Hidden in Park City, Utah there are the remains of a spectacular event. An event that brings together people from around the world for a celebration of fun and games. An event that was held in Salt Lake City, Utah during the winter of 2002; The Olympic Winter Games. And although the celebration may be over the the flame still burns.
At first the history might not be so obvious, but if you look a little closer you will realize it’s right in front of your eyes. Two giant green ski jumps are tucked away in the Wasatch Mountains. These jumps are the first to greet you as you enter Park City and symbolizes the spirit of the Olympic games. The spirit of unity, competition, and hard work that bring out the best in each and everyone one of us. A spirit that is still well alive today, a feeling that surrounds you the moment you find.
The jumps are whats left of the winter games and a small part of the Utah Olympic Park. The park is located in a little town called Kimball Junction in Park City. As you head toward town you will encounter a long and winding road making its was to the big green ski jumps. This road is called Olympic Parkway and is the way to the world-class Olympic park. As you make your way to the park you will realize that this place is a hidden gem and is a whole lot more than meets the eye the facility stretches over 389 acres surrounded by a beautiful forest and filled with jumps, rides, pools, and of course world class athletes.
The facility is home to six Nordic Ski Jumps, a 1,335 meter sliding track, freestyle aerial and competition hill, a 750,000-gallon summer freestyle aerial training pool, the Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center, Alf Engen Ski Musem and Eccles 2002 Winter Olympics Games Museum. As if all that wasn’t enough to get you excited the Olympic Park Is also home to the worlds steepest zip-line, as well as the Quicksilver Alpine slide.
There is never a dull moment at the Olympic Park. During the summer you can watch ski jumpers perfect their technique as they fly through the air. Or watch the aerialists practice their twists and jumps landing safely into the 750,00-gallon pool. If you are feeling bold enough you can sign up for the bobsled and discover how it feels to fly down a steep twisting track of ice. Or even throw on some skis and try the freestyle jumps for yourself!
Winter at the Olympic Park is just as fun as summer, try the Comet Bobsled and reach speeds of up to 80mph with 5 G’s of force. Or go for the gold and learn how to skeleton down the last four turns of the track. If that’s not enough to get your blood pumping there’s also a combination of Nordic Ski Jumping, Moguls, and Terrain Park that will!
The Park is open year-round with seasonal activities for visitors. Guided tours are available daily all year long. The Alf Engen Ski Museum and George Eccles 2002 Winter Olympic Games Museum is open year-round. Admission to the museums and venue is free.
For more information Check out the website at Utah Olympic Legacy.
About Jim Bizily
I am an outdoor enthusiast, parent of two awesome boys, and Property Manager in beautiful Park City, Utah. After years in engineering and entrepreneurial projects, I decided to move to Park City Utah to start a business managing lodging and vacation rentals.
