The Facts Behind the Claim

Believe us, skiers and riders won't be thinking about weather and science while they're shushing through our incredible powder (they might not even remember their names), but the lawyers told us we have to back up our longtime slogan, "Greatest Snow on Earth®" with some facts, so here they are:

It's called orographics: Winter trade winds push clouds full of moisture east from the Pacific Ocean, across California and Nevada and to Utah. As the clouds move across the desert, the heat bakes out much of their moisture. When the clouds meet Utah's Rocky Mountains, the remaining moisture rapidly cools and condenses, and precipitation hits our Utah ski resort terrain with a "mother lode" of deep, white powder snow that's particularly light and dry.

There's another weather element that feeds Utah's love affair with the white stuff. TV station News 4 Utah's Chief Meteorologist Dan Pope says, "We have something that no other ski location in the world has - The Great Salt Lake Effect. Often the Great Salt Lake is much warmer than the bitter cold air following a cold front. The lake releases water into the air that then rises into clouds of snow, producing squalls on its eastern flanks. These squalls contain some of the world's lightest, fluffiest and driest snow ever produced, and it falls in feet — not inches — on our Wasatch Mountains." As clouds draw moisture up from the Great Salt Lake, they "recycle" themselves for several days in the surrounding mountains. Utah ski enthusiasts often get a "one-two" (or a "three-four") punch of powder, causing many local employees to call in sick with the "powder flu." Editor in Chief of Skiing Magazine, Marc Peruzzi , simply stated, "That is why we test fat skis in Utah."

The History of Park City

Park City, Utah, was put on the world map as it helped host the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, deemed the most successful Winter Olympics ever. Hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world filled the town during those 17 days to watch the world's best athletes compete for Olympic gold.

Yet more than 130 years ago, a rush of people flocked to Park City seeking a different precious metal—silver. Park City was incorporated as a city in 1884.The mountains' abundant silver veins attracted adventurers from around the world in the late 1860s. During its mining height, those mountains surrounding Park City yielded $400 million in silver and created 23 millionaires, including the father of newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst.

However, with falling mineral prices in the 1930s, the boom years ended and residents began "mining" the treasure on the mountains, discovering what would later be termed The Greatest Snow On Earth.™

Today, Park City is a unique blend of the old and new. Sixty-four of Park City's buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, many of which are located along the town's Main Street, and more than 1,200 miles of tunnels wind through the surrounding mountains, remnants of the mining era.

You can access Park City's complete history online through the Historical Society...as well as taking advantage of the numerous historic tours available in town. For those visitors interested in Park City's more recent past there are severalmuseums dedicated to the ski industry and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

What's Doing in Park City

If you're planning a vacation in our winter wonderland, your choices abound. But be forewarned - you may never want to leave! Park City offers 100+ restaurants, boutiques and galleries.

To call Park City it is 001.435.

Where to dine:

My favorite restaurant in Park City is Blind Dog. They have the most amazing crab cakes and a great wine selection. This is a sure thing for fresh fish, oysters, lobster, crab and steaks. 1781 Sidewinder Drive, Prospector Square; 655-0800

Take a stroll down Main Street and have dinner at The Riverhorse Cafe. Casual, elegant atmosphere with Utah's finest Pop and Jazz entertainers performing nightly during the winter season and on weekends the remainder of the year. Offering American and seafood cuisine, the restaurant has been a DiRoNA award recipient since 1995 and is the only restaurant in Utah to receive the Mobile Travel Four Star Award. 540 Main Street Park; 649.3536

A local's favorite for lunch is Windy Ridge which is owned and operated by Bill White, A Cornell Hotelie Graduate. It's off the beaten path (not on Main St.), but worth finding. Enjoy signature attention to detail but at very affordable prices. 1250 Iron Horse Dr.; 647.2906 Don't forget their yummy bakery next to the restaurant.

The Stein Erickson Lodge, a luxury Norwegian-style Lodge emanates elegance, decadence and charm just 75 feet from the chairlift in Upper Deer Valley. Start off with Kir Royals on the deck as you watch the skiers go by. The restaurant offers a gourmet luncheon daily and you must try Stein's famous apple strudel to finish. 7700 Stein Way; 649.3700 www.steinlodge.com

The menu for the 2008-2009 ski season makes The Goldner Hirsch the top choice for lunch when skiing at Deer Valley. The restaurant features superb contemporary Continental and American cuisine in an elegant Austrian setting. 7570 Royal St.; 649.7770

A new Italian restaurant is Ghidotti's. It has seamlessly woven architecture, ambiance, food and service together. 6030 N. Market St. #100 Redstone Village; 658.0669

Where to shop:

Locals swear by Cole Sport for outdoor gear and clothing. They carry unique, got-to-have-it apparel and accessories as well as ski and snowboard equipment and rentals. 1615 Park Avenue; 640.4800

For the hottest trends in designer clothing, shoes and accessories, head to Main St. and check out Chloe Lane. Or allow their concierge to pick you up from your hotel or home, deliver your bags and alterations, or host a private, personal shopping spree after hours. Be sure to bring the entire family. While you browse, your children can hang out in our new video room, where they'll enjoy Pixar movies or Play Station II on the flat screen. 558 Main St.; 645.9888

Mary Jane's, also on Main St., is a new, hip shoe and clothing boutique. They feature young designers and unique jewelry, some handmade by an artist from Salt Lake City. 613 Main St.; 645.7463

At Vida in Redstone Center, you can find clothing, handbags, shoes, and scarves from small Italian labels. The owner, Luz, orders only one of many of her pieces. 1748 Redstone Center Dr.; 575.8432

Discerning collectors, gift buyers, and browsers will enjoy looking through the wonderful selection of collectible art, blown glass, paintings, sculptures, and fun art that is showcased at the Phoenix Gallery. 508 Main St.; 649.1006 www.phoenixparkcity.com

The Coda Gallery is a contemporary art gallery offering original oil paintings, blown glass, bronze sculptures, hand painted furniture, and art glass by artists such as David Dornan, John Kennedy, and Chris Young. 804 Main St.; 655.3803

What to see:

At the Utah Olympic Park, visitors are treated to a guided tour of the park, athlete training sessions, 70 mile-per-hour bobsled rides in summer and winter, an Olympic photo gallery, an interactive museum with the history of skiing in Utah, freestyle aerial and ski jumping shows on summer weekends and a variety of camps for skiers and snowboarders of all ages. 3000 Bear Hollow Dr.; 658.4200 www.utaholympicpark.com

If you are strolling down Main St., stop into the Park City Museum. Visitors can venture "underground" in the Silver King Mine, meet Park City's Silver Queen, and climb inside an original stagecoach. Docent-led tours are available by reservation. Self-guided tour brochures are available at the museum desk. The museum gift shop offers books on local history, limited edition Christmas ornaments, t-shirts, and historic photographs. 528 Main St.; 649.7457 www.parkcityhistory.org

A scenic 45 minutes from Park City at the base of the Timpanogos mountains you will find Robert Redford's Sundance resort. The original home of the Sundance Film Festival, which is now held in Park City, the resort offers skiing, biking, two restaurants and a fabulous spa. During summer months, take a scenic lift ride and see several water falls then just sit and enjoy the mountain's tranquil beauty. 801.225.4107 www.sundanceresort.com

Take a spectacular moonlit sleigh ride with incredible views straight up the ski runs and over the mountain ridge top. You may either ride directly to a Viking Dinner Yurt for a spectacular five course meal, or choose snowshoes or cross country skis and follow your guide along gentle terrain being the only ones at the top of the mountain at night. 615.9878 www.thevikingyurt.com

Luxurious Mountain Living

There is a good reason why most of Park City's residents today are people who originally came to ski and chose to stay. Nowhere else in the world will you find access to the best skiing, golfing and nightlife. Park City was the host for the 2002 Winter Olympics, and yearly the Sundance Film Festival. Fine dining, shopping and luxurious living amenities abound.

Park City represents a healthy mix of year-round residents, second and vacation home owners and tourists, which makes for a fun environment and ensures that there is always fun activities for everyone.

Park City is famous for its contemporary mountain lving, easy access from the Salt Lake International Airport, its culture, art and architecture, and of course endless outdoor activities.

Three Ski Areas

Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort and The Canyons are the three ski resorts in Park City. Deer Valley is regularly recognized as the best ski resort in North America and is known for its luxury homes and condos. Unlike many parts of the world, here you can own a true ski-in/ski-out home or condominium right on the slopes. There are still opportunities to build your dream home in a setting unlike any other.

Park City Mountain Resort can be accessed directly from the Town Lift in Historic Old Town, the hub of our community. Old Town offers access to fine dining and shopping and is the center of the action for the Sundance Film Festival. A historic presevation society ensures that this mining community retains its charm.

The Canyon's also offers true ski-in/ski-out opportunities and is one of the largest ski resorts in America. Private gated communities offer unique settings in quiet seclusion.

World Class Golf

With 11 challenging golf courses nearby designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye and Tom Fazio, Park City is also a great place for those looking for summer recreation.

Nestled in the mountains our courses offer varied terrain in an unbelievable setting. Residences in these areas have unobstructed views of the courses and the surrounding mountains.

Hiking and Biking

Park City offers some of the best mountain biking, road cycling and hiking available. The town's three ski resorts provide lift-served, single- and double-track mountain biking and hiking during the summer months.

Hikers and bikers are welcome on any section of Park City's 325+ miles of public trails...ranging from mellow, scenic rides to adrenaline-raising thrills on steeper terrain.

Sundance Film Festival

The annual Sundance Film Festival, held each January in Park City, Utah, is widely recognized as the premier showcase for American and international independent film. Inclusive and eclectic in its programming approach, the festival has grown to include film culture events, panel discussions, youth programs, online exhibition, and live music. Attended by more than 45,000 people from around the world each year and with an online audience exceeding 1,000,000 users, the Sundance Film Festival creates a vibrant, unique community of artists and audiences that extends well beyond the mountains of Park City, Utah.

The 2009 Sundance Film Festival is scheduled for January 15-25, 2009.

http://www.sundance.org/festival/
(Sundance information courtesy of parkcity.com)