TownLift’s top stories of 2022

BYOB will no longer be an option at Deer Valley summer concerts. Photo: Deer Valley Resort

PARK CITY, Utah — With record-high inflation, Utah’s megadrought, and more, 2022 was certainly a noteworthy year.

To help ring in 2023, here’s a list of some of TownLift’s most-read stories of 2022.

Ski Magazine resort rankings — Ski Magazine released its annual rankings this October, which came with a surprising change. While Deer Valley Resort held on to its second-place spot on the list, Park City Mountain Resort fell from #13 in 2021 to #30.

Ski resorts deal with overcrowding — Winter sports enthusiasts come from all over the world to enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Park City’s world-renowned resorts, often resulting in long lines, overcrowding, and congestion in the winter months. This SNAPPED photo from March shows dedicated skiers waiting in a lengthy line at the Town Lift.

Deer Valley Summer Concerts — The popular Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater made headlines this spring when Deer Valley Resorts announced that outside alcohol would no longer be allowed at the venue.

Summer animal encounters — It was an active year for animal encounters throughout the West, and Park City was no exception. Experienced hikers Tori Trombley and Emily Hansen, along with their four dogs, narrowly escaped after being chased by a mama black bear near the Mid Mountain Trail in August.

Stuff of legend — A less common creature was also spotted in Park City this year. Something resembling a Bigfoot was caught on a doorbell camera in the Silver Creek neighborhood earlier this month, sparking a heated debate on social media as to whether or not this was actually a sighting of the famous cryptid. Was this a rare sighting of Sasquatch, or simply a local in a furry costume? It seems the jury is still out.

Ski patrol strike — The Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association voted to approve a strike authorization in January with the goal of a $17 per hour starting wage. In March, Vail Resorts announced that it would increase its minimum wage to $20 per hour beginning during the 2022-2023 season at all 37 of its North American resorts.

PCMR opens Scott’s Bowl — Park City Mountain Resort signed a new lease in March opening Scott’s Bowl to the public. The steep terrain was closed in December, 2018 after the landowner, Silver King Mining Company, chose not to renew the agreement.

Alterra announces improvements — Alterra Mountain Company announced in February that it would be investing $344 million in capital improvements at its top resorts, including $20 million in Deer Valley Resort’s infrastructure, terrain, and amenities. With this, Deer Valley announced the extension of Burn’s Lift giving skiers direct access to Little Baldy Peak.