With winter officially on its way, it’s time to look ahead to Park City’s most beloved time of year. The first snow fall signals ski season is right around the corner, and to that end, so is the return of the Sundance Film Festival, which will celebrate its 43rd year with a return to in-person screenings as well as a robust online program, sure to satisfy film lovers of every variety.

Last year, festival goers came together online to celebrate independent storytelling, finding new ways to connect as a community despite our geographic distance from one another. This coming January, Sundancewill offer a variety of ways to enjoy the 2022 festival, whether on the snowy streets of Park City or online from the comfort of home. The festival recently launched a new website, so you can begin making plans and be ready when tickets and packages go on sale Friday, Dec. 17. 

While the 2022 festival program will be larger than last year, it still will maintain a tight focus and is expected to showcase approximately 80 features. All official feature film selections will play in person and online, with in-person screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City and at Sundance Mountain Resort. As always, films will premiere in the opening half of the festival (Thursday, Jan. 20 through Tuesday, Jan. 25), with additional screenings to follow through the end of the festival. Online premieres will follow the in-person events, using Sundance’s custom-built online platform that was home to last year’s festival. Awards will be announced on Friday, Jan. 28, leading to a final weekend of award-winner screenings.

Check out all of 2022’s customizable ticketing options, learn how the festival will prioritize your health and wellness, and get excited about the upcoming convergence of artists and audiences. But first, we’ll give you a quick breakdown of this year’s ticketing and package offerings:

SUNDANCE FF TICKETING/PACKAGES (on sale 12/17)

This year’s fest offers three in-person packages so you can be sure catch all the premieres, talks, events and New Frontier offerings that you’re looking for as you create your ideal experience!

• Festival Package: This popular package offers 10 tickets to in-person or online feature film screenings during the entire Festival, along with early access to ticket selection. Also included are all the benefits of the Explorer Pass. $750

• Salt Lake City Package: Designed for Utah residents, this package offers 10 in-person tickets to feature film screenings at all Salt Lake City venues, with early access to ticket selection. Also included are all the benefits of the Explorer Pass. $500

• Award-Winners Package: Access eight award-winning feature film screenings, in person or online, during Awards Weekend. Awards will be announced on Friday, Jan. 28 and the following Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 29-30) is all about celebrating the winners. Also included are all the benefits of the Explorer Pass. $300

• Day Package (online only): Spend a full day “Sundancing” via this four-screening online package, which includes early access to ticket selection. Also included on the day your package is valid: all the benefits of the Explorer Pass. $100

• Explorer Pass (online only): Available to audiences everywhere, this pass unlocks online access to the immersive projects of New Frontier, serialized storytelling in Indie Episodic and visionary short films, including an exclusive program for online audiences. Valid Jan. 20-30; $50.

• Single Film Tickets (on sale Jan. 6, 2022): Round out your festival experience with individual tickets to your choice of must-see features, online or in person, to the film (or films!) of your choice. Once you’ve got a ticket, you’re all set — no reservations required; $20.

COVID-19 Safety: Please note, everyone who attends the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and/or festival-affiliated events in Utah will be required to show proof that they have been fully vaccinated, and masks will be required inside of every indoor venue and while in queuing lines.

SCHUTZENKI FESTIVAL AT SOLDIER HOLLOW NORDIC CENTER 

Soldier Hollow Nordic Center, a 2002 Winter Olympics venue, has hosted fall training camps for years as top athletes prepare for their upcoming winter seasons. Now the public can get in on the action at the first annual Schutzenski Fall Festival this Saturday, Oct. 23. The festival, which originally started as a week of training for cross-country and biathlon athletes, has now evolved into a celebration of the fall season involving the community with a 5-mile run/walk race, public biathlon and beer garden.

Top cross-country and biathlon athletes will be on hand at Soldier Hollow as they prepare for the upcoming winter season, highlighted by the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, China, in February. Two-time Olympian, 2018 gold medalist and 2021 World Cup champion Jessie Diggins headlines the cross-country roller ski races, while two-time Olympic biathlete and 2020 World Championships silver medalist Susan Dunklee will compete alongside other national team athletes as they qualify for the 2021-22 World Cup season. University of Utah’s ski team will also compete, including 2020 Junior World Championships team relay silver medalist and Park City local Sydney Palmer-Leger.

The Schutzenski Festival opens at 8 a.m. on Saturday with a 5-mile fun run/walk on the Olympic trails, followed by the elite-level biathlon and cross-country roller ski races throughout the morning. A head-to-head “Wild West” shooting competition starts at noon, followed by open biathlon and ski races.

Bohemian Brewery will be hosting the beer garden throughout the competitions, while spectators are invited to learn more about the sport of biathlon with “discover biathlon” sessions on the Olympic range. The event is free for spectators, but anyone wanting to compete in the 5-mile race or discovery sessions are encouraged to register in advance.

Schutzenski Festival Schedule of Events (Oct. 23):

• 6:30 a.m.: Race registration opens
• 8 a.m.: 5-mile race begins
• 10: a.m.-noon: Elite biathlon, ski races
• 11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Bohemian Brewery beer garden
• Noon: Wild West Shootout
• 12:30-1:30 pm.: Open biathlon and ski races
• 2 p.m.:  Public “discover biathlon” sessions

WARM KIDS, WARMS HEARTS: CCPC ‘OPERATION HOPE’ COAT DRIVE ON TO NOV. 1

The Christian Center of Park City is still in need of coats ahead of its annual “Operation Hope” registration event, set for Nov. 4-5. Each year, CCPC collects new winter coats for more than 650 Summit County children whose parents will register for Operation Hope. 

CCPC is seeking approximately 400 new winter coats (with tags) from community donations, with specific sizing needs ranging from infant through 3T, and 6 through teen for both boys and girls (CCPC currently has a good amount of 4T and 5T sizes). 

For added convenience, CCPC encourages donors to shop and donate from almost anywhere using its Amazon Winter Coat Drive Wish List. They have selected lots of size and color options to help you select and serve, and all items will be shipped directly to CCPC.

Coats are due Nov. 1, giving CCPC time to organize and sort them before registration. If you are interested in volunteering for the registration event, please visit the online volunteer sign-up page to find a shift! Bilingual volunteers are especially needed on Nov. 4 and 5, and set-up will take place Nov. 3.