Park City's historical rise to the incredible travel attraction that it is today is inspiring for travelers and groups who visit this mountain town.

 

 

Park City mining train

The Fall of the Mines

Once dependent upon a robust mining industry and infrastructure, Park City was shocked with a steady population decline during the 1980s and 1990s. In the early 1920s, it was the Park City miners that were using underground trains and shafts to gain access to the mountain for skiing (they didn't quite have the luxury of ski lifts and gondolas). Even today, there are still over 1,000 miles of old silver-mine workings and tunnels beneath the slopes at Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort.

Park City's Main Street is home to 64 Victorian buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Even today, groups can explore the sites of where many remaining mine buildings, mine shafts, and hoists, including the weathered artifacts remain. Many are from the California-Comstock and Silver King Mines and the water towers once used to hydrate one of the biggest mines in the United States, the Silver King.

2002 Olympic Luge Racer

The Transition of Park City from Silver & Ore to Olympic Gold

Park City experienced an explosive comeback in the mid-90s when it's easily accessible mountain resort locations were discovered. Land developers have been working ever since to meet the demands of visitors, and of companies and organizations seeking the perfect blend of fun activities and accommodating spaces for their meetings and conventions.

The city has managed to attract such famous events as The 2002 Winter Olympics, which became the foundation of their athletic industry. Outdoor-oriented businesses such as backcountry.com, Rossignol USA, and Skullcandy now have their headquarters in Park City; and many Olympic athletes have since taken residence in Park City to train at Utah Olympic Park and are often hired to speak or demonstrate their talents at conventions or events in the area.

For 10 days during January, the city is the main location of the United States’ largest independent film festival, the Sundance Film Festival and during the summer many visitors travel to Park City from lower elevation areas where the summer temperatures can become uncomfortable. Park City is consistently 20 °F cooler than Salt Lake City, as it’s elevation is  about 7,000 feet above sea level.

downtown Park City crowd

The Rise of Park City Once Again!

In a small town with a population of 8,000, the average number of tourists in Park City is 600,000 per year. This ability to attract major events, meetings and conferences during every season of the year has greatly attributed the city’s $500,000,000 in annual revenue from tourism. Growth has accelerated in the last few decades, and Park City is now one of the most affluent and lively resort towns in the United States.

Park City Museum

Group Tours of The Park City Museum

Park City, Utah has a varied and interesting history that tourists continue to be drawn to. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, 25,000 tourists visited the Park City Historic Museum, proving the popularity and importance of history and heritage in tourism. Your groups will love exploring the history of Park City through this interactive museum and will become inspired and motivated by the incredible rise of this humble mountain town. Attendees can learn more about the mining industry or check out the Native American historical artifacts and explore the Winter Olympic Games exhibit during personal or guided tours.

To learn more about how to incorporate historical exploration activities into your next meeting in Park City, submit an RFP and one of our experts will help you design the perfect itinerary for your attendees!