Lifestyle & Activities
President Bush in Park City, Utah
June 2nd, 2008 Categories: Lifestyle & Activities, Park City, Utah Facts and Fiction
Good thing I dodged the road closure last week caused by the presidential motorcade! It was quite a scene along Kearns Blvd, where Marine One–the President’s Helicopter–landed near the Treasure Mountain Middle School in Park City Wednesday afternoon.
President Bush was Greeted by a Mixed Crowd in Park City, Utah
Crowds lined the presidential motorcade route. Many cheered and gave the President the “Thumbs-Up” as the motorcade passed, but others held signs and flipped the President “The Bird” for his unpopular policies.
The motorcade traveled to Stein Eriksen Lodge, where the presidential entourage occupied 60 hotel rooms for the night.
Former presidential hopeful and 2002 Winter Olympic chief Mitt Romney hosted an exclusive $35,000 per person fundraiser for the Republican Party at his exclusive Deer Valley home.
Park City, Utah is Poplar Fundraising Stop
The deep pockets of Park City and Deer Valley residents has made Park City a vital stop on the campaign trail…and not just for the republicans!
Democratic candidates also made stops in Park City to raise campaign funds.
Within the past few months, both Senator Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton were in town raising money.
US Presidents Love Park City For Business and Pleasure
President Bush is the second Consecutive President to visit Park City, Utah while in office.
Former President Bill Clinton and his family visited Park City twice during his secong term for winter ski vacations.
Park City is a Magnet for High-Profile Visitors
Indeed, for a small town, Park City draws high-profile visitors. Tiger Woods was just here for a recent knee surgery, and basketball legend Michael Jordan recently purchased a home in the area.
A-list celebrities descend on Park City during the Sundance Film Festival every January.
Park City & Summit County Taxpayers Get Stuck with the Bill!
Police Chief Lloyd Evans said Thursday night the Police Department probably spent between $10,000 and $20,000 protecting the president on the overnight trip, as police officers logged overtime shifts for traffic control and motorcade security.
The Summit County Sheriff’s Office, also amassed about $30,000 in additional security expenses during the visit.
The federal government does not refund the Police Department for the costs, meaning local governments will pay the tab from its regular, taxpayer-funded budget.
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Heber Creeper
February 7th, 2008 Categories: Just Outside of Town, Lifestyle & Activities, The Heber Valley
Kids Love The Heber Valley Railroad
It was a cold and snowy morning. Just before the railroad tracks, I saw the Heber Creeper train running-steam billowing and whistle blowing. I had gone back in time to the days of the steam engine. I grabbed my camera and took this photo.
This train is one of two 1907 Baldwin Steam locomotives
The journey starts at the train station in the middle of the picturesque Heber Valley.
There is a regular tour schedule and special events.
Special trains include: The Haunted Canyon Train, The Polar Express, Comedy Murder Mystery, day out with Thomas the Train, and Tube-’n'-train (which is snow tubing and train-ride combo).
The World Famous Train Put Heber City and Midway on the Map!
The steam engine has been featured in 33 motion pictures in the past 20 years and in the T.V. series “Touched by an Angel” and “The Promised Land”.
A trip to Heber City and Midway isn’t complete without a visit to Park City and Deer Valley just minutes away.
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How Sundance Impacts Park City Real Estate
January 18th, 2008 Categories: Dining & Entertainment, Lifestyle & Activities
Most Sundance Film Festival attendees are here in Park City for reasons that have nothing
to do with shopping for real estate…
It’s a great week to watch movies, meet interesting and talented people from around the world, and hobnob with big shots from Hollywood, LA, and New York.
Do Sellers of Park City real estate benefit from Sundance?
The biggest benefit most sellers in Park City and Deer Valley, Utah enjoy is an opportunity to rent their properties for above-market rates for the ten days of the Sundance Film Festival.
True, any exposure is better than no exposure, but Sellers shouldn’t get their hopes up that the buyer for their property will appear during the festival. The likelihood is slim because most hotel and lodging beds are filled with festival-goers, not skiers and prospective investors. True, some festival goers are flush with cash, but they’re not necessarily in the market to buy…
Park City buyers struggle to tour properties…
For the few people in town this week who are interested in real estate, the Sundance Film Festival can be a big challenge. Nearly every rental property in Park City is booked for the festival. Visitors paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars per night for their lodging don’t want to open their homes and condos for real estate agents and prospective buyers to tour. Would you?
The energy in Park City is fantastic during Sundance
Attending the Sundance Film Festival is a great time to enjoy one of the annual highlights of life in Park City, but it’s certainly not an accurate representation of what life in Park City is really like during the rest of the year.
Drink an extra Red Bull, espresso, or whatever else causes your adrenaline level to redline. You’ll need it, as the nightlife continues until the sun rises, people-watching is never more entertaining, and you can catch a quick nap between films.
Sundance Attire–Dress for Success
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2008 Sundance Film Festival Begins In Park City
January 17th, 2008 Categories: Dining & Entertainment, Lifestyle & Activities, Park City
The PIB’S arrive in Park City, Utah for the best film festival of the year.
People in Black. The standard dress–film guide in one hand, cell phone jammed to ear with the other, trendy black clothing, cool glasses, and completely inappropriate shoes for our epic Utah snow. Six feet of snow since Christmas! Oh, season ski pass holders are very happy indeed! The slopes will be empty…and more snow is on the way!!
The worldwide exposure that Sundance Film Festival brings to bear on Park City, Utah is one of the many factors that have helped our town’s phenomenal reputation.
What’s not to love about Park City during Sundance!
Tickets to Sundance screenings on opening weekend are as scarce as prime dinner reservations but it gets easier after the weekend when the celebs jet off for warmer climes, …need Sundance Tickets?
Park City is due near record cold temps the next couple nights and the possibility of a big snow storm on Sunday. How will the PIB’s react? Should be very fun to watch indeed!
The next ten days are some of the best parties, people watching, and worst traffic of the year in Park City, Utah.
Tune in for Sundance updates…
Nothing Hollywood presents can be nearly as amusing as watching Harvey Weinstein’s assistants trying to wrangle young starlets up to his suite. The money in Vegas is on Harvey firing at least one assistant before he buys a film.
You just can’t go out to dinner, show property, or drive anywhere in Park City during 10 days of Sundance…a small price to pay to work and live in ‘the greatest place on earth’.
How does Sundance impact Park City Real Estate?
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Olympic Fun in Park City, Utah
December 11th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Dining & Entertainment, Lifestyle & Activities, Local Services, Shopping, Skiing, Utah Facts and Fiction
Utah’s Olympic Park in Park City, Utah
At the Olympic Park in Park City Utah average citizens get to experience the life of an Olympian.
You can experience riding behind an Olympian driving a bobsled at 70 miles an hour through the twists and turns of the Olympic track. This is not for the faint of heart or anyone pregnant or with back problems. It is however, completely fantastic, a once in a lifetime experience.
Other adventures at the Park include the chance to ride on the ‘steepest zip line in the United States’ or ride the chairlift to the top of the Nordic ski jumps.
Utah’s Olympic Park offers camps to train tomorrow’s athletes today. Even if you are in town for just a couple of days you may have the chance to participate in a ‘Learn to Fly Camp’ which could have you launching yourself into the air with skis on, planning on landing in a pool!
The two museums at Olympic Park are interesting and educational and the ‘Big Air Shows’ on Saturdays during the summer season allow the armchair athletes to vicariously enjoy the thrill of flying fifty feet in the air and splashing into a pool wearing skis.
The Olympic Park in Park City, Utah offers spectacular entertainment for the whole family. Weather, age and weight restrictions affect all activities so visit the Olympic Park website http://www.olyparks.com/
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Family Fun In Park City Utah
December 11th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Dining & Entertainment, Golf, Jordanelle, Just Outside of Town, Lifestyle & Activities, Local Services, Skiing, The Canyons®, The Heber Valley, Utah Facts and Fiction
Things to Do With Your Family in Park City, Utah
If you can’t leave your kids with the grandparents and don’t have the nanny that travels with you, kids are a part of vacations. They can be really fun to have along as long as they don’t get ‘bored’ Lets be honest, family vacations can be challenging enough without having kids who are ‘bored’. Keeping kids constructively occupied without shelling out big dollars can be difficult in a ski town during the season.
The children’s ages dictate family plans on a skiing vacation. Can they enroll in ski school so you can get your turns too or do you need to get daytime babysitter? Are they skilled enough to warrant a private instructor so that skiing with them is an option? Price can really climb with private instruction, but the upside is usually skiing with your kids sooner.
Obviously, with a younger age range, reserving a childcare service for a couple of adult nights makes sense as long as you can find reliable child care. Many hotels have services for babysitting and some do more expanded children’s programs. Check with the concierge about available services or visit ParkCitySitters.com for the most trusted service in 
Park City and Deer Valley childcare.
Check the local Park City movie theatres, Redstone Cinemas and Holiday Village Cinemas, the indoor and outdoor ice rinks, Gorgoza Park and Soldier Hollow tubing hills, The Egyptian theatre, and the Heber Valley Railroad. White Pine touring grooms three different cross country ski tracks on the Park City golf course, where you can also arrange sleigh rides and dog sled adventures. Contact the tour operators for schedules and availability.
The Utah Olympic Park has museums, rides, shows and camps. Check them out at http://www.olyparks.com/
Or, better yet, buy plastic sleds for everyone, find a small, safe hill and enjoy your vacation, together.
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Little-Known Tricks Locals Use to Rent Ski Gear in Park City
December 11th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Lifestyle & Activities, Local Services, Skiing, The Canyons®
Renting equipment should be an easy part of your ski trip, but it can be extremely frustrating if mishandled…
These Insider Secrets Will Save You Time and Hassle When You Rent Ski & Snowbaord Gear at Park City, Deer Valley, and The Canyons.
If you are renting from a shop try to make reservations in advance, especially for busy periods.
Many shops use databases to store your information, which can speed the process measurably. Try not to go when the store is very busy (ie 8:30-9:30 am), which may be difficult to accomplish, but worth the effort.
Pick up your skis the day you arrive. It’s one less hurdle to clear the next morning when the shops are always busy!
Check out the demo skis and boards available to see if you can lease to own some new sticks. This is usually the newest technology and may give you the edge you need to keep up with your kids.
Also, prices at the on mountain shops are a little more than those a little further away, so you pay for the convenience of not schlepping gear a long way.
If you do not have the intestinal fortitude to go to the shop (and who can blame you) you can arrange for a professional equipment rental service to come to your hotel or condo and completely outfit your entire family. You will need to make reservations and give sizing information in advance. This is a great way to save time and energy and the cost is not too much more than going to the shop.
These companies are listed in the phone directory. I personally recommend Skis on the Run for reliable service.
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The Key to Excellent Childcare in Park City, Utah
December 11th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Dining & Entertainment, Lifestyle & Activities, Local Services, The Canyons®
Who Can You Trust For Childcare While You’re in Park City & Deer Valley, Utah?
If you travel with your children to Park City, Utah and are looking for a good childcare experience our recommendation is a local company called Park City Sitters LLC. They have been the preferred child care company of locals and the world famous Stein Eriksen Lodge for the past four years.
They will dispatch one of their excellent sitters to your Park City home/condo/hotel at whatever time you specify. It’s easy to make reservations via their online reservation system.
Their sitters are carefully screened (and have CPR Certifications and have passed background checks) and they employ many teachers and other child-development professionals who have great rapport with the children.
If you need drop-off child care, Deer Valley has a great children’s center open during the day but space is very limited so you need to book early.
No matter where you’re staying, bring DVD’s as most hotels have DVD players and they can at least buy you enough time for a shower.
Enjoy your stay in Park City, Utah!
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The “Mayor” of Deer Valley’s Favorite Dining Spots
December 11th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Dining & Entertainment, Lifestyle & Activities, Local Services, The Canyons®
Park City and Deer Valley Restaurant Guide
Dining delights abound in this world-famous ski town. Indeed, Park City, Utah boasts more restaurants per square foot than Paris, France! 
Far from the culinary wasteland the town may have been in the 1970’s, Park City now supports over 100 year-round restaurants. These dining options vary drastically in terms of style and price.
You–the savvy traveler–can enjoy different epicurean delights every night of your stay if you know where to go.
There are reasonably-priced family-friendly options for a quick bite at the end of an exhilerating day, and budget-blowing food and wine adventures worthy of a night out on the town in New York, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas.
Utah’s legendary and oft-misunderstood liquor laws haven’t slowed the progress, as Park City is now a major destination for foodies and oenophiles.
At last count, the Park City area now features 9 winners of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, with other excellent restaurants available in the Heber Valley and Salt Lake City.
Is Tonight’s Park City Dining Spot an “Up and Comer” or an “Overpriced Has-Been?”
Years working as the Chief Concierge at a five-diamond hotel in Deer Valley earned me the unofficial title of “Mayor of Deer Valley.” After making thousands of reservations for customers at local eateries over the years, my knowledge of the restaurant scene in Park City and Deer Valley is perhaps unrivaled. Here’s what this 
means to you…
If you’re wondering:
- Where should you spend your anniversary?
- Who serves the best game meats?
- Where is the freshest sushi?
- What place has the best ambiance?
- Who serves brunch?
- How do I get that prime table at the best New Year’s Eve party?
- Which are the best restaurants in Park City for dining with kids?
Our local knowledge can spare you the indignity of a long wait at a sub par joint and instead deliver an experience that you will long remember.
These are the questions that only the Park City Guru can answer definitively, but you can do your own research and view menus at http://www.parkcityinfo.com/
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Movie Theatres in Park City, Utah
December 11th, 2007 Categories: Deer Valley®, Dining & Entertainment, Lifestyle & Activities, Utah Facts and Fiction
Sundance Aside, Where Are The Movie Theatres in Park City, Utah?
The Sundance Film Festival every January brings visitors from around the world to watch films in Park City, Utah. It’s quite a spectacle, and worth a visit if you like rubbing shoulders with Hollywood heavy-hitters, A-list stars, and wannabes of all sorts.
If you’re not about the scene, and just want to take in a film or two while you’re visiting, here are your options…
The Holiday Village Cinemas is conveniently located next to the Albertson’s supermarket in Park City is closest to the slopes. To expand your options, the new Redstone cinemas offers eight screens at Kimball Junction walking distance to lots of dining and shops.
Click here for a comprehensive list of Park City movie listings and show times.
The Park City Film Series screens movies on weekends in the Jim Santy Auditorium. This is a great opportunity to see some alternative films that don’t necessarily make it to the local corporate theatres. This season the Park City Film Series is featuring films from the Best of Slamdance Series, the Sundance Institute Documentary Series, as well as free screenings of Reel Classics.
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