Off-Slope Fun in Park City

Continuing my recap from an early March trip to Park City, Utah.... (Check out Part One here)

Skiing wasn't the only activity pursued during my stay in Park City.  Borderline rain/snow was predicted for the final two days, so instead of shelling out big bucks to ski in the rain (I could do that back home for much less!) my friend Hollie and I decided to check out the shopping in downtown Park City.

Sloppy snowfall in downtown Park City

Many of the visitors to Park City are not hurting for money.  That became evident when Hollie and I perused Main Street.  We passed many well-heeled ladies, dressed to the nines in expensive clothing.  Lots of high-end brands had set up shops downtown.  We even counted three fur stores! 

For the man who has everything...

Speaking of fur..... one shop featured an item for the man who has everything - the fur jockstrap!  This unusual clothing article retailed for $39.95.  We asked the lady in the shop if she sold very many and were told they average 10 per day.  (Can you believe it?  That's a lot of money to spend for a gag gift!) 

The 2002 Winter Olympics held events at Park City

After walking the length of Main Street and back, Hollie and I drove over to the Park City resort, checked out some more shops, and watched a few hardy souls skiing in the rain.  Some of the 2002 Winter Olympics skiing events were held here, commemorated by a tall, artsy sign.

Ski Museum at the Olympic Park

On the topic of 2002 Winter Olympics - Hollie mentioned Park City had a museum at the old bobsled and ski jumping venue.  The following day, with more crummy weather in the forecast, we decided to drive over and have a look.

Sign for Utah Olympic Park

The old venues are still in use.  Freestyle skiers and ski jumpers still train on the 2002 facilities.  Also, the bobsled run is operational, offering rides to the public ($180 for a very quick trip).

Jump where freestyle skiers train

The freestyle skiing venue was vacant, its ramps snow-covered.  The pool below was empty, save for a thick blanket of snow.  (Obviously now a summer training facility)

Line up of neon ski wear!

The site did have a great museum, the Alf Engen Ski Museum.  It was named in honor of Alf Engen, a Norwegian-American skier who set several ski jumping world records in the 1930s.  He also helped established many ski areas in the western US, and is known as the pioneer of powder skiing.

Hollie tries out the ski jump simulator

The museum was very well done.  First, Hollie and I walked past a huge display of ski wear throughout the decades.  Lots of bright-colored garments, especially ones representing the 80s!


 

Olympic uniforms

Since neither Hollie nor I were willing to shell out 180 bucks apiece to ride the bobsled, we did the next best thing and tried the bobsled simulator.  For five bucks, it was a lot of fun.  Just around the corner was a ski jump simulation video, so of course we also had to try our hand at that.  Let's just say it wasn't very pretty.......(we'll stick to our day jobs!)

Channeling my inner freestyle skier

There were more fun things to see and do - like getting your picture taken as a freestyle skier.  Wahoo!

Hollie checks out the bobsled

Or trying to stuff yourself into a real Olympic bobsled.  (Just how do the riders get themselves in there so quickly?)

Opening ceremony costume

The upper floor had all sorts of memorabilia from the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic games.  
From team uniforms, (USA! USA!) to opening ceremony costumes, to a full wall of the different pins exchanged.

You too can be an Olympic torch bearer!

You could even hold a replica of the Olympic torch!

Snowy bobsled track

After thoroughly exploring the museum, Hollie and I went outside to get a look at the bobsled track.  Rides weren't offered until later in the day, so there wasn't much to see.  Plus everything was covered with a thick blanket of snow.

Future Olympians in training

On a nearby hill, we watched future Olympic skiers training on a short slalom course.

Hollie models her Park City hat!

The place that we stayed had its own gondola that took visitors up to Park City, Canyons Village base.  Every time we took a ride, both Hollie and I admired the cool hats the gondola employees wore.  After looking all over town for duplicates, we learned the hats were part of the official Park City employee uniform and weren't for sale to the public.  However, that didn't stop Hollie.  She offered one of the employees 25 bucks for his hat, and to our surprise he said "okay." 

Funny bumper sticker

It's amazing how fast a week of vacation can fly by.  Before I knew it, Friday arrived, and we were packing up Hollie's car for the 13-hour journey back home.  Despite some scary icy roads in northern Utah/southern Idaho, I'm happy to report we arrived in one piece.

Super fun to experience a new ski area - thanks Hollie for inviting me! 

(This blog will now resume "52 Hike Challenge" posts)

Out 'n About in SLC

Kim and I had nearly a full day to kill before our evening flight home.  Since we'd spent most of our vacation skiing, this was our opportunity to check out the sights in Salt Lake City.


Size matters!  Click on any photo to enjoy a larger version.

The site of the 2002 Olympics!

First up - a visit to the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Cauldron Park.  A huge fan of the Olympics, I was super-excited to see the very stadium that held the XIX Olympic Winter Games opening and closing ceremonies.

(And you finally get to see a photo of me without my blue ski coat and helmet!  You now know what I normally look like).

The Olympic Cauldron

The Olympic Cauldron Park is located next to the Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus.  The main attraction, of course, is the cauldron, lit for the duration of the 2002 winter games.  It was designed to look like an icicle to compliment the motto of the 2002 Olympics, Light the Fire Within, and its Fire and Ice theme.




Channeling my inner freestyle skier


A fence encircles one end of the stadium, decorated with colorful panels.  I later learned (thanks to Wikipedia) that there are 17 panels on this fence, one for each day of the Olympics.  The interior sides of the panels describe the highlights of each particular day, and the outer images are the same ones that adorned buildings in Salt Lake City during the games.

Colorful images decorated the fence

Of course, I only took photos of the panels with skiers. :)  (Not really, these two just turned out the best).

Another fence view

At the fence's far end, stood a intricate sculpture.  I later learned that this beautiful artwork, known as the Hoberman Arch, was originally located in the Olympics Medal Plaza downtown.  It was used as a backdrop for the Olympic medal ceremonies, and also as a concert venue.  After the Olympics ended, it was moved to this present location.

The Hoberman Arch

After walking the length of the fence, and peering at the cauldron through its bars, Kim and I decided to check out the visitor center.  The place was deserted.  As a matter of fact, we startled the one man working there when he walked out of a store room and saw us.  We got the impression this place doesn't see many visitors anymore (well, the SLC games were over 10 years ago).

There really wasn't much to see.  The only things on display were a collection of photographs from the 2002 games, and a torch in a glass case.  Supposedly, you could watch a movie, but the theater was roped off, and didn't look like it had seen recent use.

Snowy day at the Cauldron Park

Kim spotted a set of doors that opened to the courtyard where the cauldron resided.  She asked the visitor center host if we could go outside, and the man seemed surprised at our request.  He made the comment that almost nobody ever wanted to go out there.  But he was fine with us exploring the plaza.  Out we went again, into the snow (no one had bothered to shovel the walks, probably due to the lack of visitors).  Kim joked about us making "first tracks."

Not much happening today

The cauldron's base was fenced off, so we weren't able to get very close.  It was surrounded by some sort of concrete wall.  Everything was covered in snow, so I wasn't able to tell what it was.  Later (again via research on Wikipedia) I learned that this is supposed to be a plaza with a reflecting pool.  The names of all the 2002 medalists are engraved in stones at its base.

The cauldron looked shabby and dirty.  It didn't appear to get much use anymore.  I suppose interest has waned, since its been many years since the 2002 games.  Still, it was very cool to see an actual Olympic cauldron, live and in person.

Fountain in City Creek Center

Our Olympic quest complete, Kim and I hopped on the TRAX light rail train and headed for downtown.  Both being nerdy transportation engineers, we had a field day checking out all the light rail infrastructure, and comparing it to Portland's system.  Of course, we also took note of the curb ramps, sidewalks, and street paving (we're such geeks!)

Retractable roof in City Creek Shopping Center

Downtown SLC has a fabulous new shopping center, called City Creek.  It takes up nearly four blocks, and is interconnected through skybridges.  The ceiling boasts a retractable roof, that I'm assuming is opened on beautiful summer days.  There are fountains in two plazas, and an actual rock-lined creek trickles through the center.  Kim and wandered the many levels of this mall, admiring the beautiful decor.

Salt Lake LDS Temple

Directly across the street from City Creek, was Temple Square, world HQ of the LDS church.  Although neither of us are Mormon, Kim and I were still interested in checking it out.  Having visited SLC as a teenager, I recalled that the Salt Lake Temple was a stunningly beautiful building. 

Close up of intricate details

Temple Square was a lovely place.  Although the dead of winter, the grounds were immaculately maintained, every walk shoveled.  And the temple was just as breathtaking as I remembered.

Golden angel Moroni on top

The temple was encircled with a fence.  Only LDS members are allowed inside.  Kim and I went into one of the visitor centers, and it had a interesting set of exhibits that described the temple construction.  Being nerdy civil engineers, Kim and I ate that up. 

An impressive building!

This magnificent building took 40 years to complete.  Starting in 1853, granite stone for the temple was mined from nearby Little Cottonwood Canyon.  It was constructed by church members.  Imagine building such a large intricate structure without the modern tools and equipment we have today.  An impressive feat!

Kin checks out the founders statues

Back outside, Kim and I wandered the nearby plazas, stopping to read inscriptions on a statue or two.

Smaller church building

I thought this smaller church building especially pretty.  Not sure what it's used for, though.  We were kind of hoping to catch the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in rehearsal, but no such luck.

Pano view of Temple Square

I was kind of glad to be here in wintertime.  With leafless trees, you could see all the buildings through the bare branches.  But I'm sure this place is especially beautiful in the spring and summer when flowers and plants are in full bloom.

Angel glimpse through the branches

Heading to the airport later in the day, Kim and I reminisced about our successful trip.  Although not the abundance of fresh powder we'd hoped for, the skiing was still loads of fun.  The people of Utah were wonderful - extremely friendly and helpful.  Nothing but excellent service everywhere we went.  And our motel staff were amazing; I highly recommend the Crystal Inn at Midvale.  The people who work here totally rock!

I hope to return again and ski more of Utah's resorts.  Maybe next time I'll get lucky and hit the powder jackpot. 


Linking to:  Sunny Simple Sunday.