Walk outside the No Name Saloon at dusk, just as the lights of Main Street begin to twinkle seductively and the sidewalks fill with apres-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 funseekers. Yet the flamboyant atmosphere of the silver rush remains.

Park City 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 its caliber in the country, just 30 miles from Salt Lake City via a major freeway. Skiers and snowboarders from across the country can leave home in the morning and be making turns at one of the region's resorts that afternoon.

It's home to three winter resorts: Park City Mountain Resort, The Canyons and Deer Valley Resort. If you're interested in visiting all the resorts that hosted the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, you'll also want to spend a day at Snowbasin, where the downhill, Super G and Alpine combined races were held.

Park City interchangeable lift ticket (07/08 prices)

The Silver Passport gets you on the lifts at Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort and The Canyons. You must advance-book (by 2 weeks) at least three nights of lodging before April 13, 2008 to purchase the pass. You can use the pass at one resort each day. Snowboarders may not use Deer Valley's lifts, and the pass is not valid the week between Christmas and New Year. Adults pay $237 for three days ($79/day), $316 for four days ($79/day), $395 for five days ($79/day); children ages 6-12 pay $141 for three days ($47/day), $188 for four days ($47/day), $235 for five days ($47/day). More information: Deer Valley Central Reservations, 800-558-3337, Park City Mountain Reservations, 800-222-7275 or The Canyons Reservations, 888-226-9667.

Ski Today and Ride Today

You can catch a morning flight from almost anywhere and and ski Park City slopes the same afternoon, for free! The Park City Quick START (Ski Today and Ride Today) Vacation lets you convert your airline boarding pass into a same-day lift ticket to the Park City resort of your choice: Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort or The Canyons Resort. You will need to bring the completed, required online redemption voucher (http://www.parkcityinfo.com/quickstart/), along with your same-day boarding pass and out of state photo I.D., to the resort ticket window, to receive your same-day lift ticket. Promotional offer valid: Respective resort opening - 12/24/07, 1/2/08 - 2/14/08, and 3/24/08 - respective resort closing 2008.

Park City Mountain Resort hosts the winter sport training programs of the National Ability Center. Activities include alpine skiing, snowboarding, bobsled, sled hockey and much more for people of all abilities and their families. Lessons, equipment and accessible, affordable lodging are available. Information: www.parkcityinfo.com and www.discovernac.org/ or phone 435-649-3991.

Park City is a wonderful destination for non-skiing guests too. There are a multitide of activities, both outdoors and inside, to keep everyone happy. The downtown area is compact and walkable, with a free bus line to take you to the outreaches of town. You'll also find great dining and nightlife. Everything is here to guarantee a memorable vacation.

Park City Facts:

Dining: ++++
Apres-ski/nightlife: ++++
Other activities: +++

Address: Park City Chamber of Commerce Convention & Visitors Bureau, PO Box 1630, Park City, UT 84060
Toll-free information:
(800) 453-1360
Area code: 435
Phone: 649-6100
Fax: 649-4132
Internet: www.parkcityinfo.com
Bed base: 21,500