The Colony — Page 24

Park City Celebrates: May is National Bike Month

May 10, 2018 by Molly Miller, Colony PR

With more than 400 miles of single-track trail in Park City, mountain biking here is among the best in the world, for any level of rider. And, if you’re not a mountain biker – or are simply looking to ratchet up your rotation opportunities – you can also enjoy mile after mile of multi-use track on a road bike – or an e-bike!

And, because May is national bike month, there are a number of unique opportunities for you to pedal the Park City paths over the next few weeks. (Photo courtesy: Park City Mountain)

National Bike to Work Week is May 14 – 18

Biking gets you out into our fresh mountain air, and – bonus! – The League of American Bicyclists says commuting on your bike burns an average of 540 calories an hour. And, if you were to switch to biking to get to work on the regular, you’d save about 66 gallons of fuel per year.

Park City’s Bike to School Day is May 18

On Friday, May 18, our entire community comes together for Bike to Work, School and Play Day. The main morning gathering happens at Park City High School, where there will be breakfast, a bike wash, bike safety information and even bike tune-ups.

Students riding bikes to school get police escorts, and all kids and the community are invited to enjoy activities like helmet fittings, bike safety demos, and BBQs – held throughout the day at McPolin, Parley’s Park, Jeremy Ranch, and Trailside elementary schools.

The entire Park City community is invited to bike to school, work, and play on May 18.

E-Biking | Summit Bike Share

The Summit Bike Share is also inviting you to hit Park City’s trails for bike month (e-bikes are permitted on all paved multi-use paths and soft-surface trails wider than 5 feet). The goal of the Bike Share, which is a joint effort between Summit County and Park City, is to offer a great 24/7 transit option for residents and visitors to explore the city. And the best news – all bikes are e-bikes. This means you still get to pedal, but electric-assist will automatically kick in on the hills. Since its inception last year, more than 35,000 miles have been biked!

There are tons of ways to celebrate National Bike Month in Park City.

To celebrate Bike Month, you’re welcome to give Bike Share a 45-minute whirl for FREE on May 15 and 16, thanks to Bewegen, Summit County, Park City, and the Park City Chamber of Commerce.

To participate, download the Summit Bike Share app.

Mountain Biking in Park City

While Park City’s hundreds of miles of single-track are extremely popular, it’s rare for a trail to ever be crowded (there are some exceptions, of course, but there are plenty of options for solitude). Mountain bikers of all levels can enjoy more than 20 miles of cross-country trails through Park City Mountain (including our favorite, the Mid Mountain Trail, which runs right here through The Colony at White Pine Canyon!), with some support to make logistics as easy as possible. You can buy Gondola and bike haul tickets at the Activities Center in Canyons Village, and bike rentals are available in both villages.

Park City has been named a gold-level Ride Center by the International Mountain Biking Association. According to the website, this is “IMBA’s recognition of large-scale mountain bike facilities that offer something for every rider… From expert-only to family-friendly, you’ll be able to ride for days and encounter the best mountain biking has to offer.”

We think that description is right on the money – and you hit one of our Park City trails, we bet you’ll agree!

Road Biking in Park City

Park City, where the Tour of Utah starts and finishes, is full of options for road bikers.

Road biking in Park City isn’t limited to professional cyclists (though we can understand why it seems intimidating – the Tour of Utah does begin and end here, after all). Our town is an incredibly fun place for experts and novices alike to enjoy some road bike loops. If you need a bit of assistance getting started, White Pine Touring has you covered with rentals and guided tours.

Enjoy the Ride

Whether you prefer gliding past the white barn or white-knuckling through the Wasatch Back, there is an option that suits your needs for riding a bike in Park City. During national bike month, we sure hope you take some time to enjoy it! Be sure to share your biking pics on Instagram and Facebook using the #ParkCity and #BikeMonth hashtags.

Summer Gear Guide

April 27, 2018 by Colony PR

Ready to hit the trail this spring, but need a few upgrades? Aiming to take on a new sport? Park City has a plethora of outdoor shops to outfit you for your next adventure.

A teenage boy fly fishes in a river outside Park City, Utah.

Trout Bum 2
4343 UT-224 (In between Canyons and Kimball Jct)
A local fly shop who can outfit you with license, waders, rods, reels and everything else for a day on the river. Trout Bum 2 also offers a guide service, so you don’t waste time looking for a hatch.

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Jans Mountain Recreation Experts
1600 Park Avenue
One of the go-to ski shops in winter switches gears during warmer weather to bikes and fly fishing gear. In addition, you’ll also find a wide selection of camping, trail running and associated accessories for your outdoor pursuits.
jans.com

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Cole Sport
1615 Park Avenue
Cole’s flagship location on Park Ave sports a wide selection of bike gear, including one of the state’s largest rental fleets of both road and mountain bikes.

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Park City Bike Demos
1500 Kearns Blvd
Sporting over 100 hand-picked demos, this is the place for bike nerds and those who want a high-end ride. The best part? PC Bike Demos allow users to test as many bikes as you wish on a trail or on the road and apply up to $600 of rental fees towards a final purchase.

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Backcountry.com
This online retailer has nearly every piece of gear for every outdoor pursuit imaginable. Plus, their online gearhead chat is staffed by experts in each area to make sure you get the right product.

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Switchback Sports
1685 Bonanza Dr
Pick up used bikes and other outdoor items on consignment, which includes camping gear, hiking, and golf equipment. Great option for kids who beat up gear before they grow out of it.

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Tanger Outlets
The outlet malls over in Kimball does not always come to mind when thinking outdoor sports, but you will find a wide range of apparel from Pearl Izumi, Colombia, Under Armour, Zumiez, Volcom, NIKE, and Adidas.

Spring Fever

April 10, 2018 by Colony PR

Here in the mountains, the season others know as spring, we affectionately refer to as “mud season” to describe the period in between skiing and hiking, biking and golf. However, there are several options to take care of that case of “spring fever” if you are careful and plan ahead.

Hiking and Mountain Biking

Generally speaking south facing trails receive more spring sun to melt out and dry faster. Typically Round Valley (Hwy 40) and Glenwild (between Kimball and Jeremy Ranch) are the first to be ready to foot or two-wheeled traffic.

The trails you can expect to dry out first are Blackhawk and Stealth in Glenwild and Somewhere Elk & Nowhere Elks in Round Valley. Each of those trails are open to both hiking and biking, and tend to be busier on weekends and warm afternoons.

Both Mountain Trails and Basin Recreation provide great resources for planning a day out including updated trail conditions and handy maps. It is imperative to stay off trails until completely dry, as using them in muddy conditions can cause damage to the surface which could last all season, or permanently widening them from users who walk or ride around wet areas.

Road Cycling

Road cycling is great within The Colony, providing plenty of uphill options and fun loops you can create on your own. Other quiet areas for a road ride are the Pinebrook and Jeremy Ranch neighborhoods, both of which provide a similar set up of climbs and descents. Jeremy gets more sun if the temps are cooler.

For flatter road rides, head out to the town of Heber City and ride a loop that includes the neighboring area of Francis. Stunning views of Mt. Timpanogos dominate the scene above your handlebars, and the surrounding bucolic farmland is a perfect spring backdrop for a pedal.

Wildlife

Due to the immense amount of open space at The Colony, wildlife such as moose, elk, and deer regularly frequent the area. In spring, it is a safe bet to simply grab a pair of binoculars and observe passing wildlife from the comfort of your deck.

Animals respond to longer days and warmer weather much in the same way we humans do – soaking up as much outdoor time as possible and exploring our surroundings. Additionally, much of our local fauna are caring for their young while coming out of a winter slumber at the same time, making them incredibly unpredictable – especially moose – so be sure to give animals plenty of space and keep a safe distance.

The Swaner Nature Preserve offers an additional opportunity to see wildlife – from elk to nesting sandhill cranes – in nearby Kimball Junction. This project of Utah State University offers complimentary nature walks each Saturday morning led by a naturalist.

Golf

The closest option outside Park City is Mountain Dell, located off I-80 in Parleys Canyon between SLC and Park City. As of this writing, they had 18 holes open, with a second 18 holes set to open soon. Stay tuned for a full blog post on golf options in the Park City area to plan your rounds for spring and summer.

Closing Day: April 8th, 2018

April 6, 2018 by Colony PR

The last day on skis, when the lifts spin for the final time, might seem like sad day, but at Park City, it’s more like an on-mountain party. Spring is just ahead with flowers blooming and wildlife sightings, as well as summer hiking, biking and golf – speaking which, stay tuned next week for more on these topics – but saying goodbye for a final time to winter calls for a celebration.

Both Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort plan to close April 8, with several fun events planned. Deer Valley’s closing weekend will feature several live music options, including Lash LaRue and Muddpuddle.

Find the lineup deervalley.com.

Park City Resort hosts one of the most unique parties on Saturday, April 7 – the annual Pond Skimming competition. Contestants don costumes, gather some speed downhill and attempt to cross a near-freezing pond. Most do not make it, leading to roars of laughter from the crowd!

Catch live music, the Thin Air Innovation Festival and more throughout closing weekend at Park City.

All events can be found here.

Thin Air Concert

Deer Valley Resort, in conjunction with Park City Mountain, will host the third annual Thin Air Concert on Main Street. The show will feature Citizen Cope, (a.k.a. Clarence Greenwood). Cope’s music is an eclectic mix of rock, blues, hip-hop, and folk influences that fuse together to form a unique, soulful sound. For Thin Air 2018, he’s bringing along an ensemble of musicians for an amazing night of acoustic-driven rock. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. on lower Main Street.

More skiing

If you are still jonesing for a few more turns, Alta and Solitude both stay open until April 15, Brighton is planning on April 22, while Snowbird intends to stay open as long as they have snow – some years well into May or June.

Epic Pass

It’s never too early to think about next year, and the Epic Pass in on sale already. The Epic Pass will cost $899 and is the best way for Utah skiers and riders to access Park City Mountain’s 348 trails all season long. If you are OK with blackout dates and other limitations, the Epic Locals Pass is available for $669.

There were several upgrades to the Epic Pass as well, including the addition (with limited access) to Telluride in Colorado, Hakuba Valley in Japan and Resorts of the Canadian Rockies across Canada, bringing The Epic Pass to now offer access to a total of 61 resorts worldwide.

Passes can be purchased at EpicPass.com

IKON Pass

With Deer Valley’s sale and acquisition, the newly formed Alterra resort group has introduced the IKON Pass for their family of resorts, which includes Deer Valley, AltaSnowbird, Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Aspen & more.

Offered at two different levels, either $599 or $899, unlimited skiing is available at about a dozen resorts, plus either five or seven days at the rest of the participating 26 worldwide resorts.

More information is available at ikonpass.com

Park City Dinner Dining Guide

April 3, 2018 by Colony PR

New York. Paris. Tokyo. Park City. Those are the first four cities that come to our mind for food, and it should be yours too. With Zagat rated restaurants and award-winning chefs, Park City, is dining destination unto itself.

Chefs like Zane Holmquist at Stein Eriksen Lodge, Seth Adams at Riverhorse on Main and Bill White helped put Park City on the foodie map a few decades ago. The local gourmet scene took off from there and has not slowed down since. New restaurants open regularly, events such as ChefDance (held during Sundance) and a slew of summer dining events keeps diners on their toes year-round.

Need more convincing? Here are our favorite dinner spots.

Firewood on Main

Reclaimed bricks and timber bring the alpine feel of this relatively new Main Street eatery to life, along with the sight of an open flame through a wall of windows peering into the kitchen. Cooking over a custom-made grill—one of only four of its kind—Chef John Murcko rotates fresh, local ingredients to create a “multi-sensory culinary experience.” Chef’s menu includes wild game, such as elk, as well as more familiar cuts such as lamb chops and New York Strip, and several seafood options.

Private dining options are available as well, with the option of using multiple bar areas including the building’s original 1906-era Nickel Bar. The restaurant can even arrange private entrance via Swede Alley.

Reservations Recommended

Handle

Chef Briar Handly is a relative newcomer to the Park City dining scene, quickly earning accolades from food critics, locals and visitors alike. Seasonal ingredients inspire Handle’s locally driven menu of small plates that run the gamut on influences.

Set in a dimly lit dining room with rustic accents and a statement wall of quirky, nature-influenced artwork provides a perfect backdrop for standout dishes like the buffalo cauliflower or Scallops smothered in lobster and crawfish etouffee. Inventive cocktails accompany the menu to round out a memorable meal.

Handle has already expanded to a second location, HSL, in downtown Salt Lake City.

Tupelo

Tupelo is a restaurant where the meal is truly a journey. That journey is the exact intention of Chef Matt Harris. Inspired by global travel through food, Harris and his team have put together a menu that includes everything from local Utah mushrooms to Maine mussels and Sonoma duck breast and everything in between.

Adventurous diners can opt for inventive dishes such as the “Utah Chicken Fried Rabbit” or, for those with more traditional taste buds buttermilk biscuits, kale caesar and local trout are presented with fresh and exciting twists.

Grappa

Bill White’s flagship Italian restaurant blends an alpine villa feel with hearty Italian dishes. While the cascading patio is brilliant in summer months, the warmth of the interior is a cozy place for a winter meal. Let’s be honest – does anything smell better than marinara sauce on a winter evening? Of course not – and Grappa smells, looks and feels like you are in the Italian Alps and you found the local go-to spot for a big meal.

Last Friday Gallery Stroll

March 30, 2018 by Colony PR

The Park City Gallery Association hosts a gallery stroll on the last Friday of each month, falling on March 30th this month. Running from 6 – 9 PM, light refreshments are served to art patrons as they discover some of the incredible local artists who call Park City home.

Most of the twenty or so galleries are on, or within a couple blocks, of Main Street, making for an enjoyable walk – especially if you start at the top of Main and wind your way downhill. Printing out this handy gallery map before heading to town makes finding your preferred stops a breeze.

Some of our favorites are Gallery MAR, and J GO – both between 4th and 5th Streets on Main. The next block uphill is home to seven galleries, including Mangelsen – Images of Nature Gallery, featuring the work or famous nature photographer Thomas Mangelsen. His limited edition prints of wild places and animals would be a perfect complement to a mountain home at The Colony.

Don’t miss galleries on Lower Main as well – each are worth the walk to the other side of town. Julie Nester Gallery is a must stop to take in the ever-rotating collection of contemporary art pieces.

Find up to date information on the Gallery Association facebook page and website.