Old Town Park City
Park City is a town in Summit and Wasatch County, which is considered part of the Wasatch Back, and has been called the best-preserved mining town in the West. After the discovery of silver in 1868, this small mining camp grew into a rough and tumble boomtown where miners, gamblers, merchants, saloon keepers and ladies of the evening from almost every country put Park City on the world map. After the city’s 1884 incorporation, mining flourished until the 1930s and gradually declined into the 1960s. The now Park City Mountain Resort saved the city from almost ghost town status and is now connected to Main Street by the Town Lift. The population is just over 7,000, but the tourist population greatly exceeds the number of permanent residents. Old Town Park City has rebounded with tourism after the mines shut down and brings in over $500 million to the Utah economy as a tourist hot spot.
Park City is the main location of the independent film festival, Sundance Film Festival. Park City real estate is very desirable during the festival. Hollywood stars flock to Sundance to watch the films and enjoy the slopes. Many of the stars the come every year have luxury houses near Park City.
Park City has the largest collection of factory outlet stores in Northern Utah. Outdoor-oriented businesses such as, backcountry.com, Rossignal USA, and Skullcandy have their headquarters in Park City. Many upscale luxury retailers, clubs, bars and restaurants also call Park City home. Scenes from 1994’s Dumb and Dumber were filmed and Park City, and the town is the original home of Ms. Fields Cookies.
There are three major ski resorts close to Old Town; Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort, and the Canyons. These resorts were used for the skiing and snowboarding events at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. There are several other ski resorts in Utah, but these offer easier access for visitors and residents because they are near the Interstate, which makes Park City real estate a great investment.
Home of the United State Ski team, and training center for the members of the Australian Freestyle ski team, Park City offers the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” The Utah Olympic Park where the bobsled, skeleton, and Nordic jump was held for the 2002 Winter Olympics. There are still activities held there, like the Nordic combined competition, and the Luge World Cup. The park also offers lessons for residents and bobsled rides to visitors.
There are nearby reservoirs, hot springs, forests, hiking and biking trails to give residents more option for outdoor activities. Park City is truly a resort town. There are exciting outdoor adventures for every season. The Alpine Slide offers excitement on the mountains during the summer, and skiing, and tubing during the winter, with fishing, boating and swimming in between. Homes in Old Town are prime real estate.
Park City is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, and the most liberal in Utah. Park City is among the 20 “prettiest towns” in the U.S. according to Forbes Traveler Magazine and Park City continues to be published in top ski and adventure magazines across the world.
Families considering Park City real estate can trust that their children will receive a quality education. More students attend private school in Park city than anywhere else in the state. New schools are being added all the time to accommodate the growing population. Buy a condo or luxury home in the area, and your children can attend one of these schools.