Just outside of town a bit to the north and east is a recreational area called Round Valley. The state purchased Round Valley Park City, Utah from a private landowner a bunch of years ago and have been turning it into Disneyland for adults. The trail system here is easily one of the best training grounds to get sweaty spring, summer, or fall; there’s even great cross-country skiing here during the winter. If you are staying at one of our Park City vacation rental homes, you should be able to either jog down there or ride a bike.
Jump on your iPhone and download Trailforks application so that you can have access to all of the different trails and their difficulty levels. It’s also nice to have something that you can use while you are offline, because it fully downloads the trail maps for the entire state, allowing you to use them even when you don’t have cell service.
There are several places to enter the Round Valley network of trails. It’s pretty much accessible from all four sides, so depending on which part of town you are staying, you can likely get down here easy. It’s closest to PC but isn’t too far away from Deer Valley vacation rentals or our properties at the Canyons Resort. If you are looking to drive down there and start your adventure from a place you can park and use the restroom, Google the ice-skating rink and park nearby that, or Google Quinn’s Trailhead. You can also access Round Valley via The Cove or Old Ranch Road.
If you are here during the summer, you can run one of the four Park City trail series (pctrailseries.com) races that start at Quinn’s Trailhead. The first race in the beginning of the summer is a 5K, and they get progressively longer and harder as the summer goes on, ending with a half marathon on the trails. No matter what time of year you are exercising here, it’s always a solid idea to bring extra water. If you’re coming from a sea level location to vacation here in the mountains, your body will definitely love the extra hydration.
As you can tell by the picture above, you never know what you’re going to see here on the trails. This particular day we ran into a pretty young moose, but even as a youth, he was probably over 6 feet tall and definitely aggressive. These are not the kind to animals you just want to walk up and try to pet—make sure to keep your distance! There are tons of other fun creatures you can chase after like the marmot or even the deer, but definitely back up as soon as you see a moose.
If you want to take the long way around Round Valley, there is a great route called Ramble On and another one called Rambler. These can link up with other fun trails like Mats Flats and Nowhere Elks.
Remember that bikes or runners that are traveling downhill have to yield to people that are climbing. Please be careful when cruising around corners or sharp bends; you never know who you’re going to bump into! This area is a great place to meet some of the local athletes that like to come out and train. A smile and a wave is a great way to show the locals a little love.
On a personal note, thanks a lot for staying with us at Park City Rental Properties! We know that there are a lot of choices out there for places to book your vacation. If you have any other questions about these trails or anything else fun to do while here on vacation, feel free to give us a call. we have a helpful concierge staff that’s ready to handcraft you tons of adventures while here in PC. Keep your eyes peeled for us out on the trails. We use them, too!
Recently, Vail Resorts unveiled plans for a $50 million upgrade to Park City Mountain Resort for the 2015-2016 season. Application for these plans was recently submitted to both the city of Park City and Summit County.
The upgrades include combining Park City Mountain Resort with Canyons Resort. The two resorts would be connected by a high-speed, two-way gondola and would create the largest ski area in the United States, with a total of more than 7,300 ski-able acres.
The efforts to combine the two ski areas will also include other major improvements at PCMR, which Vail Resorts acquired only a few months ago following a three-year dispute surrounding PCMR’s failure to file the paperwork required to renew its land lease.
Here’s a look at the proposed upgrades and additions:
All of the improvements are slated to occur during the spring and summer, and if there are no delays or other problems, they should be completed in time for the start of the next ski season.
Sundance is one of the most exciting times of year here in Park City. In addition to seeing films, there’s so much to do and see. Check out these tips that can make your Sundance in Park City experience as fun and easy as possible.
Reserve Your Lodging Early
When you stay in private lodging, such as a home or condominium, you can save both time and money. Because these lodging options have fully equipped kitchens, you can make your favorites and won’t have to eat all of your meals in restaurants. Right now, there’s still time to find great lodging, at great prices!
Leave the Car, Take the Bus
During Sundance, traffic on the roads can grind to a stop. In addition, parking is at a premium and can be very expensive. There’s a free shuttle/bus system that will take you to and from your lodging and all around town. The system is very efficient and you probably won’t wait more than 10 or 15 minutes.
Wear the Right Clothing
Winters in Park City can be cold, wet and snowy. As much as you might want to wear that “runway ready” outfit, it’s better to be warm and cozy. High heels or dress shoes don’t provide much traction or protection, so bring your favorite pair of snow boots, and don’t risk a sprained ankle!
The Wait List: How to Get Tickets
If you didn’t get tickets to movies you want to see in advance you may want to consider the “wait list”. Go to the box office where the movie is being shown to get a wait list ticket, which are passed out two hours before the show. You will then return to that line about 30 minutes before the start of the film. If you want to see a popular film, try to get in the wait list ticket line as early as possible. If you have an early wait list number, you will have a better chance of getting in.
Private Parties
Unless you have an invitation or a pass, don’t expect to get into private parties. Don’t worry, there are plenty of events and parties are open to the public!
Where to Eat
There are many places to eat while in town for Sundance. While some may be closed for private events, you are still sure to find something tasty, on any budget. Please remember this is a busy time of year for Park City restaurants, so have a bit of patience and remember to tip the wait staff!
Other Things to Do
Between films, or if you have a day off from movie viewing, there are plenty of things to do. The area resorts are not busy during Sundance, so it’s the perfect time to get in some turns. Check out the shopping, spas, galleries, and more!
Seasons Greetings to all! Now that we are in the middle of the most festive time of year, we are hustling and bustling to get all the final touches done for our holidays. This is also the time to decide what our New Year’s celebration plans will be. Here’s a look at some celebrations and events happening in Park City this year.
Deer Valley Resort’s Torchlight Parade
Join Deer Valley Resort as it entertains the crowds on December 30th with its annual Torchlight Parade. The parade will start at approximately 6 p.m. when it starts getting dark on Big Stick ski run on Bald Eagle Mountain. Enjoy complimentary hot cider and cookies as you watch skiers gliding down the mountain with festive torches.
New Year’s Eve at Canyons Resort
The New Year’s Eve celebration at Canyons Resort is a great event for the entire family. During this daylong event, you can enjoy live entertainment, sleigh rides, a torchlight parade, and an enormous fireworks display. Check out some of the great events:
Jibbin’ for Juniors — Kids can hone their rail and box riding skills at the Ski Beach. A great activity for mini-shredders!
Meet the Avalanche Dogs — Come out meet the area’s best avalanche dogs and ski patrollers at the Ski Beach.
EpicMix Photos with Props — The EpicMix team will be at the Village providing backdrops and props so you can take photos with the family.
Torchlight Parade and Fireworks Display — At dusk, enjoy watching the Canyons Ski and Snowboard School glide down Doc’s Run carrying torches. Then, enjoy the spectacular fireworks display.
New Year’ Celebration — Ring in the New Year with a dinner buffet, dancing and party favors!
For more information: The Canyons Resort New Years Eve
Restaurants and Bars
You’ll find many options for a lovely New Year’s Eve dinner or some exciting evening celebrations. Here are some of your choices:
The Waldorf Astoria is offering a four-course prix-fixe dinner with selections that include surf-and-turf and a wide variety of delicious desserts. Then enjoy the Waldorf’s New Year’s celebration that will include live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, and a midnight champagne toast and balloon drop.
Cisero’s will be hosting New Year’s dinner from its regular, as well as its annual New Year’s Eve Party. This year’s theme is the Roaring Twenties, so dress up and ring in the New Year!
Party on Main Street! There is never any lack of of action on Main Street, and New Year’s Eve is no exception. You’ll find many bars and clubs hosting New Year’s events. Many include New Year’s favors, champagne toasts, and more.
Go out and enjoy any of these great events and Happy New Year!