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10 Things You Didn’t Know About Park City

Park City, Utah
  1. 10:00 PM Whistle

Remember that old commercial asking, “It’s 10:00. Do you know where your children are?” They may well have taken their cue from the 10:00 electric siren that rings every night. It started in 1905, as a way to warn Park City’s young people about curfew.

Local Population

For a resort town as nationally and internationally renowned as Park City, you’d expect a sizeable year-round population. Surprisingly, the permanent population of Park City is just 8504, according to 2019 estimates. Interestingly, today’s population is not far off from the population of 1884, when Park City was incorporated. 

Sundance Film Festival

Similar to the beloved song, Park City comes alive with the sights of films and celebrities. Each January, Park City is joyfully inundated with 50,000 celebrities, movie executives and film connoisseurs for the largest film festival in the US. 

Park City was Founded on Humble Beginnings

Park City was discovered around the time of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, by soldiers panning for silver. For many years, it was a silver mining town, even gaining some notoriety as the home of the Ontario Mine, widely considered to be the greatest mine in the world.

You Snooze, You Lose

The Deer Valley Resort limits the number of skiers on the busiest days of the year to avoid possible overcrowding on the slopes. This practice contributed to its receipt of the coveted #1 Ski Resort designation by reader of Ski Magazine.  

A Foodie Paradise

Even though Park City has less than 10,000 year-round residents, that doesn’t stop it from being a foodie haven. Over 150 restaurants make their home here, with cuisines ranging from simple fast-food sandwiches to Forbes Travel Guide Four Star Award recipients. 

Free Transit System

This city-wide system makes it easy to enjoy being a tourist and take in all the sights without worry. It stops at all the hot spots, including Kimball Junction, the historic district and recreational attractions. For some added fun, The Main Street Trolley also offers free rides every day from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Olympic History

Both Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort were official venues for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Here’s an interesting information nugget: Of the 28 medals earned in those Olympics, 14 of them have ties to Park City, either by virtue of residency, training venue or education.

A Seeming Contradiction Regarding Alcohol

The first legal whiskey distillery since Prohibition was opened in Park City in 2009 and promotes itself as the world’s first ski-in gastro pub. However, Park City has some pretty stringent rules on alcohol consumption – no more than 1.5 oz of liquor in a drink, no happy hours and restaurant bartenders cannot make drinks in view of customers.

Year Round Fun

While Park City is world-renowned for its winter skiing, there is plenty to do here year round. Hiking on more than 150 trails encompassing 8,000 acres of open space, mountain biking, summer concert series, fishing and simply enjoying the stunning mountains views at the 7,000’ elevation. 

There are so many more wonderfully unique things to love about Park City that you’ll just have to get here to experience them all! When you do, let us help you find the perfect accommodations for your first-of-many adventures in Park City.