SKI and SNOWBOARD AMERICA and CANADA

14th edition 2002- World Leisure Corp.

Park City Utah:

"Walk outside the Alamo Saloon at dusk, just as the lights of Main Street begin to twinkle seductively and the sidewalks fill with après-ski traffic, and you can almost hear the clank of spurs. Squint your eyes and the strolling figures become the miners and cowboys who roamed this same street a hundred years ago, swaggering through 30-odd saloons in what was once one of the country's largest silver mining towns. Soon the vision is gone, and the people are once again modern-day fun-seekers. Yet the flamboyant atmosphere of the silver rush remains. Park City's mining heritage is quite evident at Park City Mountain Resort, where old mine ruins dot the slopes. The Park City Historical Society has put up signs describing each of the sites, so skiers and boarders can get a sense of history as they enjoy the day.

This town originally was founded by soldiers who had been sent West to discourage Brigham Young from ending the Utah Territory's association with the Union. Park City boomed during the mining era, then almost became a ghost town during the Depression and World War II. Now Park City can be counted among the world's top winter resorts.

This is the most accessible destination resort of it's caliber in the country, just 30 miles from Salt Lake City via a major freeway. Accessibility was one of the key factors that helped Salt Lake City get the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Park City, which is headquarters for the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team, will host many of the Olympic events."

"The Canyons, another Park City area resort, has completed it's fourth season under the ownership of the American Skiing Company. You may have heard of the Canyons under one of it's previous names: Park West or Wolf Mountain. However, it looks a lot different now. Just about every lift and building has been replaced, rebuilt or otherwise improved. And every year, they open more terrain. Another peak with 325 acres was opened last season, putting the Canyons in the top five in the nation in skiable terrain.

NBC's Today Show has chosen to broadcast live from The Canyons for it's Olympic coverage."

The Canyons:

"The first resort you pass on the way into Park City, The Canyons is a few miles away from the historic downtown area, though it is connected by a free shuttle service from many points." "The circular base village with it's arched entrance is warm and inviting, creating a cozy feel to an area that opens up to a humongous amount of terrain and awesome vistas.

There's good news for novices and beginners for the 2001/2002 season. The Canyons has added a triple chair and expanded the terrain in the Dreamscape area, providing access to more beginner and intermediate trails. In addition, there's now snowmaking on Harmony, which connects the Dreamscape area to the Tombstone lift. There's also a new learning area behind Red Pine Lodge, separating novices from more accomplished skiers and riders.

The skiing and riding at the Canyons is spread across eight mountain peaks."

• The Canyons
• Summit Elevation: 9,990 feet
• Vertical Drop: 3,190 feet
• Base Elevation: 6,800 feet
• Ski area phone: 435-649-5400
• Snow report phone: 435-615-3456
• 5 High speed quads
• 14 Lifts
• 1 Gondola
• 4 Quads
• 1 Triple
• 1 Double
• 2 Surface lifts
• Snowmaking: 4 Percent
• Skiable area: 3,625 acres
• Uphill capacity: 24,000 per hour
• Snowboarding: Yes
• Bed base: 1,200 slopeside Resort
• Child Care: Yes
• Lessons: Group, private and never ever packages available

Mountain Layout- Skiing

Expert Advanced: "Most of The Canyons' terrain is not visible from the base area. What you can't see are chutes and gullies as extreme as any in Utah. Most of the Canyon's real expert terrain is in the trees off the Ninety Nine 90 Express, Tombstone Express and the Super Condor Express. These lifts follow ridges, and the trees and snow drop away on either side. Ninety Nine 90 has heart-stopping chutes off to the right, like Red Pine and Charlie Brown. Peak 5 terrain is touted as intermediate tree skiing, but the trees-lots and lots of trees-make this area more of an expert's playground. The Condor chair takes you to terrain that is very steep, such as the South Side Chutes, or the dense glades of Canis Lupis. You can hike a few hundred feet to the top of Murdock Peak for ungroomed bowl descents. (Our stats reflect lift-served terrain; with the hike, the total vertical is 2,580 feet.)"

Intermediate: "There are blue runs from every chair, but sometimes only one or two descents per chair. The best trails for this level are in the center of the resort, under the Saddleback Express (Snow Dancer is quite nice), The Snow Canyon Express (wide paths here) and the lower mountain. The blue runs under the Condor and Tombstone chairs are nice intermediate challenges, especially the double-blues like cloud 9 (running the length of the Tombstone Express) and Apex Ridge next to the Super Condor Express. Ski Aplanade, which takes off from Apex Ridge, a few times and you may feel ready to move on the the black runs like Devil's Friend and Rendezvous Ridge."

Beginner Never-ever: "There's a nice learning area at the top of the gondola, but The Canyons doesn't have a tremendous amount of gentle terrain. For 2001/2002, the resort developed a new learning area behind Red Pine lodge-away from skier and snowboarder traffic-to help increase the comfort level of those just getting started. There's also new terrain in the Dreamscape area. We suggest this level enroll in lessons, in order to have a guide to keep them out of trouble."

Mountain Layout-Snowboarding:

"The Canyons has six natural halfpipes and one constructed pipe. The naturals are spread throughout the area. Nearest the base area are two that can be reached via the Golden Eagle chair. The higher of the two, The Tube, runs off Broken Arrow next to Grizzly. The lower, The Black Hole, cuts off Super Fury and comes out on Flume, below the snow Canyon Express. A long narrow creek bed/halfpipe runs next to Spider Monkey. It's a beginner's terror. Perhaps the most well-known natural pipe is adjacent to Upper Boa and called Canis Lupis. Two more natural halfpipes can be accessed via Saddleback Express: The first is part of Pine Draw, which is the beginner/intermediate terrain park, and the second is to rider's left of the trail CIA.

The main terrain park is CIA- a.k.a. Canyons International Airport- and it's been moved to the front face of the resort off of Red Hawk lift (don't confuse CIA the terrain park with CIA the trail!). This improvement was made last year and received rave reviews from park-goers and mainstream skiers and riders alike. Now, those who want to "go big" can do so without interfering with general resort traffic. The park has at least three rails, five major hits and a halfpipe. Onlookers can watch riders in the park easily from the outside deck at Smokie's.

For riding in the trees, Peak 5 is a good option. Also try the steeps and chutes off the Murdock Peaks' 9,602-foot summit will get you freshies in Murdock Bowl, Saddle Chutes or One-Hundred Turns. If you're looking for groomers with lot's of space, the runs off Snow Canyon Express will get your board screaming and warm you up for rails off the Super Condor Express."

Mountain Rating:

"The local motto is "If you can see it, you can ski it." Gates to out-of-bounds skiing have serious signs warnings. There is so much expert and advanced terrain within bounds at The Canyons that you can literally explore the mountain until you drop from exhaustion and still not get to everything during a weeklong vacation. Experts from the East Coast who prefer tree skiing and riding won't be disappointed- you'll find woods as tight as anything back home. Intermediates have aplenty to choose from, and this is a great mountain if you want to improve to the next level. Beginners and never-evers now have increased terrain, though we haven't tried it yet. Hopefully, this rounds out the resort's terrain and ups the options for everyone."

Dining:

"Park City's restaurants get better every year-and more expensive. Pick up one of two free dining-guide magazines to get menus, but be aware that not all the restaurants are listed. Main Street is where you'll find many of the best restaurants in town."

"The Canyons has three on-mountain lodges for dining: Red Pine Lodge, at the top of the Flight of The Canyons gondola, serves healthy grilled food, pizza and deli sandwiches; Sun Lodge at Snow Canyon serves Asian and Mexican dishes; and Lookout Cabin, at the top of Lookout chairlift, has a table served luncheon menu of grilled fish, meats and salads (not only is the food wonderful here, the mountain views are spectacular). Doc's at the Gondola, in the Grand Summit, is good for lunch and après ski. Also in the base area, Smokie's Smokehouse has family-style BBQ and Cajun fare. Yurt dining is available at 5 p.m. daily."

Après-Ski/Nightlife

"Despite rumors of Utah party blahs, Park City has some of the best nightlife of any ski town." "Baby-boomer skiers remember when getting a glass of wine meant a trip to the state liquor store before going to a restaurant, then paying a setup fee before you could consume your own brown-bagged bottle. Now it's much easier, but here are a few tips:

Restaurants that have liquor licenses (most do) can serve alcohol from noon to midnight "to customers intending to dine." However, you won't find the wine list at the table. Your server will ask if you'd like "a beverage", at which point you can ask for the alcohol menu. Some restaurants are designated private clubs, which means you'll have to pay a temporary membership fee to get in.

Bars don't exist in Utah, at least not by name. If you are planning just to drink, not eat, you'll have to do so at a private club. Don't be deterred by restaurant or nightclub advertising that has phrasing like this: "A private club for the benefit of it's members. "You, too, can become a member. Visitors pay $5 for a membership, valid for two weeks for the visitor and five guests. Annual members can bring guests as well."

"Taverns may or may not serve food, depending on the establishment. The only alcohol served at taverns is 3.2 percent beer."

"Immediate slopeside après-ski centers are Moose's at Park City Mountain Resort base; and the Forum at The Canyons.

According to locals, O'Shucks is the place to be on Main Street for the younger folks (skiers and boarders) and Lakota is the hot spot for the more mature population. Harry O's, halfway down Main, is a giant warehouse of a bar, complete with six pool tables, a big-screen TV showing the game, and a boisterous younger crowd who need to be carded to get in. It is the place on Saturday nights. The Alamo, next door, is your basic saloon with pool tables, loud music and louder conversation.

Mother Urban's, named after a famous bordello madam is a cellar version of a knotty pine mining shack that sells 55 beers (not bad for Mormon territory) and features live jazz Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Also try the Wasatch Brew Pub at the top of Main Street, where you can watch the brewing process even as you reap its yesty rewards. The Cozy on Main Street has a large dance area with live bands every weekend and most other nights, too. Mileti's is casual, cozy and dark, making it a great place for the last drink of the night. Adolph's in the newer section of town, with piano music, has been recommended for quieter evenings.

When the Egyptian Theater has plays, as it does often during the winter, it makes a nice evening's entertainment. The Eccles Center houses two live stages and is a year round focal point for the performing arts in Park City. For weekly arts and entertainment events, call (435)647-9747 or (435)-655-3114."

Other Activities:

"Park City offers some rare sports treats: ski jumping, luge and bobsled at the Utah Winter Sports Park (435-649-5447). The park will host the 2002 Olympic competition in those events. Yes, you can fly off the end of a ramp just like the Olympians do (you'll be on much smaller ramps, but it will feel like the 120-meter jump, let us assure you). You can take jumping lessons (required rental helmets included), or ride on the Olympic luge/bobsled track in a neophyte-friendly luge "ice rocket" or as a passenger in a four-person bobsled. (They supply the driver and brakeman.) Schedules are different each day, and not every activity is offered every day, so call for specifics and prices. Definitely call in advance for a spot in the bobsled. The 48-second ride of your life, wild and rugged. You won't be disappointed. The park is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. It's worth a tour even if you don't participate in the sports.

Many companies offer sleigh rides, snowmobile tours and hot-air balloon trips. To reserve any or all of these activities and more, call one central number at ABC reservations Central, (800)820-2223 or (435)649-2223. There is no fee and most adventures provide free shuttle service.

In January 2000, the Mormon Church opened a Family History Center at 531 Main Street. Computers are available for genealogy checks for anyone free of charge. The Park City Museum on Main Street details local history, and is excellent. Admission is by donation, and it is open every day, at varying times.

Park City's calendar has some unusual events. The World Cup ski racing tour kicks off each year at Park City Mountain Resort in mid-November. The Sundance Film Festival is in late January, showcasing new films from around the world.

Park City has two popular shopping areas: Historic Main Street in downtown Park City and a factory outlet center on the edge of town. The outlets include Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers, Gap, Nike, and Polo among others. You can jump on a shuttle or take a cab for $6 round trip per person. (Locals know to hop the Best Western hotel shuttle.) Take an hour or two and walk Main Street to find museums, art galleries and fine and funky shops. A must-see is Silver Junction Mercantile with every nook and cranny crammed full of old stuff, from rusty license plates and political buttons to Elvis and Beatles memorabilia. Nativo offers high-end young clothing and avant-garde jewelry. Tiff's owner buys amber directly from Poland, which her partner polishes and sets in stunning silver for very reasonable prices. The Pendleton store in the Main Street Mall sells vintage Pendleton clothing at vintage prices.

Don't miss Changing Hands, a consignment shop way off the beaten track in the back of Galleria Mall. Great high-fashion ski clothes during the season and higher end labels for the rest of the inventory. Hard to find, but well worth it. If you are traveling with your pet or had to leave him at home, stop at the Love Your Pet Bakery to bring home a treat."