What's not to love about Park City?

Tightly tucked into the side of the snow-capped Wasatch Mountains I’m looking onto Old Town Main St., the heartbeat of Park City, pumping with the busy-ness of shops, restaurants, and saloon-style bars, abundance of restaurants, lodges and Park City Mountain Ski Resort.

Born in 1864 as a Miners camp when hungry get rich quick prospectors came digging for gold and silver. They came to the right place...deep in these Wasatch mountains was literally tons of silver. Shunned by the sect of neighboring settlers, none other than Joseph Smith’s Mormons, miners had no problem making their life and fortunes here in Park City. The small miner’s cottages were built surrounding all of the commerce on Main St.. Most of the historic Victoria era cottages have been razed, but there remains a handful of multi-colored clap-board houses that are reminiscent of Park City of long ago, giving Park City a sense of charm. The surrounding mountains combined with the old town charm add to the allure of this mountain town.

If Main St. is the heart of Park City, the local ski resorts are the life-blood of the town, pumping energy into the community as people from all over the world flock to ski at any of the 3 mountain resorts the Canyons, Park City, and super fancy Deer Valley. These resorts are a huge source of income for the town and people here. They provide not only jobs but recreation and sense of community for PCers.

Skiing and other recreational sports are such a big deal that the locals and seasonal folks build their work schedules around skiing. Event the competitive young skiers, are allotted extra days off school to practice and compete. Park City is after all the home of the US Ski Team and Mecca for winter athletes from all over the world who aspire to be the best. The super powder found only in Utah makes it easy for consistent practice. I was acquainted with an Australian Olympic athlete here to train for the skeleton competition. Yeah – I wasn’t sure what it was either – the skeleton race is the single person sled that goes down head first. Anthony Dean…watch for him in Vancouver. I will also add that I have never seen a more fit community. This is a vibrant, active and really fun community.

Last weekend was the World Cup Freestyle competition (Mogul racing and Aerial jumping) Thousands came to catch a glimpse of the soon to be competing Olympic Athletes right here in our own backyard. Main St. kicked off the event with a free concert downtown and I was intrigued by the number of families with young little kids who came to rock out to the alternative rock band, the bravery. In a small town, if something is going on.. everyone comes out!

Turns out I am not the only one in transition making PC my home away from home. I have met several others in the same boat as me. Great minds!If Park City beckons, you answer the call and you wont be disappointed. This is an engaging and friendly town and welcoming to outsiders. Maybe because most here came from somewhere else? The rare breed are those born and stayed in PC – a tight group. As genuine locals they look out for each other and stick together amidst the waves of visitors rippling in and out of here. They are the few and as for the majority… one transplant couple I met at church said, once you come to Park City you don’t leave Park City. Hmmmmmmm.