SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING NEWS FOR PARK CITY RESORTS
You can click here to see why Park City -- which includes Deer Valley, The Canyons, and Park City Mountain Resort -- might be America's best ski destination even without this season's additions and improvements. Then scroll down to see what's new.
Deer Valley Resort
The groomed trails (and groomed people, like ageless 1952 Olympics star Stein Eriksen, right) at Deer Valley are so flawless that my Colorado friend wonders if someone there bleaches the snow. Readers of Ski Magazine have named Deer Valley -- which, by the way, does not permit snowboarding -- the best resort in North America for four years in a row. And now:
Four new conveyer belts transport kids and beginner skiers up the mountain.
A new childrens outdoor play area has opened next to the Snow Park Lodge.
There's a trail map designed just for children and families.
Four snowcats, including two Prinoth Beasts, increase the resort's grooming by 40%. This is like boosting Scarlett Johansson's attractiveness by 40%.
The Canyons Resort
Great mountain for advanced skiers and snowboarders, with endless, gorgeous glades. Plus, new this year at The Canyons:
The base of the gondola, which always irritated me because it was so far from the center of the base village, has been relocated to eliminate that trek. Thank you.
A second lift has been installed at the base, the Orange Bubble Express (right), with heated seats -- ahhhh -- and a bubble top to keep out the elements.
The new zip line stretches 2,100 feet over snow-draped fir trees. Just in case skiing and riding aren't thrilling enough for you.
A 20 million-gallon snowmaking reservoir to shore up early- and late-season conditions.
Two surprising restaurant debuts:
The Farm features locally sourced, seasonal cuisine in the Haute Deer Valley manner.
Bistro at Canyons is the first certified Kosher restaurant at any American or European ski resort. It has a little synagogue next door, too; does davening stretch your legs for skiing?
Park City Mountain Resort
Looming directly above the town, with Deer Valley to one side and The Canyons on the other, PCMR really is the golden mean. It offers Deer Valley-style corduroy, Canyonsesque glades, and everything in between, not to mention historic mining structures right on the trails, the best terrain parks in America (onthesnow.com), and, for bonus points, a lift that's right in town. Plus, debuting this year:
A new beginners zone with two conveyer belts for ski and snowboard students of all ages.
A Flying Eagle Zip Line that will operate in winter and summer.
Snowmamas, an online community of moms (and dads) from town who answer visitors' questions, offer tips, and tip off visitors to special deals.
A new dirt-work foundation for the 22-foot Bright Eagle Superpipe (right) that allows the resort to open the superpipe earlier in the season.
Wish List for Next Year
A lift ticket and lift system that would let you access to two or three resorts in one day.
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