shady corner. The active ingredients, titanium dioxide and zinc oxide; natural minerals scientifically proven to be the most effective way to block UVA and UVB sun rays. BTW, Dr. Robin is Robin Schaffran, M.D., a caring mom and Beverly Hills Pediatric Dermatologist. $24.



Shoulder Season in Park City

Tis’ the season for off season.

The deals abound in every ski town come April…if you can get them before the doors close. Park City is not immune. Already all three ski areas are shuttered. Most of the retail stores have been picked over but you can still find that needle in the proverbial haystack. Including deals on next year’s season passes. Buying now nets the best savings.

But what about that lawsuit between PCMR and Talisker? you question. PCMR is making assurances: “in the unlikely event the pending lawsuit against Talisker Land Holdings results in the Resort closing for the season, the Resort will refund the full season pass price paid by holders of 2012-2013 season passes” to assuage potential fears. In addition, if the Resort is required in the lawsuit to close for a portion of the 2012-2013 season, the Resort will prorate the refund based on the period the Resort is closed. So shop away.

Buy before May 15 and your PCMR pass is 10 percent off the current season’s rates. $650 is a pretty awesome deal.

Youth (ages 7-12) passes start at just $125. You can purchase additional options like underground parking and ‘Fast Pass’ at a discount too.

New this year – a summer activities season pass. For $210, spend the whole summer enjoying unlimited rides on the Alpine Coaster, Alpine Slide, chairlift rides and all other activities in the base area. The ZipRider is $8 additional per ride and the Flying Eagle Zip Line is $5 additional per ride. Those shorter than 54” pay $105 for their summer pass.

All you have to do to lock in your pass price at Canyons is put down $100 before June 1. The full pass price this year was $1449 but take 6 college credits somewhere and bring the cost down to $699.

Deer Valley hasn’t announced anything yet but their summer ops start June 15.

Don’t forget to pick up a Park Record when you’re in town. Those two-for-one coupons are on every page. Now’s your chance to dine at a five-star restaurant like Wahso or Prime Steakhouse for a third of the price. Just make sure the spot you plan to visit is open. Many Park City restaurants take a break in May.

The Park City Restaurant Association just issued this list of temporary closures in case you’re wondering:

350 Main:              April 15 – June 19

Buona Vita:           April 22 – May 20

Easy Street:           April 16 – June 10

Grub Steak:           April 22 – April 27

High West:            April 30 – May 2

Mustang:               April 29 – May 17

Silver:                    April 28 – May 3

Silver Star Café:  April 16 – May 7

Wahso:                   April 15 – June 7

Wasatch Pub:      April 30 – May 3


1 2