Photos courtesy Deer Valley Resort
January is always a fun time of year in Park City, as the holiday swarm gives way to the electric energy of high-flying athletes at the Deer Valley Freestyle World Cup and the sizzle of the Sundance Film Festival. But like most activities and plans these days, these two perennial favorites won’t look exactly like we’re used to – or even expected just a few weeks ago – as Park City has had to pivot on the fly thanks to COVID-19.
With the 2022 Olympic Winter Games just a little more than three weeks away, athletes from around the world are looking to lock up their spots in Beijing and we’ve got a host of them here this week for the Intermountain Healthcare Freestyle International World Cup event at Deer Valley. Traditionally an evening party under the lights, the three-day event has moved to a daytime schedule due to the slow start to the winter weather and an earlier than usual calendar date.
Running through this Friday, Jan. 14, Olympic qualifying for mogul and aerial competitions give you a truly up-close look at these daredevil athletes. Admission is free and easily accessible by foot – or even better: Plan to make a few turns yourself at Deer Valley and ski right to the competition venues near Snow Park Lodge for multiple views!
WORLD CUP COMPETITION SCHEDULE:
Thursday, Jan. 13 – Mogul Competition
- 9:10 a.m.: Women’s Mogul Qualifications
- 11:40 a.m.: Men’s Mogul Qualifications
- 2 p.m.: Women’s and Men’s Mogul Finals
- 3:10 p.m.: Awards
Friday, Jan. 14 – Mogul Competition
- 9:10 a.m.: Women’s Mogul Qualifications
- 11:40 a.m.: Men’s Mogul Qualifications
- 2 p.m.: Women’s and Men’s Mogul Finals
- 3:10 p.m.: Awards
SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL SHIFTS TO VIRTUAL
You’ll be sure to have the best seat in the house wherever you join in the Sundance Film Festival this year, which recently shifted to a primarily online event for health and safety reasons, and will run from Jan. 20-30. Single film tickets just went on sale Jan. 13, and Sundance encourages you to build your watchlists ASAP. Whether you’re into films by women or nonbinary filmmakers, true crime, indigenous works, immigration or music, Sundance has the scoop to help you make your movie picks.
FAMILY FUN:
Midway Ice Castles: Opening this Friday, Jan. 14, the Ice Castles is an award-winning frozen attraction located in five cities across North America, and lucky for us, we’ve got one right in our own back yard! The experience is built using hundreds of thousands of icicles, which are hand-placed by professional ice artists. The castles include breathtaking LED-lit sculptures, frozen thrones, ice-carved tunnels, slides, fountains and much more.
Silver Sky Nights: Park City Mountain turns weekend nights into celebrations each month, featuring live music, complimentary hot beverages and spectacular fireworks displays. Evening events begin at 4 p.m., with fireworks starting at varying times and ice-carving demonstrations by Iceworks, Inc.
- Saturday, Jan. 15: Fireworks at 5:45 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 21: Fireworks at 5:45 p.m.
- Friday, Feb. 11: Fireworks at 6 p.m.
- Saturday, Feb. 19: Fireworks at 6:15 p.m.
Outdoor Winter Movie Nights: The whole family will enjoy these complimentary movie nights outside at Canyons Village at Park City Mountain. Activities and treats begin at 4 p.m., with films beginning between 5:30 -6 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 16: Trolls World Tour (Rated PG), 5:45 p.m.
- Sunday, Feb. 20: Raya and the Last Dragon (Rated PG), 6:00 p.m.
MOUNTAIN MUSIC:
Nothing says “ski town” like a little apres-ski session on a slopeside deck — or patio or plaza! – and Park City has you covered in the upcoming weeks with FREE live music at Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain.
Deer Valley: Enjoy live music from 2:30-5:30 p.m. on the second level of the Fresh Tracks Kitchen located in Snow Park Lodge:
- Thursday, Jan. 13 – Nathan Spenser (guitar, vocals)
- Friday, Jan. 14 – J-Rad Cooley (singer/songwriter, piano, harmonica)
- Saturday, Jan. 15 – Leah Woods (guitar, singer-songwriter)
- Sunday, Jan. 16 – Michelle Moonshine Trio (guitar, singer-songwriter)
- Monday, Jan. 17 – John Sherrill (guitar, singer-songwriter)
- Friday, Jan. 21 – Oskar & Julia
- Saturday, Jan. 22 – The Proper Way
- Sunday, Jan. 23 — John Sherrill
- Friday, Jan. 28 – Small House Strings
- Saturday, Jan. 29 – Cry Wolf
- Sunday, Jan. 30 – Bruce Music
Park City Mountain: Enjoy live music on the plaza at Canyons Village from 3:30-5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 15 – Snyderville Station
- Friday, Jan. 21 – Timmy the Teeth
- Friday, Feb. 11 – The Proper Way
- Saturday, Feb. 19 – Nathan Spenser Review
Corner Store Pub & Grill: Head to Park City Mountain’s base area and get your spot on the patio at this favorite locals’ joint for free live music from 3-6 p.m.
- Thursday, Feb. 17 – Snyderville Station
- Thursday, Feb. 24 – The Wyld
- Thursday, March 3 – Telluride Meltdown
- Thursday, March 17 – Lost in Bourbon
REMINDER: Summit County mask mandate in place through Feb. 21
A friendly reminder that due to the Omicron surge and unprecedented rise in COVID-19 cases, Summit County implemented a 45-day face-covering order effective Friday, Jan. 7, through Monday, Feb. 21. The order/mandate requires everyone to wear a face covering while indoors or lining up to go indoors, unless remaining in place while actively eating or drinking. Face coverings are not required outdoors.
