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Early in October you're standing among hundreds on a
historic Main Street watching two long lines of
enthusiatic citizens, in groups of three. Each group is
holding up a ski with three attached shot glasses topped
up with whisky, all trying to drink it at the same time.
Pinch yourself, you're in Utah. Park City, to be exact,
and they're engaged in a friendly rivalry with
Breckenridge, Colorado to see who can get in to the
Guiness Book of Records in 2018 for the “Shotski
Challenge”. Park City won. Breckenridge swears to rise
to the challenge in 2019. Everyone has a grand time and
lots of money is raised for local charities.
Any season is a good time to visit the Olympic Park high up on the edge of town. The facilities are impressive and aspiring winter atheletes practise all year. During the summer it's a kick watching the young aerial jumpers hurtling down the ramp and doing somersaults and tricks before landing in a pool of water for a safe landing. During the winter it's a snowy wonderland with skiers happily tearing down mountain runs and jumping off death defying ramps. The Olympic Park has a wonderful small museum on the 2002 Olympics and the history of skiing in Utah, plus it has a few etheral puppets from the opening ceremony. A fun thing to try in the museum is the stimulator on a wild downhill tobaggon ride or pretend you're a downhill racer or ski jumper. I recommend taking the guided tour, it only lasts about 45 minutes and you get an indepth explanation from a profressional. They take you up to the top of the ski jump ramp. It's an impressive, and scary, sight. Some crazy locals do a charity run UP the ski jump ramp in the autumn, an incredible sight to behold.
For non-winter sports types, Park City has much to offer. The picturesque old town has lovely walkways between streets of historic houses and loads of interesting galleries, eateries and pubs. A good place to start is the library housed at the bottom of the old town area in a beautifully restored historic school building. They showcase local artists work and many other activities. Stroll a short way up towards the Main Street to the studio of jeweller, Ron Butkovich. It's treasure trove of electic jewellery and he's quite a character, plus a mine of information since he is an active community member. A good place to plan your meander up the Main Street is the Park City Gallery Association website, or booklet. Trove Gallery is a good start, the owner Jen Schumaker is friendly, knowledgeable about her artists and another mine of information on all things local. Other interesting galleriars are Terzian Gallery and Main Street Gallery, but there is a wealth of choice for gallery hopping. Do not miss the little Museum just near the Post Office. It is an informative, well done small museum and justifiably proud of it's content. Keep a lookout for the Banksy mural, protected by perspect, tucked on a side wall off Main St.,and if you sit by the nearby bear sculpture, do rub his tummy for good luck. All this walking, shopping and touring will be tiring, not to mention build up an appetite. A great place to recover over a good lunch is HighWest Distillery. HighWest is the main whiskey sponsor for Park City's Shotski challenge. Here's a tip, try their craft whiskey flight, so you can choose your favourite to sip later and to carry a bottle home with you.
Head out of town 12 miles East to the tiny village of Peoa for a visit the studio and gallery of artist William “Kranny” Kranstover based in a historic store. It is well worth the short trip but do phone ahead to be sure he will be in situ and available to receive you. His vibrant, large works are a treat. They have interesting stories and themes. On occasion there might be a visiting artist working with him. He is currently working on fixing up his sculpture studio in the same building, but it's going to be a while.
There is so much more to explore – take a trip up to the St Regis Hotel for their sunset cocktail session where they slice the neck off a bottle of champagne, go for a long walk on one of the many trails or visit nearby historic farms. Stroll old town to capture the magic of color, history and the local flavor. Whatever you chose, you will find Park City a welcoming and fun town to visit. Many residents started out as casual visitors, so beware, it can be addictive.
Business information: http://visitparkcity.com http://utaholympiclegacy.org http://parkcitygalleryassociation.com http://rsbdesignco.com http://WJKart.com Anne Jenkins
-- artist & writer-- currently writes and paints as she
meanders the US in a RV. She and her husband, Lee, also
spent five years on a sailboat in the Mediterranean;
many months in a VW van in Central America, Canada and
Alaska; months touring Asia on a shoestring budget, plus
a couple of crazy years driving a big rig around the
Lower 48 and Canada.
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