Peaceful Park City A STUDENT REVISITS HIS HOMETOWN Text by BRYCE DOUGHMAN
SUMMER SEASON Park City offers activities not only through the winter, but also during the summer including biking and hiking along the numerous trails in the mountains as well as exploring the surrounding forests and lakes. Photo by Ruth Cook
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ITH ITS VIBRANTLY colored fall leaves We went from one end of the resort to the other and back, crystal-clear lakes and its snow-covered all within a half day of skiing. Packed with our Slim Jims, mountains, Park City, Utah is one of the Snickers, and Red Bull, we made our way to the shortbest places in the world to ski and experi- cuts and backcountry that only we knew about, catching ence nature. In 1985, Utah started letting everyone know patches of powder here and untouched chutes there. It was it had the “Greatest Snow on Earth,” but world-class skiing a dream come true until we realized that we had to make isn’t all Park City offers. The vibrant, adventurous spirit of our way across nearly 7,000 acres within the next half-hour. Park City can be seen in every activity from the dozens of We frantically put our racing skills into action, and expertly community concerts all year long to a thriving Main Street maneuvered through the slopes at 30 mph. At last we made with activities day and night to art festivals, more hiking it back to the car in style. and single-track mountain biking miles While Park City holds incredible than you can fit in a season and an locations for winter sports, it is also Living in Park City home to summer activities such as bikamazing community of locals. As a kid growing up in Park City, I spent enabled me to feel ing and hiking along any one of the 400 my time snowmobiling, hiking, skiing, of trails around the area, camping the peace that comes miles riding all-terrain vehicles, snowshoein the Uinta Mountains, and boating ing, biking, boating, and building forts. from being in the on Jordanelle Reservoire. During my However, It wasn’t until after I moved to childhood in Park City, I was beckoned mountains. Palo Alto and started returning to Park by the numerous trails and I spent my City that I realized how beautiful it is. summers biking with my dad. When The wonder of Park City lies in its surrounding forests, tow- we weren’t in the mountains, we spent hours inner tubing ering mountains, and magnificent lakes. It holds the beau- or jet skiing in the peaceful lakes. I always loved driving ty of a national park, while also offering a wide array of the boat and going on adventures with my family as well as thrill-seeking activities. consuming an unhealthy amount of tasty snacks. Exploring the intricately woven trails and massive Living in Park City and returning to such a beautiful mountain ranges is done most effectively at Park City place enabled me to feel the peace that comes from being in Mountain Resort, the second largest ski resort in Ameri- the mountains. Stepping away from distractions of my daily ca. For many resort regulars, downhill skiing is a way of routine gave me a clear view of my life and the exposure to life. Different types of skiing, combined with a multitude nature drew my family together. I hope future travellers will of varied runs provides an endless combination of possibil- be able to find similar peace as they explore the beauty of ities. Last winter, my sister and I decided to explore these. Park City. v
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may 2018