[delts145]

The ski resort's of Salt Lake City and its Metro are to the Wasatch Front what the beaches are to Honolulu. The Census Bureau recently made it official when defining the Wasatch as three metro's in one. Park City and it's many burgeoning surrounding communities are now considered a part of metro Salt Lake City. Ogden/Clearfield to the north and Provo/Orem to the south. The development projects are varied and exciting. Whether it's a five-star hotel, the spectacular palace/homes of Deer Valley, or a one of- a- kind No.American tunnel through the mountain at glitzy Snowbird. Maybe a huge new lake and all of the pending shorline development on the horizon. Whether it's Sundance to the south, or Snowbasin to the north, our resorts and their proximity have created a new golden age for our Metro, and they deserve a thread.
http://www.skiutah.com/images/resorts/main1.jpg

[delts145]

NEW YORK TIMES,

By MELINDA MILLER

:cool: :cool: THE Park City attitude announces itself every winter morning on KPCW radio, when NPR programming gives way to reports on the new snow on the slopes (in inches or feet) and advice for cross-country types on what color ski wax to use. In the local news, politics and development issues mix with notices of avalanche threats and lost pets and previews of movies in the Park City Film Series.


also contributing:

Tom Smart for The New York Times

The broadcasts reflect the town, a Wasatch Mountain urban enclave of 9,000 people that is hanging on tight to the comforts of its small-town tradition as it hurtles into a new life as a world-class year-round ski, golf and hiking resort.

A century ago, 10,000 people lived in Park City, drawn by the silver under the mountains; now, 15,000 skiers might be on the slopes in a single day, atop 1,200 miles of empty mining tunnels.

And many who come to ski end up buying houses or condos. Of the city's 9,000 residences, only about 2,600 are primary homes, Tom Bakaly, the city manager, said.

Tony Thompson, chief executive of Triple Net Properties, a real estate management company based in Santa Ana, Calif., and his wife, Sharon, were attracted by the small-town feeling when they bought their 17,000-square-foot, 6-bedroom, 10-bathroom vacation home in Park City about three years ago. "The people in Park City seem to have what I call Midwestern values - they are warm; they are very welcoming," Sharon Thompson said. The Thompsons chose their 20-acre spread, about two miles from the touristy heart of town, after having owned homes in Lake Tahoe, Vail, Keystone, Telluride and other ski towns. One factor in their choice was the 35-minute ride to the Salt Lake City International Airport, an unusually convenient connection for a big resort town in the Rockies.

The Scene

The saying in this part of Utah, elevation 7,000 feet, with bluebird skies and aspen-colored views measured in miles, is that people come for the winters but stay for the summers.

For about $70, you can ski for a day in February at one of the town's three ski resorts: Deer Valley, the Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort. This past ski season, Ski magazine ranked Deer Valley as the No. 1 resort in North America, Park City Mountain as No. 5 and the Canyons as No. 14.

In the summer, when the snow melts off the mountains, you can get a $2 map and set out on 100 miles of public trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, or go fly-fishing in the Provo River.

The lifestyle is active and casual, but there is a sophisticated side. Every January, the Sundance Film Festival takes over the town for 10 days, bringing movie figures from the festival founder, Robert Redford, to the next great director and the latest monster from Troma Films. This part of Utah has some of the best cellphone service in the mountains partly because of the need to accommodate the thousands of cinema people. The Eccles Center for the Performing Arts, which holds the Sundance opening events, also draws well-known music and dance groups the rest of the year.

Center stage for those who want to see and be seen at Sundance and every other big event is historic Main Street, a mile-long mountainside commercial strip in Old Town that was once home to bars and brothels and is now packed with restaurants (Park City has seating for more than 12,000 diners), expensive boutiques, art galleries and a few hardy T-shirt shops and bars. Hundred-year-old buildings that survived hard times in the mid-20th century are now protected and pampered, giving the area genuine old-time charm.

The wealth of outdoor activity appeals to Jim Pathman, the chief information officer of a mortgage company in Boca Raton, Fla., and his wife, Lisa, who bought a four-bedroom vacation house for about $420,000 in 2004 in Park Meadows, a neighborhood surrounding a private golf course. But what sold them on the town was the National Ability Center, a sprawling athletic complex where disabled people get assistance to ski, snowboard, ride horses and raft on rivers. The Pathmans' twin 7-year-old sons, Shane and Riley, have cerebral palsy.

"Compared with the rest of the West, Park City is very affordable - way better than all of Colorado," Jim Pathman said. "We went there for the Ability Center, but now we have found there is so much more about the town that we enjoy." They use the skateboard park, the community centers and the hiking trails.

For Rebecca and Ched Lyman of Whitefish, Mont., and their children, the special attraction was the private Winter School, which holds classes in the summer and breaks in the winter so students can train for competition in skiing and snowboarding. (The United States Ski and Snowboard Association is based in Park City.) The Lymans rented for a few years before building a second home in a new development in Park City. Now they divide their time between there and Whitefish, also a ski town. "Usually, people will have a mountain home and a beach home," Mrs. Lyman said. "We're like apples and apples."




A dedication to historic preservation has directed most businesses into old, protected structures and discouraged national retailers, retaining the commercial area's unique mountain character. However, to find the Gap, Polo, Coach and Nautica, shoppers need drive only six miles out of town to the Tanger Outlet center at Kimball Junction.

A free and extensive public transit system now reaches to the outer commercial centers, besides linking the ski resorts and the rest of town.

Golfers can find happiness. There are three public courses within a half-hour drive, plus several private golf communities in place or under development.

During busy times in Park City, the joke is that you can't. Park there, that is. Parking on Main Street, where the action is, is limited and metered, but there are public lots and garages a short walk away.

The same elevation that keeps summer nights cool and adds height to the arc of a golf ball also creates frigid winter evenings.

The Real Estate Market

Prices have exploded in the last year and a half. Linda McReynolds, an agent with Lewis, Wolcott & Dornbush in town, said that among popular Rocky Mountain spots, Park City is "still among the least expensive" but is catching up. Of 74 home sales in the affluent Deer Valley area in the first 10 months of this year, only 8 were for less than $1 million, she said, and sales for more than $4 million are increasing.

In Old Town, where housing runs to funky duplexes and renovated old frame houses called miners' shacks, prices have more than doubled in the last couple of years. Frank Normile, who runs the Park City Film Series, said he paid $350,000 for a small, historic Old Town home about three years ago and, after some renovation, sold it this year for $860,000. "It was 1,300 square feet, no garage, no driveway, on a small lot," he said.

Inventory in all price ranges is fairly low, with buyers lined up for some properties. Kathy Mears, an agent with the Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Park City, said second-home buyers have a lot of options, often in a new golf course community, whether they are close to the slopes or not. "They are selling very well," she said.

[IFtowner]

Park City is nice...but Snow Bird.... One word. Glorious.

[delts145]

Your right,
I am looking forward to being here for the ski season, "especially my first trip through the new tunnel at the Bird." I am also anxious to check out the village at Solitude. I understand they did a beautiful job with the design of the various buildings. Very authentic Swiss, not the all too often faux look.

[anyiliang]

That is a very good article. And very true how Park City is booming. But what are people going to think of Park City in 10 years when the population doubles and it looses it old glamor? Will Park City become just another suburb of SLC and not that special? I hope that the Park City Council has a 10 year plan and tries to regulate the influx of people moving to the city. I would hate for it to loose that glamor. Park City has the land to grow, but I would hate to see the whole valley become nothing but houses. Just look at Jordanale, sorry I dont know the spelling of that lake. But I was just up there last August and was so suprised to find it be developed so fast. A little to fast.

[delts145]

That is a very good article. And very true how Park City is booming. But what are people going to think of Park City in 10 years when the population doubles and it looses it old glamor? Will Park City become just another suburb of SLC and not that special? I hope that the Park City Council has a 10 year plan and tries to regulate the influx of people moving to the city. I would hate for it to loose that glamor. Park City has the land to grow, but I would hate to see the whole valley become nothing but houses. Just look at Jordanale, sorry I dont know the spelling of that lake. But I was just up there last August and was so suprised to find it be developed so fast. A little to fast.


Anyiliang,

What a delight to find your post on this thread this morning! We are greatly honored to have a forumer from afar to give us a greater perspective on development matters of the world. Please promise us that you will return often to this thread.

Your question and comment was very timely indeed. Below I will post an article in this mornings paper for your enjoyment. Yesterday, we had an election here in the States. Locally also, many important iniatives were decided along the Metro Wasatch Front. Iniatives such as mass transit were overwhelmingly approved to begin as quickly as possible. Park City in particular passed another open-space iniative. This would be one of several they have passed in the Park City area. Fortunately, the elected officials of Park City and its voters have the same wishes as you.

No matter where I was living at the time, I have followed the happenings of Park City closely. It is such a precious jewel for Utah and we all hope that it will continue to be managed correctly. Park City itself will continue much as you know it. There will definately be improvements in it's infrastructure here and there. However, it is true the Snyderville Basin which surrounds it's perimeter, will be developed to accomodate the tremendous pressure that is being felt from Wasatch commuters. It is a fact now that the Basin will probably reach more than 80,000 people. Also, beautiful Heber Valley to the immediate south will fill in as one of the Wasatch metro's new hot spot's for living. Many trend expert's now speak of the Wasatch Metro reaching 5 million in our lifetime. I do feel strongly that many area's such as Park City,Sundance, and our many beautiful Canyon's will be kept as an oasis of sort's for our resident's to enjoy. Although, when you are surrounded by million's of resident's the isolation will not be as possible as it was in the past.

Think of the Wasatch Mountains as Central Park in New York, only much bigger. These Mountains are truely our Central Park. They are a unique urban setting, and all around them development will occur. Hopefully, the groups who fight continually to protect our park and the metro's many resident's, will continue to make protective inroads into its bright future.

Here is the article from this mornings paper, which I promised to post for you. Again please continue to honor us with your questions and comments.





:tup: :tup: Voters OK new Summit council form

By Amelia Nielson-Stowell
Deseret Morning News

Summit County residents voted Tuesday for a change of government and more open space.
A county government change from a three-member commission to five members and a county manager was barely approved by a margin of 50.5 percent.
The county's rapid growth in the past decade prompted the ballot proposition. The county manager will be a costly position not directly accountable to voters. The county manager would oversee the county's planning and zoning, public works and information-technology departments.
Park City residents overwhelmingly supported a $20 million open-space bond, by a margin of 82 percent. It's the third open-space bond that Park City residents have approved in the past eight years.
"The biggest thing is I'm absolutely thrilled," Park City Mayor Dana Williams said. "It's somewhat of an interesting community because we have no forest service or BLM land surrounding us. The only way to protect it is to flat out buy it."
The city is considered a pioneer of open space in the state and was the first to approve an open-space bond in 1998. In 1998 and 2002, voters overwhelmingly approved raising their property taxes to fund $10 million in open-space preservation bonds. The bonds were approved by a margin of 75 percent and 80 percent, respectively.
Of those bond dollars, all but $1 million has either been spent or committed to land.
County residents also kept incumbent Bob Richer in County Commission seat A. After precinct results from the west side of the county were counted, the Snyderville Basin Democrat defeated Bill Miles, a Woodland Republican, by a margin of 58 percent.
Republican Commissioner Ken Woolstenhulme, who ran unopposed, retains his position in commission Seat B.

November 8, 2006--------------------------------------------------------

[delts145]

This article was posted on the SLC transportation thread a while ago. I thought it would be a good read for this thread.

Tunnels for skiers?

By Ray Grass
Deseret Morning News

Someday, in the distant future, skiers coming to Utah may be able to drive from Alta to Brighton in minutes instead of an hour, or head straight from Snowbird to Park City over a scenic route instead of a busy freeway. These ideas and more are certain to be among the main talking points of a Nov. 3 meeting called by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to discuss transportation issues related to Utah's growing ski industry.
Other topics will no doubt be those reviewed back in 1990 during site evaluations for the 2002 Olympics.
They include:
• Paving Guardsman Pass Road between Park City and Big Cottonwood Canyon.

• Digging tunnels from Brighton to Alta, linking Big and Little Cottonwood canyons; from Brighton to Snake Creek, linking Heber and the two canyons; from Salt Lake Valley to Snowbird; from Solitude to Iron Mountain in Park City; and from Salt Lake Valley to Snowbird to Solitude to Iron Mountain.

• Installing cableways from Brighton to Park City and from Snowbird to Park City.

• And installing a monorail or cog rail in the tunnels.

The proposed links were included in a study done to review transportation issues during the Olympics. Those same winter transportation issues could face Utah in the future.
Over the past four ski seasons, Utah's skier visits have increased from 3 million to 4 million.
Nathan Rafferty, president of Ski Utah, said consensus is that "the state of Utah (is wise) to be looking down the road. What we don't want is to find ourselves in the same position resorts in other states currently face with respect to transportation problems."
Colorado, for example, which hosts close to 12 million skiers a year, has one major access route — I-70 — to a dozen of its major ski resorts.
There was some confusion on Monday with respect to the upcoming meeting. Telemark News released a story and an agenda on "UT Governor's Office Secret Talking Points."
"The problem is," said Mike Mower, Huntsman's spokesman, "I have not seen an agenda, and this one did not come from our office. We've been asked to facilitate a discussion with people interested in (transportation) concepts, and we agreed in order to learn more."
The agenda suggested an AltaBright Tunnel that would tie Big and Little Cottonwood canyons together between Alta and Brighton. And a CottonPark Interconnect that would involve a tunnel or turning Guardsman Pass into a year-round road between Brighton and Park City. The two plans would connect Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude, Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley and The Canyons.
Lisa Smith, director of Save Our Canyons, said her group would have some concerns over work in the canyons.
"Our first concern is for the watershed. We recognize there will be growth, and we need to do everything possible to protect the watershed," she said.
Alexis Kelner, also with Save Our Canyons, said he was on the committee back in 1990, "and we have the same concerns now that we had back then. One of those is what their plans would be for dealing with the muck or debris they pull out of the tunnel? There will be tons of muck. And what debris will this release into the watershed?"
Onno Wieringa, general manager/president of Alta, said it is good to revisit the subject.
"Talk of an interconnect tunnel has been going on for a long time. This is just another flurry, but it's good to see what new technology is available, to see what works and see what problems can be solved. There are lots of transportation issues. Skiing is just one," he said.
Bob Bonar, president/CEO of Snowbird, said, "As skier days in Utah grow, it's important to look to the future and to be prepared. It makes sense to research the possibility of efficient, environmentally friendly ways to address potential transportation issues similar to those that already exist in other states. The canyons around the Wasatch Front do see busy days at times, so this discussion is a step towards mitigating existing and future traffic problems."
Lorraine Januzelli, public affairs officer with the Wasatch-Cache National Forest, said some of the same issues looked at in 1990 will also be addressed now. These include mitigating effects created by increased traffic, an increase in staff, reviewing permit systems "and, of course, water quality."
Roughly 80 percent of the water supply for the Salt Lake Valley comes from the two canyons.
There are, in fact, old mining tunnels connecting Big and Little Cottonwood canyons. In the winter, to avoid avalanche danger, carriers used the mining shafts to travel between canyons to deliver main and goods.
But, as Mower said, despite the fact that the mysterious agenda calls for an action committee to "study and implement," this meeting is simply to look at future transportation issues.

[N2I.F.]

Nice thread, delts145. Very informative, very upbeat and as always, you treat people well. It is kind of odd when one poster treats others well how civility prevails in the thread.

There is so much going on in Salt Lake City METRO area; how do you keep track of it all? I know there are couple of posters from Boise that are hopeful for their city. I admire them for having that much hope. It seems to me a lot of projects get announced in Boise, but sometimes the projects don't get started or funded. However, Boise will NEVER be Salt Lake City. I don't know why some in Boise speculate their "metro" area will overtake or already has become larger than Salt Lake City Metro. I guess they haven't driven to the 13,000 homes in Herrimen and other places. Comparing Nampa or Meridian to Provo just doesn't wash, or even West Jordan, which is easily over 100K now.

I don't know when some in Boise thought they were hitting SLC's population. I keep wondering if it had to do with Micron putting that plant in Utah County. I'm sure you know the one I'm talking about, at one of the A.F. exists. The plant that sat idle for about 2-3 years, or at very low production. From what I've been told directly, not everyone at Micron in UT feels like they have job security. I guess it would make sense to close or trim it down first before Boise, but who knows for sure.

Or, these direct comparisons might have started with Larry Miller car dealerships or other businesses. It could be that very center of SLC proper where the population is only 400-500K, or something like that, is what the metro Boise area is being compared to. That would mean the SLC metro area wasn't even counting anything probably past 3300 South, because doesn't South Salt Lake start there? I can't remember in what I recently read about Tooele. Is it now a part of the metro area as well?

If I understood you correctly, then basically from NOVELL in Provo to that Distribution center in north Ogden all the people are businesses in between are part of the Metro area, correct? Or did I misunderstand? I only ask as a few from Boise have pushed the numbers issue so much about Idaho Falls, then say things such as Mountain Home is basically a suberb of Boise. Mountain Home sure isn't a Park City or homes in Draper or South Jordan.

The metro area definition is kind of interesting because if I understood you correctly, then two of the hospitals in the U.S. that deliver the most babies annually (Utah Valley Regional MC in Provo) and LDS Hospital, are included. Just think of the "home grown growth:cheers: , let alone others moving to UT.

Keep up the great work and informative posts. Let's talk more about the airport, maybe in the other thread, when we can. Do you really think the first international flight will be to Paris? I would prefer London; however, I'd like to read the views of others.

[Cottonwood]

Nice thread, delts145. Very informative, very upbeat and as always, you treat people well. It is kind of odd when one poster treats others well how civility prevails in the thread.

There is so much going on in Salt Lake City METRO area; how do you keep track of it all? I know there are couple of posters frp, Boise that are hopeful for their city. I admire them for having that much hope. It seems to me a lot of projects get announced in Boise, but sometimes the projects don't get started or funded. However, Boise will NEVER be Salt Lake City, just like Salt Lake. I don't know why some in Boise speculate their "metro" area will overtake or already has become larger than Salt Lake City Metro. I guess they haven't driven to the 13,000 homes in Herrimen and other places. Comparing Nampa or Meridian to Provo just doesn't wash, or even West Jordan, which is easily over 100K now.

I don't know when some in Boise thought they were hitting SLC's population. I keep wondering if it had to do with Micron putting that plant in Utah County. I'm sure you know the one I'm talking about, at one the A.F. exists. The plant that sat idle for about 2-3 years, or at very low production. From what I've been told directly, not everyone at Micron in UT feels like they have job security. I guess it would make sense to close or trim it down first before Boise, but who knows for sure.

Or, these direct comparisons might have started with Larry Miller car dealerships or other businesses. It could be that very center of SLC proper where the population is only 400-500K, or something like that, is what the metro Boise area is being compared to. That would mean the SLC metro area wasn't even counting anything probably past 3300 south, because doesn't South Salt Lake start there? I can't remember in what I recently read. Is Tooele now a part of the metro area as well?

If I understood you correctly, then basically from NOVELL in Provo to that Distribution center in north Ogden all the people are businesses in between are part of the Metro area, correct? Or did I misunderstand? I only ask as a few from Boise have pushed the numbers issue so much about Idaho Falls, then say things such as Mountain Home is basically a suberb of Boise. Mountain Home sure isn't a Park City or homes in Draper or South Jordan.

The metro area definition is kind of interesting because if I understood you correctly, then two of the hospitals in the U.S. that deliver the most babies annually (Utah Valley Regional MC in Provo) and LDS Hospital, are included. Just think of the "home grown growth:cheers: , let alone others moving to UT.

Keep up the great work and informative posts. Let's talk more about the airport, maybe in the other thread, when we can. Do you really think the first international flight will be to Paris? I would prefer London; however, I'd like to read the views of others.

Good job dude in IDaho FAlls trying to start another fight--you are almost as uncivil as the person you are talking to.
ANd nobody ever said that Boise had a metro as large as SLC, it all seemed to deal with what each city offers. Oh yeah, and SLC has projects announced that never see construction either. I suggest you leave your smugness in IF and come out here and check out the explosive growth all over the Boise metro which is one of the fastest growing in the nation. There is so much going on here that it is hard to keep track of, I am sure much harder to keep track of than the Walgreens being built in Idaho FAlls and Ammon.

Why don't you move to SLC? Have fun in all of those non descript, cookie cutter suburbs all up and down the Wasatch Front.

[N2I.F.]

"Good job dude in IDaho FAlls trying to start another fight--you are almost as uncivil as the person you are talking to.
ANd nobody ever said that Boise had a metro as large as SLC, it all seemed to deal with what each city offers. Oh yeah, and SLC has projects announced that never see construction either. I suggest you leave your smugness in IF and come out here and check out the explosive growth all over the Boise metro which is one of the fastest growing in the nation. There is so much going on here that it is hard to keep track of, I am sure much harder to keep track of than the Walgreens being built in Idaho FAlls and Ammon."

"Why don't you move to SLC? Have fun in all of those non descript, cookie cutter suburbs all up and down the Wasatch Front.


An interesting reply, Cottonwood. I don't think what I wrote has nearly the anger that your post does. Please give me YOUR definition of uncivil, since you've used that label on me and others here. I never identified whom I was quoting. It could be some projects some people want to see progress in Boise just aren't happening, yet others are moving full steam ahead. You didn't jump to conclusions did you about my sources vs. what you thought you knew?

So thanks for jumping in here and try to mix it up again. It will be interesting to see how the others who post here think about my point of view and yours. I realize you think at least one other person, besides myself is uncivil.

How many billions of dollars are being spent in redevelopment or first time construction in downtown Boise? What will be finished first; I can't keep track as Boise is building so many projects. When were you last in Salt Lake?

I appreciate you reminding me of all the places I could live. However, I don't believe you know where I list. I could live in Boise, or I could live in Salt Lake, or spend time in both cities each month, or be full-time in Idaho Falls. Or, maybe I live in Malad. I don't recall ever telling anyone here where I lived. It's not required to participate. You also don't know if I've got $ invested in any projects throughout the U.S.

It may be useful to you in the future to not jump to conclusions so fast. I guess if you want to gain attention, this is one way to do it. I'd prefer to focus on the facts and redevelopment that interests me and others. And, it's marvelous that Prop 3 passed, given what that will mean.

I hope your day is better tomorrow.

[Mr.Boisean]

N2I.F. & Cottonwood, please move your discussion to a PM thread. We've all had enough of this mindless bickering...

But just for the record N2I.F., you totally hijacked this thread by trying to stir up a virutally non existent issue, this direct Boise/SLC comparison. Without getting into too many details and hijacking the thread myself, let me just say a few things: your views of Boiseans' perception of Boise vs. SLC are, thankfully, %100 incorrect. Your post was very presumptuous about Boise, and I think Cottonwood taking offense to that and responding in kind was completely warrented. In fact I'm holding my tongue here too, for the sake of civility in this thread, and I know I'm not the only forumer grinding their teeth trying not to respond to your pot-shot Boise comments.

Where are you from N2I.F.? We'd all like to know. So far you havent demonstrated much knowledge of either the Boise or SLC metro areas.

N2I.F. - if you have anything to say to me in response to this, PM me. But please do not waste more thread space here. That being said, Im sorry that I've contributed to the hijacking of this thread...

Delts, thanks for making this thread, good thinkin.

[delts145]

N2I.F.,

Just returned to my desk and noticed the posts. Thanks for your kind word's. I was a little dismayed to also see the follow-up. I didn't know whether to laugh or (Well,never mind.) Hold on a minute.... Wow, it only took around fifty minutes for that response. Oh well, what's a person to do? I will tell you that everyone down here that I know of has absolutely nothing against Boise. In many ways it could become a future Portland as far as aesthetic. Portland is a great city! I would say that whether a person is from Idaho Falls or Boise you must all be very proud of beautiful Idaho.
I did have to laugh at Cottonwoods last little dig about cookie cutter suburbs. You see, my business is real estate development. Infact, mostly residential. I spend an inordinate amount of time at the computer previewing properties, and then traveling about the metro area to further sift thru the possibilities. I do hope to launch into my first mixed use project in a few months. Anyway, I have made it a point of driving through the burb's of any city I visit. First of all, AGAIN, "every state in the West has an embarrassing wealth of beauty". Strictly from a professional standpoint when searching for residential lot's with excellant views, the Wasatch is second to none. There are so many unique towns within the Wasatch, like Park City,Alpine,Holladay, Midvale,The Avenues, Sugarhouse,Lehi,Mapleton,Ogden, and the list is endless. When you also live somewhere else or travel as much as I do, you really notice this area's spectacular Wasatch and it's proximity. To each their own, whether it is Denver or Phoenix, Vegas or L.A.
You had asked about the metro boundaries. Officially yes, Tooele County is now a part of the greater metro. That would be Tooele County on the west of Salt Lake, Salt Lake County in the center, and Summitt County on the east of the Salt Lake Valley. Weber and Davis Counties are considered the northern metro area of Ogden/Clearfield. Utah Valley is the southern Metro and is considered Provo/Orem, and all of it's surrounding communities. Provo/Orem metro extends south of Provo to the towns of Payson and Santaquin. In 2005, as best the official government reports could discern the Wasatch Metro was somewhere between 2,130,000-2,200,000. They're getting a little skiddish about their figure's. Apparantly, they keep underestimating the stat's. A couple of cities have taken them to court over the matter and won. Taking into account the phenominal growth rate of the Wasatch over the past year, it will probably have reached over two and a quarter million people by January of 2007.
Hey, listen just ignore the whole Boise situation. Yes, I don't understand all the fuss over a minor statistical quote. I didn't understand the caustic attitude over the mis-use of the word rendering on Sawtooth's photo thread either. Hey, we were all just enjoying the photo's. :shrug: Whatever! I just hope Cottonwood doesn't bring his business over here. You are definately welcome at any time. I enjoy your comment's and Sawtooth's photo's immensely, "Even when I have to wade through alot of nonsense to get to them."

[delts145]

Mr. Boisean, Just read your post and appreciated your kind words. I honestly think that people can debate in a point-counter point manner, without using one on one personal expletives. Your input was much appreciated and I look forward to discussing with you many common concerns.
However, that said,"I am totally sympathetic with N2I.F's frustration." Regarding Cottonwood," it would be better if Cottonwood were a non factor on this site." There are many threads where he can contribute in his style, "just not here." I couldn't help but notice that I had not even raised a minor debate topic. I had not even entered into a discussion. Yet, somehow he found a way to personally attack me on this new thread. Sure N2I.F's frustration had spilled over onto this thread, and you did the right thing with your request. In reading N2IF's past posts,"he's a real nice guy." I don't feel like I'm going to have to watch my back around him. And again, I very much appreciate you coming forward so generously. Please send me a PM some time. Also post your opinion's on Park City and Sun Valley growth. We probably have many of the same concerns. Again, thankyou for your kind word's.

[delts145]

That is a very good article. And very true how Park City is booming. But what are people going to think of Park City in 10 years when the population doubles and it looses it old glamor? Will Park City become just another suburb of SLC and not that special? I hope that the Park City Council has a 10 year plan and tries to regulate the influx of people moving to the city. I would hate for it to loose that glamor. Park City has the land to grow, but I would hate to see the whole valley become nothing but houses. Just look at Jordanale, sorry I dont know the spelling of that lake. But I was just up there last August and was so suprised to find it be developed so fast. A little to fast.

Anyiliang,

This article was in this morning's paper and thought that you would especially enjoy it. I will be posting photo's within the next week,so that you can get a better idea of what Heber looks like. Hey, you can google Heber Valley or also Midway. It is an incredibly beautiful Valley. There is a newer freeway which passes from the Park City area south thru Heber Valley and on to Provo. They are now completing a major section in Provo Canyon, This section runs from the Sundance turn off and past another large lake/resevoir called Deer Creek. This Valley of Heber is considered the next Metro hookup to the Wasatch Front. Officials refer to Heber Valley as the Wasatch Back.



Will Heber OK ritzy venture?

By Dave Anderton and Amelia Nielson-Stowell
Deseret Morning News

HEBER CITY — Towering redrock cliffs and rolling hills of juniper trees that once were home to sheep and ranchers will soon be welcoming golfers and millionaires, as one of this area's biggest residential developments nears approval.

Sitting on 1,900 acres, the Red Ledges is expected to include nearly 1,500 new home sites. The Heber City Council is considering incorporating the development into the city, and if that happens, it would bring a 50 percent increase in the number of residences now within the city's boundaries.

But the development's sheer size has caused alarm among some local residents, who worry it will increase traffic and diminish the area's rural character.

"It will definitely change the nature of the Heber Valley," said Bart Mumford, an engineer with Heber City who is involved in reviewing plans for the development. "With all the growth that we are experiencing up here, I don't think it will be the quiet little town it once was."

Heber now has 3,000 residences. Many call the Red Ledges area one of the most scenic properties around. The property straddles unincorporated Wasatch County and Heber City. Most of the land, 1,500 acres, is in the county. The remaining acreage is in Heber.

"To me it's a piece of southern Utah without all the heat," said Ben McNaughtan, whose grandfather and father both farmed a portion of the property. "If we could have farmed it forever, we would have done that. But the direction this valley is headed, it just doesn't work anymore."

The property is co-owned by Tony Burns, the former chief executive officer of Ryder; and Nolan Archibald, chief executive officer of Black & Decker. Burns and Archibald both have ties to Utah.

The Red Ledges will be an exclusive gated community with an equestrian center, tennis academy, extensive trail system and an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus golf course.

Wasatch County and Heber officials were pleased that Red Ledges will include 950 acres of open space — half the size of the project. Al Mickelsen, Wasatch County planner, said the county hopes to put conservation easements on that open space, which would prevent development on it.

"If we could plan a community with a zone that said all these homes will spread over 1,900 acres, with over 50 percent open space — that's a product we'll be really glad to have," Heber Mayor David Phillips said. "You don't find any subdivisions that have that kind of open space."

But LeNell Heywood, who lives just west of the property, says the Red Ledges, combined with other new developments in the valley, will create a "traffic disaster" for Heber's two-lane roads.

Todd Cates, project manager of Red Ledges, downplayed such concerns, saying that more than half of the residents at the development will likely be second-home owners. However, a traffic study commissioned by the developer shows that the Red Ledges and other surrounding developments will generate an additional 5,400 daily vehicle trips by 2030 on Heber City's Center Street, the main collector road for the Red Ledges.

Plans already are under way by Heber City to expand Center Street's two lanes into four. Cates said the improvements will easily accommodate the additional traffic.

But Bob Wren, Wasatch County planning commissioner, said more roads would likely be needed and would have to be paid for by Heber, which would have the greatest traffic burden.

Tonight, the Wasatch County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing for a zoning-change request for the Red Ledges. The site is currently zoned as a preservation zone, which allows one house per 160 acres. Cates is requesting a change to a mountain zone, which would up the density to one house per five acres. It would also allow for bonus densities.
Deseret Morning News graphic "A lot of people have questioned whether we need a gated community in Heber," Wren said. "Does it really need to be exclusive?"

But for Phyllis Christensen, 79, who owned nearly 1,200 acres of the Red Ledges with her late husband, Garold, a sheep rancher, the benefits of selling were too great.

"You know farmers are dirt poor," Christensen said. "I didn't think I would ever sell it. It was just an opportunity to have some cash flow. I can help all of my kids and all of my grandkids with the sale of it."


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[delts145]

This morning I re-posted an article for your enjoyment regarding Micron. It's on the Utah Valley thread. There has been an incredible amount of activity at that plant lately. Mostly it's now a joint venture between Intel and Micron. Word is they have hit a gold mine with this venture,"which now bodes well for Northern Utah Valley." Enjoy and keep your post's coming. Many of us down here enjoy hearing from you. :D

[delts145]

Architects observe changes in Park City

"The mega-home is going to become more rare"

Dan BischoffOf the Record staff
Article Launched:11/04/2006 01:00:00 AM MST


Homes in Park City have become more intricate and much larger in the past 30 years as indicated...In many civilizations, architecture is the reflection of its culture and background. Enigmatic ruins haunt archeologists who seek a glimpse into the past.

While there are no ancient pyramids or stonehenges here, Park City is not without its own mysterious edifices. Remnants of Park City's past still hold foundations among its streets and hills. The old mining buildings and houses continue to influence the architecture seen in Park City.

"Some brand new stuff looks very compatible to Old Town," said Bill Mammen, a Park City architect since 1978. "One of the things that attracted me to Park City was the historic nature."

People, Mammen said, are restoring many of the old buildings and preserving the old-vibe.

"We have the original house and the additions that work together to maintain the historical nature to it," Mammen said. "It still has that feel of an old mining town. It's amazing that it still has that feel. Hats off to those trying to maintain that."

Rick Otto of Otto-Walker Architects has been in Park City since 1979 and also has the admiration for some of the old architecture seen downtown.

"I still love all the original mining structures with the Victorian flare that you see in Upper Park and Woodside and some of the old school and church buildings," Otto said. "I think they are really cool structures." Overall the buildings create an atmosphere unique to Park City.

"There's several," Otto said, "if you cruise Old Town, you can pick up the turn-of-the-century buildings that are still really great. There's several buildings on Main Street that have sort of evolved over time and have been updated for current use but still maintain the mining-era character."

Specific buildings he mentioned are the former Utah Power Building that now houses the Phoenix Gallery and the old Imperial Hotel.

The mining influence makes this town unique, not only compared to other cities but to other resort towns as well.

"Park City has an architecture style similar to other resort communities as far as style," said Scott Jaffa of Jaffa Group Architects. "Because we are an old mining town, you see a mining influence that you don't see in other (resort) towns. It is filtering out to other suburbs too."

"People still tend to want fairly rustic solutions. Sort of the mountain-cabin feel. It's gone to more of a refined rustic these days," said Otto.

In the last 30 years however, with the population growing, architecture has seen a lot of changes as well.

"Twenty-eight years ago, a lot of the homes in Park City were second homes. For every full-time residence built there were two or three second homes," Mammen said.

Slowly, Mammen said, the trend changed and people started buying homes for primary residences. As a result, the houses started to be more complex and filled with amenities.

"About the time Deer Valley was being built," Mammen said, "The design of all homes started to become more primary residence oriented even condominiums."

While the Old Town and mountain theme is still popular there are some other minor changes recently.

"When I came here, the houses were a little more mountain and rustic and they've gone a little more streamlined and a little more mountain contemporary and less Paul Bunyan-like," Jaffa said.

The new-age Park City architecture is becoming more complex.

"Things were pretty basic in the old days," Otto said, " and it really has gotten specific over time. The detail and heating systems are much more refined and complicated. All the materials are much nicer, more expensive and we really have come up with some great finishes these days."

In the '90s,Mammen observed a dramatic shift in home design.

"In the '90s we saw the trophy-home phenomena come in. People started building things that are incredible and almost exclusively second homes or third homes.

"They include features that are off the charts. There might be a $1,000 dollar sink in the powder room. One room might have $30,000 of treatments in it. That started in the '90s and has accelerated right through to today, really," Mammen said.

Mammen said every home used to have one fireplace, now he says people demand multiple fireplaces including one outside on the deck. Storage that can hold a plethora of recreation gear from skis to bikes and four-wheelers is also becoming a huge feature. People, he said, want to create their own mini resort.

The larger and more intricate homes brought advantages and disadvantages for architects.

"In one sense we get to design dramatic spaces and interesting architecture," Mammen said. "On the other side, the clients are more demanding and expect a higher level of detail in the design and in the construction.

"With the bigger homes and the nicer designs comes a higher level of headache during construction," Mammen added. "We get paid more, but I can tell you, it was a whole lot easier. I can only do one home in the time I did six before."

"In 1990 if we did it in 10 months we were good," Mammen said. "Now if we are doing it in 18 months we are happy. It's more intricate with theater consultants, swimming pools, the wiring. All this has to be done one step after the other."

The trend seems to be swinging back a little, however.

"People were going bigger, bigger, bigger," Jaffa said. "Now I see a trend where they want to go more smaller and more efficient."

Mammen agrees.

"The size of homes is becoming less important," Mammen said. "The mega-home is going to become more rare but people are still going to spend on what they consider quality items."

One popular theme is green building. People and builders are becoming more environmentally aware than before.

"One of the trends I see now is more clients are asking for green building materials and tankless water heaters," Jaffa said. "We are retrofitting a client's heated driveway with a solar hot-water system versus using a boiler."

Not long ago, green building was unheard heard of.

"In the 90s people didn't care at all," Mammen said. "I've been trying since I've been in this business in the 70s. I've tried to make them highly efficient to operate. Now people are asking for it."

Jaffa believes green building is more than just a way to save energy costs.

"Whether you believe in global warming or not we need to conserve," Jaffa said. "We just can't keep throwing away everything. I think you'll see a lot of renovation of older homes as opposed to building new homes."

Certain materials are also becoming a trend recently.

"There's a lot of use towards more metals and re-using materials," Jaffa said. "Wood from old barns or from the great Salt lake. That really seems to be a trend. When you start incorporating metals, that also brings in the historic mining aspect of the community."

People, Jaffa said, want a place where they can gather for the holidays a place where they can feel warm and cozy inside.

"One of the biggest things I've seen is they want a new house to look older, versus new, highly-polished, highly-sleek finishes," Jaffa said. "I think what's important in looking at architecture is finding the things that are timeless and won't have to be renovated in 5-10 years."

The old mining design is obviously timeless and with modern materials, one can design a beautiful home in Park City. Jaffa advises people who are planning to build a home to remember those things when deciding on the look of their building.

"A lot of decorations that might look great and amazing now can look very dated later. I prefer simpler more classic styles of architecture and do the detailing in the massing of the building versus a lot of decoration in the house," Jaffa said. "Using color, doing two or three colors to break up the mass of the home."

[Wasatch_One]

2 articles and a rendering of the new St. Regis 5 Star resort being built in Deer Valley. Click on their homepage and check out more details.

Some quick info on St. Regis:
There are only 13 St. Regis residences world-wide ranging from Singapore to Bali and Costa Rica to NYC

The Deer Valley St. Regis and one in Aspen CO are the only ones in the United States that aren't on a coast or near. The other four are in NYC, S.F. Florida and Georgia.

It is uber exclusive and pricey! The current pricing starts over $1500 per sq. ft. for the residences (i.e. $3.5 M for just 2047 sq. ft.!!!) Amazing!

This shows the coming of age of Utah and Utah's ski industry.

http://www.stregisdeercrest.com/

http://www.heliumreport.com/st%20regis%20deer%20valley.jpg

This is from the St. Regis website announcing the Deer Valley St. Regis last year.


ST. REGIS HOTELS & RESORTS TO OPEN LUXURY ALPINE
RESORT IN DEER VALLEY, UTAH


Located Slope Side, The St. Regis Resort & Residences, Deer Crest will be
Utah’s First Luxury Branded Resort


WHITE PLAINS, NY – February 22, 2005 – Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) and Deer Crest Associates I, LC announced today plans for the first branded luxury resort in the state of Utah, located in the exclusive Deer Valley Resort. Owned by Deer Crest Associates and managed by Starwood’s ultra-luxe St. Regis brand, the resort is expected to open in Fall, 2007. Located in the elite enclave of Deer Crest, a private, gated community of estate and mountain homes, The St. Regis Resort & Residences, Deer Crest will feature 26 private residences and 67 condominium hotel suites, with a total of 200 rooms available for nightly rental.

Known for its signature butler service, exquisite design, and indulgent spas, St. Regis is among the world’s most revered luxury hotel brands with 10 award-winning properties around the globe. The St. Regis Resort, Deer Crest will be situated on two pieces of land connected by a dual-car funicular rail tram with luxuriously appointed cabs. The lower terminus of the funicular will be built adjacent to Deer Valley’s Snow Park Lodge at the base of the ski resort. The main portion of the hotel and residences will be directly uphill from that site, nestled into the saddle of Roosevelt Gap.

The slope-side St. Regis Resort & Residences, Deer Crest will offer some of the most opulent amenities of any mountain resort in the world including a 24,000 square foot spa with a salon and fitness facilities, a large, luxe ski lounge with ski valet service, a ski “beach”, and two resort-style pools designed to capture sun rays during all daylight hours. The resort will also feature a gourmet restaurant, a martini bar and an après ski lounge.

The upper portion of the hotel will house guest rooms, the private residences and condominium suites, the destination resort spa, restaurant and lounge areas, and outdoor amenities with generous landscaping that blends seamlessly into the beautiful surroundings. A lower lodge built around the base of the funicular adjacent to Snow Park Lodge will include additional welcome facilities and will provide quick access to the base area ski lifts. The lower lodge is also slated for additional hotel rooms which will be phased in at a later date.

“As we continue to strategically grow the St. Regis brand, we seek only the world’s most desirable destinations, and we consider Deer Valley one of the finest mountain resorts in the world,” said Stephen Alden, Senior Vice President of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “We are honored to fly our flag on what will be one of the most extraordinary ski properties in North America and beyond.”

Stan Castleton, CEO of DDRM Great Place, the developer of the St. Regis Resort, Deer Crest, explained, “The readers of Ski Magazine have rated Deer Valley the best ski resort in North America for service, food and grooming for years, as well as giving it the mantle of the best overall ski resort in 2002. Fittingly, that occurred in the year Deer Valley hosted the Olympics. Similarly, in 2004 Travel + Leisure rated all of the St. Regis hotels in North America among their Top 100. We are honored to be able to unite these two impeccable brands.”

The St. Regis Resort & Residences, Deer Crest will be the brand’s second ski resort, and will follow in the fresh tracks laid by the esteemed and award winning St. Regis Resort, Aspen, which is consistently ranked as one of the best ski resorts in the world by readers of Condè Nast Traveler and Travel + Leisure magazines. St. Regis is also making a significant move into the residential real estate market with exclusive Residences in New York, San Francisco, Aspen, Fort Lauderdale, Anguilla and Singapore, which are all currently under development.

Deer Crest is an exclusive, gated Deer Valley community located on over 600 acres of Little Bald Mountain between the waters of the Jordanelle to the east and the base of Deer Valley Resort. In addition to the sixty percent of Deer Crest which is set aside as open space, Deer Crest has 126 residential lots, a grouping of high-end townhomes, and now the newest member of the St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. Deer Crest is 40 minutes by I-80 and U.S. 40 from Salt Lake City International Airport and less than two miles from historic Main Street in Park City, Utah.

St. Regis Hotels & Resorts includes the world’s most celebrated and honored hotels and resorts. As the landmark St. Regis Hotel, New York celebrates its 100th anniversary, the company will unveil highly anticipated St. Regis properties in San Francisco (July 2005), Fort Lauderdale (December 2005), Anguilla (2007) and Singapore (2007) that will further extend the brand's legacy as the preeminent hotel group. A common thread unites St. Regis: an unrelenting pursuit of excellence in flawless, anticipatory service and amenities, enviable locations, luxuriously localized design, and a subtle integration of advanced technology.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 750 properties in more than 80 countries and 110,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points by Sheraton, and the W brand. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com.


...and a Trib article

A 93-unit St. Regis Resort & Residences

Planned for Deer Valley, UtahBy Lesley Mitchell, The Salt Lake Tribune
Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Feb. 19, 2005 - Strong demand for vacation properties and luxury rentals in the Park City area is driving plans to develop a 93-unit luxury condominium hotel in the Deer Crest area of Deer Valley Resort.

Every unit at the St. Regis Resort & Residences will be sold, but owners have the option of renting all or part of their properties to the public at any time. The rental program will be managed by Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., St. Regis Resort's parent company, which will run the property much like a full-service hotel, said spokesman Mark Fischer.

Developer DDRM Great Place is scheduled to start construction later this year on the property, on the end of Deer Valley overlooking Jordanelle Reservoir. Completion is set for late 2007. The resort, which will be owned by Deer Crest Associates, will have all of the amenities of a full-service hotel, including meeting space, two pools, bars, gift shops, a spa and a restaurant.

Located near the 126-lot gated Deer Crest residential community, the St. Regis will feature ski-in, ski-out access to the Deer Hollow ski run.

The resort will include 26 residences, each with two to five bedrooms. It also has 67 two- to four-bedroom suites designed to allow owners to rent each bedroom separately. In total, the development will have as many as 200 rooms available for nightly rental.

Sales prices have not been determined, but may be $1,000 per square foot. The 93 units range in size from 1,416 square feet to 6,598 square feet.

The St. Regis will be among a handful of developments in the Park City area in which owners rent rooms to skiers and tourists all or part of the year. The St. Regis probably will be most like Stein Eriksen Lodge, which is operated and marketed like a traditional full-service hotel.

These types of lodging establishments are an increasingly attractive option for developers, said Robert Benton, publisher of The Rocky Mountain Lodging Report, a Parker, Colo. newsletter tracking Western hotel markets.

Utah's lodging industry continues to improve after years of high vacancies, but the development of full-service hotels with numerous amenities still remains financially unfeasible in most instances, Benton said. He added that developers are working instead on projects like the St. Regis that provide a faster -- and more certain -- return on their investment.

Mark Bennett, director of communications for the Park City Chamber/Bureau, said condominium resorts function so similarly to traditional hotels that most out-of-state visitors cannot tell the difference.

"They really feel like a hotel," he said. "Guests may never know the unit that they're staying in is actually owned by someone in Connecticut."

Owners renting their properties for the night typically earn 60 percent of what guests pay. The property management company gets the other 40 percent.

[Wasatch_One]

...another of Utah's ultra exclusive 5 Star luxury resorts that is under construction... this time in Southern Utah's canyon country (Lake Powell)

Villas ranging from $4.5M - $6.5M

http://deseretnews.com/photos/lux081705.jpg

http://deseretnews.com/photos/2362884.jpg

Luxury resort is coming to Kane

By Brice Wallace
Deseret Morning News
Amanresorts has ultra-luxury resorts in such exotic locales as Thailand, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, France, French Polynesia and Mexico, among others.
Provided by AmanresortsA planned luxury development called Amangiri, to be built in Kane County, will include a hotel, spa and villas. The first phase of the project will cost about $125 million. "And soon Kane County will be added to that."
Those words from Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. heralded Tuesday's announcement that an investor group will build its second U.S. resort — a $125 million investment including a hotel, spa and villas — just west of Lake Powell. Singapore-based Amanresorts is the hotel management partner for the project, expected to be ready in about two years.
The project will be called Amangiri. Most Amanresorts complexes begin with "Aman," and "giri" in Sanskrit means "rock formations," common in the Lake Powell area.
On one side of the buildings will be 400-foot-high rock walls. The other side will feature sand dunes. Investors are hoping tourists — about 135,000 loyal guests are called "Amanjunkies" — will be attracted by the opportunities for water sports, boating, fishing, rafting, golf, heliskiing, helicopter tours, a spa, sports, hiking and mountaineering.
"One of the things about Aman, they really do their hotel according to where they are, and it's not a box which is the same all over the world," Christoph Henkel, a lead investor, said during a Wednesday news conference. "So you will find whichever property much more attuned to the local landscape, culture — you name it — so each hotel is very, very unique, and that is their strength."
"The most important thing is they come into the destination and they learn and understand that destination first before they put pen to paper," said Guy Heywood, country manager for Amanresorts Americas.
The investors have been acquiring land along the Arizona border for four years and will have about 670 acres in the first phase of Amangiri. The total includes 320 acres purchased from the federal government.
Deseret Morning News graphic "You start with one thing, it works well, then you keep investing," Henkel said. While the Phase One investment is about $125 million, "from there it will go north. It will be substantially more in the future, but keeping within the spirit of 'small is beautiful,' " he said.
Henkel said great landscapes often lack a "fantastic place to stay." While many European friends of his are "perfectly happy" driving around great landscapes in their RVs, Henkel thought "we could do something else."
"Only Aman is capable of bringing the kind of name and brand recognition to attract that kind of audience that we're looking for, to afford staying in the hotel," Henkel said.
Heywood said Amanresorts' "vision and philosophy" are unique.
"For us, it's all about the destination, bringing our guests to a unique destination," he said. "When you look at our portfolio . . . you look at all of them, they're in fairly unique destinations, with the culture, the rich heritage and obviously the landscape, and that's what we see in southern Utah."
Amanresorts specializes in a "less is more" philosophy, "offering a unique lifestyle experience along with the destination itself," Heywood said.
While Amangiri remains in the design stage, Huntsman said it will lead to 150 construction jobs and 200 permanent jobs.
"We're going to have people knocking on our door from around the world, those who are looking for all kinds of destinations," he said. "And I think this helps the state in terms of expanding the range of possibilities that will be offered to people visiting our state, so it is very much in keeping with our overall travel and tourism theme."
Amanresorts' other U.S. resort is Amangani in Jackson Hole, Wyo. That facility faced the same challenge confronting Kane County's: accessibility. But Amangiri will be a 25-minute drive from an airport in Page, Ariz., that is served by international airports in Denver and Phoenix.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

E-mail: bwallace@desnews.com

[N2I.F.]

Really interesting articles. I hope they all come to pass, I think. I say that because in one way it would be great to have all the resorts, then I have to think about the inrastructure and whether or not UT would be ready for them.

I don't claim to understand how the next proposed phase of expansion for the SLC airport. I've read the ideas, but they don't make sense to me. I like how the City of Boise expanded their airport. Their expansion seemed very well-planned and well-executed. Having lived in Boise, I've always found BOI easy to deal when traveing. :tup:

SLC airport just seems to be adding things wherever they can find a space, like that new baggage claim. Maybe I've missed key articles. But, as it is now, I don't know how more tourist travel can be handled at the SLC airport.:shrug:

I, too, agree with delts145 that every state has beautiful parts. If we all liked the same natural beauties, that would be bad. Besides the fact we couldn't all live in one place, where would we go for vacations and to be able to see something different to clear our heads from the daily pressues and grind of work?

I haven't had a chance to look at the article about Micron in UT County yet. However, I'm glad to hear they finally got that deal worked out. Hopefully, those I know who have been quite nervous about their positions, will finally feel secure in their employment. This work should bode will for Micron in Boise. Thanks for the tip of where to look.

It certainly has been a busy day here.

[delts145]

Really interesting articles. I hope they all come to pass, I think. I say that because in one way it would be great to have all the resorts, then I have to think about the infrastructure and whether or not UT would be ready for them.

I don't claim to understand how the next proposed phase of expansion for the SLC airport. I've read the ideas, but they don't make sense to me. I like how the City of Boise expanded their airport. Their expansion seemed very well-planned and well-executed. Having lived in Boise, I've always found BOI easy to deal when traveing. :tup:

SLC airport just seems to be adding things wherever they can find a space, like that new baggage claim. Maybe I've missed key articles. But, as it is now, I don't know how more tourist travel can be handled at the SLC airport.:shrug:

It certainly has been a busy day here.

You know N2I.F, there has been alot of talk about how to best go about expanding the new airport. There have been articles posted about it. I'll check it out. What did you think about that St. Regis Hotel posted by Wasatch? Wow, I bet they'll have some great food there. I'm very weak when it comes to good food. That will give us three five star hotels in the Wasatch Metro. Soon we'll be a little Rocky Mtn., Beverly Hills.

[anyiliang]

Interesting article about Red Ledges. In my previous post I was thinking of that area but I could not remember the name. I was up there last August because my Father's company is building many of those homes. The views are very nice and I would love to live next to a nice lake and a great golf course. It just amazes me how when the lake was first going to be build everyone in the area said it was a waste and nothing was ever going to happen in that area. Now just look at it. Everything around it is being developed. Which could be good or bad, depending on which side of the fence you are looking through.

[dewaalnuts]

delts must be banking to afford that restaurant, personally I would rather go to Hawaii for 2 weeks than have one meal in Deer Valley.:haha:

[delts145]

delts must be banking to afford that restaurant, personally I would rather go to Hawaii for 2 weeks than have one meal in Deer Valley.:haha:

:haha: Usually, this time of year I would rather be skiing than anything else. But come April, Honolulu would be just fine.

[delts145]

Interesting article about Red Ledges. In my previous post I was thinking of that area but I could not remember the name. I was up there last August because my Father's company is building many of those homes. The views are very nice and I would love to live next to a nice lake and a great golf course. It just amazes me how when the lake was first going to be build everyone in the area said it was a waste and nothing was ever going to happen in that area. Now just look at it. Everything around it is being developed. Which could be good or bad, depending on which side of the fence you are looking through.

:tup: :tup: Anyiliang, Great to see that beautiful flag again! So your Dad work's with development? How cool is that! Tell us a little more about his involvement around the Park City/Deer Valley area. I agree, "wouldn't that be a great area to live". It is inevitable that a lake like Jordonelle will have many types of development around it. It is a large body of water with great boating and recreational opportunities in the warmer month's. And then of couse you have all the skiing in the winter. All located in an urban oasis only 40 minutes from an international airport. Can you imagine people saying nothing will ever happen in that area? I guess their vision is focused in other areas of life. If a developer said that to me, I wouldn't place much value in their prognostication's. Of couse, timing is everything.
As far as development of that area being good or bad. We can only hope that the developers of today are guided by a sense of responsibility to the environment itself. I've seen first hand what poor development can do. My other home of Los Angeles is plagued today by what was done in the 50's,60's and 70's. Developers were allowed to run rampant. Much of the beautiful man-made and natural surroundings of central L.A. have been lost to the ugliest buildings imaginable. Fortunately, L.A. has reversed that trend and is also undoing some of the previous damage. Los Angeles is such a great study for urban planning,(what not to do and what is being done right.)

[N2I.F.]

Excellent news about the St. Regis. I'm not sure why this happened, but I tried to post here last night using a different computer, and was unable to do so, despite being signed in. So if you get 3 more posts from me today saying essentihally the same thing, you'll know the origin.

I''m really excited to have a St. Regis this in our back yard. There are so few St. Regis hotels that it feels great to for Starwood decide to put such an elite hotel here. I've stayed at two of their other hotels, I believe. The danger in 5 Stars is one puts away all credit cards and uses a special "house card" designed for each guest to make purchasing goods and services much easier.. The disappointment comes when one checks out and that nice little card, which allowed for quick purchases of goods and services, suddenly has accurately recorded every item each guest purchased. :shrug:

Part of me still can't believe this great news! I am happy for thoe who could sell their land and I'm happy that this will be built in the Heber area. I think the natural beauty of that area is soon going to be known by more visitors who stay at this new hotel, when it is built, and tell their friends and families.:D

Starwood has had difficulty building in UT. They wanted to build more hotels in UT, for many years. As I recall, they had proposed a 800- 1,000 room Westin downtown by the Convention Center, before the Olympics When that plan didn't work, I was told they later made a bid to be the hotel at the Gateway, when the Gateway still included plans for a hotel. I gues Starwood finally has finally found a winning combination both for their company and the state of UT. It's so wonderful that we all will benefit.

This is 5 Star News! :D :cheers: :tup:

[wrendog]

But Bob Wren, Wasatch County planning commissioner, said more roads would likely be needed and would have to be paid for by Heber, which would have the greatest traffic burden.


Wren, huh... where have I heard that name before? :) :)

good job Dad.

[Wasatch_One]

...the Deseret News decides to copy me with a new article ;)

http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,650206113,00.html

http://deseretnews.com/photos/3490242.jpg
Douglas C. Pizac, Associated PressSki trails lined with green safety netting wind between luxury homes in the gated Deer Crest private subdivision east of Park City. Prices in the development range from $1.5 million for condo suites to $8 million for the residences

Luxury resorts flourish in Utah

By Debbie Hummel
Associated Press
A super-luxe influx of high-end resorts is springing up near Utah's accessible ski slopes and otherworldly red rock spires.
The luxury accommodations are putting Park City ahead of Aspen and Sun Valley in resort real estate sales and will increase one southern Utah county's assessed property values by 20 percent.
"It's no longer a secret," said Stan Castleton, the developer of the St. Regis Resort and Residences at Deer Crest in Park City.
Castleton said when the development of 26 large condominiums on the top four floors — dubbed private residences — and 67 condo suites is completed in late 2008, it will be one of the fanciest hotels in the state, featuring butler service, a high-end spa, and ski-in, ski-out access.
"I think that the transformation of the Park City area has clearly happened," Castleton said. "It's a huge bargain compared to those other places, with much better access. You can get on a plane in the morning and be on the slopes by the afternoon."
Prices for St. Regis Deer Crest range from $1.5 million to $4.3 million for condo suites and $2.5 million to $8 million for the residences.
In recent years Park City, which is about 25 miles east of Salt Lake City, has surpassed other Western resort towns in the number of property units sold and exceeded the volume sold in dollars, but has remained sixth in average sales price, according to numbers from The Rocky Mountain Resort Alliance.
The alliance was founded about 10 years ago and tracks real estate sales in resort towns in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and British Columbia, said Betty Brown, board president for the Park City Board of Realtors.
In the first quarter of 2006, Park City had 743 units sold, higher than the 100 in Aspen, Colo., the 180 in Sun Valley, Idaho, and the 674 in Summit County, Colo., home to Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin and Keystone resorts. But the average sales price is $731,772 — lower than Telluride, Colo., Teton Village, Wyo., Vail, Colo., Sun Valley and Whistler, British Columbia.
A luxury home that would cost $1.7 million in Park City would cost $2.7 million in Aspen, Brown said.
"We are not just a perceived value compared to the other resorts, we are a value," Brown said.
She said Park City's popularity has grown as resort buyers became aware of the amenities surrounding the city's three ski resorts, which are located less than an hour's drive from Salt Lake City International Airport.
"We were discovered by many, many, many, many buyers at about the same time," Brown said. "I think our product has increased to satisfy those who want the higher end."
Park City isn't the only area seeing an increase in luxury accommodations. A developer announced last month that he owns the rights to a once-bankrupt ski area halfway between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas and has plans to build a luxury resort.
Craig Burton of CPB Development said he envisions a $3.5 billion development with luxury homes, a Jack Nicklaus-commissioned golf course and other amenities at the Elk Meadows ski area in central Utah's Beaver County.
Farther south, in the town of Big Water — population less than 500 — a California development group is building the exclusive Amangiri resort.
Nestled in the red rock desert near Lake Powell, the resort will feature 34 luxury hotel rooms running $900 a night and 28 villas that will sell for around $6.5 million, all managed by the Singapore-based luxury brand Amanresorts. The development will cause a 20 percent increase in Kane County's property valuation, according to county estimates.
"It most definitely will be the premier resort in the United States and possibly the world," said developer Homi Vazifdar of the Canyon Equity Group of Larkspur, Calif.
Vazifdar said its location in Utah's remote canyon country is what gives it value.
"If a buyer wants to buy a villa on an ocean, or near a forest or a ski resort, there are a million choices. This is one of a kind," he said.
And while the area will feel "out in the boonies," an airport and activities will be closer than expected, Vazifdar said.
The resort, scheduled to open in spring 2008, is about 15 miles from the airport in Page, Ariz. It is a half-hour flight to the Grand Canyon, a short drive to red rock vistas in Utah's national parks and monuments, and a luxury houseboat will be available for guests to rent for floating around Lake Powell.
Vazifdar said about 200 jobs will be created by the resort, which (Amangiri Resort) will cost about $1 billion to build.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On the Net:
St. Regis Deer Crest: www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis/
Amangiri Resort: www.canyonequity.com/development/

[delts145]

:righton: :righton: Hey, you big GOOMBA,

These articles you have been posting are super exciting. These developments in Park City and Downtown are going to generate alot of ripple effect. I was super jazzed to see also that the Brian Head/Elk Meadows area is going to get a large influx of interest also. You can bet Las Vegas and So. Calif. will keep that ski area booming now. And that Amangiri resort will be a billion dollar project,and one of the world's premier resorts.:banana: :banana: Wow!!

[IdahoMountainBoy]

:previous: I'm sorry but I have to say something here but I grew up in Sun Valley, one of the west's "mega resorts" and dont see that kind of news good in any way. Ketchum and Sun Valley when I was little were cute towns with history and character. I would gag at the disneyland-type like development that I saw at other resorts such as Whistler, Vail, and The Canyons. Sun Valley has now lost all of its charm with the recent development and I'm sure the same can be said for some other historic towns that have fallen to the posh, ski resort fad. Its just sad to see beautiful settings, hills, old buildings all fall to city-slickers who wish to have multi-million dollar cushion to come to three times a year. Keep the freakin development in the cities, and keep the wilderness and beauty of the Rockies for our children to enjoy...

[delts145]

:previous: I'm sorry but I have to say something here but I grew up in Sun Valley, one of the west's "mega resorts" and dont see that kind of news good in any way. Ketchum and Sun Valley when I was little were cute towns with history and character. I would gag at the disneyland-type like development that I saw at other resorts such as Whistler, Vail, and The Canyons. Sun Valley has now lost all of its charm with the recent development and I'm sure the same can be said for some other historic towns that have fallen to the posh, ski resort fad. Its just sad to see beautiful settings, hills, old buildings all fall to city-slickers who wish to have multi-million dollar cushion to come to three times a year. Keep the freakin development in the cities, and keep the wilderness and beauty of the Rockies for our children to enjoy...

I am sorry to hear that about Sun Valley. Although, I'm sure many of your fellow Idahoans might disagree with you a little. I'm not personally familiar with Sun Valley,so I don't have an opinion one way or another. I will say the many reports I have read regarding Sun Valley Resort and it's surrounding communities, almost always refer to it as charming and beautiful. I do agree with you somewhat on the base of the Canyons. However, I have seen the overall plans in detail. Right now it is at the beginning of its development, so there is this constant state of construction zone at it's base of operation.Once you leave its base and go behind the initial mountain,"it is breathtakingly beautiful." If you don't like Vail, then you will not like the Canyon's future. I have been acquainted with Vail for many years. To be brief, Vail has done much to refine its past development. Many former projects have been torn down and replaced with very timeless and rustic classics.
I do totally understand your opinion. Many people don't like that destination resort feel. The Canyon's is the closest major ski resort to a major airport in the nation. I'm afraid it will not be a future for those who prefer a more intimate resort setting. As for my opinion on Vail or the future Canyons. Well, Vail is one of my favorite places and I hope that the Canyons will evolve in that direction. However, Ski resorts should differ from one another, and different resorts should offer different ambiance to different taste's.
Park City Proper is VERY restrictive and only becomes more beautiful, and continues to retains it's rustic charm as time passes.
Also keep in mind the title of this thread. Many of Utah's ski resorts are as much a part of our Urban Metro as Malibu is a part of Urban L.A. There is a huge amount of wilderness in Idaho, Utah, and Colorado. And yes , lets keep that designated wilderness as wilderness.

Parting shot's of Park City:

http://www.utahskiguide.com/images/images/park_city_barn_big.gif


http://www.utahskiguide.com/images/images/park_city_pond_big.gif


http://www.utahskiguide.com/images/images/park_city_homes_big.gif

[delts145]

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mikebradshaw.net/photoblog/images/20060118220114_sundance_ski_resort.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mikebradshaw.net/photoblog/index.php%3Fshowimage%3D306%26PHPSESSID%3D506b5a0a55557a4edae01809cf8c2f50&h=487&w=850&shttp://www.utahskies.org/image_library/shallowsky/planets/earth/SundanceUtah20031005-1sm.jpg



Sundance ski resort is a visual feast. Redford's tasteful touch keeps this perennial favorite on a more intimate scale.


http://inl.is/P6240076.JPG


http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mikebradshaw.net/photoblog/images/20060118220114_sundance_ski_resort.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mikebradshaw.net/photoblog/index.php%3Fshowimage%3D306%26PHPSESSID%3D506b5a0a55557a4edae01809cf8c2f50&h=487&w=850&s

http://www.mikebradshaw.net/photoblog/images/20060118220114_sundance_ski_resort.jpg

[delts145]

http://www.kcpw.org/media/images/Article%20Images/tunnel%20exit.JPG


http://www.snowbird.com/imagelib/construction/tunnel_comp_wide.jpg


Sports Gear Magazine

Snowbird - North America’s First Ski Area Tunnel and New Peruvian Express Quad
The first of its kind in North America, Snowbird’s new nearly 600-foot tunnel will house a conveyor lift that will transport skiers and riders from Peruvian Gulch into Mineral Basin. Located at the top of the new Peruvian Express high-speed quad, the 12-foot high, 10-foot wide tunnel provides a four-minute ride to intermediate terrain in Mineral Basin. The new tunnel and lift will make intermediate terrain more accessible to skiers and riders by eliminating many switchbacks and the steepest pitch of Chip’s Run. It also provides an efficient way to reach Hidden Peak without the use of the Tram.


Tunnel Facts
· Final approval granted August 10, 2005
· Work began August 17, 2005
· Mining contractor: Small Mine Development, LLC, out of Boise, ID. (208) 338-8880.
· Cost: Approximately $650,000
· Dimensions: Approximately 600 feet long, 12 feet high and 10 feet wide
· Conveyor lift: 30 inches wide (48 inches for entire mechanism), 160 feet per min, 4 minute ride, 6-foot wide walking ramp
· 7 percent grade
· One-way access into Mineral Basin
· 350 feet below Gorilla Pass on the Peruvian side, 300 feet below pass on Mineral side
· ADA compliant
· Entire project is on private land
· Timeline: The majority of the work was done during the summer of 2005 and it is due to be completed by the start of the 2006-07 season.


Chairlift Facts
· Manufacturer: CTEC-Doppelmayer
· Cost: $5.6 million
· 8000 linear feet
· 2600 vertical feet
· 1800 people per hour
· 8 minute ride
· 29 lift towers
· 4 towers on public land, remainder of project on private
· High-speed quad
· 90 degree bottom- and top-load
· Powered by a top vault drive
· Base area of lift will be reconfigured resulting in a 6000 square foot flat area
· Timeline: Construction is currently underway and due to be finished in fall of 2006. The original Peruvian lift was removed in spring of 2006.


Why do it this way?
· Minimize visual impact by avoiding a ridgetop lift terminal.
· Tunnel significantly reduces the size and number of required retaining walls.
· No ridgetop grading.
· A lift that is not impacted by ridgetop winds can operate more often.
· Provides easier access to intermediate terrain by eliminating many switchbacks and the steepest pitch of Chip’s Run.


Both the tunnel and lift will open for use with the beginning of the 2006-07 season.
Total project cost: Approximately $6.5 million

[delts145]

http://away.com/images/trip_ideas/utah_backcountry/avalancheControl.jpg


http://images.vrbo.com/vrbo/images/19cd0


Solitude is one of those Metro Wasatch Resort's developed to be at a more intimate scale.

http://www.go-utah.com/UT/images/listings/Solitude-Village-center-vert-JB.jpg

[delts145]

http://www.riverhorsegroup.com/onthegreen/hotel_park_city.jpg


http://www.riverhorsegroup.com/onthegreen/on_the_green_rendering.jpg


November, 2006

Construction on Phase II, The Cottages at Hotel Park City is heading in to the final months!!! The Cottages will be completed in phases with completion dates between October & November 2006. Below is a site plan.



http://sales.hotelparkcity.com/images/siteplan.jpg

http://sales.hotelparkcity.com/images/Cottage_5.JPG

http://sales.hotelparkcity.com/images/Cottage_2.JPG

http://sales.hotelparkcity.com/images/Siding_Detail_2.jpg

[delts145]

post later.

[delts145]

http://lodging4vacations.com/park-city-townhome/1-deer-valley-slopesa.jpg
Photo Deer Valley Resort

Resort has made improvements and is ready for snow with opening day planned for Dec. 2

SKYLER BELL, Of the Record staff

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If Deer Valley President and General Manager Bob Wheaton were to lead a tour of his resort, he would not only visit the spots world-renown photographers come to shoot, he would also go to the little out-of-the-way places only he knows about; after 26 years at the resort (21 in his current capacity), there are more than a few of the latter.
"I think we would probably go to the new facilities at North Side at Silver Strike Lift and what's been happening over there, and then to some secret stashes that I wouldn't want to divulge in the newspaper," he said. "Those spots are mine."

As the employees prepare the resort for the planned Dec. 2 opening, Wheaton said there is a buzz of excitement in the air that his guests will be able to feel once they set foot on the mountain. Several improvements were made during the summer, which have helped create the stir.

"Especially as the weather is coming in, I'm looking forward to just getting to go skiing again," Wheaton said. "In looking forward to opening, I'm excited about a lot of the capital projects we've been working on, such as replacing the Sterling Lift with a high-speed quad, the Sterling Express. I think it will dramatically change the skier patterns and will make the mountain more accessible, especially in the Ontario Bowl."
Two improvements have been made to the Snow Park Lodge, including the expansion of the main-floor restrooms.

"That will be huge for the ski school and for the kids, as well as from a guest satisfaction standpoint," Wheaton said. "On top of that, we also expanded our employee dining facility, which is something we've been needing to do for the last couple of years."

Deer Valley also has five new Snow Cats and more snow machines, improvements that Wheaton said will probably not be seen by guests of the resort, but rather felt and experienced because of the "increase in grooming and the quality and amount of the snow."

In addition to an upgraded lift, lodge improvements and new machines, Deer Valley will also offer personal global positioning systems to its guests.

"One of the things we're going to offer this year that we haven't in the past is a GPS tracker," Wheaton said. "Guests will be able to go into the information desk at Snow Park and pick one up. It will tell them their statistics for the day, including vertical feet skied, fastest speed, average speed, skiing time and calories burned, as well as portray a map of where you skied around the resort."

Perhaps because that's where he likes to ski, Wheaton said there has been a fair amount of glading done off the Sultan Lift, which will greatly increase the quantity of tree skiing from last year.

"When I ski I either go over to Empire or to Sultan," he said. "I think it's the most vertical, but I guess where I go really depends on the day. If I want to cruise it'd be either Wasatch lift or Carpenter at Bald Eagle. If I want powder and tree skiing I would go over to Empire or Sultan and Mayflower."

If a president-guided tour is not available, Wheaton said guests wanting to see the mountain should take advantage of the free mountain host tour, which will briefly guide guests around to the different areas of the resort.

"We give those free every morning and afternoon," he said. "They take our guests around the mountain and show them all the lifts for free. It lasts from about an hour and a half to two hours, but they can leave if they want to. What actually happens most of the time is people want to keep skiing with the host."

Providing free tours of the resorts' five mountains is just one of the ways Wheaton said they try to put the focus on the guest.

"It's about the overall guest experience and the focus of the staff member on the guest," he said. "It doesn't matter if it's sharpening skis or picking up trash or fitting their boots. It's about serving the guest and being helpful to them."

One of the hardest parts of his job, Wheaton said, is getting the restaurants ready for the new season. Each year each respective chef "pulls out all their new dishes for the upcoming year," giving Wheaton a chance to "taste test."

"They always come up with new tastes and new flavors," he said. "Test tasting is a brutal part of the job."

Overall, Wheaton said he is excited for what might turn out to be another record-breaking year at Deer Valley and throughout Utah.

"Looking at reservations so far this year and looking at weather patterns, both short term and long term, I would say come on out and enjoy it because it's going to be awesome."

[delts145]

http://utenti.lycos.it/wwwmassyrossi/images/images_2/Big-Air-Alta-Utah.jpg

[leebuddy]

http://utenti.lycos.it/wwwmassyrossi/images/images_2/Big-Air-Alta-Utah.jpg

:previous:
Is that you delts?

[delts145]

:previous:

Yeah, In my dreams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dewaalnuts]

You need better dreams delts. Tandem snowboard w/ hot blonde - yyeeessss

[delts145]

:previous: :haha: Hey Goomba, If you can find some pic's of hot blondes on skii's,(Spring Season/bikini shot's) then post 'em!! :haha:

By Mike Gorrell
The Salt Lake Tribune 11/14/2006

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2006/1114/20061114__EXT_out_skipoll_1116~5_Gallery.jpg
photo,Steve Griffin

Salt Lake Tribune readers decidedly expressed their devotion to Little Cottonwood Canyon, overwhelmingly selecting Alta and Snowbird as the state's premium resorts for skiing or snowboarding.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2006/1114/20061114__out_skipoll_1116~2_Gallery.jpg
More than 50 percent of a Tribune poll's 1,107 participants designated Alta or Snowbird as the best, primarily citing their exquisite snow and varied, challenging terrain. And when it comes to picking one special place to carve turns, more people would choose to do so on either Alf's High Rustler at Alta or in The Cirque at Snowbird. Those two bastions of the "steep and deep" tied for first place among 196 different runs, bowls or ridges named as individual favorites in the unscientific online poll.
Alta ultimately came out No. 1 as the "Favorite Resort," its prohibition against snowboarders and overall ambiance elevating it over Snowbird.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2006/1114/20061114__out_skipoll_1116~3_Gallery.jpg
Readers also made a statement in responding to the "Least Favorite" question? More people declined to name a resort than to single out a specific one; 150 left that category blank, while 29 offered opinions similar to that of Rick Carter - "The least of Utah is better than the best of most states" - or Bonnie Flint - "Picking a least favorite resort is like picking a least favorite child."
But for those who did answer the question, their criticisms were reserved largely for the three Park City-area resorts and Brighton, with each knocked for different reasons.
And, finally, the question "Why don't more Utahns ski or board?" produced a predictable response: 472 people, almost 43 percent, cited the cost of lift tickets and equipment. Laziness, lack of fitness, fear, dislike of cold also were cited, along with a fair amount of cultural bashing: too many children, too many church responsibilities, too little remaining time and too little regard for outdoor activities.
"After paying 10 percent to the LDS Church for tithing they can't afford to ski," said Mike Montmorency. "I pay my tithing to the snow gods."

http://http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2006/1114/20061114__EXT_out_skipoll_1116~4_Gallery.jpg
FAVORITE RESORTS
Like Montmorency, many respondents described skiing at Alta, just being at Alta, as a spiritual experience. While Snowbird devotees gushed about its terrain and the quality of its snow, few described the 'Bird with the reverence Alta advocates regularly reserved for their favored resort.

http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site297/2006/1114/20061114__out_skipoll_1116~1_Gallery.jpg

"God's country," "close to heaven" and "mecca" were three descriptions with religious connotations, along with another conclusion that Alta has "soul." Others called Alta "a purist's mountain," "old school," "the granddaddy of the class resorts" and a "hidden treasure."
Andrew Stevens summed it up: "It's cheap (relatively), the employees are friendly and helpful, the terrain is incredible, and the snow is always fantastic. But most of all, the skiers are there to ski, not to be seen, not to judge other's abilities. It's a very pure skiing experience."
Or as Billie Daugherty opined: "No snowboarders and as close to heaven as you can get."
Ah, yes. No snowboarders. Of the 294 people who designated Alta their favorite resort, 114 (39 percent) cited no snowboarders as one reason why. Conversely, 43 of the 60 people (72 percent) who ripped Alta as their least favorite resort based their answer on the snowboard ban, as did 22 percent of those who designated Deer Valley, which also prohibits 'boards, as their least favorite.
"It's an Olympic sport," protested Brian Winberg. "It's here to stay."
Only seven respondents cited Snowbird's openness to 'boarders in declaring it their favorite resort. The 'Bird was applauded instead for having the Tram (17 comments) and drilling the tunnel to Mineral Basin, the length of its season and terrain diversity, from the Big Emma beginner hill to gnarly steep chutes.
"The terrain is vast, varied and steep," wrote Jake Carling. "The snowstorms up Little Cottonwood are legendary for great powder days. And Snowbird does a great job of opening different areas throughout the day so all the powder isn't tracked out by 10 a.m."
Critics also mentioned the lift system, blaming aged Little Cloud chair for contributing to long waiting lines, and seven said the mountain was too hard. Attitude was the main complaint, however, from owner Dick Bass's environmentally offensive expansion plans to the arrogance of customers and staff.
Snowbird was the only resort that picked up votes for its children's program, 26 coming in a sequence and part of 109 submitted by Snowbird employees (other resorts also had smaller bloc votes). But the poll's outcome was not impacted. Two Snowbird employees even voted for other resorts - one for Alta, the other for Solitude.
Solitude fared well in the poll, posting a 3.1-1 ratio in favorite/least favorite votes and receiving numerous plaudits for its Honeycomb Canyon powder shots, its consistent lack of lift lines, good snow and family friendly atmosphere.
"The name says it all," said Andrew Huffaker.
"I still feel like I am in a somewhat wild and natural environment when I am skiing there," added Kelli Bellon.
Its few detractors complained about too many flat areas and, as Bud Hertig put it, "the high-speed lifts take you to boring areas, while you can only access the good stuff by lifts that are slow."
Snowbasin also enjoyed strong popular support with limited criticism (a 4.2-1 ratio). It was hailed for its varied terrain, with long intermediate runs, great powder shots in the John Paul area and thrills aplenty on the Olympic men's and women's downhill slopes (Grizzly and Wildflower). Lack of crowds and luxurious lodges also factored into its appeal.
"The gondolas make life on the mountain very comfortable, the food is great, the staff is friendly and the snow is phenomenal," said Nancy Stukan. "Let's not let the secret out about the lack of a crowd."
But moving from quaint little resort to Olympic venue came with a price: Higher lift tickets and, as Greg Greer saw it: "I'm all for high-end skiing/boarding, but I don't like the elitist attitude that sometimes accompanies it."
PRAISE MIXED WITH CRITICISM
For Park City area resorts, the Tribune poll showed that people can look at a situation and come away with completely different perceptions.
The Canyons, for instance, drew almost equal amounts of applause and criticism for its expansive layout. Half of respondents claimed it led to long, boring runouts and connector traverses ending in long lift lines. The other half praised the resort's spread-out nature for dispersing crowds.
Deer Valley, similarly, took big hits for the opulence and tender-loving care that makes it famous worldwide.
"Awesome service and you've got to love the drop-off curb in the morning," said Emily Blankenship. But not if you're among the 42 people who described the resort and its crowd as "pretentious," "elitist," "snooty" or "stuffy," objecting to its high lift prices and overly groomed runs.
Some of the harsher comments were voiced about Park City Mountain Resort for having boring terrain, long runouts, weird fall lines, lifts that break down frequently, big crowds and marginal snow. "I am told that 'Park City' is an ancient Ute expression for 'flat land without snow,' " said Chris Adams.
Brighton had its backers, but 80 people listed it as the worst resort, not simply because it caters so heavily to snowboarders but because the 'boarders it attracts tend to be teenage boys who, in Wendy Bradley's perception, "have a very short and inattentive span to the fact that others are also on the mountain."
Power Mountain above Eden and Beaver Mountain above Logan, clearly have loyal fans who said they appreciate the northern Utah resorts' good snow, low prices, short lift lines and family atmospheres. But they are too far away from the Wasatch Front to receive much attention. And poll participants didn't seem to know much about Brian Head, Sundance and Wolf Mountain because they are small and outside the circle of better known resorts.
FAVORITE RUNS
Utah resorts have runs to suit every taste, from perpendicular thrillers to Park City Mountain Resort's terrain parks, the mining theme-park trail at Snowbird and the south slope of now-closed Blue Mountain resort outside Monticello. Thirty-three runs were named as favorites by at least two people, 17 had 6-10 fans and nine more had 11-20.
Another 16 respondents said they would never tell. One, a guy named Christopher, offered only this nickname: "Better than Sex. At least that's what we call it. If I told you the real name then more people would ski there and the lack of fresh powder would make it less than the best run."
Other accolades:
Alf's High Rustler - "It IS what skiing is supposed to be."
The Cirque - "If you can beat all the grizzly old regulars, you can ride powder like you see in videos."
Powder Mountain backside - "Solitude and powder. What else do you need?"
Jupiter Peak's middle chute, Park City - "Steep, long, fun to get scared on."
Honeycomb Canyon, Solitude - "2,000 feet of vertical 2 or 3 days after a storm."
Candyland, Brighton - "Groomers, trees, park or powder. You can mix and match your route in the moment."
Mushroom Valley, Power Mountain - "Go and snowboard it and you will see why!!"
Mach Schnell, Snowbird - "With a name like Mach Schnell, how can it not be cool?"
WHY DON'T MORE UTAHNS SKI?
Bill Emmett summarized most "too expensive" comments: "To outfit a family of five or 12 is pretty dang expensive, even with discounts, ski swaps and bargains."
Resorts also were panned for not offering more affordable season passes for adults. "Look at the pass rates in Colorado," said Andrew Huffaker. "$379 for unlimited skiing at three resorts [Keystone, Breckenridge, Arapahoe Basin]. $379!*&^? That's less than a third of the cost of most season pass rates in Utah."
While cost was the overriding factor, other reasons cited included:
- "Living so close to the greatest snow on earth makes it too easy to take it for granted. When you travel for a ski vacation, you are a captive. When it's so close, it's easy to say, 'I'll ski tomorrow' but tomorrow never comes."
- "Shhh. We don't need any more namby pamby whiners on our slopes. We have enough New Yorkers."
- "The dominant culture is suburban and doesn't promote risk taking or outdoor pursuits. The culture promotes looking good, not feeling good, so shopping and doing your hair appears to be a more popular pursuit than putting on a hat and enjoying the Utah outdoors."
---
* MIKE GORRELL can be contacted at mikeg@sltrib.com or 801-257-8734. Send comments about this story to livingeditor@sltrib.com.

[delts145]

:cheers: Here's to dewaalnut's :cheers:


ski bunny contest
http://www.gordonclub.com/images/SKI%20BUNNY%20FINAL%20LGE/dsc00778lg.jpg



A little after-ski hot-tubbing anybody?
http://www.gordonclub.com/images/SKI%20BUNNY%20FINAL%20LGE/dsc00796lg.jpg


SKI BUNNIES!!!!!!!!
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/9533/bigbearday1013pssm0rk.jpg

[delts145]

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density, Park City style

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http://www.templeharshalom.com/images/groundbreaking/100_1479.jpg
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PARK CITY — Park City's Temple Har Shalom, Utah's fastest growing Jewish congregation, recently celebrated the groundbreaking for its synagogue.
The ceremony took place at the site on Highway 224 (next to the Colby School). At the groundbreaking, members and guests of the congregation were invited to write their hopes and dreams for Temple Har Shalom on rocks to be placed in the foundation of the new synagogue.
The new facility, slated for completion in the late fall of 2007, will provide a permanent home for more than 250 member families. The 30,000-square-foot building was designed by Alfred Jacoby of Frankfurt, Germany. Jacoby, a world-renowned architect of synagogues in Europe, designs buildings recognized for their spirit of hope, tolerance and the future after the Holocaust. Jacoby is working in partnership with Salt Lake City-based Prescott Muir Architects. Cameron Construction is the builder.
Highlights of the new facility include a natural mountain setting with a sanctuary with stained glass, social hall with an outside deck, stone fireplace and garden level providing for growth and expansion.

[delts145]

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Brighton Ski Resort/Big Cottonwood Canyon


Photo's: Salt Lake Tribune / Thursday, November 16, 2006

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[delts145]

http://www.boyercompany.com/redstone/titleblock.jpg


Combine a turn of the century architectural style, friendly Main Street and modern parking amenities to create a unique and interesting shopping, working and living environment.

220,000 square feet of open-air development uniting retail, office and residential
36 of 250 fee ownership residential units will be located above the retail on the South side of Main Street
30,000 square feet of office space above retail
Focal point for commercial and social activity
877 Parking Spaces
Easy access to Park City residents and well positioned to benefit from traffic entering and leaving Park City

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http://images.traveltoday.net/ImageServlet?resize=580&isMaxSize=true&imageURL=http://image.pegs.com/images/SC/SLC173/slc173_b1.jpg
It's where nightlife meets wildlife, Park City?s newest community ? The Redstone Village. This vibrant new district boasts Fox Point luxury condominiums and townhomes and is located just minutes from Park City's three world-class ski resorts. Fox Point features two and three-bedroom units with courtyards and terraces, attached garages, gourmet kitchens with granite countertops, elegant baths, dramatic views of the surrounding mountains, and award-winning architecture. Your condo is situated in the heart of the new Redstone Village, a mecca for shopping, dining, entertainment, and nightlife. Redstone is also adjacent to the Swaner Nature Preserve ? over a thousand acres of high-altitude wetlands, which is home to countless species of wildlife. Fox Point offers the ultimate location ? within 5 minutes of Park City?s three world-class ski resorts and historic Old Town, seconds from the Utah Olympic Park, 30 minutes from the Salt Lake International Airport, and adjacent to the Swaner Nature Preserve, providing the serenity of 1,055 acres of high-altitude wetlands that support a myriad of wildlife

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[delts145]

http://www.wolfcreekresort.com/images/golf-home-golf-cource-5-tif.jpg
Wolf Creek Master Plan:
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The Kansas City Star, November 12, 2006
By YVETTE CARDOZO


Snowbasin,

With 3,000 skiable acres and hardly 2,000 skiers even on a Saturday, the newly fallen snow is all ours. I’m with local Jim Forster, and he takes me off the Strawberry Gondola to a spot called Dwayne’s World. Gnarled old aspens, thick-trunked pines and bushes speckle the slope, leaving plenty of space for turns.

We bounce through the trees, snow flowing over our knees and flying weightless into our faces, filling our nostrils.

And when we return, again and again, there’s still plenty of untouched snow to be had.

“Sometimes, it’s so deep,” Forster says, “you sink down and it totally covers you. You can’t see. You can’t breathe. Then you come up, grab a peek and some air and get buried again.”

Welcome to Ogden, the other Utah.

There are actually two large ski mountains here, hardly a half-hour drive apart. Powder Mountain and Snowbasin are yin and yang — backcountry rustic versus ultra luxe — but without the crowds, without the frantic rush, without the wallet-crushing experience you get at the more popular Utah ski resorts.

And in between is Wolf Mountain, a beginner hill where a family of four can ski for $28 — that’s total, not each — on Monday night, and students ski for $10 on Thursday (including a slice of pizza).

People don’t flock here for various reasons. Although Ogden is only an hour’s drive north of Salt Lake City, eight ski resorts are even closer. And skiing in Ogden is mostly a commuter affair. With the exception of five very simple, motel-like rooms and a few dozen condo units on Powder Mountain, you pretty much have to drive to the ski hills.

But once you arrive, you get endless powder (average 500 inches a year), empty runs and staff so happy to see someone — anyone — that you are treated like royalty.

Powder Mountain
Powder Mountain is like skiing used to be, simple, rustic, basic. There are no frills. No tissue boxes at the lift stations, no gourmet mushroom salads, no leather sofas in front of huge stone fireplaces at the lodge. Just lots and lots and lots of powder. And absolutely no people.

“We’re actually the largest ski resort in the U.S. … 5,500 skiable acres,” says group sales rep Carolyn Daniels.
That’s bigger than Vail, bigger than Whistler. A busy, busy day — say Christmas — is 1,500 people. The rest of the time, you’re hard-pressed to find 1,000 bodies on the hill. This means powder runs all to yourself, even the day after a huge snowfall. Sometimes the emptiness is downright spooky.

What Powder Mountain does especially well is intermediate powder. This is where you should come to learn the stuff. There are these incredible aspen groves where the thin-trunked trees are spaced far enough apart and the slope is gentle enough that you can figure out the mechanics of turning in snow that comes over your knees.

The lodge is a simple, well-worn affair that reminds you of skiing, say, the backwash spots of Montana circa 1980. It sits nearly at the top of the 2,000 vertical-foot mountain. Other short lifts take you a bit higher, but most of the skiing is below.

Most runs are wide open and either novice or intermediate. If you’re looking for expert stuff, there’s a hike up Lightning Ridge to probably the cheapest ’Cat skiing in North America.
But it’s not for the fainthearted. The $7 fee gets you a ride on a rope behind the Sno-cat. It involves putting your pole through a loop and riding it, T-bar style. But what you get in return is seriously untracked, challenging terrain.

Snowbasin
For those who want more luxury, there’s Snowbasin. Officially, it’s “Snowbasin, a Sun Valley Resort.” That’s because both places were built by billionaire Earl Holding.

Close your eyes and shake your head in one of the gilt-edged lodges and you’d swear you were at Sun Valley, Idaho — same blond, peeled logs, same comfy leather sofas, same huge stone fireplaces. Along with gourmet meals, endless swaths of marble, Italian burl ceilings and enough polished brass to give you a sunburn.

The gondolas, by the way, are hand-washed on a regular basis.

If you last visited Snowbasin in the ’90s, you won’t recognize the place. Back then it pretty much looked like Powder Mountain. But for the 2002 Olympics, Holding sank $150 million into an “extreme makeover” that included three Sun Valley-style lodges, two gondolas and much more.
So today you have the architecture of Sun Valley, the luxury of Deer Valley and the prices of Montana, but with Utah snow.

Yet the crowds are light.

It’s Saturday when the weather finally clears for us. On Friday 14 inches of weightless Utah snow fell on Snowbasin. Now the sky is clear, the faithful are out in droves, and every powder hound in shouting distance seems to be lined up at the base gondola.

Still, the wait is barely 10 minutes. And when we get up top, then head for the Strawberry Gondola, the wait is nonexistent.

Officially, the area is called Seven Sisters or sometimes WFO (Way Far Out). The locals call it Dwayne’s World. Whatever, it’s absolutely empty. Sure, there are tracks. But not many. We yo-yo the Strawberry Gondola, still finding wide chunks of untracked powder well into midday.

There’s more easily reached expert terrain here than Powder Mountain. But there’s also plenty of gentle intermediate and beginner stuff. The mass of people ski the middle peaks where the intermediate trails group together. Off to the far left (WFO, WWFO, WWWFO) it’s emptier. And off to the far right lies the John Paul Express with double black diamond (seriously expert) terrain.

Up here, too, you’ll find the Mount Allen Tram, worth a trip just for the view.

If you’re going to ski this, you’d better be comfy with really steep. This was the start of the men’s downhill race in the 2002 Olympics. The slope is 40 degrees. Kinda like falling down a wall.

What keeps this place from turning into Jackson Hole or Park City is the lack of on-slope lodging.
There have been rumors for a decade that Holding would build a hotel here. But so far, there are no solid plans.

“We like to say we’ll believe it when the foundation is laid,” one Snowbasin ski host said. But that keeps the slopes empty and the locals happy.

And if you’re smart enough to head north from Salt Lake City to Ogden instead of south and west to the usual Utah spots, you will be, too.

Ski areas
Thanks to snowmaking, Snowbasin’s season is pretty much guaranteed from Thanksgiving to Easter. Powder Mountain, which spurns snowmaking and, in fact, advertises this with a drawing of a snowgun that has a diagonal line through it, usually operates from mid-November to mid-April.

Compared with the more popular resorts, lift rates at these two resorts are a bargain — $50 at Powder Mountain, $60 at Snowbasin. Both areas offer multiday discount cards.

Wolf Creek, a much smaller area, focuses on the beginner and intermediate markets and lures them with night specials (a family of four skis for $28, total, on Monday night).


Where to stay
Powder Mountain has five motel rooms and about three dozen condos on slope for rent at rates that range from $85 for the smallest motel room to about $300 a night for a three-bedroom condo.

The nearest off-mountain digs to Powder is Wolf Creek Resort (www.wolfcreekresort. com). The nearest lodging of any kind to Snowbasin is Lakeside Village (www.lakesideresort properties.com). Both properties offer well appointed, large condos, hot tubs and other amenities.

To learn more
•Powder Mountain: www.powdermountain.com
•Snowbasin: www.snowbasin.com
•Wolf Mountain: www.wolfmountain eden.com

Yvette Cardozo is a freelance writer in Issaquah, Wash. Yvette Cardozo, Special to The Star

[leebuddy]

:cheers: Here's to dewaalnut's :cheers:


ski bunny contest
http://www.gordonclub.com/images/SKI%20BUNNY%20FINAL%20LGE/dsc00778lg.jpg



A little after-ski hot-tubbing anybody?
http://www.gordonclub.com/images/SKI%20BUNNY%20FINAL%20LGE/dsc00796lg.jpg


SKI BUNNIES!!!!!!!!
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/9533/bigbearday1013pssm0rk.jpg

:previous:

WOW!
I think this is the best post i have ever seen on this site. LOL

No wait never mind, the whole plans and rendings of city creek center is the best. But this has to be 2nd in my book.

[delts145]

:previous: :iagree:



Hey Leebuddy,:lmao:

How could we finesse a Victoria Secret spread on the City Creek Thread????

[delts145]

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They make snow when sun shines

By Lee Benson
Deseret Morning News

PARK CITY — Al Divers and Brian Suhadolc are snowmakers. One comes from New Zealand, the other from New Jersey, which helps support Al's contention that "anybody can make snow."
But really fine snow, now that takes talent and finesse.
"We like to think we make the greatest man-made snow on Earth," says Brian, offering a slight edit to the slogan that's launched a million license plates.
"And if we didn't think that," he adds quickly, "we ought to be doing something else."
It's the first day of the season at Park City Mountain Resort, where Al, the snowmaking manager, and Brian, the slope maintenance manager, oversee a 22-person snowmaking crew that allows the lifts to open before Mother Nature would ever think possible.
For weeks, they've been aiming 160 snowmaking guns at a surface area that amounts to about 25 percent of the huge PCMR expanse.
They can, and do, make snow when the sun shines — as long as the air temperature cooperates. As a general rule, good snowmaking conditions require temperatures of 25 degrees or below, but if the humidity is super low, snow can be made at temperatures as high as 40 degrees.
A formula called "wetbulb" computes the temperature/humidity factor. Al and Brian know about this. They know about everything when it comes to making snow. Al got started seven years ago in his native New Zealand, at the Coronet Peak Ski Area, where he became so adept at mixing water and air in just the right quantities that Park City also hired him. For the first few years, due to the fact that when it's winter in New Zealand it's summer here, Al juggled both jobs.


But about a year ago, he got tired of never seeing summer and moved to Utah full-time.
As for Brian, he came to Park City for the proverbial ski bum break from college. That was 16 years ago. He's never left. Life takes strange and unexpected twists. Back in Jersey, who knew he'd become a snowmaking ace in the Wasatch?
Both Al and Brian are quick to point out that man-made snowmaking has its limitations, and not just because you can't do it when it gets too hot.
They can make terrific snow to cover rocks and pack runs, but they have yet to figure out how to make the fluffy powder snow that makes Utah world famous.
"The snow we make is 40 to 50 percent water content," says Brian. "the driest we can possibly make is 30 percent."
The Greatest Snow on Earth has a water content of 6 percent.
"Any snow we get from Mother Nature is just fine with us," says Al, humbly tossing out a compliment to the best snowmaker there ever was and ever will be.
They would put her on staff if they could, with full benefits.
But, alas, she works alone and plays extremely hard to get, which leaves Al and Brian, like snowmakers everywhere in November, hustling to cover the ground in white so resorts can start making green.
"In a perfect world, snowmakers aren't even thought about," says Al.
Then again, in a perfect world there aren't any snowmakers, either.


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Loans: Some developers charge buyers exorbitant rates

By Lee Davidson
Deseret Morning News
Some timeshare developers are charging exorbitant rates for financing to unwary customers, as a Deseret Morning News reporter found attending a sales pitch at the Westgate Park City.
He was offered a loan to help finance a timeshare — at a very high 17.9 percent interest.
In comparison, mortgage rates then nationally were between 5.5 and 6.4 percent; home equity loans were between 6.1 and 7.5 percent; auto loans were between 6.8 and 7.8 percent; and even credit card rates averaged between 10.2 and 14.8 percent.
When questioned about Westgate's rate, the salesman, named Mike, said he knew it was high. "That's just our fall-back rate. That's what we would charge if you couldn't find financing anywhere else, but you probably can," he said.
In short, Mike wanted to make an immediate sale — and if the buyer could not obtain other financing within a few weeks, he would be stuck with Westgate's high rate.
The trouble is, many financial institutions will not give loans using a timeshare as security, which some buyers — especially those with less-than-stellar credit — find out too late, leaving themselves on the hook for those high-interest rates.
As Mike noted, "It's not a lot of risk for us, because we have the keys" to the units, and can lock out deadbeats. It is a much higher risk to a bank, which could not easily repossess a timeshare week — or sell it, except for a highly discounted amount.
For example, Paul Larsen said he found about his own initial purchase with Westgate, "America First (credit union) would not let us refinance it through them when we approached them later, and we could find no traditional bank or credit union that would finance it."
Tim Dawson said he meant to look for financing cheaper than the 11 percent that Marriott gave him initially for a Park City timeshare — which was a bit high, but it had come with the offer of a lot of bonus points that could be used for hotel stays and other travel. However, he said he never got around to changing financing, which can make a lot of money for developers.
Charles Smalley, Utah's sole investigator for the timeshare industry, said, "Most reputable timeshare developers have guidelines regarding minimum income and income-debt ratios of potential purchasers; however, those guidelines are subject to the discretion of the sales managers. In some cases, ombudsmen (for developers) have canceled contracts when it was discovered that guidelines were not followed."


Prices: Developers often charge too much for timeshares.
By Lee Davidson
Deseret Morning News
Mike, a friendly salesman at the Westgate Park City Resort and Spa, unintentionally showed how drastically developers may overcharge for timeshares.

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Photo by:Sarah Ause, Deseret Morning News

Sales representatives talk with potential clients at the Trendwest center in South Jordan. And while trying to sell a timeshare to a Deseret Morning News reporter (who disclosed where he works), Mike made a claim that would be considered illegal in such states as Florida and South Carolina, and which the industry says is unethical.
That claim: "These units will only increase in value," he said. "Park City has only so much land where you can build, and when it is gone — it's gone. Demand will continue to go up, so values will increase."
Actually, the News reporter found he could have lost tens of thousands of dollars immediately if he had believed Mike.
To illustrate, Mike offered ownership of a week in ski season of a two-bedroom unit for $41,900. He also offered a one-bedroom unit in non-ski season for $23,900. Later, Mike's sales manager said an owner had turned back a summer week in a one-bedroom unit to buy a larger unit, so Westgate was offering that turnback for $11,900.
The next day, the Morning News found several dozen similar timeshares at the Westgate in Park City advertised for much less on the Internet by owners trying to resell them. Most two-bedroom, ski-season units (similar to what Westgate offered for $41,900) were selling for between $5,000 and $11,000. Offseason weeks were selling for even less.
Why are developers selling them for so much more? Developers often mark up prices significantly to cover their costs of the free trips, dinners and other incentives they use to lure customers, and the commissions they pay sales representatives.
In fact, the Utah Department of Commerce requires people who buy timeshares from developers to read and sign a paper that warns, in part, that reselling their units in the future "may not produce a profit as the original cost includes promotional, advertising and sale commission costs."

Value: Properties can greatly depreciate over years

By Lee Davidson
Deseret Morning News
Some timeshares over time totally lose their value for owners, who seek to escape annual maintenance fees that often run $400 to $1,500 or more a year.
For example, in the six weeks between Sept. 11 and Oct. 25, the online auction site eBay reported more than 2,000 auctions of timeshares. At least 71 sold for bids of $1 or less. Another 641 timeshares that sought starting bids of $1 or less failed to sell or receive any bids, even at that low price.
Three timeshares in Utah sold on eBay in that time, while three others failed to receive any bids. Two of the former sold for $1, both for ownership of weeks at Sweetwater at Park City Lift Lodge.
While those owners received at least a pittance of money, many others give theirs away entirely. Search sites on the Internet show scores of charities willing to take them under certain circumstances, or companies offering to help arrange such donations.
James Tarpey is founder of Donate for a Cause, an Internet company that helps arrange timeshare donations to charities. He said he had the idea for starting it as he operated a closing company for the timeshare resale market.
"For two years I listened to people selling at a tremendous loss, like 80 percent," and working long and hard trying to sell it at even such discounts, he says. "I once was an attorney for a church, and I learned that many of them would have more money in their pocket if they gave it to a charity" and took the resulting tax deductions.
His company has a list of charities that work with it, and donors can pick one to receive any profits. "We only accept timeshares we know we can move in six weeks to a new buyer," he added, and buyers pay closing costs. "We're picky and accept only about 65 percent of the properties offered to us."
The properties then are offered for cheap, quick sale — and profits go to the charity. "We've raised about $700,000 for charities since August of 2004," Tarpey said. "We are doing about 15 (donations to charity) a day. We're quite shocked at what interest there would be."
For those who cannot even give away undesired timeshares, at least one company offers to take them off owners' hands — for a fee.
The Morning News obtained paperwork from a company called We Collect Timeshares of Tumwater, Wash. Papers show the company asks for a nonrefundable fee to take over timeshare ownership and annual maintenance fees.
Real estate agents said some older couples reported that the company had told them that if they paid it to take timeshares off their hands, that would avoid sticking their children with annual maintenance fees when they died. The company did not respond to Morning News inquiries about its operations.
Paperwork from We Collect Timeshares did not say what its fees are for the initial timeshare weeks it assumes from clients but did say it charged nearly $1,000 in fees for each additional timeshare week it assumed after a first one (and required that all maintenance fees be made current before transfer, and that clients pay all recording and transfer fees).

[delts145]

To sell apparently overpriced timeshares, many developers still rely on the personal sales pitch. Many owners say that includes high pressure and sometimes deception.
"I have been lied to, threatened, ordered out, cursed at, followed to my car and held hostage — and all in timeshare presentations," said Marylyn Carlyle of Monroe Township, N.J., a self-proclaimed timeshare consultant who offers advice online. Her experiences are based on many timeshare purchases, including two in Utah's Park City.
She loves timeshare vacations but advocates buying on the resale market instead of from developers. Still, she said she has often attended developer presentations to see what they offer or to get freebie incentives while she is staying at their resorts through timeshare exchanges.
Carlyle said one saleswoman at a Sheraton resort had told her several lies, including that units there could not be bought through the resale market and misled her about what she knew would be the value there for exchanging for units elsewhere. "Lie after lie. I had had enough after three hours," she said.
"But they followed me out to the car. They were banging on the car trying to get us to come back in," she said. "I started screaming that I was going to call the police."
In another presentation, at a New York hotel, Carlyle said she and her husband had taken a granddaughter who was being watched by development company employees in another room. When they decided to try to leave, the large salesman would not allow retrieval of the grandchild until he said his presentation was over.
"We bought the timeshare just to get out of there and then rescinded it the next day," she said. Most states allow buyers about a week to change their minds about a timeshare sale, through laws often enacted because of past horror stories about high-pressure sales. Utah by law allows up to five days for a timeshare buyer to rescind.
Timeshare presentations attended by the Morning News locally were not obnoxious with pressure tactics. But while they were lower key, they were designed to create urgency — with promises of extra discounts or freebies if a purchase were made immediately.
Virtually every time a reporter declined an offer, a lower offer would be made. Salesmen said many discounts would be made "for today only." Sometimes they offered longer periods of ownership at no extra cost or bonus weeks for use in timeshare exchanges — but supposedly only if purchases were made on the spot.
Rick Johnson, who bought a timeshare at Marriott's MountainSide in Park City, which he is trying to sell at a discount, said about the sales presentation where he made his purchase, "Man, was it good. They knew how to walk you down this path and close the deal. They educated clients and then just led up to this logical conclusion that this really makes sense, we should do this."
Paul Larsen, who bought a timeshare at Westgate Park City, said, "The initial salesperson was nice and educated us — I love how clean that sounds — about how timeshares help us take the vacations we always wanted. Then when we said no, she brought over her boss, and, yes, the hard sell was afoot."
He adds, "Was it something that sounded good at the time? Sure — especially after we told them no repeatedly and they kept dropping the price. But as we have discovered, they want to make the sale that night because they know that if they give us a chance to think about it, their sales would suffer immensely."
To show how persuasive the sales pitches can be, Larsen had made those criticisms and others shortly before he spent his annual week vacation at Westgate. While there, he decided to attend another sales meeting for owners — and ended up buying an even bigger unit through it.
He said, "During the presentation we registered many of the same complaints that we shared with you with the salesperson (the presentation was painted as a survey), and I was reminded of so many of the things that I did not like about the process."
But he said that during the discussion, he decided he liked vacations at the resort and that his family could use a bigger unit. He said earlier experiences "led me to ask more pointed questions and hound them until I got direct answers."
He added, "While we were signing the papers, I also was much more aware of what we were doing, and I came across several discrepancies between what we were promised and what we were signing. I sent each of the incorrect documents back."
He adds as advice to others, "Expect to be pressured. ... Get every promise in writing. ... Make sure you get all the details and assume nothing. ... If you don't get what you want, walk away. Do not let the salespeople control you. They are masters at this shell game, and they know how to get you to say yes. In the end, though, this is your money, and they can do nothing to you if you walk away."
Merdine Renne, a Trendwest timeshare owner hoping to sell for $5,000 what she and her husband paid $15,000 originally, said, "We would never consider purchasing a timeshare, and I wish we hadn't gotten into this one. ... It was a total impulse purchase that we both regret. We honestly bought into their promise that it would only appreciate in value — and we should know better."

[delts145]

By Lee Davidson
Deseret Morning News: Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Susan Foss of Salt Lake City says she bought a timeshare at Snowbird nine years ago for about $15,000. She is trying to sell it now for $6,000 — a 60 percent reduction in value.

http://www.deseretnews.com/photos/3531954.jpg
Photo by:Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret Morning News
Skiers return to Marriott's MountainSide development in this Park City file photo.

Worse, "I've been trying to sell it for three years. I haven't had any takers. I hear that people are selling them for even less: $4,000 and $5,000."
She adds, "There are so many timeshares out there on the market that prices are just rock bottom. They (timeshares) are great, but you can find them from people like me for 50 percent or more off what resorts are selling them for. I wish we would have known that when we first bought."
Many timeshare owners find unpleasant surprises or abuses when they try to sell (just as they do when they buy and own, as previously explored in this series). Among major findings by the Deseret Morning News about problems selling are:
• It is rare for owners to avoid selling for a loss from what they paid developers, unless they have owned the property for a long time.
• While many developers promise customers that they will help resell their timeshare in the future, owners say few actually do — and invoke many contract catches to avoid it, or charge exorbitant commissions for any services they do offer. One even forces owners to pay it a full commission on sales whether it helps to sell units or not.
• Many resort companies have a first right of refusal on any offer on resales. They say that helps keep the value of all units at their resorts high by preventing too-low sales on the open market. But it also allows resorts themselves to buy back units at low cost and sell high. It also delays sales by owners trying to sell their timeshares.

Resales at a loss
As explored in the first part of this series, the value of a timeshare bought from a developer often drops by up to 40 percent or more immediately after buyers walk out of a sales office.
That is, in part, because developer prices include sales commissions and freebies, such as free trips and dinners, to lure potential owners to sales pitches. Most people who buy from resorts are unaware that they could have bought the same unit for pennies on the dollar on the resale market.
Bill Rogers, founder of the Timeshare Users Group, tells timeshare owners online why they often find their units are not worth as much as they hoped.
"Why is selling a timeshare so tough? The main reason is supply and demand. The supply of timeshare resales greatly exceeds the demand for resales. Remember how you got involved in timeshares? It was probably in response to a promotional offering with some type of free gifts or vacations," he writes.
"The developer spends between $2,000 to $5,000 just to sell each unit at a new resort. Then, because of their over-inflated prices and high-pressure tactics, many people buy without really knowing what they are getting involved in. ... No wonder so many timeshare owners get discouraged and want out — creating the glut of supply."
The Deseret Morning News e-mailed or otherwise interviewed scores of owners who were advertising their timeshares for resale. The only ones who said they expected a profit (or had achieved profits on past sales) were those who bought the timeshares they were listing originally as low-cost resales.
Most who bought from developers expected to sell eventually at discounts of 50 percent or more. A few who were trying to sell for what they had paid or more acknowledged they had found no interest and were ready to drop prices.
LaRee Miller, a Westgate resort owner, was one who tried to sell her developer-bought unit at a profit, but said she found she likely would not regain the $33,000 she originally spent.
"When we purchased ours, they were pushing them as an investment. After learning the hard way, I now think that Utah should have a law that timeshares cannot be sold as investments (as do Florida, South Carolina and others). It certainly is not a good investment if you can't sell it," she said.
Sonja Clarke is a recent widow who is trying to sell a timeshare at Marriott's MountainSide in Park City for $7,800. Marriott itself is offering identical units for $10,900.
"My daughter put this timeshare on the Internet last January, and we have yet to receive any inquiries from prospective buyers. ... This is a huge disappointment," she says. "If I could find a buyer for this timeshare, yes, I would have to discount it significantly from the original price to sell it."
Byron Wiegand, a former timeshare developer who is now president of the California-based Timeshare Resale Alliance, said timeshares can increase in value if they are properly priced originally and held for sufficient time.
For example, he said owners of a project he helped develop 35 years ago on the beach near a racing track in Del Mar, Calif., who own weeks during the racing season, could now sell at a profit of more than $30,000 from what they paid originally.
But, also as explored in the first part of the series, many owners who want to escape annual fees are selling their timeshares for as little as $1 on eBay auctions. Many others are donating them to charity for the tax write-off. And some pay fees to companies to take those timeshares off their hands.

Little help
A Morning News reporter attending a sales presentation at the Westgate Park City Resort and Spa was told by a salesman that if he bought a timeshare there, "We will always resell it for you if you want."
Owners at many resorts said they were given similar promises, but not such help — unless they wanted to pay high commissions for it, or are willing to wait until the developer first sells all of the units he is offering.
Miller, a Westgate owner, said, "When I purchased it they said they would sell it for me. ... What a joke!"
She explained, "We went back to the developer, while they were doing their (sales) spiel at the resort in Park City. The clients were lined up out the door. The units are selling like hotcakes. When we visited with the manager about buying our unit back (he said), 'Sorry folks, we just don't have a market for your property. We can't buy the properties back if we are selling new ones. Maybe in a few years."'
Paul Larsen, another Westgate owner, said he also tried to see if it would buy back a unit he had tried to sell there. "My wife has pursued this through Westgate in the past, but she could get nobody to return her calls."
Clarke said, similarly, "I have talked to Marriott about buying back my timeshare, but until they sell all the remaining timeshares at MountainSide in Park City, they will not purchase back my timeshare."
Ron West, who owns timeshares at numerous resorts, said he has never found one willing to help when he resells because, he says, "Any week you own that you decide to sell is competition for the developers and management companies."
Tim Dawson, a Marriott Summit Watch owner, said he found Marriott would help sell his timeshare, but was told the firm would charge 40 percent to cover sales expenses and commissions.
Thomas Wood, a Marriott MountainSide owner, said Marriott offered to buy back for $28,000 what he had paid $33,000 for — while selling essentially the same unit to others for $48,000. He said he decided to be patient and keep trying to sell for a bit more.

Commission trap
Westgate resorts have wording in the company's sales contract that may force owners to pay it a commission when they resell their timeshare, regardless whether that company helps sell it or not.
A copy of a contract says the owners give Westgate "the exclusive right, but not the obligation to act as the owner's exclusive sales agent" for resales.
It adds that as long as Westgate has not waived that right in writing, it "shall be entitled to the then prevailing rate for broker's commissions for timeshare resales."
An owner who provided a copy of that contract said, "The problem is they don't relinquish that right" officially in writing. So when owners go to other real estate agents for help in sales, they are still on the hook for commissions to Westgate.
"Brokers all over the country, not just in Park City, are having this problem with Westgate," said Alanna L. Hatz, a Realtor with Mountain Timeshare Resale in Park City.
"People who bought at Westgate often didn't know that it had an exclusive right as sales agent," she said. So if the owner hires another agent to do such work, "They essentially owe double commissions."
Because of such problems, many Realtors will not handle Westgate resales. "We do, but we have to charge a little higher commission because of what they take," Hatz said.
Miller, a Westgate owner, was not happy to first hear about that contract clause from the Morning News, especially because "they told me a few months ago they would not help me sell my timeshare."
Miller happens to be the executive director of the Utah Citizens Alliance, which advocates for consumer rights. Despite that background, she said, "The more I read about Westgate the more I realize I have been sucked in by them. It appears they will tell the customer anything to make a buck."

Fees without service
Many owners trying to sell timeshares say the only interest they seem to attract is from companies offering to help sell it — for an up-front fee.
"Most of them don't really do much once they collect that fee. They are not in the business of reselling timeshares. They are in the business of collecting up-front fees," Wiegand said.
Len Anderson, a Trendwest owner, said, "I am constantly being contacted. I would never list with any of them. I find their approach and attitude to be worse than a boiler-room bill collector. Ugh!"
"Companies have come out of the woodwork," Miller said, adding she believes her resort sold her name to them because she was contacted before listing her property publicly.
She said they are "big on promises, small on delivery. We paid one Internet company a fee of $495 to list our property. After that, they never called us again. Not a smart move. We have now listed with a local Park City agency, and they are doing well representing it."
Wood said one such company called him seeking an up-front $1,500 fee, which he said he told it he could not afford. "They called back and knocked their price down to $199. That's a hustle." He declined such offers saying he figured he could list it just as easily and much more cheaply himself on Web sites such as tug2.com, redweek.com and mytimeshare.com.
Collier said, "We did bite twice on the crooks who take your money up front and promise to sell it for you. I think it was $500 the first time, and $600 the second time. ... Never got a nibble."
Larsen said, "We did fall for one who promised us free airline tickets to anywhere in the world if they did not sell the timeshare within six months. They failed. ... Their scam in this instance? Give us airline tickets that expire in a matter of months and that are contingent upon us making hotel reservations through their company at outrageous prices."
The Utah Department of Commerce has taken action against only one such company in recent years.
It fined Timeshare Marketing & Finance Corp. of Cedar City $2,500 in 2004 saying it "committed a deceptive act or practice by failing to refund a deposit" to a woman who was told she would receive it if her timeshare did not sell within a specified time. It was also ordered to "cease and desist from any act in violation of the Utah Consumer Sales Practices Act."
The Federal Trade Commission also advises, "It is preferable to do business with a reseller that takes its fee after the timeshare is sold. If you must pay a fee in advance, ask about refunds. Get refund policies and promises in writing."

First right of refusal
Many resorts also include a first right of refusal to buy any resold timeshares, which can alternatively be a blessing or curse.
On the bright side, that can help keep the value of all timeshares at a resort higher by not allowing too-low resales on the open market.
Marylyn Carlyle, a timeshare consultant who owns properties at many resorts, said she found, for example, that Disney Vacation Club's practice of exercising that right and buying up any really low-priced resales of its units has indeed helped all units hold value.
"It's the only one (among her developer-bought timeshares) where the value actually went up ... and I actually made money on it," she said.
But the downside of that practice is that resorts can make a lot of money by exercising that right to snap up bargains. They may not buy back units at high prices initially sought by their timeshare owners, but when those same owners are about to sell at a lower price to someone else, they can snap it up for that bargain cost.
R. Eugene Neal of Washington, Washington County, who owns timeshares at numerous resorts (purchased mainly through resales), says that in his experience developers often buy for about "35 percent of the original price, and then the weeks are resold at a profit" to new clients often buying at 100 percent of "new" prices.
Waiting for clearance of that first right of refusal can also slow sales for owners eager to sell, or buyers eager to obtain and use a timeshare.
They can also be a tool for resort owners to obtain concessions from owners.
For example, remember the sales commission provisions in Westgate contracts? To ensure that owners do not balk at them, Hatz said she has found that Westgate will refuse to sign away its first right of refusal unless those commissions are paid first.


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Utah continues to set records

By Ray Grass/Nov.22,2006
Deseret Morning News

The 2005-06 Utah ski season was a record in a number of areas.
Leading into this season, this could be looked at in a couple of different ways, said Nathan Rafferty, president of Ski Utah.
"We have a lot of momentum going into this year, or it puts a lot of pressure on us to do better," he told a gathering of resort officials and media early Tuesday.
Last ski season was, in fact, the third year in a row Utah has entertained a record number of skiers. The final count in 2005-06 was 4,062,188. Skier counts on the national level also hit an all-time high — 58.8 million.
Utah drew 7 percent of the national total. Colorado, which records more than 12 million skier days, accounted for 20 percent of the total.
It was also noted that in four of the past five years, Utah has recorded above average snowfall, and for the past two years has accumulated more than 600 total inches. The long-term average at Utah resorts at the highest elevations is 500 inches.
Rafferty also went over some of the figures from a skier survey taken last year. The skier survey is conducted every three years.
The latest findings show skiing contributed $692 million to the Utah economy in 2005-06, which is up from $650 million in 2002-03. The amount attributed to out-of-state skiers was $563 million.
The average daily expenditure of out-of-state skiers also rose. In 2005-06, visiting skiers spent $269 per day. Three years ago the figure was $251.
"One of the biggest surprises to us," said Rafferty, "involved local skiers. Our findings last year were opposite of what we found three years ago. In 2002-03, locals accounted for 45 percent of the skier days. In the latest survey, locals accounted for 56 percent.
"Having 600 inches of snow certainly helped get the locals out. An increase in the population was part of it and also all of the great programs we have available now for the locals."
Another area that was encouraging was that 57 percent of the respondents said they planned to return and ski in Utah sometime in the next two years. Three years ago, 51 percent said they planned to return.
The two main reasons out-of-state skiers gave for coming to ski in Utah remained the same — access and snow conditions.
Rafferty said early signs all point to "another great year."
The increase in tourism funding — $2.5 million for winter promotion — will make it possible for Utah to reach deeper into the outside skiing market.
This funding also made it possible for Utah to be a major sponsor of the Warren Miller ski movie tour, which involves 400 shows in 189 different markets in 35 different states.
"When you see the movie you'll see Utah has by far the best segment of deep-powder skiing. I was in Colorado recently, and when the Utah segment came on there was nothing but silence in the audience. It was great," he added.
Utah resorts also added seven new chairlifts over the summer — two at The Canyons, one at Park City Mountain Resort, one at Deer Valley, one at Snowbird, one at Powder Mountain and one at Beaver Mountain — that will open more new terrain for skiers and snowboarders.
He also pointed out that over the past two years 11 major ski companies, including Atomic, Rossignol and Salomon, have moved headquarters to Utah.
Currently, six of Utah's 13 resorts are open. Brighton was the first, followed by Park City Mountain Resort, Solitude, Snowbird, Alta and The Canyons. Brian Head was scheduled to open today, Snowbasin on Thursday, Wolf Mountain on Saturday, Deer Valley on Dec. 2 and Sundance has set a date of Dec. 8. Beaver Mountain and Powder Mountain are looking at dates in mid-December.


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:tup: For excellant photo's of Zermatt's detailing go to:www.painted-house.net/zermatt_muralart.htm
Midway is one of the Wasatch Metro's/Rocky Mtn.'s most charming towns. This resort is a beautiful addition to it's rich Swiss heritage.

http://zermatt.dolce.com/images/photo/property/shortimage/zermatt_homepage.jpg

Dolce International has Four Major Projects Underway and Two Properties
Slated to be Opened: Zermatt Resort & Spa in Utah
and La Hulpe in Belgium

http://zermatt.dolce.com/images/photo/property/zermatt_main_03.jpg.
Montvale, NJ (April 2006) – Dolce International announced it is taking a fresh and innovative approach to current Dolce-managed development projects through 2007. The global hospitality company specializing in the meetings experience has four major projects underway which include two new properties slated to be opened: Zermatt Resort & Spa in Utah and La Hulpe in Belgium; and an expansion and renovation at Lakeway Resort and Spa in Texas and Aspen Meadows Resort in Colorado.
Andy Dolce, Chairman and Managing Partner of Dolce International stated, “Dolce properties are already recognized for their unsurpassed meeting expertise and their unique character. After speaking to customers and analyzing trends, we are implementing a blueprint that keeps each property unique by infusing the local natural environment with individual decorative composition and cutting edge technology. We believe the environment, both the interior and exterior, of our conference properties has a profound impact on the total guest experience.” The company is committed to enhancing the learning and leisure experience by providing an atmosphere that will stimulate, motivate and encourage interaction.

ZERMATT RESORT & SPA, Midway, Utah
Zermatt Resort & Spa is an escape to a quaint Swiss village in the heart of Utah. Artisans are pain-stakingly hand painting murals and frescos. Wood carvers are creating such unique elements as a William Tell fireplace, statues for the grounds-both inside and out as well as carving large ceiling beams. With the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Zermatt will make you believe you are in the Alps. A European style carousel and sidewalk dining, an authentic bakery and gelato shop are all part of the Swiss touches. The focal point is Hotel der Baer, a four-story Swiss chalet, with 226 guest rooms that tastefully fuse European elegance with modern day technology. Amenities include a 17,000 square-foot European spa and a nine-hole executive golf course. The chic mountain retreat also lays claim to a natural phenomena - geothermal hot springs, which can be used in the winter for scuba diving or relaxing. The Matterhorn Conference Center, linked to Hotel der Baer, includes 28,000 square feet of meeting space with a ballroom designed to look like the elaborate grand banquet halls of old Europe. The property is slated for a June 2006 opening and already has meetings on the books through 2008.


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After Nine Years of Planning and Obtaining Entitlements, Zermatt Resort & Spa near Salt Lake City, Utah

Dolce International Appointed to Manage
Resort and Conference Center

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Montvale, NJ, February 10, 2005 – Dolce International has announced that it will manage Zermatt Resort & Spa near Salt Lake City, Utah, currently under construction and scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2006. The property is located in Midway, Utah in the Wasatch Mountain Range near Soldier Hollow, the largest venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Zermatt Resort & Spa promises to be Dolce’s most extensive conference resort yet, offering more than 64,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Designed to resemble a quaint alpine village, Zermatt will feature “Hotel der Baer”, a four-story Swiss chalet with 226 authentic alpine guest rooms and the “Chateau Hotel Villas” with 126 condominiums -- all with fireplaces and jetted tubs. Other amenities will include the “Mountain Rose” a 17,000 square-foot European spa, and “The Alps,” a newly-designed nine-hole Executive golf course. The resort’s privately-owned villas and townhouses will also be managed by Dolce.

“We are excited by the further expansion of our portfolio into Utah,” said Andy Dolce, chairman and CEO for Dolce International. “Managing the Zermatt Resort is in keeping with our strategy to expand our destinations in the Western U.S. and offer a broader range of amenities for meeting groups. Utah is a wonderful meeting and tourism destination and Zermatt fits nicely into the Dolce International portfolio with its outstanding hospitality product, excellent meeting space as well as the recreational amenities. All these components create a facility that is marketable year-round.”

Dr. Robert Fuller, owner and developer said, "It has taken nine years of design, planning, and work to obtain entitlements to see Zermatt Resort become a reality. This resort is about location and facilities. I am thrilled to be partnered with Dolce International, its officers and particularly Andy Dolce, whose combined experience will help make this one of the most unique hospitality and conference properties in the U.S.”

Ken Daugherty Named General Manager

During his more than 20-year hospitality career, Mr. Daugherty held positions in various aspects of hotel operations. He was previously with Dolce Skamania Lodge in Washington, starting in 1996 as assistant general manager and promoted to general manager in 1999. Besides his responsibility as general manager, Ken was also the regional area director of operations for the western region. Prior to joining Dolce International, Mr. Daugherty worked for Salishan Resorts for 13 years in the roles of sous chef, food and beverage manager at Salishan Lodge, and food and beverage director at the Salishan Lodge.

Mr. Daugherty graduated from Linn Benton Community College in Oregon where he studied culinary arts and restaurant management. He currently serves on the board for the Columbia River Gorge Interpretive Center and Museum.

More About Zermatt Resort & Spa

For conferences, Zermatt Resort & Spa can accommodate groups of 15 to 500. The Matterhorn Conference Center will offer 64,000 square-feet of flexible indoor meeting space, including 23 meeting rooms; five hospitality suites; and a separate enclosed 13,000 square-foot multi-use pavilion (ideal for trade show events). Teleconferencing capabilities will allow regional meetings to "link up" with other meetings nationally or internationally. In addition, the resort will have a business center. For social events, a ballroom will feature old European-style architecture to resemble the great banquet halls of Europe. The resort has already earned its approval into the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC).
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For dining, Zermatt Resort & Spa will offer three restaurants: Schneitter’s, reminiscent of the finest restaurants of Europe, featuring Swiss and French cuisine with outdoor seating on the square; Matty's Sport Grill & Lounge, a casual Bistro serving pizza and European specialties; and the Mountain Rose, a health café and juice bar. In addition to the spa and golf, on-site recreational facilities will include indoor and outdoor swimming, tennis, volleyball, basketball, retail shopping and a kids club.
Adding to Zermatt’s authentic Swiss charm are a European Carousel, Indoor Recreation center and Zermatt’s natural phenomena - geothermal hot springs which can be used in the winter for scuba diving or just relaxing. Zermatt is a true year-round resort destination, offering an exciting array of outdoor activities nearby. Guests can choose from five premium golf courses within five miles, or enjoy mountain biking, skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, hiking, alpine and Nordic skiing, water sports, air gliding and hot air ballooning.

Ideally located in Midway, Utah, Zermatt Resort is just 40 minutes outside Salt Lake City and just 45 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Dolce International is the world leader in conference center hospitality, with a collection of 27 unique properties in the United States, Canada and Europe. Each Property features a different style ranging from a historic castle, to a rustic lodge, to a New England-style country resort, to a French chateau to a traditional corporate learning center. The portfolio consists of all six types of conference centers recognized by the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC): resort, executive, corporate, university, hotel and day meeting centers.

www.dolce.com

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November 24, 2006
Park City, UT

Utah filmaker attempts to change industry
Audiences will shape movies made by new studio
Dan Bischoff, Of the Record staff
Article Launched:11/22/2006 01:00:00 AM MST

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Keith Merrill announces the opening of Audience Alliance Motion Picture Studios last Thursday.

At Hotel Park City last Thursday, an idea was revealed in a press conference that may radically change the way movies are produced.
A new movie production company, Audience Alliance Motion Picture Studios (AAMPS), announced that it plans to put all the decision power into the hands of the audience.

"The audience owns the business," said Keith Merrill, chief creative officer for AAMPS. Merrill said the audience buys the tickets and without the audience, movies wouldn't bring in the millions of dollars they do each week at the theater.

"How many times have you gone away from a movie and said, 'It was good, except one or two scenes?' How many times have you gone away from a movie and said 'I could do better?'" Merrill said. "Now, here's your chance."assembled a fairly impressive team to accomplish this daunting task.

"This is built on personal interaction, with the right people with the right experience at the right time -- people who recognize the power of the audience," Merrill said.

One of those is Ken Kragen. He won the United Nations Peace Medal for organizing "We Are The World," in which 45 major artists came together to record a song by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and the proceeds went to the hungry people in Africa. He also organized "Hands across America," for which Kragen said, "I was able to orchestrate 7 million people joining hands from coast to coast to feed the hungry and the homeless of the United States."

Kragen said of the creation of AAMPS that, "This is a terrifically audacious idea."

Kragen however, is accustomed

His goal is to build a major motion picture company that is "created for and ultimately owned by the audience."

Merrill, who lives in California, decided to have the press conference in Park City because he grew up in Utah and has done much of his filming in the state.

"You can take the boy out of Utah, but you can't take Utah out of the boy," he said.

The reason behind forming something like this is to create movies with values, something Merrill says is lacking in Hollywood.

"Seventy percent of the audience, who go to movies, say that Hollywood does not reflect their values," Merrill said. "We want to create movies that have heart, humor and great stories that send messages of hope and values."

Merrill is an Academy Award winner and two-time Oscar nominee for the movie "The great American Cowboy." His movies have produced revenue approaching $1 billion. He is considered one of the most successful independent filmmakers. He has directed other films such as "Amazon," "Olympic Glory," "Testaments," "Legacy" and "Grand Canyon The Hidden Secrets," which is currently in the Imax Hall of Fame. Merrill, who focuses on uplifting documentaries and stories, believes Hollywood has lost touch with America.
"This is a timely convergence of an idea whose time has come," Merrill said. "There's been a neglect of the mainstream audience by Hollywood and there's a growing frustration.

Merrill has assembled a fairly impressive team to accomplish this daunting task.

"This is built on personal interaction, with the right people with the right experience at the right time -- people who recognize the power of the audience," Merrill said.

One of those is Ken Kragen. He won the United Nations Peace Medal for organizing "We Are The World," in which 45 major artists came together to record a song by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and the proceeds went to the hungry people in Africa. He also organized "Hands across America," for which Kragen said, "I was able to orchestrate 7 million people joining hands from coast to coast to feed the hungry and the homeless of the United States."

Kragen said of the creation of AAMPS that, "This is a terrifically audacious idea."

Kragen however, is accustomed to innovative ideas. When organizing "Hands Across America," people thought he was crazy.

"People pay attention to the impossible," Kragen said. "We are offering something that's cutting edge and will change dramatically the way movies are made.

Whatever Kragen is involved in, he usually succeeds. He devotes his time to consulting work for leading corporations in the United States. A press release stated that more than 95 percent of the actors he managed have become major stars and 90 percent of the projects he spearheaded have achieved success. He also won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Talent Managers Association. When compared to all the phenomenal things he has accomplished, Kragen has put his heart into the AAMPS .

"This is perhaps the most important of those projects," Kragen said. "I may be involved in the third great cause of my career, and this may be the biggest thing I've ever been involved with.

"Audience Alliance has been formed to join hands in a different kind of way, to feed a different kind of hunger, the hunger of families and others for movies that entertain and uplift," Kragen said.

Merrill also considers this his third great work.

"This is really ambitious, and very bold," Merrill said. "I've had an incredible life and an incredible career. This is act three."

AAMPS works like this. People can log onto the AAMPS Web site and become members for $120 a year. Members can submit screenplays, read other screenplays, input thoughts and vote on what movies AAMPS should produce. Those whose scripts are accepted will also be compensated.

Every AAMPS movie will have strict guidelines, however, and won't be rated above PG-13. Movies will aim to avoid sexual themes, vain language, defiant behavior and promiscuity. Violence will be handled in a way that will eliminate images that may be offensive to the general audience. Creative writing will take the place of profanity.

Integrating these types of values into all the movies may suggest like the production company will produce movies that lack conflict, character development and drama. That, however, would be a mistake according to Merrill.

"I don't think it means they will all be warm and fuzzy," Merrill said. "Too many filmmakers embrace a philosophy that eliminates God. We will respect traditional values, universal values that are not political or religious."

Merrill will produce the movies around solid writing and entertaining stories. He said it will also give "rising generations of filmmakers a place to go."

Merrill referenced older, classic movies as the type of films that will come. Movies he said, Hollywood wouldn't touch, such as the classic Christmas film, "It's a Wonderful Life."

"'It's a Wonderful Life' would never get the green light in Hollywood," Merrill said. "It would never make it today."

Merrill mentioned a friend who is a producer in Hollywood that supports his ideas. Merrill said, "She told me, 'I have different beliefs than you do and I don't even think we believe in the same God. But, I read what you are doing and I wept. I've felt so alone in this business. I want to be the first in line."


For more information or to become a member of the AAMPS, go to www.audiencealliance.com.

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Winter bookings up from 2005-06
Word of mouth, great snow brings in new guests, keeps old ones coming back

SKYLER BELL, Of the Record staff

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For the past three months, Parkites have been relaxing through the slow-season. Now there's snow on the ground, resorts are open and lodging reservations are pouring in.
According to Bill Malone, executive director of the Park City Chamber/Bureau, lodging numbers for the 2005-06 winter season rose 5 percent from the year before. From November 2005 to March 2006 Park City had 1779 visitor nights, compared to 1697 for the same time period of the 2004-05 season.

The Chamber/Bureau does not keep official records of current bookings, nor do they try to predict the future, Malone said. But things are looking positive.

"Anecdotally, we're hearing good things," Malone said. "It gets harder and harder each year to project growth, but, if you look at the numbers, we've had significant growth over the past few years. Last year we had some weeks at 85 percent occupancy, which is great. You just don't know if you're going to be successful on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays to make those numbers go up, but all signs point to us having another great year."

Weekdays, which are typically spent at lower occupancy than weekends, are a big reason why Patty Smith, assistant manager of reservations at Deer Valley Lodging, is excited about current trends. Smith said they are booked for several calendar weeks already.
"All in all we're looking at about a 20 percent increase in overall bookings over this time last year," she said. "Our popularity, starting with the Olympics and the great snow we've had in the last few years, has increased the amount of repeat guests. It's just so easy to get here."

Smith said the traditional weeks are busy, but that there are also some surprises.

"Right now Dec. 26 to Jan. 2 is totally booked up," she said. "But, surprisingly, so is the week of Jan. 2-7 because of the extended Christmas break some kids are getting. Historically that hasn't happened before so we're very busy."

January, which is traditionally Park City's busiest month, is already showing signs of record-breaking numbers.

The start-of-the-year madness begins at New Year's, but swells in the middle of the month around the Martin Luther King, Jr., holiday weekend from Jan. 11 to the 15. After the holiday, the city continues to fill for the rest of the month because of the annual Sundance Film Festival..

"The whole film festival is sold out from Jan. 18-28, with the 'A' package from Jan. 18-23 completely sold out, and only limited availability from the 23-28 for the 'B' package," Smith added.

Smith said the numbers tail off toward the beginning of February, but pick back up with Valentine's Day and President's Day weekend before settling back down until spring break.

"The last part of March, the 24-31, is almost sold out because of spring break, all the way through April 8 because of the early date of Easter," she said.

Smith said that on any given weekend, especially the traditionally busy ones, Deer Valley Lodging runs at about 90 percent occupancy of its 700 condos in the Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort areas.

"We do cater to the higher end clientele and we've been doing it forever," she said. "But all of the reservations will, of course, all depend on Mother Nature and how things go."

Krista Parry, spokesman for PCMR, said that although they do not own properties, they go through local property management companies to keep rooms full.

"We don't own any properties, however, our PCMR reservations department has connections with 90 percent of the lodging properties in and around Park City so we book everywhere."

She said that through those companies PCMR locations have enjoyed an increase in bookings over the same time last year.

"Currently we are seeing about a 13 percent jump from where we were last year in reservations at this time," Parry said. "We are seeing big jumps in January and in March. We were up last year from the previous year, so for us to be ahead again is pretty phenomenal, especially since we haven't had any big weather dumps, and snow is what usually makes the phones ring."

Much like it has been in the past, Parry said they have not seen any significant trends in where people are visiting from. Guests come from everywhere from Utah to Australia to visit Park City's majestic mountains and world-famous snow.

"People come from all over," she said. "We get guests booking from all across the nation, from all across the world. And the fact that we're still seeing increases in our reservations says people aren't too worried about the increases in transportation costs."

Despite airline travel prices pushing higher than in recent years, Parry said the desire to get away and get rejuvenated, lifts people into the sky and onto vacation. She said she doesn't foresee transportation costs becoming an issue.

Libby Dowd of The Canyons agrees.

"Of our over 600 units that we're in charge of, I think we're up 11 percent from last year," she said. "I don't see that stopping as long as the snow keeps falling."

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Park City Transportation adds to fleet
New Hummer limousine highlights new addition for company

SKYLER BELL, Of the Record staff
Article Launched:11/25/2006 01:00:00 AM MST

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As Park City's winter population swells each weekend, growing pains are felt in every facet of the city.
The ski resorts need more lifts, hotels need more rooms and Park City Transportation needs a limousine Hummer.

Park City Transportation, a full-service company that bills itself as "the longest continuously running transportation company in Park City," just added $500,000 worth of new vehicles to its fleet to help lighten the load of its ever-increasing demand.

The current vehicles in the fleet include several buses "mid-sized coaches" able to carry from 17 to 34 passengers, an 18-passenger H2 Hummer limousine, 40 new 10-passenger vans and 16 Cadillac Escalades.

"We're a full-service company," said General Manager Al Noble. "We run a taxi service. We run an airport service with the vans and Cadillac Escalades. We also do a charter service, which is mainly done in our mid-sized coaches."

Noble, who has been with the company for three years, said they try to keep all of the vehicles as new as possible, and always in good repair.

"We operate on a lease program with our vehicles, so, when it comes to our vans and our Escalades, we turn them over every five months," he said. "That allows us to change our vehicles for either the winter or the summer, and it also means our passengers are always riding in a brand new vehicles."
Park City Transportation has tried to establish a niche with the business community in Park City. Noble said their clientele consists mainly of meeting planner/corporate business travelers, guests wanting Utah road tours, visitors to Park City and, of course, locals.

"Our major clients range from the different properties in and around Deer Valley to different meeting planners, such as Western Leisure in the valley," Noble said. "It's really a broad spectrum."

Much like last season, Park City Transportation will offer its Passport program in order to give visitors to Park City the most mobility for the cheapest price. The program, which costs $72 for a week, is designed to alleviate the need for destination visitors to rent a car.

"What it entails: is you buy the passport and it includes round-trip share-ride transport to and from the airport, as well as free taxi service while they're in town," Noble said. "It really cuts down on the need for a rental car. It's our second year of operating this program, and we're the only company in the nation who operates a program like this, that we know of."

Noble said they did a trial run on the program last year and it was extremely successful; that's why they are bringing it back for 2006-07.

"We ran it last year and it was successful beyond our wildest expectations, because of the response," he said. "We were worried about managing people's expectations and we received zero complaints, which, for a new program like that, is astounding."

Other recently implemented programs have had similar success. Three years ago Park City Transportation began offering a summer charter bus service to allow guests to see the wonders of Utah during their visit.

Initially, they established the service to bolster their summer business and balance out their year, but Noble said it has far exceeded expectations, which is why they need more buses.

"When we got the 33- and 29-passenger busses it was an experiment and we had a wonderful response to it," he said. "The increase is customer driven. We have to increase our fleet. The Hummer was mainly to add more luxury, and we plan to add more limousines in the future because we see that as a growing demand."

Noble said he has seen a dramatic increase in demand for both tour bus service and luxury service, such as that the Hummer limo provides. Noble said he plans to grow both areas of their fleet as soon as possible.

"The expansion is because of the phenomenal growth we've seen over the past few years in all segments," Noble added. "We're going to continue to expand in the motor coach and luxury side."

Park City Transportation is located at 1555 Lower Iron Horse Loop Road in Park City and can be reached 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Their toll-free telephone number is (800) 637-3803 and the local number is (435) 649-8567.

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From the first moment you arrive at the lodges, the quality will speak to you. From the native mountain stone, to the rough sawn timbers, to the heavy timber trusses, beams and braces – all are reminiscent of great lodges from an earlier era, only updated with today’s modern amenities and concierge services.

You are welcomed to Escala as you enter the porte-cochere entrance of the Wasatch main lodge. Experience a mountain resort lobby complete with a magnificent grand staircase, comfortable fireside seating areas and convenient guest check-in desk.

While you check-in, your skis and snowboards are taken for you to your own private-owner’s locker room. After your first day on the hill, the owner’s lounge awaits you with a relaxing and private conversation space. Later, you return to the great outdoors to experience the year-round heated outdoor pool or one of two oversized spas. After, you decide to take in a massage or a quick workout before dinner in the on-site Fitness Center, located in the White Pine Lodge.

Also located in the White Pine Lodge, designed specifically for the children in your life, is the Children’s Adventure Center and games area. Then enjoy a well-deserved dinner together with family and friends in the Wasatch Lodge restaurant and lounge. The best of mountain living truly begins at Escala Lodges!

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The vision was clear. Start with 4,600 acres of pristine alpine terrain with lush forests, rolling meadows, sparkling streams and Utah’s famous powder snow. Then, with the philosophy of less is more, build a private, gated community offering approximately 274 home sites to the fortunate few. The creation? The largest ski-in / ski-out home sites in North America, averaging around 8 acres.

All this just 35 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport and minutes to Park City’s historic Main Street. At The Colony there are home sites that go beyond everyone’s expectations. Starting with yours.

What would it be like to live in your own national park? Imagine yourself surrounded by a ski resort and mountain sanctuary where 90% of the land is preserved as open space. In winter, enjoy front-door ski and snowboard access to The Canyons, the fifth largest resort in North America. In spring, the snow melts to reveal an amazing network of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. All this is only minutes from Park City’s world-class dining and shopping. In January, this vibrant Olympic town embraces the Sundance Film Festival and is transformed into “tinseltown”. The Colony is truly a four-season destination, and the
perfect setting for those distinguished enough to really enjoy the best that life has to offer.

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Enjoying more of that world famous Utah Powder! Location: The Canyons, Utah

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Preserve reaches out to public

Focus of Summit County meadow, wetlands is education,conservation

By Amelia Nielson-Stowell
Deseret Morning News/Heritage Foundation Update: Nov.26,2006

SNYDERVILLE, Summit County — When Leland Swaner passed away in 1992, more than 300 homes were plotted and approved to be built on the site of his family's ranch in the heart of the Snyderville Basin — a high-altitude desert meadow full of meandering creeks, rolling hillsides and lush wetlands where moose, deer and red fox roamed.

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Tom Smart, Deseret Morning News
The historic Wallin Farm serves as a landmark on the southwest corner of the Swaner Nature Preserve. The land is crucial to a variety of wildlife.

It was a piece of paradise for any prospective homebuyer.
But it was a land deal that Swaner's wife and children did not feel comfortable approving. Instead, the Swaner family chose an unusual way of memorializing its husband and father: They preserved the land as 1,200 acres of open space.
For over a decade, the Swaners acquired parcels that connected to the ranch. Piece by piece, the land was secured with conservation easements and officially named the Swaner Nature Preserve.
Today, this nonprofit land trust is nestled in the middle of massive development. Housing units border the north, east and south sides of the preserve, and the popular Redstone shopping center and the Newpark Town Center sit on the west.
"We're doing everything we can to stay ahead of this encroaching development," said Colleen Rush, the preserve's executive director. "We don't pretend we're a natural forest far away from development. We're part of this community."

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Associated PressAn artist's rendering shows the Swaner Nature Preserve education center, planned for completion in 2008.

Now that the acquisition is complete, preserve officials are turning toward education. Part of that process includes simply letting people know where and what the preserve is.
The land spans both sides of I-80, and the historic Wallin Farm serves as a landmark on the southwest corner. The land is a watershed, and East Canyon Creek, Kimball Creek and Spring Creek run through the property.
However, few people know about the preserve, Rush said, and many think of it merely as fields and views. "But there's so much more," she said.
Education is also the first step toward restoring the wetlands and teaching community-based conservation, she added.
"There's a very meaningful and rich story that can be told about this ecology system that actually nourishes the preserve," said Leland Swaner's son, Sumner Swaner, a former wildlife and fishery ecologist who is president of the preserve's Board of Trustees. "We've been dying to tell these stories for years and years."

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photo:Tom Smart, Deseret Morning News

Seventy percent of Utah's animals rely on the habitat provided by high-altitude desert meadows, but that type of land is available in less than 0.1 percent of the state, according to the state Division of Wildlife Resources. Much of it has been destroyed during the past 100 years because of agricultural practices, or it's been lost to developers.
Swaner Nature Preserve is no exception. The early ranching days meant the wetlands on the south side of the freeway were drained and filled. The preserve is in its third year of restoring them, a process that includes filling farming ditches and redirecting creeks.
"Managing our resources is half of what we do, and the other half is connecting the people to it," Rush said.
"Once we restore this, the potential for migrating birds is huge," she added.
Expansion plans include conservation research and an inventory of the preserve's plants and animals. Educational programming is also expected to grow, and the preserve is working with the Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center, a Park City-based nonprofit group that provides leisure programs for adults and summer programs for low-income youths.

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Deseret Morning News graphic

The biggest addition to the preserve will be a world-class nature center, expected to be completed in 2008. Currently, the preserve's staff is housed in a small trailer on the east end of the property. The 10,000-square-foot center will be a new office for staff and provide exhibit space, a theater, observation tower and pier. Rush envisions the Nature Center as a museum-quality building with lots of exhibit space for touring artists and authors.
Park City manager Tom Bakaly, who is a member of the preserve's board, is leading a $10 million capital campaign to raise money for the center.
"It's an incredible asset there in the entry corridor to town," Bakaly said. "As you're coming into town, you see where the Olympics were to your right, then all this open space on your left. It's a neat thing to have."
The goal for the new center is a building constructed according to environmental-conservation standards, designed with the help of consultants from across the nation. Preserve leaders hope that groundbreaking will take place in the next few months.
"Our message is not this tiny little local message. It's national," Rush said. "Our educational message is why this wetland in the middle of the mountains is so important."


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Photo's by: David Whitten
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Wasatch Metro/Alta Resort/Mount Superior

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Alta Resort/Devil's Castle

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Alta Resort/Ski Tracks

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It hasn't been that long ago that Kearns blvd. underwent major improvements for the Olympic's. However, I have always wondered how long it would be before they would have to widen it. Looks like it will be sooner than later.

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The Reid Building at 750 Kearns Blvd. One of many new projects contributing to the need for Kearns Blvd. expansion.

S.R. 248 traffic misery spreads
First big snows hamper drivers commuting to Park City
by Jay Hamburger OF THE RECORD STAFF

Article Launched:12/02/2006 01:00:00 AM MST


Jeff Schmeiler counts on it: his commute to Park City from Kamas will take about twice as long in the winter as it does in the off-season.

Schmeiler, who manages Peak Experience, a sports shop on Iron Horse Drive, says it now takes him up to 45 minutes to drive to work. Before the bad weather started and the area's mountain resorts opened, the trip usually took 20 minutes.

"It's definitely starting to get a little more frustrating," Schmeiler says, admitting that, so far this ski season, the commute has not taken longer than last year.

Schmeiler is one of the thousands of drivers who enter Park City each day on S.R. 248, the state highway used by people who live on the East Side of Summit County and in Wasatch County. But the highway, known in Park City as Kearns Boulevard, is under stress and traffic jams on the road during the morning commute are sometimes terrible, lots of Parkites say.

This week, complaints were widespread after gridlock gripped the highway on Monday afternoon. Eric DeHaan, the Park City engineer, says the Utah Highway Patrol closed U.S. 40 that day after a series of slide-offs blamed on the weather.

Once U.S. 40 was closed, traffic backed up on S.R. 248, the city engineer reports, leaving cars lined up for miles trying to leave Park City.
But DeHaan says that traffic on S.R. 248 is usually worst in the morning rush hour, when the commuters compete with parents and school buses taking kids to classes at the Park City School District campus on Kearns Boulevard. Students crossing the street walking to school also contribute to the backups.

"We simply have all of the problems come together. You have more cars than ever before coming into Park City," DeHaan says, adding, "If there's only two people driving into Park City, no problem."

Schmeiler suggests that S.R. 248 be widened to four lanes, two lanes for each direction of traffic, and pedestrian tunnels be built under the road at the schools complex. If both are done, he says, traffic could be slashed.

"I don't see any other way you're going to do it," says Schmeiler, who has lived in the area for 10 years after arriving from Connecticut.

He plans to start working earlier hours starting in mid-December to avoid the S.R. 248 traffic.

The complaints early in the ski season are likely disconcerting to leaders. With early snowfall and Park City's booming resort business, it seems that the 2006-2007 ski season could be the most congested ever. Parkites and commuters have been increasingly leery of the traffic.

DeHaan says studies have shown that about 4,000 cars are driving into Park City on S.R. 248 between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. during the winter. He says the road, which was reconstructed with a divider but no new traffic lanes in 1999, is at capacity during the morning commuter hours. It is below capacity the rest of the day, he says.

"That's 22 hours of the day it works fine, absent an accident or blizzard," DeHaan says.

The traffic on S.R. 248 is spilling into Prospector, neighbors charge. They recently approached Mayor Dana Williams and the Park City Council with complaints that drivers, in an effort to avoid the backup on S.R. 248, turn into Prospector on their way to work.

City Hall acknowledges that the local government is not planning major new initiatives this winter in an effort to reduce the traffic or make it flow better along S.R. 248. DeHaan says officials hope workers switch their commuting times on their own. Rick Ryan, a Police Department lieutenant, says the police, with others at City Hall, plan to study traffic on Prospector streets.

Kayla Lewis, who works at Leger's, a sandwich shop off Kearns Boulevard, says she leaves for work from Highland Estates about 15 minutes earlier when her shift starts at 8:30 a.m., realizing that there could be skier and school traffic on S.R. 248.

Lewis says traffic starts backing up sometimes at Quinn's Junction. Once she passes the schools, the traffic lets up, she says. Lewis mentions that, perhaps, officials could remove the raised median on S.R. 248. If that's done, she says, maybe another inbound lane of traffic could be built.

"It's just growing, I guess. I've lived up here 30 years," Lewis says. "It's just growing everywhere you go."

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http://www.duvaldevelopment.com/images/logo.jpg
Les Châteaux DuVal
The Canyons® Resort
Park City lifestyle meets Old World charm at Les Chateaux DuVal, a European mountain village of just 19 homes with exquisite architecture, breathtaking surroundings and outstanding ski access to The Canyons® Resort. Each unique home offers the finest in modern luxuries complemented by rich European craftsmanship. Homes feature dramatic great rooms, spacious wine cellars, family theaters, sunlit kitchens with butler’s pantries, dual master suites, expansive courtyards and verandas, and Smart Home technology. European touches include reclaimed limestone entries, timber-beamed vaulted ceilings, custom-timber lintels, and hinged wooden shutters.

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USA TODAY,


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Utah envisions Euro-style complex with 12,000 acres of skiing

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Midway on a tour of six Utah resorts in one day, backcountry guide Mark Menlove bounds across the Highway to Heaven, a 500-yard ski traverse that links Big and Little Cottonwood canyons.
Five hundred yards. That's all that separates four resorts — Solitude, Brighton, Alta and Snowbird — from joining to form one sprawling ski area. Another pair of chair lifts could link these four resorts to Park City and Deer Valley, making for North America's largest skiing complex.

"If it's done the right way, an environmentally friendly way — and I believe it can be — then it's a plus for Utah," said Snowbird general manager Bob Bonar. "We want to see if it has legs."

The resorts, all independently owned, have kicked around the idea for years, some guardedly. It would require some form of revenue sharing, and it goes against the exclusive image cultivated by a few of the resorts, particularly Deer Valley.

In 1990 the Mountainlands Association of Governments studied options from traffic tunnels to cable tramways. The report was shelved as too grandiose, but time has made linking resorts only more practical.

Spurred by the 2002 Winter Olympics, many of the Wasatch resorts added high-speed lifts and enlarged their borders, making interconnecting trails a cinch. Already, neighbors Alta and Snowbird offer a joint pass, along with Brighton and Solitude.

The Utah resorts are itching to attract more vacationers and chip away at Colorado's lead. Utah logs over 4.0 million skier visits a winter; Colorado leads the nation with 11 million.

An interconnect would bring together 12,000 acres of resort skiing on some of the finest powder snow — more than twice the size of either Vail or Whistler Blackcomb in British Columbia, making for a Euro-style ski experience and powerful marketing draw. That doesn't count The Canyons, a 3,625-acre resort that could join the club. It's only one canyon away from Park City Mountain Resort.

Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman said he was eager to see Utah resorts link up and showcase "our competitive advantages."

"I think our ski industry is very hungry. They see that we are now in a position where we can begin to steal market share from Colorado," said Huntsman, who is striving to build Utah's economy and tourism. "Colorado's been in a green-light mode for 20 years now. And here for the first time in a while, Utah is poised for excellence in this particular area, where it's through inter-connectedness or bringing out other assets that we have, like proximity to a great airport."

The shrinking distances between Wasatch resorts was plain to see on the tour stitching together six ski areas in six hours. The outing brought together two resort managers, an industry ambassador and a board trustee for Save Our Canyons, a sometimes worthy adversary at Forest Service proceedings.

"Every time you put in one of these lifts, it takes away part of the backcountry," Dick said of the high-elevation, moderately sloped terrain prized by backcountry skiers for deep, stable snow. The resorts ring this limited range of the craggy Wasatch that is most suitable for skiing.

Bonar is convinced a resort complex could be laid out "in a way that works for Save Our Canyons," but Dick dismissed as so much talk what some in the industry see as inevitable: "They've been saying that for the last 45 years. They hope to make it a self-fulfilling prophecy."

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Cutting it Close
Actress Glenn Close helps Deer Valley Director of Mountain Operations Chuck English celebrate the opening of a new lift at Silver Lake and a new season.(Scott Sine/Park Record)

Ski Utah's interconnect tour, starts on the immaculately groomed slopes of Deer Valley, known for pampering guests with ski porters and gourmet food. The resort shares a boundary with Park City Mountain Resort on a shoulder of its 9,570-foot summit. On a chair ride to the top, Deer Valley general manager Bob Wheaton said an hour or two of bulldozer work could merge trails of both resorts.

"I don't know I'd go as far as say, 'inevitable,'" he said. "But possible? Definitely."

Deer Valley already limits skiers to about 6,500 a day because of restaurant, not slope capacity, and it often hits the limit, especially during March, Wheaton said. But even if Deer Valley opts out, other, more eager resorts could go along.

From the top of Park City Mountain Resort, Menlove leads the group through a short stretch of ponderosa forest for an open slope and 1.5-mile run to Solitude. It's the longest distance between these Wasatch resorts.

"From a business standpoint, there is an advantage," Solitude general manager Mike Goar said on a summit lift to the Highway to Heaven and the connection to Alta. "It's complicated — who builds which lift and how you share revenues. Europe is a model."

After a jaunt across the Highway to Heaven and a picnic lunch, Menlove leads skiers on a short run to legendary Alta, a place evoking the 1930s where skiers make pilgrimages, not visits. A guard shack separates Alta and Snowbird, Utah's most challenging resort, where the group takes a quick run.

Then it's back to Alta and a final, sweaty backcountry run to Brighton, a homestyle ski area that caters to locals.

Menlove, who has been guiding these $150 Ski Utah tours for four years, says customers are more likely to get lost in the crowds of a resort than in the backcountry. As if to prove the point, a second guide bringing up the rear got briefly separated at Snowbird, skiing to the wrong lift.


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From the beginning, our mission has been to create the perfect "home away from home". Our vision is to provide larger liveable spaces with the same discerning features that motivated the purchase of your primary home. Lookout homes are located on an expansive site comprised of 44 acres with 270-degree panoramic views of Deer Valley® and Park City ski runs. Eleven buildings of single-family homes and 12 buildings of twin home configurations are spread apart in an organic and private site plan to preserve the natural forested setting, making Lookout unlike any property developed in Deer Valley® to date.

Once inside your home at Lookout, the benefits of ownership will become truly apparent. Enhanced room sizes make every Lookout home live like your primary home, with three family gathering spaces comprised of formal living room, family room and bonus room. With multiple utility options from the spacious laundry room, mud room and walk-in pantry, there is no shortage of spacious household living and room to grow. A handsomely fitted residential elevator carries you through the floors where the most sought after features, such as main level master bedrooms, enormous decking and laundry rooms, make for hassle-free living. Convenience and service is the trademark of Lookout and the on-site concierge can facilitate everything from your lift ticket and dinner reservations to your airport shuttle and grocery shopping.

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Ski access to anywhere at Deer Valley® Resort® is made easy via front door pick up in Lookout's custom luxury shuttle vehicle. With quick shuttle service to the lifts at Silver Lake and any other location on the mountain, you are likely to get to those first tracks faster than if you skied from your door. Add to that the convenience and piece of mind in knowing that you can enjoy apr賠ski with a safe and convenient ride home after the ski lifts have closed.

The clubhouse provides a relaxing setting for watching a game on the big screen or entertaining larger functions outside your home. The lookout tower, with its 360-degree views, allows those who wish to watch over their domain to be stewards of the land. The soft surface trail linking the property directly to Main Street Park City via a series of rustic tree-house platforms allows for quiet forested serenity and wildlife observation. At Lookout, life is about nature and its majestic beauty.

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photo by: Jeffrey D. Allred

Skier Robert Sullivan zips on a conveyer through Snowbird's new Peruvian Tunnel, the first ski tunnel in North America, after its grand opening on Tuesday. The 600-foot tunnel, which took two summers to construct, provides a shortcut from Peruvian Gulch to the ski resort's Mineral Basin on the back side of the mountain. The tunnel will allow access to and from Mineral Basin on days when it is too windy to operate the tram

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Snowbird tunnel draws user raves
The 600-foot passage links two areas - the first such facility in North America
By Mike Gorrell
The Salt Lake Tribune


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Jim Urquhart/The Salt Lake Tribune
Skiers ride the conveyor Tuesday from Peruvian Gulch to Mineral Basin at Snowbird as the 600-foot tunnel connecting the two areas officially opened.

The tunnel and its people-mover conveyor had been open only an hour or so Tuesday when skier Bernd Schlickeiser slid out its back side into cloud-enshrouded Mineral Basin.
"That is something new in my life," he yelled back to his trailing partner, Yves Harel. And that is saying something. Schlickeiser is 61, hails from Germany and has skied most of his life, often in Europe, where the concept of moving from one side of a ski mountain to another through a tunnel is not commonplace, though not unheard of.
But this tunnel is in North America. At 11 a.m. Tuesday, Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort became the continent's first resort to incorporate a tunnel into its system for transporting skiers and snowboarders.
And to Snowbird mountain operations director Jim Baker, who oversaw the excavation and development of the 600-foot, $1.4 million tunnel, bringing that system online is creating the kind of buzz about Snowbird that Schlickeiser's comment epitomized.
People will want to come to the Bird just to try the tunnel. They'll want to see what it is like to ride a conveyor belt through a gray-walled tunnel, 200 feet beneath the ridge that separates Peruvian Gulch, on Snowbird's main Little Cottonwood Canyon side, from Mineral Basin, on its American Fork Canyon backside.
On this day, too, the tunnel also showed its practical nature. Although there was a whiteout at the tunnel's exit point in Mineral Basin, there was little wind to whip the new-falling snow. But a few hundred feet higher on Hidden Peak, steady winds in the teens and gusting to 25 mph made conditions much more physically challenging.
"It is nice not to have to go to the top and suffer the wind and just enjoy the slopes," said Harel, 71, of Montreal.
When winds are even stronger, the Tram cannot operate. But with the tunnel and the new Peruvian Express high-speed quad lift, which empties out a few dozen yards from the tunnel's entrance, skiers and boarders can still get back to Mineral Basin's mixture of intermediate groomers and powder shots.
Known technically as the Peruvian Tunnel, the passage has quickly picked up the nickname "The Basshole." That is a play on the name of Snowbird owner Dick Bass, who Tuesday christened the high-speed quad by breaking a bottle of champagne on one of its chairs, and then presided over a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the center of the tunnel to open it officially.
Bass pledged that his resort and up-canyon neighbor Alta "do not intend to rest on our laurels. We have a responsibility [in a high-pressure society] to provide our fellow man with the opportunities to enhance themselves in mind, body and spirit."
Snowbird President Bob Bonar praised the designers, miners, construction workers and planners from Salt Lake County and the U.S. Forest Service who aided in construction of the project, and the legislators who supported it. Many were among the crowd of 125 that packed into the tunnel for the dedication.
Once the ribbon was cut, Bonar gave the word and lift operations official Rich Taxwood flipped a switch to turn on the conveyor belt that moves riders from one side of the mountain to the other.
"Looks like fun to me. Let's go play," said John McGee, a Salt Lake Valley real estate agent and part-time ski instructor at Alta, as he stepped aboard.
Helga and Herb Lloyd, longtime friends of Snowbird ski legend Junior Bounos, flew back from South Carolina on Monday night just to be part of the historic occasion. "It is a real milestone," said Helga, 65-plus a few years old, and a Snowbird regular for nearly three decades.
While officials milled around at the embarkation point, a season-pass holder named Judd Cool, 43, of Sandy became the first "real" person to reach Mineral Basin via the tunnel. Not far behind were Lars Morris of Draper and his 13-year-old daughter, Tiffany, who was allowed to miss school for the experience.
Misty Clark, 33, a special events manager for Snowbird, was the first snowboarder through. It was her day off and she had to try it because it was so noteworthy. "I just went to Phoenix to buy a car," she noted, "and the salesman knew about the tunnel. And he doesn't ski."
Just another example of the kind of chatter Ski Utah President Nathan Rafferty likes to hear.
"It helps Utah's whole industry when a resort does something as unique as this," he said. "Mostly, it is all about the buzz. It's another thing for us to talk about."

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:tup: :tup: This sale basically announces the beginning of a new uber-surge of development at The Canyon's. We think it has been developing at an astounding pace, but we haven't seen nothin yet. Future plans for this resort call for it to be bigger than Whistler or Vail.
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Park City-based American Skiing sells Colorado's Steamboat resort
By Mike Gorrell
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 12/19/2006 11:24:57 PM MST

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Park City-based American Skiing Co. announced Tuesday that it sold Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. in Colorado for $265 million to Intrawest ULC.
The sale leaves The Canyons resort outside of Park City as American Skiing's sole operation in the West. The company also has six other resorts, in Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire.
Chip Carey, American Skiing's senior vice president of marketing and sales, could not say Tuesday how the sale will impact The Canyons, but added "it's going to be our gem in the West.
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"The Canyons has been a real focus for us since we bought it" in 1997, he said, adding that even before the Steamboat sale "we had a pretty aggressive plan for that resort. This will allow us to focus on that asset. It's a growth asset. It grew 17 percent [in revenue] last year."
Intrawest, which was acquired in October by Fortress Investment Group for $2.8 billion, will receive nearly 3,500 acres of mountainous terrain in the deal under a long-term special use permit from the U.S. Forest Service. It also will get private real estate with development potential, 13 dining venues, the Steamboat Grand Resort Hotel and Condominiums, Steamboat Central Reservations and employee housing.
"This acquisition marks the resurgence in our strategy to grow through acquisitions and to leverage our platform to enhance value for our customers," said Alex Wasilov,president and chief operating officer for Intrawest, which also owns Copper Mountain and Winter Park resorts in Colorado.
American Skiing made it known in July that Steamboat was for sale. David Hirasawa, an American Skiing financial analyst and investment relations manager, said the final sales price reflected improvements that ended up boosting Steamboat's skier-day total last winter to more than 1 million.
"Favorable market conditions led to the sales price you see in front of you today," he said.
Added colleague Carey: "This is a real opportunistic sale for us. It frees us of bank debt, which is a significant thing for our company. Steamboat has been a great asset for us since we acquired it in 1997. . . . The senior management team over there has grown to be good friends. But from the business side, this is the best deal for us as a company and for our shareholders."

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Quicksilver makes Newpark move this spring
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Color pencil details of Park City's new, "Newpark Business Center."

Executives will be housed in temporary office until headquarters is complete
ANNA BLOOM, Of the Record staff

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In a few months, the many-armed Quicksilver, Inc., which includes Rossignol, Dynastar, Mervin Manufacturing, U.S.A., Lib Technologies and Gnu snowboard brands, will unite their executives from Vermont, Washington and Utah into a temporary building in Newpark.
The transplanted administrators will move into the second floor of the nearly complete three-story office building east of State Road 224, just before the company breaks ground on their 30,000 square-foot permanent residence next door. They anticipate their official headquarters, which they have dubbed their "Mountain Center," will be complete by the summer of 2007.

Rossignol's Western Slaes Manager Ron Steele says that his office in Clearfield, Utah, will be divided up between Park City and Ogden, where the company plans to hold their distribution center.

Steele supports the move, he says, since Park City has an international airport a less than an hour's drive away, and 10 resorts within an hour's drive.

The town itself also suits the Quicksilver's ethos.

"Certainly, there's a certain lifestyle being projected up in Park City," Steele said. "Park City really projects a lifestyle that this brand is involved with and it's not just about alpine skiing. It's the lifestyle Rossignol leads and it's the lifestyle Park City leads."

The idea behind the relocation of Rossignol's North American Headquarters is to incorporate and consolidate the company to the mountains where the participation in winter sports was high to bring the corporation to "the backyard of where the Nordic skiing and alpine skiing happen."

At the Summit County Planning Commission's meeting work session March 14, Cottonwood Partners, the developers of the project, discussed some of the latest modifications to the Mountain Center plans. It was the first meeting with the commission after three sessions with the county's Design Review Committee.

The staff report explained that a building originally approved in 2004 which will become the Mountain Center, would instead use half the space previously planned for the parcel. Plans now calculate the building at 30,984 square feet.

The report added that the Rossignol company wants a building design that "reflects a mountain feel and provides a corporate statement through contemporary mountain architecture." The latest plans propose the building will be 57 feet tall and construction materials including stucco, stone, metal and wood window headers.

Rossignol Vice President of Marketing Steve Dudley says the building will be designed specifically "for us and our needs" and that the original plans for the building were "a little bit bigger and we wanted our own building not to share it."

Thus far, Dudley reports he doesn't foresee any big problems on the horizon.

"I've been involved with our developer, Cottonwood Partners at two or three meetings with [Summit County's] Design Review Committee to address their needs on the design and what they're thinking so that it fits with the surrounding buildings," he explained. "Everything seems to be on track. We're going through the normal political process, if you will, and working with the people in the county to make sure we have all the proper permits."

The next meeting with Summit County, scheduled a few weeks from now, will feature a public hearing, he said.

Not all of Quicksilver's employees will be making the move, notes Dudley, so the company is in the process of interviewing and hiring for new positions. The new hires will accompany the Dynastar and Rossignol executives from Williston, Vt. and Mervin Manufacturing executives from the Seattle, Wash.

"We look forward to developing the Roxy ski and snowboard line [at the Mountain Center] as well," he said. "Eventually, all of the Quicksilver/Rossignol group winter brands will be located in that building."

Steele noted that though they will be housed together, every Quicksilver brand is distinct. Each will maintain its own identity, direction and marketing plan in the marketplace, while they exchange ideas at the new Mountain Center, he explained.

"It's a very comfortable move for us. We're going to be able to bring dealers into visit Rossignol and work with focus groups and product development right there with easy commute times," he said. "It's going to be exciting and stimulating for our brand -- the synergies and level of enthusiasm go across the board."

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Executives are beginning to stay in town; new inventory struggles to keep up
ANNA BLOOM, Of the Record Staff

View of a small part of Kimball Junction's explosive growth
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Starbucks at the massive new Redstone development/lifestyle center,(Kimball Junction)
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Growth is here and more growth is coming, so be prepared.
At least, that's what Park City Board of Realtors statistician Mike Sloan concludes after publishing his final analysis of Summit County's 2005 retail, office and industrial real estate market for Commerce CRG.

Sloan observes that the list of reasons to leave Summit County continues to shrink as retail and office space vacancies decline.

"Every time we add another element to our shopping, we make the need to go out of the community that much less. So consequently we have a building of a snowball effect," he explains.

The surge in real estate values and decline in vacancies last year had a lot to do with Utah's global exposure through the 2002 Winter Olympics, according to Sloan, but also, the Summit County community is growing up, he says, "there's no doubt about it."

Employees commute to Summit County

Quicksilver, Inc.'s decision to move the U.S. headquarters for Rossignol and Dynastar to Park City is emblematic of where the future of the community is headed, according to Sloan.

"The people that are developing that building told me they feel there's a lot of corporate people that live in the Park City area that are driving now down to Salt Lake," he explained, referring to Quicksilver's plans. "They've come up here and said, 'wait a sec. Why isn't it just as easy to drive employees from Salt Lake and have the executives have offices up here?' I think that Quicksilver was the first to recognize that as a real opportunity and that's going to continue to grow in my opinion."

The convenience of having Salt Lake International Airport a 30-minute drive away is attractive to companies, he adds, and is something that most ski towns in this country cannot offer.

"No other ski area can say they can be downtown in 30 minutes, and we're just beginning to take advantage of that," he said.

Retail vacancies plummet

Compared to the previous year, retail vacancies throughout the county were reduced by half in 2005, according to Commerce CRG. The vacancy rate has dropped from 6.4 percent in 2004 to 3.2 percent.

Sloan identifies Kimball Junction and the Redstone Towne Center in particular as an area that has seen immense growth in the past few years. The diverse mix, he says, is part of what keeps shopping within county lines.

"It's high-end stuff, but you look at T. J. Maxx and that's pretty straight forward stuff. It's a huge shopping area, and yet, it hasn't taken away from what's going out in town here at all, it's just magnified what's going on," he reports.

Keep an eye on Kamas, Sloan adds.

"There's a lot going on behind the scenes in Kamas Valley and you're going to see that explode and Coalville is going to follow that it's down the road, simply because of the difference in distance," he said.

Main Street space hits a record high value

At $45 per square foot, the average lease rate in Main Street last year did not increase more than $5 over the past few years and Sloan expects the rate to remain steady in the future.

The price to buy, however, has virtually skyrocketed.

The typical going rate to buy property on Main was $500 in 2005, according to Commerce CRG's report.

Store, spa and restaurant owners are still leasing, says Sloan, though there is a trend for owners to use their building space for their own stores.

"Primarily because they want to fix their rent, you're seeing more and more retailers willing to buy, but the problem is that it's very, very difficult to find places for sale on Main Street [right now]," he said.

Sloan did not say the prices were outline. He thinks businesses still can make a profit, particularly when they sublease their space during the Sundance Film Festival, because it affords them the ability to offset a good portion of their rent.

"As Sundance gets bigger, there is more pressure [to lease your space on Main Street,]. I've already been contacted by someone who wants space next year," he says.

In the next few years, if they haven't already, landlords will catch on, Sloan predicts.

"The other side of this of course is that if landlords get wise to this, they're going to say, 'you can go ahead and do this, but as part of your lease, you have to pay me a certain percentage of what you take in,'" he said.

Prospector Square goes to work

Compared to Main Street's lease rates, Commerce CRG found Prospector Square's values have stabilized at reasonable prices.

Rent in the area for 2005 stayed between $18 and $20 per square foot, with sales in the $200 to $250 per square foot range.

Sloan suspects the stability has to do with the fact that other than a few restaurants, shops and a liquor store, Prospector Square tends to be office space.

"Prospector is truly an area where most of the tenants are office users and office users tend to pay less money because they can't afford to pay more and they have more flexibility of where they can locate than a retailer does.

As more non-retail businesses move to Park City, lower Park Avenue and Prospector Square will see increased growth, according to Commerce CRG's report.

"I know of at least two other major developments that are going into Prospector that are currently in the process of getting their approvals and both are fairly sizable," Sloan reports.

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PRI Kimball Junction West — Town Centre
Park City, UT

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IBI Group is currently master planning and negotiating development rights approvals for a 432-acre site in Summit County near Park City, Utah. The Kimball Junction West–Town Center master plan envisions a compact, pedestrian-friendly live / work community integrating a residential town center with a high-tech commercial office campus and attendant hospitality, community, school and health care facilities as well as local shopping opportunities. The plan is organized around an extensive pedestrian / bicycle trail network following existing landscape features which respects the natural desire lines on site and connects the town center to its neighbors and the adjacent regional shopping center. The plan concentrates development to provide maximum opportunities for active and passive open space uses and to respect view shed corridors to the mountains beyond. The project accommodates approximately 857 residential units (1.3 million sq.ft.) in a variety of density zones; 380,000 sq.ft. of commercial office; 115,000 sq.ft. of retail space; 118,000 sq.ft. of hospitality uses; and 266,000 sq.ft. of institutional uses including a hospital, a school and a community center.


Quick Facts
Client: Property Reserve Inc
Project Size: 1,000,000 sq.ft. residential, 1,000,000 sq. ft. commercial

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:tup: At Deer Valley, Utah, a One-Size-Fits-All Vacation

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Jeffrey D. Allred for The New York Times
Deer Valley rises above the Jordanelle Reservoir.



By NANCY M. BETTER

OVER the last decade, my family has traveled to ski resorts throughout the United States and Canada — from Beaver Creek, Colo., to Mont Tremblant, Quebec — determinedly in search of kid-friendly surroundings. We wanted it all: first-rate instruction for the three kids, challenging terrain for the adults and plenty of fresh powder for everyone. What we got all too often resembled an episode of “Survivor.”




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Jeffrey D. Allred for The New York Times
Craig Stein of Phoenix with his daughter Samantha at Deer Valley.


First the 10-hour trip, including the plane flight and the tortuous mountain drive in a rented minivan. Then the teeming lift lines, the overpriced mediocre food and the jammed ski classes. Plus the endless wait for just about everything, from lockers at the base lodge to tables in the local restaurants. And the credit card bill a month later that earned nearly enough miles for next year’s holiday.

Last spring, we ignored the come-ons from “family-friendly” resorts (“Kids ski for free!” “Snow cone parties!” “Igloo contests!”) and discovered the distinct charms of Deer Valley. When Deer Valley was founded in 1981, the Utah resort was aimed at affluent, middle-age skiers looking for perfectly groomed slopes and gold-plated service. Lately, the area has added both more expert-level terrain and more pint-sized amenities, making it an increasingly popular destination for families.

It’s also easy to get to — just 36 miles from the Salt Lake City airport — and you do not need a car, since regular shuttle buses run to the airport ($19 to $32) and to downtown Park City.

The only downside to this highly civilized ski vacation: the cost. Lodgings and lift tickets (generally $77 a day, $45 for ages 4 to 12, and $20 for 3 and younger) don’t come cheap at Deer Valley. But many restaurants offer flat-rate $5.99 kids’ menus, and some attractions — like sleigh rides and dog sled treks — discount children’s prices by 50 percent.

The real value at Deer Valley, however, lies in the amount of skiing you can get for your money: if you take a flight from New York City by 7:30 a.m., you can be on the slopes by noon local time. When you arrive, you can even convert your boarding pass into a free same-day lift ticket at any Deer Valley sales window. Given the vast amount of terrain (21 lifts serving 91 runs) and the lack of lines (ticket sales are limited to 6,500 a day), skiers might squeeze in twice as many runs during a weekend at Deer Valley as at another resort.

Deer Valley comprises five peaks nestled in the Wasatch Mountain range, overlooking the Jordanelle Reservoir. For families with small children, Bald Eagle Mountain (8,400 feet) and Little Baldy Peak (7,950 feet) in the Deercrest area provide plenty of wide-open beginner trails. Favorite cruising runs include Navigator and Success.

The Snow Park Lodge is the base for the Deer Valley Ski School, among the country’s largest, with more than 500 instructors. Reservations are recommended for the Ski School (888-754-8477) as well as for the Children’s Center, a state-licensed day care facility serving infants as young as 3 months. Prices start at $150 for a program of lessons, lift tickets, lunch and snacks from 10 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., as well as a daily progress report.

Among many little touches borrowed from the luxury hospitality industry are free pagers for parents worried about cellphone coverage on the mountain, free ski storage, midmountain restrooms and uniformed “ski hosts” who serve as guides and conduct free tours four times daily.

Families with intermediate to advanced skiers flock to Flagstaff Mountain (9,100 feet), Bald Mountain (9,400 feet) and Deer Valley’s highest peak, Empire Canyon (9,570 feet). Single and double black diamond runs abound; try Know You Don’t (site of the 2002 Olympic slalom events) for narrow rock-lined chutes and Champion (site of the 2002 Olympic freestyle events) for steep mogul fields. Speed lovers can race against the clock or challenge a friend on the National Standard race course halfway up Bald Mountain.

Daredevils adore the TNT (Tricks and Turns) Park, off the Little Chief lift. Since Deer Park has a no-snowboarders rule, young skiers are free to ride the double-barrel rails and soar off the tabletop jumps — without their parents fretting about out-of-control collisions.

Deciding where to eat on the mountain can be difficult, since excellent choices abound. Silver Lake Restaurant (open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) offers multiple stations with freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, soups and pastas. Snowshoe Tommy’s and Cushing’s Cabin (both 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) serve simple snacks and drinks. The mountain’s newest place to eat, the Empire Canyon Grill (9:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.), has a full menu along with an outdoor seating and picture-perfect views.

Deer Valley’s après-ski action centers on “the beach,” the snow-covered lawn just outside the Silver Lake Lodge on Bald Eagle Mountain. On warm days, rows of chairs are set up facing the slopes. Adults enjoy fireside cocktails in the elegant lounge of the Stein Ericksen Lodge (800-453-1302, www.steinlodge.com), while families favor the cozy Goldener Hirsch Inn (800-252-3373, www.goldenerhirschinn.com) for chocolate fondue.

If time permits, don’t miss a visit to nearby Utah Olympic Park about five miles north of Deer Valley (435-658-4200 or www.olyparks.com). Take a self-guided walking tour of the grounds, including the ski jumps and the bobsled, luge and skeleton tracks, where aspiring Olympians can be seen training.

While at the park, spend an hour at the new Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center with its exhibits on Utah ski history and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Try skiing a virtual reality slalom course, or hoisting a 45-pound curling stone. Science buffs can learn about the chemistry that creates Utah’s cloudlike powder (hint: 10 inches of “Sierra cement” in California equals 1 inch of water, while 35 inches of Utah powder equals 1 inch of water.) Thrill-seekers can pay to ride the Xtreme Zipline ($22), which travels downhill at up to 55 miles an hour.

AT night, Park City’s lively Main Street is the place to be. A turn-of-the-century mining town with a gutsy frontier feeling, Park City offers everything from upscale boutiques to touristy T-shirt stores. Family dining favorites include Bandits’ Grill and Bar (440 Main Street, 435-649-7337), where the $49.99 Outlaw special for four includes a pound of steak, a whole chicken, a rack of baby back ribs, a quart of baked beans and a loaf of garlic bread.

For dessert, visit Cows Ice Cream (402 Main Street) or the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (510 Main Street). If your trip includes a grownup night out (the Children’s Center can recommend a babysitter), enjoy the shrimp scampi ($23) or veal marsala ($25) in the Tuscan-inspired dining room at Cisero’s (306 Main Street, 435-649-5044).

For the 2006-7 season, Deer Valley has invested $7 million in improvements. The existing Sterling triple chairlift on Bald Mountain has been replaced with a high-speed detachable quad; the glade terrain off the Sultan chairlift has been expanded by 65 acres. The Snow Park Lodge, dating from the resort’s 1981 opening, has been expanded to include new restrooms accessible from the slopes.

As more families vacation at Deer Valley, management plans to expand the resort’s lodging inventory. But Bob Wheaton, the resort’s president and general manager, said: “Our goal is not to get more and more people on the mountain. Rather than provide a less than optimal experience for 7,000 people, we would rather provide an excellent experience for 6,500 people.”

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Breaking Ground
St. Regis Resort and Residences, Deer Crest

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The St. Regis Resort & Residences, Deer Crest, will offer hotel condos from $1.5 million to to $4.3 million, and private condos from $2.5 million to $8 million.

DETAILS This development is within a gated community at the Deer Valley ski resort, which was a host to events during the 2002 Winter Olympics. It is divided into two areas: a base building with a reception area and a higher building just off a ski run that will offer 67 condominium-hotel units and 26 private units. The one- to four-bedroom condominium-hotel units, which owners may place in a rental program to serve as hotel rooms, will be sold furnished. The private condominiums will have two to four bedrooms. A funicular will connect the private condos and the condo-hotel with the base. The spa will include a fitness center with private trainers, and there will be an infinity-edge pool, decks and an area with fire pits. Two restaurants will offer room service, and private butlers will be available.

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Americans celebrate historic week on World Cup circuit
PAUL ROBBINS, Special to the Record


Oh, man. Talk about early Christmas presents and all, what's the U.S. alpine troupe gonna do for an encore after a sizzling six days of World Cup racing that produced an unrivaled record of success?
By the numbers: nine top-3s in seven races over six days...five U.S. victories, including the first for Winter Sports School alum Julia Mancuso, the Olympic giant slalom gold medal-winner, and Park City Ski Team dominator Steve Nyman...podiums in four disciplines...a podium in four races over four straight days for the U.S. men...five skiers contributing, not just Bode Miller getting white hot and somebody else - Daron Rahlves, where are you? - tacking on a podium or two...and as they went into the holiday break, three U.S. men were in the top 10 overall - Miller in second, Ted Ligety in sixth and Nyman 10th; for the women, Kildow was fourth and Mancuso seventh.

But, to keep things in perspective, although their men's pack hadn't won in a dozen races - an almost unheard of slump in recent years, the Austrians, with their overwhelming depth, still were well in front in the Nations Cup points. The Yanks were No. 2. Again.

Still, that's impressive for the Americans. The skiers are savoring some downtime over the weekend, but they'll be back at it Tuesday - the men heading to Bormio, Italy, for two downhills Dec. 28-29 while the women compete on the same days, running giant slalom and slalom in Semmering, Austria.

"The athletes are feeding off each other now; when you're going 80 miles an hour [during stretches of a downhill], you need to have confidence and you need to believe," said U.S. alpine chief Jesse Hunt.

And his athletes were singing the same tune: "We're feeding off each other," said Lindsey Kildow, who collected the sixth win of her career Wednesday in a downhill in Val d'Isere, France, with Mancuso second; the previous day, Mancuso had snatched the first win of her career with Kildow in third in another downhill. "I think we're all feeding off each other's success," she said.

Adding to the tale is the fact Kildow and Mancuso were sick a week ago, battling stomach flu in Reiteralm, Austria. Kildow didn't race Friday because she couldn't keep any good in her stomach and was too sick to finish a super-G the next day. Added Mancuso, "Well, I wasn't puking, but I wasn't feeling too well. I think i got it from Lindsey on Friday."


A look-back at the historic streak, which ended Thursday when Miller was fourth in a giant slalom in Hinterstoder, Austria, while Stiegler as sixth in a slalom in Val d'Isere:

Wednesday - Kinda like the old Batman TV series: you almost could see the words - Pow! Biff! Socko! Bam! - in the air as Miller won the men's super-G in Hinterstoder about 90 minutes after Kildow had won in Val d'Isere and Mancuso was second in that DH.

Miller, who moved to the top of the points in both super-G and overall (although he dropped back to second Thursday), said he gave it "full power" out of the start but he wasn't tickled with his skiing.

"I can be pleased with my placing but the run was not very good at all. I controlled the parts I can control pretty well - I had good power, good flow out of the start," he said, "but as soon as I got on the pitch, [I made] a few miscalculations and a few turns didn't come around for me as I hoped.

"I hung on well and I made great recoveries, but the skiing was not my best at all." Miller's winning time was 1:09.76 with Italy's Peter Fill second (1:10.55). Parkite T.J. Lanning picked off the first World Cup points of his career, shook off any effect from a broken hand suffered in Beaver Creek, Colo., a couple of weeks earlier, to finish in a tie for 19th place.

A year ago, Kildow also won a downhill in Val d'Isere and not only earned a nice paycheck, but she was presented with a cow. When organizers tried to pay her - reportedly $1,200 - and retrieve the bovine, she said she won it and she was keeping it. So, while the cow (which recently delivered a calf, which Kildow named Sunny) is in Kirchberg, Austria, where the U.S. women have their European base, this time organizers presented race winners with a huge wheel of cheese and a fancy cow bell which is usually worn on special occasions by the four-leggers.

"They told me the cheese was from my cow, but I'm not so sure," Kildow said with a chuckle. She planned to distribute the cheese as holiday gifts.

She simply overwhelmed the downhill course, winning by more than a second over her teammate. Her time of 1:38.06 was a dazzling 1.24 seconds ahead of Mancuso's 1:39.30.

"Today, I was on a mission," she said. Her victory, following another win and a podium in Canada earlier in the month, padded Kildow's World Cup points lead in the downhill rankings.


"I knew where I needed to make some small changes [from the first DH] and I executed very well," she said. Mancuso said she had no problem with finishing second to the smokin' run Kildow produced.

Tuesday - While the men traveled from Italy to Hinterstoder, the women raced the first of two downhills. Mancuso, healthy after her weekend bout with some bugs, tore out of the start and led at every timing split before finishing in 1:38.93, putting her .43 ahead of Austrian icon Renate Goetschl with Kildow clocked in 1:39.47.

Mancuso, who underwent hip surgery last April to repair chronic problems, credited a weekend phone call with ex-boyfriend - but still good friend - Nyman for inspiring her. She called to congratulate him on his win Saturday and he gave her some advice about letting things go...so she did when she got on course.

"For me," she said, "it's kind of like I'm finally 'there.' It was tough in the beginning of the season. I was having a hard time racing, and even I didn't win but I had a great result today, if I had a full run and felt super confident, hat would have been good. But," Mancuso said, "I nailed the top..." - and never was threatened.

Said Coach Alex Hoedlmoser, "It was like she had the devil on her back."

Monday - Swede Markus Larsson took advantage of a crash by first-run leader to win a slalom in 1:44.51 with Ligety writing some footnote to history as he clinched the fourth consecutive U.S. men's podium in second place (1:44.70).

Team members expect Miller to be spectacular on occasion, Ligety said, but when Nyman and Sullivan step up to do well, it motivates others to push themselves harder.

Sunday - Finn Kalle Palander took charge in the first run of giant slalom and won in 2:28.82, by a half-second over Miller (2:29.33). Ligety had the third-fastest second run and jumped from 19th to seventh (2:29.87).

Saturday - The women struggled in Reiteralm again (Kaylin Richardson led the way in 13th place with Libby Ludlow 14th) but Nyman passed out some sunshine, barreling to his first triumph by a whisker in a downhill - holding off Swiss Didier Cuche by two-hundredths of a second. Winning time: 1:56.52l Olympic teammate Marco Sullivan, announcing his full-on return after two years of rehab from a knee injury, was fourth, a razor-thin one-hundredth away from what would have been his first podium while Miller was 14th.

"This is a great Christmas present," a beaming Nyman said as he made his way along the line of journalists in the finish, "because I don't get to go home for Christmas...and to win on a course like this is awesome. It's very demanding and even if I hadn't, I had a great time coming down the hill. I knew I had a good run."

Friday - While the women raced super combined in Reiteralm, Austria, and Resi Stiegler - another Winter Sports School grad - had the best U.S. result in 11th place, Miller launched the parade of podiums. Calling it his best run all season, including training runs, he rocketed down a super G course in Val Gardena, Italy, and won in 1 minute, 32.35 seconds with Nyman tied for ninth.

"I had a good inspection [with Coach John McBride] and was confident all the way. I had a good line," Miller said. "I wasn't as much on the edge as usual. I knew I had to ski the right line, and I got it."

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http://www.theskylodge.com/images/artist_rendering2.jpg


The Easy Street Brasserie is the first step in the development of The Sky Lodge (theskylodge.com), Main Street Park City’s Five Star Boutique Condominium Hotel. Coming in Summer 2007, The Sky Lodge is the first of a revolutionary group of ResortClubsSM planned to open in choice spots around the world.

Located in the heart of Historic Old Town, The Sky Lodge is rooted in the traditions and culture of Park City which has been transformed from a rustic mining village into one of the world’s top mountain resort communities. The rugged, yet eloquent, Rocky Mountain lifestyle that defines Park City is felt throughout The Sky Lodge. A reverence for our native materials, an awareness of our unique history and a focus to creating a sense of place – these paradigms guide the design of the The Sky Lodge. Our sense of adventure, our love of the outdoors, our fun loving casual approach to living well creates the benchmarks for the culture and spirit that breathe life into the building.

In achieving its full potential, The Sky Lodge is more than a “mountain house” for owners and guests. The great small resort hotels are not inspiring or enduring solely because of their physical presence. They are places where we reconnect with nature, with our loved ones, with ourselves. Places with simple elegant attention to detail from caring people. Places where the art of hospitality is honest, straightforward and uncompromised. Places where life experiences are common place.

The Sky Lodge developer, CloudNine ResortClubs(SM), believes that the creation and operation of unique resorts, which key off the location and culture of the local community, precludes the use of “formulas” and “models” and requires a fresh approach for each property.

“I’ve had a thirty year love affair and fascination with the magic of great small hotels and restaurants,” says Bill Shoaf, founder of CloundNine ResortClubs. "These hand-crafted jewels transport their guests to another world, a wonderful world where the everyday fades away and life is lived well and with a passion for the moment.”

With over 30 years of international experience with deluxe resorts, hotels and private clubs, Bill has been instrumental in the development and operation of properties broadly recognized as the best in the world for service, quality and innovation. Past experiences include Rosewood Hotels, GigaHotels, Princess Hotels International, and Auberge Resorts, as well as assignments with individually owned resort properties and private clubs.

In addition to operational knowledge, and years of professional experience in hotel management, Bill has been directly involved in the construction management, concept development, and re-engineering for resorts, hotels and private clubs worldwide totaling over $400 million of equity investments.

“For decades people have sought out these unique small hotels to enjoy their vacations. They have found them in small towns in Tuscany, Provence and the Mountain West. They have searched them out in the side streets of Paris, New York and London. In all cases, these boutique hotels provide their guests with the finest of cuisine, uncompromised furnishings and amenities and thoughtful personalized service from a staff of dedicated hoteliers. Guests of these special hotels return year after year and, on special occasions, share them with select family and friends. These hotels become much more than a place to stay – they become personal sanctuaries where life is as it should be.”

At The Sky Lodge your vacation home will be much more than a place you visit. It will be your personal luxurious retreat full of the vibrancy, the personal pampering and the joys of life that are the magic of an exclusive small hotel. We believe that your vacation home should be your reward – a place to escape from the pressures and demands of everyday life, a place reconnect with your loved ones and friends, a place to renew your body, mind and soul.

Deeded equity interests are still available. Glorious two- and three-bedroom residences. Ultra everything. SkyHome townhouses with media rooms and billiard tables. Don’t even get us started on the Penthouse.

Main Street at your feet. Your home in the Sky.

Related Story / The Park Record


Crews fence in Sky Lodge site
Jay Hamburger OF THE RECORD STAFF


David Schultz's nature-photography gallery sits in the Marriott Summit Watch, just down the street from what will be downtown's major construction zone this summer.

Business at the gallery, he predicts, will likely suffer as crews start building what is being called the Sky Lodge, a condominium hotel, at the northeast corner of the Main Street-Heber Avenue intersection.

The Sky Lodge is being touted as a needed upscale spot for people to stay downtown.

"It certainly isn't going to improve traffic having the fence there," Schultz said, conceding that the lodge, once it opens, will be good for the city.

The Sky Lodge, with its size and prime location, is expected to be among the most challenging Main Street construction projects in years.

The Main Street-Heber Avenue intersection serves as the unofficial crossroads of Old Town and the work is anticipated to run through fall 2007.

The Building Department most likely will not allow the builders to close streets for the construction, according to Michelle Downard, the department's code-enforcement officer, tightening the amount of space they have.

But Bill Shoaf, the managing partner of the lodge, is confident in the crew's abilities to not disturb the neighborhood too much. He notes that the lodge's steel frame will be manufactured in Salt Lake City and then brought to the site and says that Jacobsen Construction, the general contractor, understands the challenges of building in a downtown, saying Jacobsen is, "very adept at working in tight situations."

"We are trying to minimize the impacts," Shoaf said, adding that his team developed a plan for the construction over 1 1/2 years.

Downard said the crews intend to dig up 20,000 cubic yards of dirt during the excavation.

The ground is regulated by City Hall's so-called soils ordinance, which regulates land contaminated from Park City's mining era, meaning that approximately 1,300 dump-truck trips are necessary to haul the dirt out. Downard said it has not been decided where the dirt will be deposited and Shoaf said the developers plan to safely remove the dirt to either Richardson Flats or a repository in Tooele.

Downard said construction traffic will enter and exit the site at two locations, one off Main Street nearby Zoom and the other off Heber Avenue, between the Poison Creek Mercantile building and Easy Street Brassiere.

"It's a large structure so impacts can't be avoided," Downard said.

The government and the developer agreed to a four-page set of rules for the construction. The details include barring construction during periods that bring lots of people to Main Street, like Independence Day, the art festival, Christmas week and the Sundance Film Festival. They also bar the workers from driving or parking construction equipment on Heber Avenue and Main Street.

According to the rules, the crews are allowed to work from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sundays.

The developers plan to build 22 units. City Hall pored over the plans given Sky Lodge's location and the discussions regarding the lodge's affordable-housing requirements were especially intriguing.

Last winter, the Park City Council voted to allow the developers to pay $206,406.60 into a housing fund rather than making them build 3.45 units of worker housing.

Shoaf's side asserted that the building would be too bulky if the affordable housing was built inside. The City Council grudgingly agreed and accepted the payment but indicated that it is preferred that developers build the required affordable housing rather than pay the fees.

The Sky Lodge is one of the largest private-sector construction projects in the Main Street area in some time and follows a year after City Hall built a parking garage in Swede Alley. The lodge, however, because it is located off of Main Street, is not expected to greatly impact the street's summertime business.

Karen McComb, the manager at the nearby Bahnhof Sport, said she is not concerned that the construction will ruin business, noting that her store is close to the Town Lift, a draw in the summer and winter.

"I think this side will be fine," she said. "Everybody will have to walk down this side of the street."

[SLC Projects]

http://www.theskylodge.com/images/artist_rendering2.jpg


That's a good size building for main street Park City. 6-stories by the looks of it. Not too bad. :tup:

[SLC Projects]

:previous:


Construction May Threaten Park City's Historic Status
January 1st, 2007 @ 7:56am

(KSL News) Increasing Park City residents may threaten the city's "historic" standing.

A new report warns that continued construction and remodeling could cost the town its spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

The reports claims too many buildings on Historic Main Street have been remodeled or replaced, and specifically cites a new six-story lodge being built near Main Street.

However, according to the Deseret Morning News, the city says some trade-offs are necessary in order to keep the town a world class destination.

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Deer Valley embellishes menus
Resort working to perfect on-mountain dining
SKYLER BELL, Of the Record staff


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When Deer Valley opened in 1981, executives hired many employees who would eventually help them enter two new decades and even a new century.
Julie Wilson has been with Deer Valley for 26 years, 21 in her current capacity as director of food and beverage. She has seen all of the resort's growth, watching it go from the youngest of three Park City ski resorts to one of the top ranked resorts in the country.

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"Since I've been here we've added some new restaurants that have been very successful," she said. "We have Empire Lodge and the Fireside dining. The growth of Park City is the growth of Deer Valley."

Even though the mountain seems to change and develop each year, one thing remains consistent once people get a job at Deer Valley, they stay there.

"One place Deer Valley doesn't see chance is in its personnel," Wilson said about her longevity with the company. "Our chefs and managers have been here at least 12 years, and most of them for more than 20. Deer Valley is a wonderful company to work for."

Despite being witness to the evolution of the mountain, Wilson said she, along with the other dining executives, has found something that works something that doesn't need to change much.

"There isn't a lot of change that's happened from last year," Wilson said. "With the restaurants the biggest change is adding another day for Fireside. We just try to perfect what we're already doing."

Fireside, one of the more popular offerings at Deer Valley, is held Wednesday through Friday evenings, which is one night more than last year.

"We have one more night open at Fireside," she said. "It's sold out so far in advance we added another night. It's a dinner at Empire Lodge that we started where we serve European Alpine cuisine from all of our different fireplaces."

From the five fireplaces come a variety of dishes, from cheeses to stews, short ribs to chicken, sausage to lamb. There are also several vegetarian selections.

Reservations for Fireside can be made by calling (435) 645-6632.

Another on-mountain offering is the more casual Royal Street Café, located at the southwest corner of Silver Lake Lodge. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, lunch and dinner are both served.

"We have Royal Street Café that is open daily for lunch and dinner," Wilson said. "It's a little more casual; it's nice fun cuisine. We serve during the day and skiers can take a run off and come in and eat lunch and enjoy a bottle of wine. There really isn't anything else at Deer Valley you can compare it with."

The Mariposa, a favorite of Deer Valley guests, is located at the Silver Lake Lodge and is only open for dinner, 5:45-9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Much like Wilson, the executive chef of the restaurant has been there from the beginning and has learned what works and what doesn't.

"A member of our wait staff told me the other day that he can't believe how many people leave The Mariposa saying it's the best meal of their life," Wilson said. "Considering who are guests are, that's a pretty incredible statement."

Rated No. 1 in the Zagat Restaurant Guide, the menu features veal, lamb, sablefish, duck and lobster to go along with other entrees a list of desserts, appetizers and wines.

"We have a wonderful tasting on the menu that gives a little sampler of the menu," Wilson said. "The rack of lamb we've had on the menu for 2 years. We can't take it off because it's the best rack of lamb people have ever had. Another thing that's been very popular this year is the lobster tail."

The Seafood Buffet at Snow Park Lodge, open for dinner from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, gives diners another on-mountain choice. Sushi, Salmon, five different types of fresh fish and non-seafood items such as duck and prime rib make deciding on what to eat first a tough decision.

"The mountain is known for its food and gets awarded annually as having the best on-mountain dining," Wilson said. "It's all what we feed our skiers. People remember Deer Valley for the food it's a big part of the ski day and they plan their day around where they're going to eat."

But it's not all duck and lamb. "You can pick up a burger and chili fries at all of our restaurants and it's the best chili you'll ever eat," Wilson said. "Everything we do here we try to make it the best. We blind taste burgers and fries to make sure it's all the best."

Although Park City is generally known as a winter town, Wilson said the food and activities at Deer Valley keeps the resort busy all year-round.

"The summers used to be a down time, now we're just as busy in the summer as we are in the winter. On Saturdays in the summer we likely have eight different dinners going on. Busy, busy, busy."

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By Ben Winslow
Deseret Morning News
To handle the traffic congestion and crowds of celebrities and film fans at this year's Sundance Film Festival, police in Park City are trying something new: There will be no parking on one side of Main Street.
Deseret Morning News graphic "One of the things we run into is people double parking, making deliveries outside of delivery hours, and it just causes a huge traffic congestion problem in both directions," Park City Police Lt. Rick Ryan said Thursday.
Police are prohibiting parking on the west side of Main Street from Jan. 19 until Jan. 28. The west side will used for deliveries and dropping off passengers.
"It especially facilitates deliveries and the taxi use that comes with Sundance," Park City Special Events Coordinate Max Paap said.
In the past, officers have barricaded sections of the historic street, but it hasn't really alleviated much of the congestion. People would still double-park to run in for "just a minute," leaving a line of frustrated people in cars behind them.
"This will be kind of a new experiment," Ryan said, adding that police have the support of many of the businesses and venues on Main Street.
Barricades will be up again along Main Street to provide crowd control for celebrities around some bars and clubs, as well as to allow a smooth flow of pedestrian traffic.
By closing the west side of Main Street, Park City will lose some precious parking spaces. The city hopes to augment that by opening spaces up on nearby Swede Alley and having a new parking structure available.
"We hope that it allows people better access to Main Street and to the businesses by not getting stuck in traffic spending time stuck in their car," Ryan said.


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Park City, resorts see an influx over the holidays
Bus ridership, skier days were up from 2005
SKYLER BELL, Of the Record staff

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Experts predicted Park City's holiday occupancy to be elevated from years past, but some also thought the lack of fresh powder might keep people from visiting the ski town.
Once again, Park City proved the doubters wrong.

Bus ridership was up significantly from previous weeks and from last year. Eric Nesset, fleet and transit manager for Park City Municipal, said the week of Dec. 25-31 set records with 94,189 passengers, up from 65,200 the week before. During the same time period last year, there were about 92,000 passengers. Nesset said typical ridership in the winter is about 10,000 per day.

For the year, more than 1.9 million riders used the bus system, compared to 1.7 million in 2005, an increase of about 10 percent. Both years were records.

"I think we'll probably reach 2 million next year," Nesset said. "The biggest increases are in the county routes. The city route are pretty mature, they been around for years, but we still see some increase there."

A good portion of visitors to Park City come for the three world-class ski resorts, which all reported having very successful weeks during the holidays.

"We had a fantastic Christmas week and it looks like we'll be setting records by the end of this week," Communications director Erin Grady said.

Deer Valley, one of two Utah resorts that limit the number of guests each day, sold out several days between Christmas and New Years'. Grady said the resort limits its numbers so that there are always enough seats in the on-mountain lodges during the lunch rush.

"We do it for the guest experience and so people can always find seating at all of our lodges," she said. "We have the capability of putting more than 44,000 up the mountain per hour, so it's not about lift capacity, it's more of a matter of guest experience."

Park City Mountain Resort also reported strong numbers for the week, and resort spokesperson Krista Parry said because of the growing popularity of the resort and the town, the weeks prior to and following Christmas were also busy.

"We had a very strong week," Parry said. "It's what we've come to expect during Christmas week. The interesting thing is that this week, the week following Christmas, has been very strong as well."

"Last week was pretty much on par with where we've been in the past, but this week, through Park City Mountain Reservations, bookings are up 22 percent from where we were last year," she continued.

Despite the lack of Utah's famous dry powder, Parry said guests packed the slopes for the groomed runs and soft snow that the resort is known for.

"Our holiday guests like to have good snow conditions, but they like to have the blue-bird skies," Parry said. "They ended up getting both."

Parry said the new Alpine Coaster was a huge hit over the holiday with young and old alike. With people riding once and going back for another ticket, she said many had just as good of a time on the coaster as they did on the slopes.

"Another one of our successful programs was our Signature 5, which reached capacity several times during the week," she said. "Nobody had a class that was larger than five students per instructor and the parents were ecstatic about that. Our ski school instructors and supervisors did a great job making the program a success during our busiest times."

Much like its two counterparts, The Canyons also had great numbers to end the year. Libby Dowd, The Canyons spokesperson, said the great weather and happy guests made it a good experience for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels and ages.

"It was a great week at The Canyons," Dowd said. "We saw record numbers and we put the new six-pack lift at Tombstone to the test. The upgrades that we made over the summer to both Tombstone and Red Pine Lodge proved to be well worth it. With the sheer vastness of the resort we are lucky to be able to comfortably fit all of our guests. Even with record numbers of skiers and boarders, guests can smoothly navigate The Canyons and find plenty of terrain to cruise without feeling cramped at all."

Hilary Reiter, director of communications with Ski Utah, said the success was not only seen in Park City, but throughout the state's many resorts.

"What we're hearing from resorts is that they had super holiday periods that spanned three weeks," she said. "Park City, for example, is at 67 percent occupancy this week, which is well above where they were last year."

Powder Mountain had an excellent week, she said, and attributed that to great response to advertisements and articles done in national publications.

Wolf Mountain, despite low elevation, made snow and had a highly successful holiday week.

Alta's general manager reported they were "super busy last week, but not out of control busy," Reiter reported. She also said Snowbird was also at about 100 percent lodging for several days during the holiday.

Reiter said that with the lack of snow on the east coast that many skiers in that region were forced to come west.

"Another good thing to note is that the northeast doesn't have any snow this year," she said. "Anyone planning to ski Vermont, New York or anywhere else back there had to come west, which helped the numbers here."

"Even though locals might not have been impressed with the ski conditions, they were actually the perfect conditions for the average tourist coming to Park City to ski with their families," she continued. "Locals might not have gotten out on the hill because they didn't think there was any powder out there, it kept the tourists happy."

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Hotel showdown: U.S. military could use supremacy to build hotel in Park City's open space

By Lee Davidson and Amelia Nielson-Stowell
Deseret Morning News
PARK CITY — A new developer in this resort town has rare power. It is exempt from local zoning laws. So it soon may build a huge hotel/condominium project on a pristine hillside that the city had long planned to preserve as open space.

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Wadman Development Team
An artist's drawing shows the resort the Air Force wants to build in Park City.

Since local officials cannot stop it through zoning, they are trying to use millions of dollars to lure the developer to a different site. The developer who may reap such bounty also happens to be heavily armed — with missiles, bombers and fighters, no less.
It is the U.S. Air Force.
Why is the Air Force suddenly in the Park City hotel business? It "would benefit service members worldwide from all branches" with "an affordable way ... to visit Park City and enjoy its R&R opportunities," says a written statement from Hill Air Force Base.
Terry Morris, Hill's director of plans and programs, adds the military seeks to build a big, world-class hotel resort there — on par with a few big ones that the military now operates with discounts for its personnel at Walt Disney World and in Hawaii, the German Alps and Korea.
Ironically, that big goal sprouted from an effort to replace a small lodge — which some described as a glorified cabin — that Hill once owned at Snow Basin.
The tale behind that — and how local officials are waging an expensive fight against an entity not subject to its zoning — twists through the 2002 Olympics, the U.S. Congress, the Pentagon, local hardball business maneuvers and even some Iraq war politics.
Along the way, that has led to accusations that the the city and its fight are anti-military or unpatriotic, or that the military is using its exemption to zoning laws to exploit local environmental worries to enrich itself and its developer partners.
Dispute's roots
The story began with early preparations for the 2002 Olympics.


Snowbasin Ski Area near Ogden said it needed some adjacent federal land for improvements to host crowds at Olympic downhill ski events. Congress ordered the trades — including a parcel with a small, chalet-style lodge called Hillhaus, which was demolished.
Hill Air Force Base had owned Hillhaus since 1964. It originally had 44 beds, dormitory style, for single airmen. It was remodeled later into a handful of hotel rooms and a cafe as a low-cost getaway for military members to enjoy as a perk to improve morale.
But Air Force inspectors long complained that Hillhaus continually lost money and should be closed or revamped. That became moot when the Olympics led to its demolition.
However, former Rep. Jim Hansen, R-Utah, said Hill officials were upset at losing the small lodge and sought his assistance to find land for a replacement.
Hansen was in a position to help Hill, the largest employer in his district. He was a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee and chairman of the House Resources Committee, which oversees federal lands.
"I kind of argued for something at Bear Lake," Hansen remembers now. "But the Air Force found some BLM (Bureau of Land Management) property in Park City. They came to me and asked what the chance was of helping out" to obtain it for a new lodge.
Morris at Hill said, "The Air Force is looking for a four-season resort area.... Park City was ideal for that. Park City had everything in terms of sports, culture, all those sorts of things."
The Air Force initially identified some property called Gamble Oaks, a hill across from a residential area near the Deer Valley ski resort. It happened to be under long-term recreational lease to Park City, mostly to allow its preservation as open space.

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Park CityPark City's interpretation of how the project might look, with rendering tinted red to show its size. When the public heard of the plans, neighbors complained that the highest hill inside the city might soon be topped by a hotel instead of open space. Park City and Summit County officials met with Hansen. Adding to their concerns, Park City at the time was not in his district — and they wondered why he was dabbling there.
Antagonism
Hansen said an incident in one such meeting created antagonism that led him, in part out of acknowledged spite, to ensure the Air Force would obtain land in Park City.
"One of the women in the group said, 'We don't want that kind of people up here.' That really ticked me off," Hansen says now. "It was like, 'We're an upper-class area and we don't want scum from the military here."'
So Hansen, who was then headed into retirement, said that spurred him to quietly include language in the 2001 Defense Authorization Act to give the Air Force some Park City land.
The trouble is, according to Park City and Summit County leaders, that they do not remember anyone saying such things to Hansen. Summit County Commissioner Sally Elliott said, "We have never once said that."
So she, and others, say it is unfortunate that the ongoing disputes sometimes frame Park City as being anti-military.
"Park City never was, not for one instant, anti-military. We are very, very positive about having the military here," she said. Her son is on active military duty in Iraq, and when she was a young military mother, she and her husband often stayed at military hotels.
Current Park City Manager Thomas Bakaly adds, "We want the military here. But we want them in the right place," not ruining long-protected open space.
The Park City land given to the Air Force by Hansen's legislation was not at the Gamble Oaks property that had been opposed by neighbors (and which had troublesome issues with mining claims), but was instead at another site called Red Maple.

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Laura Seitz, Deseret Morning News
Park City officials are hoping to tempt the Air Force into using a plot of land near The Canyons ski resort for its hotel development instead of the area at Red Maple.

It is about 26 acres at an entrance to town on state Route 248 (which travels into the city from U.S. 40) at an area that locals call "the narrows." A sign welcoming visitors to Park City sits next to that hillside property.
Red Maple is the gateway to an area in Round Valley where Park City has purchased extensive acreage to protect as open space. Red Maple itself was — before it was transferred to the Air Force — under long-term lease to the city, also for protection as open space.
Candy Erickson, a Park City councilwoman and the city's legislative liaison, said in 20 years, people may see that open space as Park City's own Central Park. "They'll thank us," she said.
Federal supremacy
But the Air Force is threatening that "Central Park" of open space with plans for a big hotel there, aided by an unusual power. As a federal agency, it is not bound by local zoning laws because of "federal supremacy." That is a legal term meaning a local government cannot tell the federal government what to do — especially on its own land.
So even though Park City and Summit County had adopted master plans and zoning codes calling for maintaining Red Maple as open space, it has no legal power to block construction of a lodge there if the Air Force wants it.
Erickson said, "I understand the Air Force would desperately like to build a recreation facility, and the Air Force needs that. But to put it right by this huge amount of open space our taxpayers just paid for? It's probably the last place we'd really like to see it."
Park City officials thought early on that they had tripped into an opportunity that might make the Air Force happy — and keep Red Maple as open space. But expanding plans by the Air Force for a bigger and world-class resort would nix that.

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Laura Seitz, Deseret Morning News
The Air Force's preferred 26-acre spot, Red Maple, sits at an entrance to town on Utah Highway 248 that locals call "the narrows."

A bed-and-breakfast inn called the Imperial Hotel went bankrupt. The city explored buying it, hoping to trade it for Red Maple. The Air Force would have a hotel, and the city would have open space.
The 11-room Imperial is in the heart of Park City and near resorts and is a bit larger than the old Hillhaus Lodge. The city figured it was an even trade for the Red Maple property on the far outskirts of town, far from resorts and along a narrow road that is sometimes already congested even without construction of a new hotel there.
The city soon bought the Imperial for $875,000. When the Air Force issued a request for proposals and partners to build its hotel, Park City formally proposed to swap the Imperial for Red Maple.
"But they turned us down," Bakaly said.
Wynn Covieo, with Hill Air Force Base's plans and programs office, said the Imperial had problems with "size, age, parking. It just didn't meet the needs of what our requirements are." It no longer wanted a small operation like Hillhaus and envisioned something much larger.
"We'd like to provide our service members with a first-class hotel," Morris at Hill said. He adds he envisions a large resort hotel that will bring members of the military to Park City from around the world.
With that, Bakaly said Park City is now instead in the process of selling the Imperial to another developer for just over $3 million (making a nice profit over the $875,000 it spent initially — which may be used to sweeten some other trade for Red Maple).
Partner plan
The Air Force, meanwhile, selected instead as its partner for development a team led by Wadman Construction.
Salt Lake City-based Wadman has a broad portfolio of projects across the nation, including the Westgate at The Canyons. Park City developer Brent Ferrin is also partnering with Wadman on the Air Force project.
This particular development, according to the developers, is the first hotel of its kind to use a partnership between private developers and the military.
Together, they developed a conceptual plan that Covieo with the Air Force said originally envisioned about 155 condominiums at Red Maple, most with a "lock-out" design so that they could be divided and used at times as two separate units.
Ferrin said, however, that plans have grown to 300 to 600 units — a size he figures is needed for development partners to make a reasonable profit and provide discounts for the military.
The plan envisions selling condominiums to owners who would agree that when they are not using their units, they would be rented as hotel rooms. The development would carry the name of a national hotel brand, such as a Marriott, Sheraton, etc.
Members of the military would have the first opportunity to rent available hotel rooms at significantly reduced rates. But rooms not used by the military would be made available to the public — again, Ferrin said, to make discounts as big as possible for the military.
Currently, Park City hotels, ski resorts, restaurants and other businesses offer discounts to military personnel, often for 15 to 20 percent off normal prices.
Ferrin, however, said the hotel could blow those rates out of the water (and Coveio adds that many of the currently offered discounts are only for the off season).
"Theirs probably start at a little over $100 a night for military discounts. We intend to shatter that barrier and go to $50 a night and maybe even lower," he said, adding they are even looking into a free room rate for military on active duty. "This is kind of a reward for our military people who are keeping us free, and we want to give them a real benefit."
The military's donation to the project will be the Red Maple land only. The Wadman team will have to cover costs of construction — or any extra costs to obtain a different site. The military is banned by law from using any taxpayer money for such recreational developments.

Open-space impacts
The Air Force team and local officials disagree what impact a hotel at Red Maple would have.
The city illustrated its concerns by drawing a picture of the steep Red Maple hillside with a red-block, large hotel that sticks out like a sore thumb blocking views. "We tinted it red for a reason. It shows the mass on the hillside that would be needed for a 600-room project," Bakaly said.
But the Air Force team has a conceptual drawing showing attractive cabin-style condos fitting well on the hill below its horizon, screened from view from the highway. Also, underground parking helps the project fit. But Coveio said that drawing was made showing what a 155-unit project could look like, not the larger one development partners are now discussing.
The sheer number of rooms now proposed at Red Maple concerns Park City council member Erickson, who doesn't want lodging competition to hit unhealthy levels. Hotels must have at least 60 percent occupancy year-round to stay afloat, she said, something hotels in winter communities have some trouble with in the summer.
"Nothing in town is currently the size of what they would have to build to get a return on their investment" at Red Maple, she said. "We are becoming more popular, and the hotel and condominiums and a lot of the industry are doing great. But if you do that many rooms in competition, I think a lot of them are going to seriously suffer financially."
Then there's the competition with the other resort towns around the world that Park City is competing with for tourism dollars.
"If it becomes too cluttered and commercialized, we lose out in the race to Breckenridge (Colorado) or anyone else we're competing with on a recreational basis," she said. "The visual impact for tourists and the open space for constituents are the biggest concerns."
Amid differing visions of the project's impact, the city and county tried to block or move the developers' Red Maple plans.
They did such things as seek mediation help from the Utah congressional delegation, and they traveled to the Pentagon to meet with Fred W. Kuhn, deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Installations — who would have to give final approval to any eventual plans.
Park City Manager Bakaly said local officials were impressed with Kuhn as he pledged to try to make things work in a way that pleases local officials. "He didn't give us veto power but said he wanted to keep the city happy," Bakaly said.
Covieo at Hill echos that pledge, saying, "We want to be good neighbors. We want to work with Park City. We are doing everything we can to work out something that is mutually beneficial."

Alternatives
To seek a trade for Red Maple, Park City came up with a list of 11 properties that might be good for the Air Force hotel instead.
"The majority of them were cost-prohibitive, costing anywhere from $30 million to $50 million," Covieo with the Air Force said. Of course at Red Maple, the development team would face a land cost of zero since the Air Force already owns it.
But one site eventually showed promise. It is owned by Summit County and is adjacent to the main parking lot at The Canyons ski resort.
"It is a wonderful site, so close to a resort," acknowledges Morris with the Air Force. In contrast, Red Maple is far from any resort and lacks utilities. Morris said developers are interested in The Canyons site if a fair deal could be achieved— which may be a big "if."
The county wants about $8 million for one parcel at The Canyons that is large enough for a 200-room hotel, which Park City Manager Bakaly figures could generate as much profit with its prime location as a 600-room hotel at distant Red Maple.
Air Force partners also are interested in a second, adjacent parcel at The Canyons — to allow an even larger hotel — which might cost an extra $2 million for land.
So all the targeted property at The Canyons may be worth around $10 million — which local officials say is worth much more than the Red Maple property that they would receive in return (along with $2 million to $3 million that Park City might kick into any deal from the sale of the Imperial Hotel).
Local officials contend that Red Maple is not worth much because zoning allows it only to be used as open space by anyone but the Air Force. But the Air Force notes that it is not just anyone else, and it can build a big hotel there — so the land should have high trade value.
Developer Ferrin said, "We've always told the Park City people the same thing: If you give us the land, we would go to The Canyons to develop it. But they're trying to get us to pay over $10 million for the land, which changes the economics of the whole program."
He adds, "Although we're interested in going there, they haven't proposed anything that's been worth biting on. ... If they come to the table and become more realistic with us, then we'll talk with them."
With a groundbreaking goal of late 2007, however, Ferrin said Red Maple will be the project site unless the city offers a better option.
Elliott at the county said if the developers build on Red Maple, "They would have to do it without our blessing. ... We know how to build resort accommodations, and we just don't think they've given adequate thought to the needs of the Air Force or the needs of Park City."
Elliott adds, "It's a dumb location for a condo facility," far from ski resorts, on the side of a steep hill and merely along the side of the highway. She said tourists want instead to vacation near ski resorts.
"They want to be able to walk out the door, go on the lift and take their families up on the mountain and ski. They don't want to be remote and have to use their cars," she said. "People who come to a destination resort want destination amenities. You don't get destination amenities by being out on the highway. You don't experience the resort flavor."
The Red Maple site also does not yet have water, gas and electricity lines. And the hilly site would have to be excavated for a hotel and parking garage. Those add up to hefty start-up costs, according to business models Park City has created for both site plans.
The size of a parking structure and the number of stories the hotel would need is still being studied, Ferrin said. Meanwhile, Erickson said that no matter the size, the visual impact will be great at Red Maple as a gateway to open space.
"It would be a main focus as you come around the corner because there's nothing on either side of it," she said.
However, Ferrin notes that local officials have approved a lot of new development near Red Maple already. That includes the city's recreation complex and the National Ability Center about a half-mile away to the east.
In addition, the Park City Council approved just last month for a training facility for the United States Ski & Snowboard Association, an Intermountain Healthcare hospital, a 15-acre expansion of the recreation complex and a 5-acre affordable-housing site to be built at Quinns Junction — not far from Red Maple.
Steve Petersen, an aide to Rep. Rob Bishop, R-Utah (who was asked by Park City to help monitor and mediate negotiations), said some creativity may be required, likely on the part of Summit County, to resolve matters.
He notes that Summit received The Canyons property essentially for free from developers. "It didn't spend a nickel for it," he said. So he suggests the county might want to come down in price to offer a resolution.
That can't happen, Elliott said. She said the county obtained The Canyons property in a "density transfer" for open space. That deal requires the county to receive market value for it if it is sold, with the proceeds being used to obtain more land for open space.
So a cheaper price than fair-market value, Elliott said, legally can't happen.

Outlook
As the sides negotiate, some tough things are sometimes said or implied — including questioning how patriotic local officials are and questioning whether the Air Force is using its federal supremacy to enrich local businessmen and developers.
"I love America and the freedom to go out and make things happen," Ferrin said. "Frankly, we have plans to take most of the profits from this and turn it back to the benefit of the citizens of the community. There shouldn't be anyone who could claim we're taking advantage of our relationship with the Air Force to make a profit."
Meanwhile, Morris with the Air Force also stressed the patriotism behind the project, especially in the time of the ongoing Iraq conflict.
"You know there's a lot of veterans coming back from the desert. We'd love to have a nice place for them to go and take their families and be able to afford to go to a nice place," he said.
On the other side, for example, Park City Manager Bakaly said, "It is interesting to ask how much a developer should benefit from the use of the Air Force's power" of federal supremacy.
Elliott said, "This is not a military facility that's being erected. It is a market-rate condo project that is available as a marketing tool to retired military officers. And only retired generals are going to be able to afford to buy into this," Elliot said. "And then when they exhaust all the military possibilities, then these units will be offered to the public, and there's no restriction on ownership of the condos."
Amid that, the sides are still negotiating and, as Covieo said, "We are still looking at parcels of property."
He adds, "Our greatest wish is to find an unencumbered site so we can trade the Red Maple property to the community to maintain it as open space. That has been the goal since Day One." But until that happens, he said a possibility exists that the Air Force will build its hotel on the hillside that the city wants to protect as open space.
Park City is left waiting and worrying until a decision is made, which could be as early as the end of this month.
"Are we nervous? Sure. Because the federal government has carte blanche," Park City's Erickson said. "If the developer chooses to go to the Red Maple parcel and they can convince the higher-ups at the Pentagon and the Hill Air Force Base that that's the best decision, we have no recourse. We're trumped by the federal government."



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[SLC Projects]

http://www.deseretnews.com/photos/3663596.jpg
Park CityPark City's interpretation of how the project might look, with rendering tinted red to show its size. When the public heard of the plans, neighbors complained that the highest hill inside the city might soon be topped by a hotel instead of open space. Park City and Summit County officials met with Hansen. Adding to their concerns, Park City at the time was not in his district — and they wondered why he was dabbling there.



Those look tall. That would be sweet if it gets built. Park city would look great will a few mid-high rises.

[delts145]

Those look tall. That would be sweet if it gets built. Park city would look great will a few mid-high rises.

It's not so much that there tall, but that there built on an up-slope. Take a look again at the first photo in the article. It would seem like maybe 3 to 4 stories tops.

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Will global warming doom ski resorts?

Study paints a bleak future for Utah industry

By Amelia Nielson-Stowell
Deseret Morning News
Global warming could force the snow sports industry out of business by dramatically reducing the amount of snow and shortening the ski season to a mere two months, according to a new study.

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Jason Olson, Deseret Morning News
A snowboarder takes to the slopes at Sundance Mountain Resort Wednesday.

Utah's ski industry is alarmed about the possible effects of global warming. Various researchers, scientists, resort officials and city leaders spoke Tuesday night about global warming and the jarring results of the $60,000 study to a packed house at Park City's Eccles Center.
The study painted a bleak picture for Utah, where the tourism industry relies on the winter ski and snowboarding season. By 2100, the ski season could extend only from Christmas to Presidents Day, under the best-case scenario. Even a small 4- to 5-degree warming could be disastrous for the resorts — and winter.
"We only maintain snow under the low-emission scenario through midwinter. Remember, that's a 10- to 15-degree increase," said Brian Lazar of Stratus Consulting, which conducted the study with the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado in Boulder. "Under the high-emission scenario, we don't get snow."
The report used a snow-modeling computer program to estimate the climate changes and snow levels for 2030, 2075 and 2100 under three different emission scenarios. Lazar said global warming will even affect the quality of the snow, turning the current Utah powder into skiers' concrete.
"As we reduce the amount of greenhouse gases, we can reduce the effects that we see," he said. "The more we control emissions as a planet, the more snow we'll see."
There is still a "window of opportunity for all of us to help save our snow," said John Cumming, CEO of Powdr Corp., but action needs to be taken now in order to see change, he said.
Installing compact fluorescent light bulbs in homes, turning off lights and unplugging electronic devices when not in use, driving with cruise control, enrolling in paperless billing and using kitchen and bathroom vents sparingly were suggested as some of the things individuals can do to lower carbon dioxide and other greenhouses gases that thicken the atmosphere and make the planet's surface hotter.
Mark Williams, a University of Colorado researcher, said those toxins act as a blanket and hold in the Earth's heat. A huge part of that climate change is because of humans' actions, he added.
"One thing to keep in mind is, when we emit CO2 (carbon dioxide), it stays in the atmosphere for 50 years. Regardless of what we do today, there's a 50-year lag time. If there's one message I want you guys to take home today, it's that 50-year lag time," Williams said. "That has a huge effect on the ski conditions."
And most of that warming is concentrated in the western United States, especially in the mountain areas, he said.
"To be honest, if in 100 years we don't have a ski resort, that's the least of our problems," said Brent Giles, director of operations at Park City Mountain Resort. "Global warming is big, and it's scary."
More than 1,000 people attended the town hall meeting, which began with a presentation on climate change by singer-songwriter Kathy Mattea. She was one of 50 entertainers trained by former Vice President Al Gore to speak about scientists' findings on global warming. Gore's global warming documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth," screened at Park City's Sundance Film Festival last year.
Mattea displayed pictures and videos to the crowd that showed glaciers shrinking, mountaintops that no longer get snow and estimated sea-level elevations that will eventually cover huge chunks of China, India and Florida. She described those images as "haunting."
"What I've come to believe and relearn in my life is, each one of us has a lot of power as individuals," she said. "A lot of people say the Earth is so huge, how can we have an impact on it as humans? We can make a huge change."
Funding for the study was provided by Park City Mountain Resort, Powdr Corporation and KPCW Radio. Additional funds were provided by Deer Valley, The Canyons and the Summit County Recreation, Parks and Arts Tax.

[delts145]

:tup: It would seem that Park City is becoming more and more quite the self-contained community. Also was reminded of the new hospital set to begin construction soon.

Mountain View Medical open in Park City
Located in Prospector, store carries wheelchairs, scooters, braces and more
SKYLER BELL, Of the Record staff

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Craig Pivo had been counting pills in sets of five for almost 20 years when he had finally had enough of third-party reimbursement and the pharmacy business. Although he still enjoyed working in a health field and wanted to help people, he knew he needed a change.
More than 20 years before opening Mountain View Medical Supplies with his sister, Diane Malott, Pivo graduated with an undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Southern California, and then enrolled in the school's four-year pharmacy program before heading out to join the medical workforce.

"I graduated in 1988 then went to work for my father at a community pharmacy," Pivo said. "Then I opened my own store in 1990 and sold that in 2005 before coming here to work in Park City."

At the store he owned he acted as a traditional pharmacy and also sold medical equipment. It was then he began to notice the success of the supply side of his field.

"The medical supply side was growing and growing and growing while the pharmacy side was shrinking," he said. "I saw people needing a medical supply store to support them."

In 2005 Malott convinced Pivo to move his family to Park City, where Malott had been living for years. Wanting to combine her marketing background with his experience in medical supplies and business, Malott convinced her little brother to start the store.

"Diane has raised a family here in Park City and been a part of the community for 10 years," Pivo said. "She got to the point that she had done everything she needed to do to get her children ready for the future and was ready to do something for herself."

"I, on the other hand, was just bored of pharmacy and counting pills," he continued. "When I came up here she said that we should do something together and we noticed there was nothing like a medical supply store here, so we opened this together."

Despite warnings from friends about the dangers of mixing family and business, the pair has had a relatively smooth start to their venture together. Pivo said he couldn't imagine a better situation than getting the chance to work with his sister.

"We come from a family-operated business perspective our whole lives and it's never been a big deal," he said. "We've been best friends our whole lives and still are so we knew there wouldn't be a challenge there."

Pivo said they opened the store because they saw a need for it in the community. Too many people had to drive to Salt Lake City to get medical supplies, he said, since it's the type of business every injured person needs.

"We also opened this store to accent the growing medical community that's coming here and to help meet their needs and the needs of their patients," he said, referring to the announcement that Intermountain Health Care plans to build a hospital in the area. "But we are not here to compete with pharmacies, physicians, physical therapists or anyone else. We carry supplies others don't carry."

IHC plans to begin construction on a hospital to be located near Quinn's Junction in the spring, which Pivo said Mountain View will support by providing products to the community that patients will need.

Mountain View carries everything from wheelchairs to medical beds, orthopedic braces to portable oxygen.

"Our merchandise is, in the broadest terms, medical and wellness supplies," he said. "We only carry high-end quality products. We deal with a population that needs to feel they're getting the right product, a quality product, for the right amount money that is suited to the right injury or body part. You can find cheaper brands, but I don't believe you'll get the quality you're looking for. You won't get a hospital-grade product."

Pivo said there is a great need for medical supplies in Park City because it is such an active community with cycling, hiking, running and the winter sports the town supports.

"We serve local athletes, weekend warriors and the elderly population," he said. "We're serving Kamas and Heber, all the way out to Evanston. The elderly population here who use our services is larger than I thought it would be. I'm actually surprised at how much business we do in that area."

Mountain View's motto is " Get well. Stay well. Be well." Pivo said they back up the motto by having a health professional, and not just a salesman, help outfit customers with the appropriate medical supplies.

"I've dealt with all kinds of physicians and specialties. I know what the doctors want their patients to have. I don't have people coming back and saying their doctor wanted them to have something different."

After working as a pharmacist for nearly two decades, Pivo said he is happy about the switch, happy to be partners with his sister and happy to be in Park City. He also said his education isn't over. He will start at the University of Utah's graduate school of business in the fall.

Mountain View Medical Supplies is located at 1890 Bonanza Drive and can be reached by calling (435) 615-1073 during normal business hours, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Delivery is available.

[SLC Projects]

Park City is it's own big city now. :tup:

[delts145]

Weather hurting East ski resorts

Associated Press

GHENT, W.Va. — Brian Rogers and other members of his church group basked in their perfect timing — a rare snowfall combined with a nonexistent midweek crowd that turned Winterplace Ski Resort into their personal playground.
The signs of a dismal season were sprinkled throughout this southern West Virginia resort. Plenty of parking, plenty of elbow room on the lifts and the few slopes that were open. The cafeteria chairs were turned over as a worker swept the floor instead of serving lunch. Down the road, with stocked shelves and no customers, two ski shop workers sat idly behind the counters.
A 5-inch snowfall arrived for the final day of skiing Wednesday for the 15 members of the group from Bowling Green, Ky.
"No lines. No wait. Just jump on and go," Rogers said.
Good for skiers. Bad for business.
While many western U.S. ski resorts are thriving with packed powder measuring in feet, not inches, resorts back East are hoping to turn a terrible season around. Dozens of resorts remain closed from Iowa to Alabama and on up to Maine. Where snowmaking has occurred, slopes were clogged with frozen, granular snow — stuff not conducive to fun skiing — or sat unused as officials look skyward for help and turned to ingenuity, layoffs and discounts to entice skiers.
A cold snap this week gave Eastern resorts a fleeting hope of covering their barren slopes in time for one of the biggest weekends — the three-day Martin Luther King holiday. But the chill didn't last nearly long enough to build up much of a snowpack before springlike temperatures return for the weekend.
"If winter ever arrives, they can finish out the rest of the season. It will be far from a banner season, but they can position themselves to bridge over to the next season, " said Michael Berry, president of the National Ski Areas Association, based in Lakewood, Colo.
Industry trade groups didn't have estimates on potential losses. Berry said stories he heard at a recent meeting with Eastern resort representatives were "all over the place."
In ski-crazy Vermont, four resorts and 17 cross-country ski centers were temporarily closed Thursday, and none of the 19 open resorts had more than half their trails open.
Mad River Glen in Waitsfield, Vt., closed Monday and laid off dozens of workers. After 2 to 4 inches of snow fell Tuesday night, the resort vowed to reopen for the holiday weekend.
At Seven Springs, Pa., more than 530 truckloads of snow were recently moved to high-traffic areas and officials postponed the debut of an 18-foot-high half pipe at the resort's snowboard park.
"You need a lot of snow to carve that pipe," said resort spokesman Bob Duppstadt Jr.
Colorado's resorts were running close to full capacity, thanks to three storms in as many weeks. Sales of ski vacations were "very strong," said Molly Cuffe, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Ski Country USA.
"Those who were already skiing extended their vacations by a day or two," she said.
In Canada, ski resorts across the province of Ontario have had to improvise, blowing manmade snow across their ski slopes. The neighboring French-speaking province of Quebec is faring better, since temperatures there are typically colder, and ski resorts are reporting good conditions.
In Western Canada, however, freezing temperatures are creating so much snow that some resorts are having to deal with avalanche warnings.
Back East, the problems trickle down to the businesses that feed on the resorts.
Mike Owen owns four Ski Barn equipment rental shops in West Virginia and Virginia. Some are doing better than others, depending on weather patterns and elevation.
At the shop outside of Snowshoe, W.Va., "we're actually having a pretty good turnout," Owen said.
Outside of Winterplace, the parking lots were empty at a hotel, a gas station and a few ski shops. But changes were on the horizon.
"It's going to get busy here this weekend regardless," said Ben Monast, general manager at the Ski Shop.
Some resorts that had been shut down for much of the past month reopened at midweek. Machines at Mount Brighton northwest of Detroit spit out artificial snow for two straight days, but the 15-inch snow base may not hold up with rain forecast on Friday.
"If we have too many more winters like this, there won't be a Mount Brighton," said Ryan Wilson, who works at a nearby ski shop in Brighton, Mich.
When Mount Brighton was inactive, Wilson used the Internet to sell ski equipment nationwide, particularly in the west.
Meanwhile, an Aspen-Colo.-based Web site is offering a $50 per-person discount on vacation packages of four nights or more if at least one traveler holds a season pass to a resort where lift service is under half capacity.
Other efforts to lure skiers include extending early-season rates at Winterplace and offering reduced lodging rates at Canaan Valley in Davis, W.Va., for the upcoming holiday weekend, when temperatures were expected to reach the mid-50s in some areas. Operators say many skiers are pushing back their reservations to later in the season.
Even when it's not snowing, some Eastern operators believe the biggest challenge isn't the weather, but changing public attitudes — coaxing skiers to buy winter coats, goggles, gloves — and lift tickets.
"It's getting the people in the cities to think about winter. It's the mind-set (and) letting people know the skiing is there," said Alex Kaufman, spokesman for Maine's Sunday River resort, which caters to folks from as far away as Boston and Providence, R.I. The resort dumped two truckloads of snow and built rails and jumps outside a Portland, Me., snowboard shop Thursday, when temperatures dropped to 25 degrees, as a way to attract skiers.
While operators agree this has been the most unusual start to winter they've experienced, there's far too much time and equipment invested to give up.
"We've got a lot of winter left," said Terry Pfeiffer, Winterplace's president. "We're making lots of snow. All the long-range forecasters are saying we're getting a nice cold burst. So, hey, we're still in the game."

[delts145]

Park City OKs ski training site, hospital for Quinns Junction

By Amelia Nielson-Stowell
Deseret Morning News
A proposed training facility for the United States Ski & Snowboard Association and a new Intermountain Healthcare community hospital are two major developments that the Park City Council has approved for Quinns Junction, on the city's eastern edge.

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Deseret Morning News graphic

In addition, a 15-acre expansion of Park City's recreation complex and a five-acre affordable-housing site will be built on the 157-acre parcel, which was annexed into the city during the council meeting last week.
Park City has been looking at annexing the land for years. It is on the eastern entrance into the city, bordering a significant amount of open space that the city has secured. The annexed parcel also neighbors the city's recreation complex.
Originally, Park City hoped to purchase the land and keep it as open space. But the price was too high, said Myles Rademan, the city's public affairs director.
"We thought, 'If we can't buy it, what can go there that helps fulfill the community vision for the future?"' he said. "We felt that this fits into our image of recreation and health. That is what our future is."
Many Park City residents have had concerns that Quinns Junction could become the next Kimball Junction, the often-congested north entrance into the city that includes two major shopping centers.
"We didn't want another set of commercial uses, Wal-Marts and Kmarts," Rademan said.
But the majority of land at Quinns Junction is private, making it tough for the city to regulate its use, he said. After years of planning on the site, the lower-density uses were deemed appropriate.
About 80 percent of the 157 acres will be retained as open space. The city is still looking into a variety of options for the five-acre housing site, which is planned to provide homes for some of the hospital employees.
Ground could be broken in the spring for the IHC hospital. As for the ski and snowboard association's 85,000-square-foot facility, it is "still a maybe," said Tom Kelly, the association's vice president of marketing and communications. The site is dependent on a land donation and the completion of the association's capital campaign.
"It's a project we've been working on for pretty much a decade," Kelly said. "The main initiative in this project is to build a world-class training center for our athletes."
The campaign will generate money for the organization, and part of the funds will go for the new facility. The campaign was started five years ago with a target of $60 million, and the association is close to reaching that goal, Kelly said.
The $20 million facility will be used for training and will be the new headquarters for the association, which is the national governing body for Olympic skiing and snowboarding. The organization has been based in Park City for over 30 years.

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Sundance Institute adopts a local landmark
by Jay Hamburger, OF THE RECORD STAFF


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Outside the hubbub of the Sundance Film Festival premiers, tucked on the edge of Park City, Sundance staffers will be planning for the day's happenings.
And in 2007, for the first time, they will be sitting at their own desks.

The Sundance Institute in 2006 moved its year-round Utah headquarters from Salt Lake City to Park City, setting up in a renovated old mining building.

The move was heralded by lots of people, from top Sundance officials to those who love Park City's historic structures. It also was a key part of an overall deal that will keep the festival in Park City.

During the film festival, the offices, located on the grounds of the Silver Star development, will be buzzing but they will not be a hotspot for the revelry that Sundance brings to the city.

Patrick Hubley, a Sundance spokesman, says the staffers responsible for making sure the festival operates smoothly will be working in the Sundance offices. It is not one of the film festival's venues.

"The Utah component of the planning team works out of here," Hubley says.

The headquarters for the film festival are located across the city, at the Park City Marriott on Sidewinder Drive. That is where the festival's organizers set up a filmmakers office and press operations, for instance.

Festival-goers do not have the chance to tour Sundance's digs at Silver Star, a condominium development on the slopes of Park City Mountain Resort. Sundance's offices, there, however, are touted as one of Park City's most significant historic renovations.

During a reception in the fall, several hundred people packed into the offices to see the results of the renovation. People were impressed with the workmanship.

The 5,000-square-foot offices are in what was a mining-era machine shop dating from the turn of the century, when Park City's silver-mining industry was in its heyday. The Sundance organizers also occupy what was a woodshop, dating from the same era, during the festival. A little more than 30 Sundance staffers work out of the offices all year.

"The building is so rugged and beautifully designed. To put this kind of creative adventure in a building like this is a perfect match," Tina Lewis, a longtime Parkite who has been involved with Sundance since 1981, said at the fall reception.

Ken Brecher, the Beverly Hills, Calif.-based executive director of Sundance, was also pleased with the move to Park City, saying the city suits the institute.

"Park City values eccentricities. Walk down Main Street. Park City values difference," he said then.

The Utah headquarters move to Park City occurred after a long negotiation between Sundance, City Hall and the Silver Star developers. Sundance agreed to move the offices to Park City as part of a wider agreement that ensures the festival will take place in Park City through 2018 with an option for another 10 years.

Sundance won financial inducements from City Hall and the Park City Chamber/Bureau. In return, Sundance agreed to keep the festival in Park City. There had been occasional talk in previous years that the festival's organizers were considering other locations.

"Sundance has been a terrific tenant, very easy to get along with," says Rory Murphy, the Silver Star developer.

He says Sundance's rent is set below the market price but he declines to provide details.

Park City officials and history lovers have long tried to protect the city's older buildings. The renovation for Sundance was touted as one of the city's most ambitious, alongside turning what was once a school into the Park City Library and Education Center and redoing another school into what became City Hall.

At the open house, Hal Compton, a Park City historian, said people who worked inside during the mining era would be bewildered but happy with the renovation.

"I think they would be pleased the basic buildings are preserved but they'd be shocked with what happened," he said.

[delts145]

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By Amelia Nielson-Stowell
Deseret Morning News
Get ready, locals: Utah's hottest party starts tonight and continues for the next 10 days, with non-stop movie screenings, soirees and star-studded chaos.

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Laura Seitz, Deseret Morning News
Main Street in Park City on Wednesday will likely seem peaceful compared to tonight's activity as the Sundance Film Festival kicks off its 26th year.

The annual Sundance Film Festival kicks off its 26th year in Park City today, and 123 feature films selected from 3,287 submissions have been picked to screen at the festival. That includes 82 world premieres, 23 North American premieres and 11 U.S. premieres, representing 25 countries.
Thousands of filmmakers, celebrities, stargazers, moviegoers and industry hopefuls will descend on the small resort town for Robert Redford's world-renowned independent film festival. Some of that crowd will also travel to Salt Lake City, Ogden and Provo for additional screenings. A total of 13 movie theaters across northern Utah will show the independent films.
Last year, 53,000 people came to Utah for the January festival, generating $61.5 million in economic activity for the state — a 44 percent increase from 2005. State leaders expect a similar windfall for 2007.
The festival is a tourism cash cow for the state and puts Park City in the international spotlight. Some 1,200 journalists from all over the world covered Sundance last year, reaching an estimated audience of 850 million people.
"Sundance is very important to us, nationally and internationally," said Myles Rademan, Park City's public affairs director. "It's an exciting thing. We get more publicity out of this than out of the Olympics."
Tonight's world premiere of the documentary "Chicago 10" at the Egyptian Theater in Park City is expected to bring stars Hank Azaria, Nick Nolte, Mark Ruffalo and Liev Schreiber to the Beehive State for the film about the 1960's Chicago Seven trial.
Other stars who may attend this year's festival include: Daryl Hannah, Sienna Miller, Lindsay Lohan, Michael Douglas, Tara Reid, Sharon Stone, Steve Buscemi, Kate Beckinsale, Anthony Hopkins, Queen Latifah, MC Hammer, Antonio Banderas and Samuel L. Jackson.
But if Redford had his way, people would come for the love of independent film and not for the Hollywood hotshots.
Geoffrey Gilmore, the festival's director, praised the quality of this year's lineup.
"We are struck by the sheer diversity of independent film in this year's festival, particularly in the Premieres and Spectrum sections," he said of the screening competition categories.
"The range of artistic expression this year — both directorial and in performances — gives a special quality to the films presented in Premieres," he added. "The Spectrum section truly uncovers the aesthetic experimentation and complex storytelling that is at the heart of emerging independent filmmaking at this moment."
New to the festival this year is the addition of Redstone Cinemas in Kimball Junction as a screening location. Most festival events center around Park City's narrow streets, but this year, the addition of Redstone will mean more screenings, at a venue with less road traffic.
Traffic is one of the main concerns locals face, and people are encouraged to use the free bus system. Rademan asks locals to be flexible with their schedule and avoid high-traffic areas. He encourages all attendees to use the free shuttle-bus system.
Park City is no stranger to tourists, he adds. "That's how we live."
"Everyone complains about (traffic), but on the other hand, when we see snow, we say that's white gold," he said. "We run a tremendous bus system that's beefed up in a huge way during the festival."
For movie buffs who want to ditch the crowds, the festival's midnight showings are a popular alternative. Sundance has also expanded its online programming.
For the first time, a selection of short films can be purchased for $1.99 each from iTunes at itunes.com/sundance, beginning on Monday. After their premieres, those short films will be posted on the festival's Web site, sundance.org/watch.
Free podcasts, panel discussions and filmmaker interviews can also be downloaded from iTunes and the festival's Web site. The Sundance site also features streaming "Meet the Artists" interviews and content from the streets of Park City.
Also this year, the Sundance Channel on the cable network will begin "Festival Dailies" at 10 p.m. from Friday through Jan. 28. Following the program, Sundance Channel will air a narrative or documentary feature and a short film from a past festival. Sundance Channel will feature daily updates online, including blog posts, video clips, photos and other material from past festivals.


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CNL Income Properties has not been gun-shy in making deals nationwide

By Mike Gorrell
The Salt Lake Tribune

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Skiers and snowboarders ride the Majestic lift on opening... (Jim Urquhart/Tribune file photo )

Brighton Resort, a Big Cottonwood Canyon fixture since 1936, has been sold for $35 million to CNL Income Properties Inc., a free-spending real estate investment trust from Orlando, Fla.
CNL purchased Brighton from Boyne USA Inc. and then entered a long-term lease agreement with Boyne to continue operating the resort, its two restaurants, 20-room lodge, ski-rental facility and a small retail outlet.
"We really are excited about the ski sector," said Flanker Legler, CNL's director of investor relations and research. "We see this [wave] of baby boomers coming into retirement. They're skiing longer and . . . we see [them] going to a day ski place where they can spend 4 to 6 hours with their grandchildren. We really like that."
Calls to Boyne USA in Michigan were not returned. The Tribune also was unable to reach Randy Doyle, who has managed the resort since Boyne acquired it in 1987 and whose family has been involved in Brighton's operations since the mid-1940s.
Legler insisted Brighton, one of seven ski resorts the company has purchased since May, will benefit from CNL's ownership and Boyne's continued service as operator.
"We don't want to be in operations. We own real estate," he said. "That's why we're such attractive capital. We're patient. We sign long-term leases that show we're in it for the long haul. And the capital gives [Boyne] the
opportunity to work on their operations. It only helps us if the operator does well."
In the agreement, Boyne gets two leases totaling 20 years with four, five-year renewal options. It also has an option to repurchase the property between 2014 and 2032. In return, Boyne will pay minimum annual rent starting at $3.2 million and increasing to $3.9 million, plus a share of revenue over a specific but unidentified threshold.
Brighton's acquisition was disclosed Friday in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing, one day after CNL revealed it had purchase seven theme and water parks from Six Flags Inc., including Elitch Gardens in Denver, for $312 million.
Legler said the trust is aggressively interested in becoming a major player in the leisure and lifestyle sector.
"We've raised a lot of money and we're spending a lot of money," he said, citing CNL's investment of more than $1 billion in golf courses, marinas, campgrounds, mobile home or recreational vehicle parks, health clubs, parking lots, bowling centers and manufacturer's outlet centers.
And ski resorts.
CNL's deal for Brighton is its fourth ski-related acquisition in seven months. Total purchase price: $275.5 million.
On Dec. 8, CNL reached a still-pending agreement to buy Northstar-at-Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe resorts in California, Loon Mountain in New Hampshire and The Summit at Snoqualmie near Seattle from Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc. for $170 million.
In June, it acquired the home resort of U.S. ski racer Bode Miller, Bretton Woods Ski Area in New Hampshire, for $45 million. A few days earlier, CNL spent $27.5 million for Cypress Mountain, a small resort 13 miles north of Vancouver, British Columbia, that will be the venue for freestyle skiing and snowboarding at the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Like Brighton, Cypress Mountain was owned by Boyne, which will continue to operate it under a long-term lease.
mikeg@sltrib.com

Related:
Brighton Resort's purchaser, CNL Income Properties Inc., has been on a buying spree in the past seven months. It has bought:
* Brighton from Boyne USA on Friday for $35 million
* Seven Six Flags Inc. theme and water parks on Thursday for $312 million
* Five marinas on Dec. 22 for $69 million
* Four properties from Booth Creek Ski Holdings Inc. - Northstar-at-Tahoe and Sierra-at-Tahoe in California, Loon Mountain in New Hampshire and the Summit at Snoqualmie near Seattle - on Dec. 1 for $170 million
* Eleven family entertainment centers in six states on Oct. 6 for $35 million
* Bretton Woods Ski Area and three lodges in New Hampshire on June 23 for $45 million
* Cypress Mountain Resort outside of Vancouver, British Columbia, May 30 in another lease-back deal with Boyne, for $27.5 million
* Ten golf courses between May and November for $163 million
A history of Brighton

* Brighton was Utah's first ski area created by members of what now is known as The Wasatch Mountain Club.
* Kay Smith took ownership of Brighton and installed a T-bar lift in 1938. Brighton Recreations built the first chair lift, in 1946.
* Zane Doyle and his father-in-law, Willard Jensen, added a second T-bar in 1949 and the region's first double chair lift in 1955, and bought out Brighton Recreations' interests in 1963.
* Boyne USA, a Michigan-based, family-owned corporation started in 1947, bought the resort from the Doyle family in 1987.

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Volunteers keep Sundance rolling
Sarah Moffitt, Park Record

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Repeat volunteers Brenda Lake and Terry Moffitt Photo by Sarah Ause

For some locals, the Sundance Film Festival just means traffic jams and long lines at Starbucks, yet for others Sundance offers excitement, glamour and a chance to get close to the action. And, no one gets closer to the action than those who choose to be Sundance Film Festival volunteers. It requires long nights and dealing with some uppity out-of-towners, yet to Brenda Lake and Terry Moffitt, volunteering at Sundance reveals a part of the Festival they would otherwise never get to see.
Eleven years ago Sundance wasn't the huge celebrity gala it is today, but Lake and Moffitt started thinking it would be fun to participate and, in the meantime they would get to see some good movies for free.

"We have seen a few good movies,"said Lake, "mostly we have just received a lot of fleeces, vests and hats."

However, the volunteer swag is nothing to be taken lightly. The outfits must be earned with a minimum number of hours, some of which may be spent tending a parking lot in a blizzard. Usually the logo wear is sponsored by someone like Kenneth Cole and Sundance groupies are eager to snatch up the volunteers' coats for a hefty price.

Volunteers also get a handful movie vouchers. These require the holder to wait in line and don't guarantee a seat, but it's a less expensive way to get into some of the screenings.

Volunteering at Sundance, though, isn't all fleece and films. To be a part time volunteer requires working seven-hour shifts for four days, full timers must work 10 days.

"We are on the theater team at the library, our duties range from ushering, taking tickets to making sure people don't sneak in," Moffitt said.

Although both Moffitt and Lake are grateful to be indoors and be able to watch bits and pieces of movies, some nights are more fun than others.

One time, Lake was required to sit in front of a door in a deserted hallway to make sure no one came in, a boring but crucial role. As the festival has grown in size and reputation, the volunteer duties have become more rigorous.. Moffitt's only complaint about volunteering is that "there are a lot of late shifts you must work, and they sometimes take advantage of you since you are a volunteer."

Despite the long hours and hard work the volunteers put in, they sometimes get a chance to peer inside the world of the rich and the famous. Moffitt once helped a movie star find her husband's wallet that he left at the Eccles Center. "I saw Gwyneth Paltrow and Ben Affleck making out a while back, and I always see Roger Ebert," Lake said.

In addition to the star sightings, both agree the best part of helping at Sundance is the star-charged atmosphere.

"People are so excited to be there, everyone gets so into it," said Lake.

As locals, both find themselves being constantly asked for tips about good places to eat and hang out. "You get to show off your town to tourists who are fascinated by it," said Moffitt.

While both have seen a lot change over the 11 years they have volunteered, each year brings new celebrities and films. What keeps them going back after all those late nights? "It's kinda fun," said Lake," its tradition, and you get to see these people who come back each year from out of town just to volunteer."

Moffitt's motivation is "to experience another slice of life."

Being part of such a fast growing event is exciting and knowing that they, along with hundreds of other volunteers, are what keep the festival going each year, they say is an added bonus to an otherwise hectic two weeks.

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CARE TO DANCE? January , 2007. The film elite will bombard poor little Park City, Utah, this week for Robert Redford's annual film festival. Leaving their couture at home, stars disguised themselves in designer winter wear to brave the paparazzi and the cold in order to celebrate the other side of Hollywood.

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How did festival get so crowded?

By Amelia Nielson-Stowell and Jeff Vice
Deseret Morning News

When Leigh von der Esch chaired the Sundance Film Festival Committee in 1987, she recalls holding a closing night dinner party "for about 500 people."

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Mike Terry, Deseret Morning News

Cars and people cram Park City's Main Street Friday. Last year, 53,000 people attended the Sundance Film Festival.
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Nowadays, you'd be hard-pressed to find a festival screening or events — there are as many as two dozen going on at the same time — with fewer than 500 in attendance.
In fact, Sundance's closing night party "now can barely accommodate the hundreds that wish to attend," says von der Esch, who now serves as managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism.
Such stories are common, as the premier showcase for independent cinema in the United States has grown massive over the course of nearly 30 years.
Last year, 53,000 people attended the festival and poured $61.5 million into the state's economy. Those figures are a far cry from a decade ago. Attendance has exploded. In 1995, the festival attracted, by comparison, a mere 13,500 people, and it shows no signs of slowing down.
To the chagrin of festival founder Robert Redford, Sundance over the years has morphed into a media darling. The former mining town of Park City transforms into a mini-Tinsel Town overnight, turning Main Street into Rodeo Drive for 10 days. Hollywood hot shots and glamorous parties have become a staple, and a large number of festivalgoers don't even catch a movie but prefer to snap pictures of the latest starlet.
Things have certainly come a long way since the initial Utah/U.S. Film Festival, which was held in September 1978.
That weeklong event, which was held at the now-defunct Trolley Corners theaters in Salt Lake City, showcased 65 movies. Only six independent films were featured in competition. The remainder were older films, including Westerns.
By way of comparison, there are more than 120 independently made, feature-length films being screened this year. And there are 64 movies in Sundance's four competition categories, which are divided into dramatic features and documentaries, both for domestic and world cinema.

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Mike Terry, Deseret Morning News
Lisa Lindgren gives a frustrated smile aboard a jam-packed bus headed for Main Street. Each bus is full of festivalgoers, publicists and members of the media.

Dates as to when the festival officially gained its "Sundance" trademark are a little confusing. In 1985, the Sundance Institute took over the festival. In 1990, the institute changed the event's name to the Sundance United States Film Festival, and in 1991 it was renamed again as the Sundance Film Festival.
In its early days, Redford, the Sundance Kid himself, recalls pulling people off the street to watch a film. Nowadays, some showings sell out months in advance and a Sundance novice would be hard-pressed to score a seat at any screening.
So how did it get so big?
Myles Rademan, now going on his 20th year working for Park City, says the success of Sundance was the perfect storm. The elements, the current public affairs director says, include the growing popularity of filmmaking, the worldwide obsession with movies, the success of independent films, the yearlong buzz about the festival, the celebrity billings and Redford's backing.
But one of the biggest factors, Rademan says, is destination. In the beginning, "It was smaller and generally unknown, as was Park City." He refers to the city and Sundance as siblings because the two have grown simultaneously. Park City has gained notoriety as a top-tier ski resort, partly due to the 2002 Winter Olympics, and Sundance has increased in popularity along with its host city, he said.
"We're always excited to have Sundance, quite frankly, because we're joined at the hip. We've kind of grown up together in the modern years," he said. He refutes the notion that the two are both "overnight successes."
"We're both overnight successes after 20 years of working at it."
Deseret Morning News graphic Park City Mayor Dana Williams adds: "It's chic to participate in independent films."
"This is such a natural place for it to be home because Park City was really born based on hype and entrepreneurial spirit, which follow the festival," Williams said.
He remembers the early days of the Utah/U.S. Film Festival, when organizers would borrow chairs and screens to show the films to small crowds. Now he likes to head to Main Street, grab a cup of coffee and just watch.
"It's absolute anarchy for 10 days."
Part of that "organized chaos" includes a powerful media core that amounted to 1,200 journalists from around the world last year, reaching an estimated audience of 850 million people.
"Sundance is synonymous with Utah, and that is tremendous influence," said Aaron Syrett, director of the Utah Film Commission. "What the Sundance Film Festival offers over other mainstream festivals throughout the world is the sense of community. This is where 50,000 film enthusiasts can gather in a ski town and enjoy films and go about the motion picture business for 10 days. No other festival offers this kind of experience."
And at least for the near future, the festival doesn't look as if it's moving anywhere else. In 2005, the Sundance Institute announced that Park City would continue to host the festival until 2018.
However, the festival's challenge will be to manage the growth and keep the intimate atmosphere, Park City's Rademan said. The space in the small resort town of 8,000 is getting tighter and even lots are being rented out, forcing the city to haul snow out of town.
Sundance is spilling over its rafters, and the five Park City screening venues for the festival — with a total of eight screens — are often filled to capacity. And then some.
"We had to add more venues to accommodate the growing audiences. Then we had to add more films to play in those venues. It got out of hand pretty quickly," said Geoffrey Gilmore, who has been with Sundance for 17 years as a programmer and now as its director.
Gilmore and Sundance Institute managing director Jill Miller have been busy trying to find ways to cap the festival growth and ease the congestion in Park City.
Last year, the festival placed an added emphasis on its Salt Lake City "corridor," which includes three screening venues (the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, the Broadway Centre Cinemas and the Tower Theatre).
And this year, one new screening venue, the Redstone Cinemas at Kimball Junction, has been added. It is supposed to be a "bridge" between Park City and Salt Lake City events. Venues are also in Ogden and at the Sundance resort in Provo Canyon.
"If there's an area where the festival could continue to grow, it's Salt Lake City," Miller said. "But at this point the festival is pretty much as big as it's going to get.

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Sundance is very big now. It's kind of sad that I live in salt lake but never even been to any of the shows or anything. One thing I like about how big it's getting since it's not all in Park City anymore. There's things going on in downtown salt lake, Provo and even Odgen for what i've heard. :tup:

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Commerce CRG study sees growing trends in Park City market
Dan Bischoff, Of the Record staff

Residential component of Newpark Town Center
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There's no doubt the Park City real estate industry is in flux. According to Commerce CRG, there are some noticeable trends, especially in the commercial sphere.
Retail vacancy rates were down a little bit from 2005, but office vacancy went up from 10.3 percent to almost 13 percent.

"Of all these numbers, that's what caught my attention," said Jim Barth, branch broker for Commerce CRG.

The main source for the trend, Barth says, is the Cottonwood building under construction in Newpark Town Center.

"It's the only significant reason," Barth said. "Quicksilver is taking an entire floor. That building is being built right now. There are two buildings in the Cottonwood project that Rossignol and Quicksilver took."

Commerce CRG is able to pull up these numbers because of its close association with Cushman and Wakefield Global Real Estate Solutions.

"Cushman and Wakefield is a pretty well-known commercial full-service brokerage," Barth said. "It just so happens that the evaluation department for the Intermountain West is headquartered in our office."

Cushman and Wakefield evaluate and report on trends throughout the country. To tap into that resource is a tremendous advantage.

"We can go to these guys and get questions answered that you can't get anywhere," Barth said.

Commercial real estate will remain strong in Park City as long as its population continues to grow, Barth said. He added that he doesn't see the vacancy rates continuing to grow because of the desire for companies to move here and the public's interest in bringing them to Summit County.

"The population of Park City is changing, we are getting a lot more full-time residents coming here for the quality of life," Barth said. "With that infusion, (Parkites) are looking for a different type of service and they don't always want to drive to Salt Lake to have those needs met."

An example of that is Intermountain Health Care's proposal to build a hospital in Park City.

"We have more office space here and people are finding less of a need to commute to Salt Lake for work," Barth said. "The government has discussed getting more companies here like Quicksilver and IHC hospital. If that does happen, then you have more and more people that can live here full-time."

Industrial commercial vacancy is seeing a similar decline as it has in past years. It has gone down from 2.5 percent in 2005 to 1 percent in 2006.

"It's just a continuation of the trend," Barth said.

Industrial space is usually warehouses and inventory spaces that Park City doesn't have the room for, Barth said. An example of the trend is the distributing center for Jans that is moving from Park City to Kamas this year.

"It goes to show how tight space is in Park City," Barth said. "It's an interesting time as the town continues to change."

The industrial space at Silver Creek Commerce Center is a healthy industrial spot in Park City. It is aimed at housing local business and has flexible space, Barth said.

As a result of the trend, retail and office lease rates have stayed the same since 2005, but industrial rates have bumped up slightly as a result of demand.

Barth says, based on numbers he has seen, Park City's economy is now stabilizing after several years of growth. Park City started its heavy growth in 2004 while other resorts have had a longer run. That, he says, makes Park City healthier than other resorts nationally.

"In the last six months, we've stabilized even though we saw homes sold," Barth said. "We had a nice run and we stabilized and we can support our numbers. We are not overvalued. We didn't have that long huge run like others had."

Barth said investors are still heavily involved in looking for and purchasing real estate here. While the residential market slowed slightly in 2006, resort investment is extremely active, particularly in Empire Canyon and Flagstaff Mountain, according to Commerce CRG's report.

"A lot of our clients may have a third or fourth home here," Barth said. "They are looking for undeveloped land, a retail center or condominiums."

The trend, he said, is from the baby-boomer generation or people repositioning their wealth from inheritance. People look to purchase resort property with the same philosophy of buying property in a retail center.

"People come up and say, 'I want to buy on Main Street as well as Deer Valley.' These guys look at their resort properties with the same keen eye as they would with any investment," Barth said.

Hotels are also looking to expand into Park City and the resorts at Empire Pass and Deer Valley. Currently, the planning commission is discussing a master development for the Montage, a 192-room luxury resort. If the Montage is approved, that will bring another five-star resort to Park City.

There was little change in the rates on Main Street, although they remain high, according to Commerce CRG. Buildings for sale are in the $500-$600 per square-foot range and leases are hitting $45 per foot for prime Main Street level retail space. With strong demand for Main Street property, there isn't much space to be found.

"Main Street's holding its own and rents are high," Barth said. "Good luck finding a place."

Nearby Main Street, however, is also starting to hold its own. According to Commerce CRG's study, retail activity is brisk near the former Mt. Aire building after Squatters Brew Pub opened its new restaurant there.

"There is also redevelopment of the Gables at Park City Mountain Resort, it will provide much needed space," Barth said. "Entire parking lots and mountain resorts have underlying density allocated to them."

Barth said there are projects "looming out there" at the base of the resorts.


Kimball Junction has had a significant impact on the office space in Summit County. There has been a slight rise in vacancy in the Snyderville Basin, in part due to the growth in the Kimball Junction area.

"That's obviously the growth area, there is a demand for office space there," Barth said.

As expansion continues beyond the city limits of Park City, there is increased activity in the Silver Creek/Silver Summit areas.

Among them will be additional office condominiums on the market when the new 45,000 square-foot Silver Mountain Spa and Fitness center opens and a 26,000 square-foot industrial building with some office space at Silver Creek Square. At Quinn's Junction, there will be a new recreation center and Anderson Lumber.

Again, Barth said the change of population in Park City is what is causing more demand for office space as more people want to stay in Summit County full-time.

"How many more IHCs or Quicksilvers in our future? The city wants to see more," Barth said. "We want to have them in town and build an infrastructure that's attractive to them."

At the same time, Barth understands the limits on land.

"Growth is limited and we are almost out of land," Barth said.

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Sundance is very big now. It's kind of sad that I live in salt lake but never even been to any of the shows or anything. One thing I like about how big it's getting since it's not all in Park City anymore. There's things going on in downtown salt lake, Provo and even Odgen for what i've heard. :tup:


It is amazing how huge it's becoming. I think Downtown Salt Lake is going to be a big future growth area for Sundance.
:tup: :tup: I can't say it enough, HUGE KUDOS to ROBERT REDFORD!!!!