Great news! Did you know that you don't need to be an Olympian to enjoy Utah's Olympic venues?
That's right, Utah Olympic Park in Park City was built for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games and is also open to the public. While the venue continues to host international competitions and serves as a training facility, this nearly 400-acre venue boasts one of the steepest ziplines in the world and a state-of-the-art alpine slide, as well as the Comet Bobsled to name a few thris.
Got a full day? Guaranteed, the UOP offers the ultimate adrenaline charged-adventure for fun-filled day.
Daytime Fun
Summer Jumpside Pass
Tip: Get tickets to the first session of the day that starts at 10 a.m.
Our family recently booked a Summer Jumpside Pass that includes two hours of Extreme Tubing, Alpine Slide, Freestyle Zip, Extreme Zip and the Discovery Course. More on the ziplines here. We had the time of our lives and my biggest advice? Be strategic. UOP sells a limited amount of tickets per two-hour block but that still gave us barely enough time to do all of the activities. Get there early and save time by hiking to the top (instead of taking skipping the slower chairlift) so you can hit your must-do activities first. $65/person. Ticket info here.
Alternate Activity: Airbag Jumps. For just $15, you can launch off their five feet, 10 feet, or 15 feet platforms to a pillowy airbag below.
Summer Bobsled Experience
Tip: Book the 1:30 p.m. session after doing the Jumpside Pass from 10 a.m. to noon.
Have you ever wanted the extreme feel for speed and gravity? For those 13 years of age or older, you can experience the thrill of a lifetime on the 2002 Olympic Sliding Track, home to the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Games. In the summer, the bobsleds are modified to roll on the track’s concrete surface and can still reach speeds of up to 60 mph. Don’t worry: You’ll have a professional driver navigating those banked turns while you’re riding in the second, third or fourth positions. A cautionary tale: I can’t speak to the summer bobsled experience but I rode the bobsled in winter and after riding in the fourth position, I walked away with a mild case of whiplash after hurling down the track but a memory I'll never forget! G-Force is a real thing and you can reach up to 5Gs...so you must meet age, weight and health requirements to participate. Precautions aside, this is one bucket list item you won't soon forget.
Alternate Activity: The Museums at Utah Olympic Park. The Joe Quinney Winter Sports Center is home to the Alf Engen Ski Museum and Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum. Filled with plenty of inspirational tales, these interactive exhibits depict the history of skiing in Utah, a virtual-reality ski theater and there are numerous displays honoring the athletes, volunteers and sports represented in the 2002 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Cost: free.
Evening Fun
Drive to nearby Kimball Junction and grab some dinner to fuel yourself through the evening (local favorites include Cafe Zupas, Vessel Kitchen or Hearth and Hill)...and then let the nighttime festivities begin.
Flying Aces Allstars Show
Tip: Return to the park around 5:30 p.m. to get the best seating; the show starts at 6 p.m.
It’s like the Summer Olympics...with winter Olympic athletes. COVID limited this high-flying show earlier this summer but these Olympics and National Team skiers and snowboarders are back in full force this August! This family-friendly show is filled with acrobatic wonderment as these Aces fly 60 feet in the air before landing in the Spencer Eccles Olympic Freestyle Pool. There are snacks and beer available; ticket price is $20 per person or $70 for a family four-pack. Dates: August 8, 15, 22, 29, and September 5.
Twilight Drive-in
If you (somehow) didn’t have enough fun during the day, UOP has partnered with Park City Film for this new drive-in movie series through August 7 with two shows per night starting at 7 p.m. There are COVID precautions in place and a limited number of bike-up tickets and a special seating section are also available. Cost: $30/car. Note: Additional dates may be added soon; learn more here and have fun!
