More Ski Resorts Open: Alta Today, Park City Tomorrow

There is fresh snow in the mountains and more ski resorts opening their gates. Alta Ski Area opened today and Park City will open tomorrow. More Utah resorts will open next week.

We've already had several cold storms and ski conditions are very good considering how early it is in the season. Alta reports a 30-inch base. Many resorts are offering early bird discounts on passes and lodging.

This season is Park City's 50th anniversary and the resort is kicking it off in style. The resort provided this information:

We’re kicking off our 50th anniversary in style and you’re invited to join us! The party begins with a ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating half a century of fun since we first opened in 1963 as Treasure Mountains resort. Keep an eye out for our one-of-a-kind 50th anniversary mementos we’ll be giving guests throughout the day, and wrap it all up with an après concert presented by Miller Lite on the PayDay Deck. Die hards in line early enough for First Chair will be rewarded with special 50th anniversary First Chair souvenir shirts good for bragging rights that will last the next half century. It’s a season 50 years in the making, and we’re celebrating right out of the gate with our biggest Opening Day yet.

9 am sharp: The lifts begin turning! Each person on the "First Chair" at all lifts open on Opening Day will receive a commerative 50th Anniversary t-shirt. We'll also have hot beverages and snacks available in the Plaza.

2 pm: Aprés Concert on the PayDay Deck with the Motherlode Canyons Band, part of the Miller Lite Après Concert Series. Join us for some great music, beer and a fun afternoon after your first day on the slopes!

Make sure you're here for the first turns of the 2013-2014 winter season in Park City! Will you be on first chair???

More Info:

435-649-8111

Location:

Park City Mountain Resort

The Park Record newspaper has this interesting article about Park City's history, appropriate for a different 50-year milestone. Below are exceprts:

The story behind the loan that launched PCMR

The Park Record ran the story without a headline on Oct. 17, 1963. It was buried on the third page.

"Treasure Mountains recreation center at Park City, Utah's new year-round resort, will open its first facilities in December," the story began, "and no one could be happier about this news than the President of the United States."

A photograph with the story showed President John F. Kennedy and Utah Sen. Frank E. Moss studying what appears to be an artist's rendition of the base area of Park City's new tourist attraction. The photo may have been taken during a visit that Kennedy made to Salt Lake City the previous month.

"The President expressed satisfaction that it was a $1,232,000 loan from the Area Redevelopment Administration, a Kennedy administration program, that helped financially to launch the new Park City resort development," the story continued.