This alpine city may be best known for the annual Sundance Festival and premier skiing, but when the weather warms up, you’ll find plenty of summer activities in Park City.
I, like many people, tend to think of Park City as a winter vacation spot. After doing some runs on the area’s beautifully groomed slopes for the first time this winter, I can attest that it’s an amazing place to ski and snowboard.
But Park City offers so much beyond winter sports. With its mild temperatures and low humidity, it’s an outdoor lover’s paradise in the summer, too. Here is what you need to know to enjoy all that Park City has to offer during the offseason:
Festivals
Park City hosts several festivals throughout summer, many of which are centered around food. In fact, the city is a farm-to-table food lover’s dream. The Savor the Summit festival, known by many as Park City’s largest outdoor dinner party, is definitely a highlight of the culinary scene. During the festival, one long table is placed down the center of Main Street, where the city’s best restaurants serve food by sections to more than 2,500 participants.
Quick Tip:
You don’t need a ticket for Savor the Summit, but you do need to make a reservation directly with a participating restaurant. Purchase your seat based on which food you want, as each eatery offers its own unique menu and pricing.
Concerts
Utah has a booming music scene catering to every budget and music taste. The Deer Valley Music Festival is the summer home to the Utah Symphony Orchestra, which plays a variety of classical, chamber and pops music at an incredible outdoor amphitheater. At these shows, you can hear anything from the music of Pink Floyd to ABBA or Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 5.
Park City Mountain also hosts a series of free concerts throughout the summer. Local and regional bands perform at Canyons Village on both Thursday and Saturday evenings.
Quick Tip:
Concessions are available for purchase at the Deer Valley Music Festival, or you can bring your own picnic dinner.
Fly Fishing
Although it’s a year-round sport, fly fishing is at its peak in Park City during summer. Whether you’re a seasoned fly fisher or a novice angler, you’ll appreciate Park City’s proximity to the state’s world-class fisheries. The Provo River is one of the best-known places for fly fishing in the western United States and is less than a 20-minute drive from town. Grab some waders and a pole, and plan to spend an afternoon trying to reel in one of Utah’s big Blue Ribbon trout.
Quick Tip:
Numerous outlets rent fly fishing gear, but if you’re looking for lessons or to hire an expert guide, try Jan’s Fly Shop.
Mountain Biking
Skiers may take a break in the summer, but the chairlifts don’t. All three of Park City’s major resorts — Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort — offer lift-served mountain biking. Weather permitting, bikers can choose from more than 400+ miles of trail systems from mid-June through late September. Get vertical and go fast or pedal slowly to enjoy the scenery on the beautiful open mountain trails. Lift-served access gives mountain bikers plenty of options based on their riding style.
Olympic Park
Utah Olympic Park is the ultimate venue for sports enthusiasts, and this official U.S. Olympic Training Site is home to myriad activities in the summer months. Thrill-seekers can discover what it feels like to be an Olympic bobsledder during a trip down the sliding track that hosted the bobsled, skeleton and luge events during the 2002 Olympics. The exhilarating experience can reach speeds of up to 60 miles per hour!
The Summer Discovery Course is designed to challenge even the youngest kids with obstacles and climbing elements. For a more leisurely activity, try the Alpine Slide, which allows riders, both big and small, to control their speed and go as fast or slow as they want.
Quick Tip:
At Utah Olympic Park, save 10 percent on an all-inclusive Gold Day Pass by purchasing it online before your visit.