All That Remains: Leftovers of the Park City Mining Industry
Mining is in Park City’s veins. Everywhere you turn in downtown Park City, there are glimpses of the past. From the mining museum to carts and lanterns tucked into lobbies and lawns across town, Park City is proud of its down-to-earth heritage.
Back in the Day
Until the mid 20th century, Park City was mostly engaged in the mining industry. Most famously, Park City was a silver town, but zinc was actually a major Wasatch export from the start of the first World War on through the death of the local mining trade in the 1950’s. Lead was another common find around Park City, and even gold cropped up in small quantities from time to time.
The massive quantity of extracted ores, the equipment necessary to engage in large-scale mining, and even the culture of the mining industry all left their mark on Park City. There are mining artifacts all over Park City. Everything from rusted tractors and carts left forgotten on the wayside of private trails to carefully curated collections and museums scattered around town, there is no shortage of history to enjoy. Beyond the picks and rock piles, there are still boarded-up mine entrances here and there around town.
Tour de Forced to Shut Down
The Park City silver mine tour once operated a tour of one of the closed mines in town, but was quietly shut down a number of years ago, presumably due to the condition of the aging mine. Since then, it has become increasingly difficult to find much information about the now-defunct tour. It was operated out of the old Ontario mine, and was closed in 1998.
A Forgotten Door
One surviving mine entrance sits in the Silver Star Lodge parking lot. The unassuming marker is easily missed by those not looking for a defunct industrial relic. Fortunately, the mine is thoroughly boarded up, and access is now impossible, but it does serve as a visible reminder of Park City’s past. It is worth taking a gander if you are ever in the vicinity of the lodge.
Digging for More
If you want to find more mining history, the official Park City website contains a register of historic mining sites. While the documents contain a lot of technical information, important details lurk within for the mining or historical aficionado, including the latitude and longitude of many structures, entrances, and significant artifacts.
Explore these historic mining sites yourself on your next vacation when you book a Park City vacation rental through us!
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Puke Hill is an infamous Park City local challenge
There are dozens of trails all over Park City. Hundreds of miles of carefully curated paths wind in, around, and through every corner of town. They range in challenge from flat, paved circuits to hilly knots of bare earth. One popular trail, Wasatch Crest, takes in 20 miles of picturesque terrain along the top of the crest between Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon. Beloved by riders, this beautiful trail can be hard to access. Guardsman Pass provides entry to the trail system by way of a notorious stretch of trail known to locals as “Puke Hill.”
Puke Hill is an infamous local challenge, a half-mile section of loose gravel road that proves a brutal start to an amazing trail. Puke Hill is, itself, mostly an access road that allows the servicing of equipment at a nearby tower. The road has since been coopted to also allow access to the Wasatch Crest trail for anyone brave enough to take on Puke Hill.
There are dozens of trails all over Park City. Hundreds of miles of carefully curated paths wind in, around, and through every corner of town. They range in challenge from flat, paved circuits to hilly knots of bare earth. One popular trail, Wasatch Crest, takes in 20 miles of picturesque terrain along the top of the crest between Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon. Beloved by riders, this beautiful trail can be hard to access. Guardsman Pass provides entry to the trail system by way of a notorious stretch of trail known to locals as “Puke Hill.”
For some cycling enthusiasts, taking the hill quickly is a competitive affair. Strava, a sort of cycling social media site and stat tracker, records top times from riders’ attempts to tackle the incline. Even though the average completion time for the short stretch is a lengthy 15 minutes, the record holder at the time of writing managed to race up to the crest in under four-an impressive feat by any estimation.
For the rest of us, Puke Hill stands as a defiant challenge, daring us to ascend to Wasatch Crest before enjoying the incredible views from the top. It is an infamous hill, and a sweaty, difficult warm-up for those who want to enjoy the rest of the trail.
Virtually Experience Puke Hill
(Video credit: Caleb Woolard)
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In order to keep your vacation rental property fresh and attractive to prospective guests, renovations and upgrades are occasionally necessary. Regular updates can mean more bookings and bigger revenue numbers.
We argue that the perfect way to start the day is with a tall stack of egg stuffed between two pieces of properly boiled and baked bagel. Warm colors, lots of interesting décor, and no shortage of comfy seating make this out-of-the-way eatery a perfect place to warm up to the world in the early hours. Wasatch Bagel and Grill offers plenty of options when it comes to breakfast bagel sandwiches, from classic egg and cheese to more ambitious combinations, like the spicy Wasatch Huevos, with jalapeños, bell peppers, and grilled onions. Not everything on the menu is between two slices of starchy goodness, but all the best things are.
Flooring
Beneath everything, both literally and figuratively, is your floor. By updating your flooring, you can change the entire feeling of a room, lightening dark spaces, updating an aging color palette, or adding a sleek appeal by swapping carpet for wood. Updating your floors is one of the larger projects in this list, but also provides huge impact and long-term bang for your buck.
If your unit just doesn’t quite have that contemporary look, your floor covering could be one of the biggest culprits in your outdated appearance. Carpet, in particular, has a short lifespan compared to wood or stone floors, and carpet styles can go out of fashion quite quickly.
Hospitality grade carpeting will stand up to repeated abuse much better than residential use carpeting, being specially designed for heavy wear scenarios. Wood and stone flooring are both more durable than even the best carpet, but do lose some of the warm atmosphere and sound absorption that comes from a beautifully carpeted room. Wood is vulnerable to scratching and gouging that wouldn’t usually affect a carpeted surface, and true stone floors are decidedly more expensive than either carpet or wood.
Countertops
The kitchen is the center of the home, even a vacation home. Aside from appliances, the countertops are the most noticeable feature in any kitchen. In days gone by, linoleum may have been enough for the discerning guest. But in this modern age of travel, updated materials like granite and quartz are the order of the day.
Bringing your countertops up to speed gives guests an overall impression of contemporary luxury for minimal alteration. In addition to the aesthetic change when switching to granite, quartz, or other hardy stone surfaces, the exceptional long-term life of more natural materials will pay dividends over the years as you avoid the nicks, cuts, and wear in the veneer that cheaper counters would suffer over time.
Furniture
Many homeowners make a critical mistake when furnishing their vacation properties. They buy furniture as if they were shopping for a primary residence. Most couches are great for routine family use, but they do not hold up to the sort of rigorous wear commonly inflicted by rental guests. The average rental guest will not exercise the sort of care and concern for the furnishings in their host’s unit that they would for those in their own homes. As a result, spills, rips, and other excessive wear are common on rental unit furniture.
The best way to combat abnormal wear and tear is to purchase institutional furniture, designed for the rigors of hospitality use. Designed to be sturdy and covered in durable fabrics and materials, hospitality-grade furnishings will last for years longer than the average consumer couch, chair, or table.
Thinking ahead and choosing timeless styles will save you buckets of money in the long run by keeping you ahead of trends in furniture design. By avoiding the pitfall of trendy furniture, you won’t feel compelled to buy all new furnishings every couple of years.
Lighting
Nothing transforms a room faster than light. Lighting makes all the difference! A beautiful room may appear washed out under bright bulbs or drown in the darkness of poorly lit space. Adjusting the number, intensity, and color of lights can drastically alter the nature of your space. Adding lights can bring new highlights to your layout, while updating the fixtures in your unit can change the character of the décor.
Even if you aren’t interested in changing or adding fixtures, a new style of light bulb may be just the thing to brighten up a dim space or bring down the mood in an intimate space. In addition to wattage, color balance can produce new effects by making a light produce either more stark, blue-leaning daylight hues, or warmer, more orange tones. The former is more active and alert, the latter more warm and intimate.
Mattresses
More than anything else, guests want a comfortable bed. They have come to your home for a good night’s rest, and the quality of your mattress is the biggest single contributor-or hindrance-to that goal. Comfortable guests are happy guests, and are not only more likely to enjoy their current stay, but are more likely to book return trips, which means more revenue in your pocket.
Remember, as always, that hospitality-grade mattresses are designed to stand up to the high stresses placed on them over time by guests, and will save you plenty of cash in the long run by spacing out the time between replacements.
General Style Tips
Whenever undertaking upgrades, renovations, or replacements, remember that your home needs to hold contemporary appeal for as long as possible. Avoid styles or objects that will become dated quickly. Chasing trends will leave your unit locked into a single moment in style, left behind as the market’s tastes change. Buying sturdy, timeless articles will minimize the number of alterations you make over time, as your furnishings and décor remain relevant and attractive for years and years to come. Fewer upgrades and renovations mean better returns over time.
With help from our team, your renovations can get you further for less. Our assistance is available to all homeowners in the All Seasons Resort Lodging rental program. Be sure to also check out our other Park City vacation rentals for inspiration.
See if All Seasons Resort Lodging is a good match for you.
If you are not an existing owner with All Seasons Resort Lodging and are interested in learning more about our portfolio of services, please contact us at 435-615-0176.
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A glittering jewel lies in one of the furthest extremities of the United States. Sitting at the bottom tip of California, San Diego is just this side of the Mexican border. The second-largest city in California, and the eighth-largest city in the United States, San Diego is home to a vibrant and diverse populace, an enormous variety of attractions, and some truly massive and unique annual celebrations. Get to know the city a little better with our overview of San Diego.
History of San Diego
Early Settlement
European settlement of the San Diego area began in earnest in 1769 under the direction of Gaspar de Portola, who created the Fort Presidio of San Diego. The creation of the fortification was quickly followed by the founding of the Mission San Diego de Alcala by Franciscan friars.
Previous to this settlement, two exploratory expeditions of European explorers had already surveyed and named the region. The settlement went through periods of relative growth and contraction, passing from the hands of Spaniards into possession by Mexico, until it was ultimately made a part of the United States when California was admitted into the union in 1850. Some heated negotiation saw Mexico fail to retain access to San Diego Bay in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Military Port
After becoming a part of the United States, efforts quickly followed to create a “New Town” area of San Diego more conducive to maritime pursuits. By building near the natural deep-water bay, the New Town area gained significant traction, eventually becoming the modern downtown area.
San Diego suffered some difficulty in establishing itself as a major city, partially due to a lack of major railway access. The city continued to experience a series of upswings and difficult circumstances until the arrival of the World Wars.
During both Word War I and World War II, San Diego served as an important manufacturing, transit, and strategic point for multiple branches of the United States military. It was an important enough strategic target that Japanese forces planned to attack the city with kamikaze planes loaded with plague-infested fleas designed to spread death and havoc through American forces in an operation that was due only weeks after the surrender of Japanese forces.
Fortunately, San Diego didn’t become a plague-ridden wasteland. Instead, the postwar period saw the growth of the tuna trade and the continued importance of military installations during the Cold War. The tuna industry dried up later in the century due to the pressures of globalization, and the end of the Cold War has seen significant cuts to the military complexes in and around the Point Loma area.
Tourism and Biotechnology
After the loss of some of San Diego’s most important sources of employment and revenue, the city went into decline. The downtown area suffered greatly until the 1980s, when urban renewal efforts brought tourism and technology into focus as the future of the city. Headlining projects of the time included the construction of Horton Plaza and the San Diego Convention Center.
Additions to the newly minted San Diego State University saw the city become a center of biotechnology research attracting large biotech and pharma companies in addition to its status as a seaside tourist attraction. Today, San Diego is a hub of high-tech and tourism, standing side by side with other California travel destinations as a gorgeous, year-round getaway.
Top Attractions
The Beach
Glittering sands, breathtaking vistas, epic surf, and more await beachgoers in and around San Diego. Visitors are treated to an assortment of astounding coastline to choose from. Long, picturesque stretches of perfect sand like Coronado Beach or La Jolla offer soothing evenings basking in the glorious sunset, while surfers can hit up adventurous spots like Carlsbad and Tourmaline Surfing Park for ideal waves.
Fishing, diving, swimming, RV camping, and more are all served by at least a couple of San Diego’s excellent beaches. All Seasons Resort Lodging’s own Capri by the Sea is located right on the boardwalk north of historic Crystal Pier, a literal stone’s throw from the ocean as a part of Pacific Beach.
Balboa Park
Balboa Park is a massive collection of parks, gardens, museums, theaters, venues, and other attractions all clustered together into a sprawling public recreational complex. Balboa park served as the home to two large conventions in the early 20th century-the Panama-California Exposition in 1915-1916 and the California Pacific International Exposition in 1935-1936, and have since seen a succession of additions and improvements that make the park a multi-day experience for any San Diego visitors. Highlights include the San Diego Natural History Museum, the Botanical Building, the Old Globe Theatre, and, possibly best of all, the San Diego Zoo.
SeaWorld
A unique combination of aquarium and theme park, SeaWorld San Diego is a longstanding favorite for travelers both young and old. Guests can get up close and personal with a variety of marine life, including touch tanks full of sharks and rays, underwater aquariums, and the famous performance shows, including the massively-impressive orca demonstrations. There are also plenty of more kinetic experiences, including a sprawling roller coaster, a rapids ride, a log flume, and more. There is at least a full day of amusement to be had in this world-class park, with plenty to see, do, and learn for all ages. Several new attractions are scheduled to be completed in 2017, giving even veteran park-goers something new to experience.
LEGOLAND
SeaWorld isn’t the only major amusement park in the San Diego area. For those with children-or just children at heart-LEGOLAND California makes for an unforgettable experience. With dozens of rides and attractions scattered across nine themed sections, plus a water park, LEGOLAND contains several days of big fun based on tiny plastic bricks. The park is growing all the time, which fits nicely with the theme of endless building and imagination LEGO represents. Just like LEGO, the park covers almost every conceivable theme, including pirates, knights, cities, ninjas, and more. You can even take some time to just sit and build for a while in the Imagination Zone, in case the rides and attractions wear you out.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Located 30 miles from the main San Diego Zoo, Safari Park-frequently called Wild Animal Park-offers guests a chance to get a bit closer to the fauna than a traditional zoo. A range of safari offerings provide tailored experiences based on some of the park’s most popular residents. From specialized cheetah safaris to more generalized tours, there are plenty of options to enjoy. There are even overnight glamping trips overlooking the animal pens, for those who would like an extended encounter. In addition to the animal attractions, the park offers zip lines and jungle ropes courses for those who would like a more active experience to go with their adventures.
Natural Beauty
On top of everything else, San Diego is nestled into breathtaking country. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Sunset Cliffs Natural Park, La Jolla Caves, Mount Soledad, Point Loma, Mission Bay Park, and more are all beautiful places to go for an afternoon of natural splendor. Depending on your tastes, you can explore seaside hills, southwest scrublands, mysterious caves, sunny beaches, or any of the other natural wonders surrounding this natural bay. Pick a park or trail, and get into nature. The weather is mild and pleasant enough that you will be comfortable walking outside almost every month of the year, though the very height of summer might be a little warm for some tastes.
Annual Events
San Diego Comic Con
The single largest gathering of comics nerds, geeks, aficionados, and insiders in the United States, San Diego Comic Con is an exciting and lauded annual spectacle. Some of the biggest entertainment news of the year comes out of the San Diego Convention Center each summer during Comic Con, in addition to the fascinating panels, fun events, herds of costumed fans, and hundreds of booths, shops, demo stations, and exhibitions that cover the show floor. Grab your utility belt, lightsaber, sonic screwdriver, or tricorder and get your fandom on with the tens of thousands of attendees that invade the downtown area each year.
Whale Watching
San Diego lies along the annual migration path of the majestic gray whale. More than 20,000 whales make the annual trip up and down the Pacific coast, passing within easy viewing distance of San Diego. Gray whale watching season comes by every December-April, with pods of two, three, or even more drifting gently along the coast throughout the days and weeks.
Whales can be observed from the shore, especially with a good pair of binoculars. Whale watching tour boats can be utilized for a closer look at these massive mammals.
If you are willing to venture out a little further, blue whales, the largest mammals on the planet, congregate off the shore every summer to feed on the rich krill that flourish in the waters near California.
San Diego County Fair
The largest county fair in California, the San Diego County Fair has risen above one million annual attendees and attracts international headliners and hundreds of vendors from all over the county, state, and country. The fair lasts for a month, starting in June and ending with a bang on Independence Day. There is something here for just about everyone. In addition to amateur, local, and national performance talent, there are dozens of competitions on every conceivable subject, scores of restaurants and vendors offering food and handicrafts, and endless events and spectacles to take in. As the fourth largest fair in the entire country, there is no end of fun to be had at the San Diego County Fair.
San Diego Beer Week
The independent brewing and microbrewing scenes are well established in San Diego. Sometimes called the “Capital of Craft”. Dozens of breweries dot the cityscape, with plenty of award-winning labels among the field. Brewery tours are not uncommon, and entire vacations can be planned around exploration of the local beer culture. Each November, the makers of these popular libations gather for San Diego Beer Week. For 10 days, beer takes center stage as breweries go head to head in competitions, share their wares with the public, unveil new brews, pair up with delicious food vendors, and more in this Dionysian revel.
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The city of Santa Fe possesses a long, rich history that spans more than a millennium, changing hands over and over until finding itself to be one of the premier travel destinations in the United States, drawing worldwide attention for its vibrant arts scene, historical significance, and incredible natural beauty.
A Brief History of Santa Fe
The earliest known permanent human habitation of Santa Fe came sometime after 900 A.D., when it became home to a group of Pueblo Native Americans. This first village, called Ogapoge, was founded primarily for the life-giving access to the Santa Fe River. Information regarding this period is understandably sparse, but the heart of the settlement sat near what is currently the modern central plaza.
The second Spanish governor of New Mexico founded a new city to serve as the new provincial capital, and, in 1610, La Villa Real de la Santa Fe de San Francisco de Asís became a permanent European settlement. The city stood through the Pueblo Revolt and the Mexican War of Independence, the Texan Secession, and more until it was formally ceded to the United States in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.
It remained a relatively small city, not even located on a major railway, until New Mexico was made an official state in 1912. As a part of it’s newfound status as a capital city of a state in the United States of America, the city created an ambitious plan to develop Santa Fe into a vibrant and modern community with international appeal.
Since then, Santa Fe has grown into a rich cultural, artistic, recreational, and historical hotspot for tourists from all over the globe. Below is a brief introduction to some of Santa Fe’s signature attractions, all reasons you will want to make the City Different your next travel destination.
The City Different
Santa Fe is built in the old Spanish style, centered around a central plaza that was designed by colonial governors as a gathering place and cultural center (and also military stronghold, though that isn’t as relevant in the modern era). This plaza is surrounded by many of the oldest, most important, most beautiful buildings in Santa Fe. Structures like the Palace of Governors, which happens to be the oldest public building in the oldest state capital in the country, the inspiringly gorgeous Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi, the stunning architectural treasure of Loretto Chapel, and the more modern New Mexico Museum of Art. All Seasons Resort Lodging’s own Fort Marcy Hotel Suites is located just four blocks from the historic plaza.
In addition to these historical structures, Santa Fe features a strong pueblo and territorial architectural influences, stemming from a 1912 stylistic mandate to construct new buildings in the traditional style. By 1957, a city ordinance put the practice into law. As a result, you will probably never visit a town with a more unified architectural aesthetic than Santa Fe. The warm, rich, earthy tones blend beautifully into the southwestern scenery, creating a sense that the whole town is simply carved from the terrain-an extension of the desert itself.
Arts and Culture
One of Santa Fe’s primary attractions is the rich art scene that encompasses so much of the city’s identity. Artists initially began to choose Santa Fe for their residence as a result of the gorgeous surroundings, deep cultural history, and out-of-the-way peace the town enjoyed as a result of being off the main rail line. The initial artistic boom continued, inspiring new talent and paving the way for Santa Fe as the artistic mecca it currently is.
One of Santa Fe’s most famous artists, Georgia O’Keeffe, serves as the eponymous inspiration for one of Santa Fe’s best-known galleries. While not a full-time resident of Santa Fe, O’Keeffe was very fond of the area, and frequently drew inspiration from the local terrain, flora, and fauna. The museum is often cited as a must-see attraction.
That isn’t to say that Georgia O’keeffe is the only thing Santa Fe’s art scene has to offer. Near the plaza itself, Canyon Road features an incredible density of galleries featuring a wide array of styles, traditions, and inspirations. In recent years, an art collective called Meow Wolf received backing from Game of Thrones author George R. R. Martin to open a large and impressive installation space entitled “House of Eternal Return.” Travelers could spend days visiting the many and varied galleries in town before exhausting the available supply of rich artistic talent on display in Santa Fe.
For those more interested in auditory art to accompany their visual spectacle, the Santa Fe Opera is a fantastic destination. Despite being fully covered, the opera house is actually an open-air venue that plays host to some of the finest performances in the country. Visitors can enjoy all the majesty of the desert backdrop along with a meal and wine while taking in a variety of shows.
Markets and Festivals
The plaza in the center of town hosts dozens of amazing events every year, with even more going on in venues all over town. Some of the most notable events are the annual markets, grand bazaars full of artisan goods, handicrafts, and more, and the big festivals that fill the streets with celebrants, revelers, and attendees.
Both the Indian Market and the Spanish Market bring Santa Fe’s rich cultural history to the forefront with days of traditional crafts, art, food, music, dance, costume, and excitement in the middle of the summer months.
For a more unusual and esoteric festival, the annual burning of the massive Zozobra effigy, or “Old Man Gloom”, sets the stage for the beginning of winter. This 50-foot model began as a humble neighborhood project in 1924, and has since become one of Santa Fe’s most distinctive festivals, drawing enormous crowds to celebrate every year.
For the foodie, the Santa Fe Wine and Chile Fiesta spans five days of intense culinary prowess. Dozens of Santa Fe’s finest restaurants and nearly one hundred national wineries showcase their talents culminating in the grand tasting at the Santa Fe Opera-a massive celebration in which all participants offer samples of their best food and wine.
Markets and Festivals
Outside the city itself, Santa Fe is close to an amazing variety of year-round outdoor activities. Despite the desert setting, Santa Fe actually boasts an impressive ski area, Ski Santa Fe, with plenty of powder to enjoy during the winter months. During warmer weather, the surrounding countryside is covered in picturesque trails for mountain biking and hiking. The cliffs and mountains surrounding Santa Fe are perfect for a bit of rock climbing or bouldering. For something more relaxing, golf makes an excellent way to enjoy the warm weather and serene vistas without as much rigorous exercise. There are even rafting adventures and fishing expeditions to enjoy, for those who enjoy aquatic amusements.
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Fort Marcy Hotel Suites
Southwest-style vacation rentals just 2 blocks from the downtown Santa Fe Plaza
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With the Sundance Film Festival fast approaching, local expertise becomes an invaluable tool in the festival-goer survival kit.
Madeline Knauer is a college student and Park City native who grew up attending films and being as much a part of the festival as possible. She attended Park City High School, where students spend the better part of the festival’s 10-day run in the heart of the action. Teachers at the high school often dedicate class time to help students get out and see the films being shown in the Eccles Center (one of the festival’s major viewing venues, which is attached to the high school). Many school clubs and volunteer programs are also involved with the festival. Many young Parkites are fortunate enough to have a unique hands-on experience during the Sundance Film Festival.
On average, 45,000 tourists and festival-goers come through the city during these 10 festival days so that things can get a bit hectic. Make no mistake-we love the increased excitement that comes with the festival and all its hustle and bustle. It never hurts to have a seasoned local’s tips on making the most of your experience, so we sat down with Madeline this week to hear her perspective, festival “hacks”, and personal favorites for the Sundance Film Festival.
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How would you describe the overall Sundance Film Festival experience in one word?
Chaotic!
If you had to guess, how many films have you seen?
Oh my, probably around 100.
Do you have a favorite?
Yes, Captain Fantastic from Sundance Film Festival 2016.
What is your number one tip for Sundance Film Festival newcomers?
Don’t expect to be treated special by the town. You really have to work hard to have a successful Sundance Film Festival.
Any “hacks” to make life a little easier during the festival, either for locals or tourists?
Take the bus everywhere and download the app that tells you the expected bus time so that you aren’t outside waiting in the cold for very long. Don’t try and eat during the busiest hours on Main Street, you’ll never find a table and restaurants raise their prices for the week. Waitlist as much as you can. Although having tickets to screenings is nice, those tickets are hard to come by. I have even gotten in from the waitlist on premier night.
What’s a local attraction that you don’t think gets enough attention from festival-goers?
The ski resorts. The hills are sometimes really empty during Sundance Film Festival and the snow is usually nice since it’s late January.
Favorite restaurant to go to during the festival?
My favorite is El Chubasco.
Any “must haves” to bring to the films or festival events?
Layers. Sometimes you will be waiting outside in the ticket line, especially at large theaters like Eccles.
Any last tips or things you’d like to add?
Ask locals for directions, especially the teens. They have the town figured out and know the buses better than their parents who drive cars around.
So there you have it! Take advantage of the bus system and consult the locals, especially for directions. Also, be sure to enjoy restaurants that are more low profile (but still delicious) like El Chubasco, Sammy’s Bistro, and Vessel Kitchen. Waitlisting is your best friend during the festival. Be sure to squeeze in some time on the slopes during lighter film days-it can be one of the best times to ski all year. But, most of all, enjoy all the wonderful craziness that comes along with the Sundance Film Festival!
Looking for Park City Lodging for your stay during the Sundance Film Festival? Browse our Park City Vacation rentals and book for the perfect home base for your getaway!
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Holiday vacations can be a lot of fun. The whole family is together, the friends are gathered, and everyone is excited to spend their wintry days in fun and festivities. Skiing, shopping, parties, and more fill the days with unforgettable memories. Sometimes, though, you are sitting in a room with a bunch of people without a plan.
Rather than staring at your phone or breaking out that sad copy of Monopoly, try these fresh, fun board games with your friends and family. They are all easy, portable, and inexpensive, and most of them are available at your local big box or game shop.
Replace Charades with: Codenames
Able to accommodate literally any number of players above two, this is the best game for your large group of friends or party. Especially great is that players can jump in or hop out at any time without halting the game. A 5×5 grid of cards, each bearing a codename, is randomly laid out in the middle of the table. The spymasters sit on one side, with a key to the location of their hidden agents. The other players sit on the other side, and try to guess which agents the spymasters are hinting at with one-word clues. Gameplay is a riotous mix of careful contemplation and furious debate, followed by shouts of celebration or defeat. Just don’t select the assassin, who automatically makes the other team win.
Replace Chess with: Hive
On the opposite side of the player count, Hive is a tense strategic exercise for two players. Each controls a set of tiles with various movement powers, and tries to surround the other player’s queen bee piece. Don’t let the bug theme make you think this is a kiddie game. The depth and possibility for stunning plays and sudden upsets will bring you back hundreds of times. Gameplay lasts between five minutes and half an hour, and the sturdy resin pieces only take up an airline tray table-sized space. Take it anywhere, especially if you ditch the box for the included travel bag.
Replace Poker/Hearts with: Sushi Go!
Pick and pass cards from a handful of adorable sushi in this quick drafting game. Over the course of three rounds, up to five players assemble the highest-scoring selection of maki, tempura, sashimi, nigiri, and more. Each kind of card is scored differently, rewarding the most maki on the table, or sets of two tempura, or the player with the most puddings at the end of all three rounds. Turns are quick and interesting, and the whole game can be played in 15 minutes. The cards are simple enough for most children, and the art has definite appeal for all ages. The pocket-sized tin the game comes with makes portable play easy, and Sushi Go! could easily be played at your table while you wait for your meal to arrive.
Replace Clue with: Love Letter
With only 16 cards and a handful of tokens, Love Letter is probably the smallest game on this list. Despite that, there is a lot of fun to explore. Each player is a noble attempting to get their love letters to the beautiful princess, who is locked away in her rooms. In order to deliver their letters, the players recruit various people around the castle in a game of social deduction. Each round, players use the cards to manipulate their position, or have other players caught and kicked out. Each round ends when only one player remains, or all cards have been taken from the pile. The first player to three wins takes the game. This one is full of surprises as you and your friends all attempt to simultaneously outguess one another. Expect plenty of upsets and close calls, with an endless amount of replayability.
Replace Monopoly with: Machi Koro
Let’s face it: Monopoly has led to more than a few ruined friendships, boring evenings, and flipped tables. Forget all that, and try building the little Japanese town of Machi Koro instead. The same basic principle applies: roll the dice, buy properties, and get money. Rather than bankrupting all your friends, the goal of this game is simply to purchase all four of the game-altering monuments for your town first. Not only does the game finish in a fraction of the time, but there is way less boredom between turns. Many of the properties will give you money no matter who rolled the die, and some cards allow you to grab a couple of coins from your neighbors if they roll a certain number. There is an immense satisfaction to grabbing a huge pile of cash when your strategy pays off, and, even if it never does, you can try again in about 20 minutes.
Most of these games make great travel activities, but if you don’t pack them ahead of time, there are a couple of places to buy games in the Kimball Junction area of Park City. Walmart may have a few of these titles in stock, and a calendar and games shop located in the Tanger Outlets probably stocks most of them at any given time.
If you find yourself enjoying these games and looking for more, there are plenty of excellent games to discover. Take a peek at communities like Board Game Geek or the board games subreddit for suggestions, strategies, and potential friends.
Enjoy your holidays, and game on.
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Preparing a Thanksgiving dinner is a difficult, time-consuming affair, an art steeped in tradition and full of fond memories and unforgettable moments. Choosing to undertake the task of Thanksgiving preparation while staying in vacation rental dials up the challenge and pours on the pressure as you try to craft a perfect feast in an unfamiliar kitchen.
Our tips for Thanksgiving in a vacation rental will help you keep everything under control and enjoy your vacation while you wow your guests with the ultimate Thanksgiving meal.
Plan Ahead
Knowing what you need, and when you need it, is half the battle. Frozen turkeys need time to thaw, stores are liable to be sold out of pumpkin pie filling on Wednesday night, and your vacation rental probably won’t come stocked with a full suite of herbs and spices. While nearly every kitchen in a vacation rental is going to come with an assortment of pots, pans, utensils, and dishes, any specialty equipment your Thanksgiving spread requires should not be taken for granted.
Make your list, check it twice, and make sure you have enough time before turkey day to prepare for the feast you want.
Stick to the Essentials
You enjoy the home field advantage when cooking in your own kitchen. On unfamiliar soil, even simple tasks may take longer or require more shopping trips than you are used to. To simplify your life when cooking in a rented kitchen, simplify your menu.
Ditch or buy prepared any of the non-essentials you normally bring to your table. It might make your life a lot easier to pass on the green bean casserole for one year, or to acquire a ready-made alternative at a grocery store or local restaurant.
On the flip side, if it just isn’t Thanksgiving without your signature sweet potato hash, do whatever it takes to make that hash.
Share the Load
Many hands make light work. If you are planning on a family gathering for your holiday, delegation is your friend. Spread out the work, the cost, and the luggage over as many guests as you can. By minimizing the number of things each individual has to worry about, you are minimizing the amount of stress for each participant, physically, mentally, and financially.
Disposable is King
Foil pie plates, aluminum roasting pans, plastic cups, and more are available at most supermarkets. You can skip a lot of the dishes and the cleanup if you are willing to use disposable cookware. You can even use disposable dishes and cutlery if you need to for the ultimate in feast day convenience. Have an eye toward convenience as you plan and prepare your meal. Most rentals probably aren’t going to come with four pie pans anyway, making disposable the perfect choice for your Thanksgiving pie night.
Utah Oddities: Liquor
Utah has some unusual liquor laws. Anything stiffer than a 5% beer is going to come from the state-run liquor stores. There are several in Park City, but they will be closed on Thanksgiving. If you want some extra spirits for your gathering, you will need to plan ahead and purchase your liquor before Thursday comes. Make your run to the liquor store several days ahead to guarantee you get all the holiday cheer you will need for your meal and subsequent festivities.
Remember Your Vacation
You chose to celebrate a Thanksgiving adventure on vacation for a reason. Always remember why. Thanksgiving can be stressful, even within the walls of your own home. That can quickly escalate when you are staying in a vacation rental.
Above all, remember why you have a vacation rental in the first place. Leave plenty of time for recreation, take the time to watch the game, ban the discussion of religion or politics, or whatever else will help you have the enjoyable, relaxing experience you envisioned when you booked your stay.
Bonus: Thanksgiving for Two
If you are going to be traveling during the holiday, and you don’t have any bigs get-togethers planned, we have an easy menu of Thanksgiving staples that can be easily prepared in a vacation rental kitchen for just a few bucks. Try these simple recipes for a tasty turkey dinner for two on the go.
Green Beans
- 1/2 pound fresh green beans
- Squeeze of lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon of lemon zest
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
- 1 1/2 tablespoons of sliced almonds
Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add trimmed green beans and boil for 5-8 minutes or until just cooked through with a slight crunch for texture. Drain green beans. Add lemon juice and butter. Toss lightly. Sprinkle with lemon zest and top it off with the sliced almonds.
Sweet Potatoes
- 2 small sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 to 3 tablespoons brown sugar
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add cubed sweet potatoes and boil for 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain the sweet potatoes, and place them in a mixing bowl. Mash with a potato masher or a fork, then add cinnamon and brown sugar and mix. Serve with extra brown sugar on top (optional).
Cranberry Sauce
- 1 can whole berry canned cranberry sauce
- 1/2 tablespoon orange zest
Place cranberry sauce into a mixing bowl, add orange zest and mix well.
Turkey
- Full breast of turkey (5-6 pounds)
- 1/2 stick softened butter
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried, ground sage
- Salt and pepper to taste
Defrost the turkey. Preheat oven to 450 F. Mix softened butter and sage together. Lift turkey skin away from the meat, and rub mixture evenly under the skin. Place in a baking dish or on a roasting rack, breast meat side up. Generously salt and pepper entire breast. Place turkey in oven and decrease temperature to 350 F. Roasting time will be about 15 – 20 minutes per pound. Start checking your turkey about half way through expected cooking time. The most reliable method for checking doneness is a meat thermometer. Internal temperature should reach a minimum of 165 F for food safety. If you don’t have a thermometer, juices should be clear when the meat is pierced and meat close to the bone should no longer be pink. Remove from the oven when done and let rest for 20 minutes before carving.
Gravy
- McCormick or Knorr Gravy Packet: follow package directions
Apple Crumble (via Taste of Home)
- 1 medium apple, peeled and sliced
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 2 tablespoons quick-cooking oats
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Place apple slices in a small greased baking dish. In a small bowl, combine flour and brown sugar; cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add oats and cinnamon. Sprinkle over apple slices. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until tender. Serve with cream if desired.
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Condé Nast Traveler recently announced the results of their 2016 Readers’ Choice Awards. More than 300,000 readers submitted millions of comments and 75,000 comments for properties all over the globe. With the results tallied, our very own Sundial Lodge was recognized as one of the best hotels in the West, with a score of 91.61 out of 100.
Located at the base of the Canyons Village base Area, Sundial Lodge offers both supreme comfort and convenience for one of the best vacation experiences in the western United States. Sundial Lodge represents the quintessential luxury ski-in/ski-out hotel, with hotel rooms, studios, suites and lofts just yards from the lifts and Canyons Village. With standard features like oversized jetted tubs, warm and inviting fireplaces, private balconies with sweeping mountain views and fully equipped kitchens, it is easy to see why Condé Nast readers are enchanted by Sundial Lodge’s luxurious charm.
Once guests leave their room, they are treated to every amenity that Canyons Village has to offer. Sundial Lodge features a heated outdoor pool, third floor hot tub, plunge pool and fire pit to help guests relax while enjoying the view of Canyons Village and the gorgeous mountain setting. The Village itself features access to shops and delicious dining options, including some of Park City’s finest restaurants. Lifts take guests right to the action on the world-class slopes at the Canyons Village base area, part of North America’s largest ski resort. The fun doesn’t end with winter. Canyons Village offers dozens of summertime activities, including gondola rides, hiking, biking and free summer concerts in the Village.
Find out why Condé Nast readers rated Sundial Lodge as one of the best hotels in the West by booking your stay today. Whether you want the perfect ski trip or an amazing summer getaway, you’ll find an unforgettable experience at Sundial Lodge.
Explore more of our luxury Park City Lodging offerings.
Stepping through the Montage double doors, one is immediately filled with the air of business done right. Deer Valley, well known as the champion of high-class skiing, works hard to earn its reputation. Restaurants, lodging, location, and service are the pillars that support the commitment to excellence Deer Valley is known for; Burgers and Bourbon is no exception.
Located inside Deer Valley’s Montage Hotel, Burgers and Bourbon offers perfected takes on some of America’s most iconic favorites. From bison burgers and truffle fries to wagyu beef nachos, it’s all there. Walking into the kitchen, one finds that Burgers and Bourbon is not isolated, but a part of the larger Montage food service center of operations. Inside this joint kitchen, expert hands busily craft delicious fare for not just B&B, but the rest of the Montage’s food services, including its room service and two other eateries.
Logistical feat doesn’t quite do the operation justice. The level of expertise and caliber of organization needed to pull what Deer Valley does off is tremendous.
While most people will never see this back-of-house jewel, everyone can enjoy the results. The dishes served at B&B deliver. If you’re looking for a chef-choice cut of meat with French cheeses and exotic assortments of toppings, search no further. The masterminds behind the menu took special care to craft every burger with dignity and poise. No mishaps or disappointments here.
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Famed Street Artist Leaves Mark on Park City
Unknown to most Park City visitors, our town is home to several works of street art by one of the world’s most famous (and anonymous) street artists. Join us as we share the little-known secret of the Banksy’s of Park City.
Sundance, 2010
The year is 2010. The Sundance Film Festival arrives in Park City, bringing with it the attendant spectacle and excitement Parkites have come to expect from the annual cinematic celebration. Among the films being screened this year: Exit Through the Gift Shop, a street art documentary directed by famous-and famously anonymous-graffiti artist Banksy.
As morning dawns on the overflowing mountain town, something is different. Something is new. Someone has been awake in the small hours, plying their clandestine trade across Park City during the night. Up to seven works of Banksy appear in town. Some, like Banksy’s name written across a barn, are quickly expunged by the authorities or property owners. Three of the works, however, remain to this day.
Camera Man and Flower
The best known of the three surviving Park City Banksy works, this image of a camera man filming a flower he has-probably accidentally-torn out by the roots graces the wall of Java Cow on Main Street. The owners of Java Cow have gone to some lengths to protect their artistic treasure. A heavy-duty frame and bulletproof glass protect the painting from defacement, protection that was put to the test in 2014 against an attack with a ball-peen hammer. Fortunately, the case, and the painting inside, survived without incident. In addition to their functional value, these protective additions have created a seeming shrine to the work of the beloved vandal. This work of art, and Java Cow, can be found at 402 Main Street.
402 Main Street
Park City, UT 84060
Praying Boy
This work is also located in the Main Street area, painted on a parking garage wall close to the last image. During the attack that cracked the glass over Camera Man and Flower, Praying Boy was almost obliterated by a frustrated artist. The original work was nearly entirely painted over, leaving only the blotchy outline of the original boy, with parts of his heavenly pink accouterments peeking out from under the dubious additions. Fortunately, a skilled art restorer was able to rescue the image, allowing art lovers to enjoy this piece once more. The frame and glass have since been restored, and the jealous vandal was caught, tried, and sentenced.
537 Main Street
Park City, UT 84060
Dirty Rat
Rats are a common element in the works of Banksy, iconic even. Park City is fortunate to have a Banksy rat in town, painted on the stage door of the Egyptian Theater. This diminutive rodent in 3D glasses can’t be seen by the average passerby; not for the moment, anyway. The door housing the piece was quickly removed from service and stored safely away, to prevent the sort of vandalism on vandalism that afflicted the other two remaining works. It is currently safeguarded in a storage room in the theater, awaiting a final home as the Egyptian uses Dirty Rat for a fundraiser benefiting their children’s program. Hopefully, Dirty Rat will return to public life in the near future. The fundraiser is ongoing, in case you want to know more.
Looking for Park City Lodging While you Explore Street Art?
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328 Main Street
Park City, UT 84098
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