Snowflakes in Park City, Utah are like sparkling diamonds; no two snowflakes are alike and when the sun hits them, they dazzle the eye. Diamonds are classified by the four C’s; cut, color, clarity and carat. It follows that Park City, during the winter holiday season, should be judged by the four S’s; sleds, skis, snow and stars.
Listed below are some of the best places to ski in Park City or watch skiers and snowboarders snake down the hill in a torchlight parade. If you are lucky, you may even spot Santa or Mrs. Claus shredding the Park City slopes!
Santa Skis Free
- December 22, 2012
- Location: Canyons Resort
- Phone: 435-649-5400
- Join Canyons Resort for the 9th annual Santa Skis Free Day! On Saturday, December 22nd, the first 50 guests that don St. Nick’s attire (or Mrs. Claus, reindeer or elves) will ski or ride for free, December 22nd, 2012 only. Guests must be in FULL costume, no partial costumes will count.
Santa on the Slopes
- December 22, 2012 – December 25, 2012
- Location: Canyons Resort
- Phone: 435-649-5400
- From December 22nd – December 25th, Santa will shred the slopes at Canyons Resort, delivering candy and treats to all the good boys and girls around. Look for Santa at the Flight of the Canyons gondola, as well as throughout the entire resort, from 10:00am – 2:00pm.
Santa Claus Visits Deer Valley
- December 24, 2012
- Location: Deer Valley Resort
- Phone: 435-649-1000 or 800-424-DEER (3337)
- Santa will be visiting with guests in the Snow Park Lodge area from 9am – 11am. From Noon-1:30pm, Santa will visit guests in the Silver Lake Lodge area. Guests are invited to bring a camera and have their picture taken with Santa.
Traditional Torchlight Parade and Christmas Eve Celebration
- December 24, 2012
- Location: Park City Mountain Resort
- Phone: 435-649-8111
- Enjoy holiday music and hot beverages and cookies on the plaza at sunset before watching the ski and snowboard school snake down PayDay trail for a traditional torchlight parade. Admission and refreshments are free.
Torchlight Parade
- December 30, 2012
- Location: Deer Valley Resort
- Phone: 435-649-1000 or 800-424-3337
- The torchlight Parade will be held at approximately 6 p.m. (dusk) on Big Stick ski run Bald Eagle Mountain. Complimentary hot cider and cookies will be served on the Snow Park Plaza.
Winter Solstice Electric Parade
- December 21st
- Historic Main Street
- This is a favorite event of Park City locals. The Historic Park City Alliance puts on the Electric Parade that illuminates Park City’s downtown. From 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm, glittering cars, trucks and trolleys, covered with Christmas lights, drive down Park Avenue and Main Street, celebrating the arrival of the Winter Solstice.
- The Electric Parade is still seeking participants for the event. Entry is free, and prizes will be awarded in five categories: Mayor’s Award/Best in Show, Power to Make it Happen/Best Use of Lights, Entrepreneurs Unite/Small Business Award, Park City Style/Most True to Authentic Park City, and Holiday Time in the Mountains/Best Christmas Spirit.
Are you visiting Park City for the Holidays? What are your favorite activities?
Nancy D Brown is a travel writer whose work has appeared online and in newspapers and magazines nationwide. An avid equestrian, she publishes writinghorseback.com and the What a Trip blog, Nancydbrown.com. When not traveling, she lives with her family near San Francisco, California. Follow her on Twitter @Nancydbrown.
About Nancy D. Brown
is a travel writer whose work has appeared online and in newspapers and magazines nationwide. An avid equestrian, she publishes writinghorseback.com and the What a Trip blog, Nancydbrown.com. When not traveling, she lives with her family near San Francisco, California. Follow her on Twitter @Nancydbrown.
