Archive for November, 2007
The Most Overlooked Park City, Utah Winter Activities
November 27th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Dining & Entertainment, Just Outside of Town, Lifestyle & Activities, Local Services, Skiing, The Canyons®, The Heber Valley, Utah Facts and Fiction
Make No Mistake…
The World Class Ski Resorts at Deer Valley, Park City, and The Canyons Offer Some of The Best Snow Sliding on Earth…
But guess what? You can enjoy a great Park City winter vacation even if you don’t ride a single chair lift.
Skiing and snowboarding are not the only activities available in this picturesque mountain town.
Park City offers over 100 restaurants to choose from, but what will you do when you’re not skiing and eating?
Here are some ideas to get you started… Read the rest of this entry »
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Summer Fun in Park City, Utah
November 27th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Just Outside of Town, Lifestyle & Activities, The Canyons®, The Heber Valley
Summer brings a slew of activities to this perfectly situated mountain town. and fabulous weather nearly guarantees you the ability to do activities every day of your visit.
The summer activities are dependent on weather but the season generally runs from the Memorial Day weekend to the Labor Day weekend. Many activities are available as soon as the snow is gone from the lower elevations, and available in the fall until the snow falls.
Hiking and biking are always an option; the chairlifts run during the summer season to assist you up the mountains to enjoy the highest elevations and hair raising downhill bike runs.
Chairlifts also take you to the top of the zip lines, alpine slides and coasters of Park City Mountain Resort and the Utah Olympic Park. The UOP also offers you the chance to ride in a bobsled or go to a performance of the athletes that fly forty feet in the air and land in a splash pool.
Check out the following www.parkcitymountainresort.com, www.deervalleyresort.com , www.parkcityinfo.com
More trails abound in the nearby state parks and the Unite national forest that can get you miles and miles from civilization and offer great views and the chance to see wildlife. Or, you can rip cross-country on a rented ATV on a guided or non-guided trip.
Private championship golf courses such as Tuhaye, Promontory, and Glenwild have made Park City a mecca for golf enthusiasts.
More courses like Red Ledges, Talisman and Victory Ranch will just add to the reputation of the great golf available near Park City. The Homestead, and the Utah state park courses near Midway offer a fantastic value and great courses.
Marinas on the Jordanelle, Deer Creek, and Strawberry reservoirs make them great options for boating and fishing. Personal watercraft, ski boats, pontoon boats and fishing equipment are just some of the rental options to enjoy a day on the water.
The local rivers offer blue ribbon trout water to the angling enthusiast; guided trips are available for the novice through the expert. Float trips on the Green River cover some of the most coveted water in North America.
Music and Art events throughout the summer fill in the days and evenings check out the local calendar at www.parkcityinfo.com for up to date information. on events throughout the summer.
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Shopping Secrets of Park City, Utah
November 27th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Dining & Entertainment, Lifestyle & Activities, Local Services, Shopping
Not every visitor to Park City wants to spend all day every day skiing the world famous slopes or lounging in elegant spas. For those hearty souls that need to get their fix of shopping, Park City, Utah has a variety of options.
Slope-Side Park City & Deer Valley Specialty Shops Boast the Latest Designer Fashions and Top-of-the-Line Equipment.
Equipment can often be tested on the mountain before purchase and the rental fee will be applied towards the purchase price. They don’t let you test-drive the fur coats though!
Look for great deals as the season nears its end and the shops clear inventory in order to stock the coming season’s gear and clothes.
Main Street Park City has a plethora of shops ranging from tee shirts and souvenir shops to high-end boutiques and some of the best art galleries available in the mountain west.
Park City is a historic mining town with authentic architecture and fantastic people watching.
A shopping experience on Main Street could be elevated with a great lunch or dinner, or just pop in to one of the taverns for a warm libation while you traverse the street, looking for your purchases.
Main Street is a fairly steep hill, so start your shopping at the top of Main Street near the Wasatch Brew Pub and walk downhill. Traffic moves slowly on Main Street so crossing back and forth is fairly easy, and then when you reach the bottom you can take the free trolley back up-hill.
Redstone is a new pedestrian-friendly shopping area at Kimball Junction. A true mixed-use community, this neighborhood combines street-level retail, restaurant, and commercial businesses with residential living upstairs.
Coming soon, look for new stores and a bowling alley to open as soon as construction is completed. Restaurants and a movie theatre add to the options at this vibrant area. It can be a good stop on the way to or from the Tanger Outlets which is located nearby.
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Tips to Finding Lodging in Park City, Utah
November 27th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Hotels & Lodging, The Canyons®
So you want to ski the greatest snow on earth and be in the best ski town in North America? Park City, Utah is the place.
Park City, Deer Valley, and the Canyons offer some of the widest variety of terrain in a small area that can be found in North America, plus there are 6 more resorts within an hour drive of Park City, Utah.
Park City has the location and the amenities to satisfy thousands of visitors each night, but the difference in cost for your ski vacation can vary dramatically. Everything can be expensive about a ski vacation and lodging is one of the biggest components.
For the affluent visitor, ski in ski out accommodations range in price from several hundred to several thousand dollars per night. These are world class, Five Diamond lodgings, with service on par with the prices paid.
There are options for regular people as well. Accommodations away from the slopes, but with easy access by free bus or car cost significantly less. Depending on how many people are in your party and bed needs, pricing can be a couple hundred nightly for one and two bedroom condos.
Property management companies in Park City control large inventories of options. These companies are listed under the lodging tab at www.parkcityinfo.com .Houses that are rented out privately are listed there as well as on www.vrbo.com
These can be a great deal for larger groups. Make sure to know how accessible the slopes are from the home; is there a bus stop in easy walking distance? Is there parking if you choose to rent a car? Is the kitchen stocked so you can prepare meals? Eating one or two meals in can save lots of money.
Check out all your options or contact the Park City Gurusto find the best deals on lodging in Park City.
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Successfully Navigating Utah Liquor Laws
November 27th, 2007 Categories: Dining & Entertainment, Lifestyle & Activities, Utah Facts and Fiction
You can get a drink in Utah!
The liquor laws may seem foreign to most people not from Utah, but if you can navigate them with the help of the Park City Guru, you can enjoy yourself immensely in this picturesque ski town.
Your server in any establishment will try to make it easy on you to keep legal and happy, but there is a large difference in how you can drink depending on the license of the establishment, which is either a restaurant liquor licensee or a private club.
You cannot get served hard liquor until noon except at the airport, though domestic 3.2 beer can be served as early as 10am
Private clubs are the bars in Utah; to drink there you must join the club.
Usually this is accomplished by paying a nominal fee for a temporary membership, which should cover you for your stay.
You can sit at the bar in a club and can actually get a ‘double’ by asking for a ‘sidecar’ of the main liquor in your cocktail. This shot will be poured separately and has to be added into your drink by you.
Some bars and restaurants have the ability to serve their patrons alcohol when they are dining through the restaurant liquor license. If you are in this type of establishment, you must demonstrate your ‘intent to dine’.
The ‘intent to dine’ can be inferred by asking for a menu and is usually enough to allow you to buy one round at a restaurant, though your server may require you to order some food on your second round. Often they have a menu item that covers the legality for just a few dollars.
The servers will be fastidious in not serving you more than one drink at a time, though wine at a dinner table is a little more relaxed. You cannot get a ‘sidecar’ in these establishments.
Liquor stores are run by the state and are closed on Sundays. There is a small store on main street of Park City, and a very large one at the Snow Creek marketplace across from the supermarket.
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Vacation Paradise in Utah
November 27th, 2007 Categories: Park City
Park City, Utah has become a sought after year round vacation place.
Twelve months of beautiful weather, stunning scenery and activities appealing to all ages rate Park City, Utah amongst the world’s best destinations.
In the winter world famous ski resorts Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort and The Canyons as well as the epicurean delights of Main Street cater to the knowledgeable traveler. In the summer, championship golf, fly fishing, and the music and arts festivals thrill the lucky visitors to this year round playground.
The close proximity to Salt Lake City’s international airport and boasting three top ranked ski resorts filled with Utah’s famous ‘Greatest Snow On Earth” attract skiers and boarders from around the world to Park City in the winter months.
Sundance Film Festival turns Park City into the most important town in the movie world for ten days in January. Movie stars, musicians, and fans from around the world mingle at premiers and parties where the next bright stars of Hollywood are discovered.
Summertime the mountains fill with hikers and mountain bikers of all abilities. World- renowned golf courses and blue ribbon trout streams beckon to enthusiasts. The vibrant music and art scene rivals that of cities much larger than this picturesque mountain town.
Pick any time of year and visit Park City, Utah. It will surprise and delight you!
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An Park City Insider’s Guide To Sundance Film Festival
November 27th, 2007 Categories: Dining & Entertainment
Sundance Film Festival rivals Cannes as the most important film festival in the world and Park City, Utah in the winter is an unlikely but wonderful host.
Sundance Film Festival turns Park City into the most important town in the movie world for ten days in January. Movie stars, musicians, and fans from around the world mingle at premiers and parties where the next bright stars of Hollywood are discovered.
To enjoy it the most a local Park City guide can be very helpful, let me shed a little light on the inner workings of the Sundance Film Festival.
I encourage friends to come to Park City during the festival, it’s the best time of year to ski the resorts because most of the visitors are watching movies, partying or sleeping, but the restaurants are tough to get into and the traffic can be challenging. Be sure to know if your restaurant of choice is serving ‘prix fixe’ meals and what their reservation policies are. Many restaurants and bars are closed for private parties on some evenings, though access is not always very restricted and the bold may enjoy a truly sublime Sundance experience.
Park City is inundated with ‘people in black’ (PIB’s) during this time and the ski town mentality and some of the over the top Hollywood stuff makes for truly entertaining situations.
Though the locals appreciate the economics of the festival and therefore like these visitors, it is hard not to smile seeing the PIB’s trying to navigate slushy winter streets in completely inappropriate footwear. Everyone prays extra hard for snow during Sundance!
A caveat, if you come to Park City or Deer Valley during the Sundance film festival you will definitely be entertained, but these ten days are not representative of the town the rest of the year. It is a tremendously fun atmosphere, but you have to take it all with a grain of salt.
If you want to see a screening of one of these important films and you do not have a Hollywood connection do what the informed locals do, go to the box office at the Gateway Center and see what tickets get are released or returned for that day. Hang around for a while you may have the opportunity to buy tickets from people who can’t use them. Another sure fire tactic is to go to the Eccles Theatre at Park City High school 45 minutes before one of the screenings and get in the stand by line. This almost guarantees you a seat. Try to get in on the first floor to get views of the actors and the players andenjoy the show!
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Après Ski Starts the Party Early in Park City, Utah
November 26th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Dining & Entertainment, Hotels & Lodging, Lifestyle & Activities, Skiing, The Canyons®
Despite Popular Misconceptions About Utah, Park City Has World-Class Restaurants, a Vibrant Nightlife, and a Great Music Scene.
Visit the hottest little ski town in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains and you may not want to return home! Traffic and crummy weather are highly over-rated, don’t you think?
Nightlife in Park City get started early and ends early by most standards. Bars stop serving at 1am , but the party starts early–while the lifts are still running.
Where is the best Apres Ski scene in Park City & Deer Valley?
After a great day on the slopes, you need a spot to kick back, relax, and re-group for the evening ahead. There’s a wide variety to weigh, so here are some options…
A taste of the award winning fondue in the bar at Stein Eriksen Lodge feels like a mini-European vacation.
One too many frothy Stigels at the Goldner Hirsh Inn, and you’ll be ready for a yodeling contest with the ski instructor sitting at the table sitting next to you.
At O’Shucks on Historic Main Street, you can order Schooners (huge vessels that require both hands to hoist the mighty drink) of beer, and patrons toss empty peanut shells on the floor.
At Talisker’s Tower Club in The Village at Empire Pass, club members lounge in oversized chairs in front of the massive stone fireplace, and sample delictable items off the après ski menu. Kids have their own clubhouse area downstairs for supervised arts, crafts, and games.
Most of Park City’s nightclubs are found on Historic Main Street. Harry O’s attracts top name performers year-round. The No Name Saloon, The Spur, and The Sidecar are other popular hangouts for locals and visitors alike.
Après Ski is More Than a Warm-up For Evening in Park City…
Après ski is under appreciated for the wealth of opportunities it presents.
“I have witnessed the birth (and sometimes the consummation and break up) of torrid affairs, reunions of long lost friends/lovers/enemies, business deals struck and abandoned, and ugly hands of credit card roulette.” says a longtime Park City bartender
Après Ski timing is critical. You don’t want to be uncomfortable in your ski boots and wet ski clothes, but going home to shower may keep you from getting the right spot at the right time.
Your best bet is to change your clothes (at least your shoes) and secure your skis in overnight ski storage facilities at hotels, resorts or in your vehicle. Otherwise, you may still be in your ski boots when you try to dance with that cute skier that has been flirting with you from the next table.
Find a place with good music, food and the right mix of people. Be sure to drink extra water at our high-elevation resorts and do not overindulge early.
One more thing…Get there before 5pm.
PS Be nice to your server as you may want to come back the next day–if you leave at all.
Happy Après!
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Understanding Prime Location, Rental Demand, and Real Estate Values in Park City, Utah
November 24th, 2007 Categories: Park City
A Quick & Dirty Cheat Sheet to Help you Choose The Best Real Estate Investment Opportunities in Park City & Deer Valley
OK, I know what you’re thinking…
You’re tired of hearing your vocab-challenged real estate agent talk about “Location.” However…
Your monthly cash flow prospects and future exit strategy may depend heavily on your Park City area “location,” so we sing this same song.
Scarcity Creates Value in Park City & Deer Valley Real Estate
First and foremost, your future re-sale potential increases if you purchase a property that’s in limited supply.
It’s Supply and Demand 101: You’ll love having scarcity on your side. There are only a limited number of properties that have true ski-in/ski-out access, so you’ll never have a flood of competition.
Proximity to One of Park City’s Ski Resorts is critical, and you can find ski-in/ski-out properties at Deer Valley Resort®, Park City Mountian Resort®, and at The Canyons® Resort.
Ski-in/ski-out property is Park City’s local equivalent of beach-front property for those of you from coastal communities. Stated a little differently, if you can walk out your door and click into your skis, you’re living right on the beach.
Ski Access Drives Rental Demand and Rental Rates in Park City and Deer Valley
For those of you who would consider renting your prospective Park City area property, you’ll find that demand for rentals increases as you move closer to the slopes. People vacationing with their families appreciate the convenience of ski-in/ski-out, and they’ll typically pay more–sometimes a lot more–for the convenience this type of prime location offers.
Sure, perfect ski-in/ski-out access is convenient, but it’s certainly not cheap. Expect to pay at least $1000 per square foot to purchase a home or condo in Park City or Deer Valley, Utah with true ski-in/ski-out access.
Your Investment Dollars Stretch as You Move Away From The Slopes…
The Next Tier of Ski Access is “Walk To Skiing.” Sellers of this type of property take marketing liberties and often advertise this type of property as ski-in/ski-out, so consider yourself warned!
Don’t fall into this marketing trap—we’ll help you clarify specific ski access so you won’t have any surprises.
Even if your ski-in/ski-out access is really “walk-to-skiing,” it’s still fantastic to be able to throw your skis over your shoulder and walk a few minutes to a lift or ski run. Think “no traffic jams or parking hassles!”
Lots of properties in Old Town Park City and Deer Valley fall into this category of location. Many of these are great Park City rentals even though they’re not ski-in/ski-out.
Of course, if you’re not walking distance to the slopes, you’ll need to ride a bus or take a car skiing, and it doesn’t seem to make much difference if you have to drive 2 minutes or 10 minutes, so…
The “Ski Access” element of location diminishes in importance as you get further from the Park City ski resorts.
If you’re a renter, you’ll find the least expensive rentals in Park City and Deer Valley area are properties that require that you ride to one of the ski areas. There’s a reason for this…
Again, it’s simple supply and demand. With many more properties to choose from (ie all the properties that are just too far to walk to one of the resorts), there’s more competition. More competition between landlords drives rental rates down.
However, ski access isn’t the only element of location worth considering if you’re looking at real estate in Park City, Utah.
View is the Second “Location” Key That Drives Property Values in Park City
When you are Vacationing in Park City, Utah…
You’ll want to feel like you’re in the mountains. Needless to say, a “great view” is in the eyes of the beholder.The underlying attributes of a particular property’s (home, condo, land) view contributes a great amount to underlying value of real estate in Park City.
You’ll want to look out your window and seeing an awe-inspiring natural landscape, whether it’s a mountain peak, a lake, or a scenic forest view.
Rental Rates and Occupancy Increase With A Killer Mountain View
Same goes for rental demand if the prospective guest has the forethough to inquire about the view when they make the reservation. Think “ski area view or a parking lot view from the back of the building?” You’d pay more for the ski run view, right?
Some people like being high on the mountain and looking out in all directions…a “king of the hill” sort of vista. Other people prefer a lower elevation but want to look up at the mountain ridgelines.
It’s hard to get excited about paying premium prices for a property that has a great view of the neighbor’s garage, or a high-voltage transmission line, or a garbage dump or a freeway that’s too close for comfort.
Don’t Make This Park City Buyer Mistake Yourself!
I can’t recall how many times I have been touring properties with clients who love the interior of a home, but the property is scratched from contention because of poor orientation with respect to neighbor’s homes, lack of privacy, or just an inferior lot.
Maybe view isn’t important to you, but it will be to your future buyer.
Knowing this, would you take the risk of buying a property with no view?
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Hidden Treasures At Private Golf Clubs in Park City, Utah
November 24th, 2007 Categories: Golf, Jordanelle, Just Outside of Town, Lifestyle & Activities, Real Estate
First, let me share a secret with you…
You don’t need to join a private club to enjoy a great day of golf in Park City, Utah. It’s true. The Park City and Heber Valley public courses offer plenty of challenge, and crowds are minimal compared to public courses elsewhere. However, there’s more…
Golf is Just the Tip of the Iceberg in Park City, Utah
Park City and Deer Valley area private clubs offer more than just golf. Savvy developers are creating clubs that allow members to enjoy exclusive amenities year round. Let me explain…
You’ll Appreciate Private Access to Deer Valley Clubhouses…
Imagine skiing with a group of friends and family at Deer Valley Resort. You’ve enjoyed an exhilarating morning of skiing perfectly groomed corduroy slopes, and some of the possee are looking weary.
“Follow me through these trees…” You cry to your ski party. “I know the perfect place for lunch!”
You duck off the ski trail to the cozy Red Cloud Cabin, tucked in a grove of quaking aspens with views of the surrounding Park City and Deer Valley, Utah peaks.
As you kick off your skis and approach the sunny dining deck, you’re greeted by name by friendly staff and your group is served a delightful lunch and refreshing beverage. Batteries recharged, you ski for the rest of the afternoon and conclude your day at the Talisker Tower Club for some après-ski entertainment. But wait, it doesn’t stop there.
Rejuvenate Your Weary Body After Skiing in Deer Valley
You head downstairs for a rejuvenating steam shower and soak in the luxurious Italian travertine hot pool. No need to return home before dinner, you hop on the community “Dial a Ride” shuttle that takes you to historic Main Street for dinner, and drops you back at home at the end of the perfect day.
And this is just the beginning of the story. Private clubs in Park City allow you access to an exclusive world of private amenities, including dining, fly-fishing, nature hikes, snowmobiling, boating, wine tasting, etc. But there is one small catch–to access the amenities, you must join the club, which is accomplished by owning real estate in one of the Talisker Club communities.
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