Take a look back at 2023 with TownLift’s top 10 stories

Screenshot of the video taken of the altercation that took place on Monday December 26 at Park City Mountain. Photo: @kaelynfaria // TikTok

PARK CITY, Utah — From rare wildlife sightings to big announcements and a star studded court case, 2023 has been a big year for Park City and Summit County.

Take a look back with us on TownLift’s most read stories that captivated our readers this year.

Chairlift altercation at Park City Mountain — Two men reportedly got into a physical argument on the Saddleback Lift at Park City Mountain on Dec. 26, 2022. The altercation was captured on video then posted to social media where it went viral in the new year.

Rare moose triplets catch some Zs — A moose family of four was spotted taking a nap in the yard of a TownLift reader. The photo sparked a heated debate over whether the three animals in the photo with the female moose were moose triplets or deer. Ultimately, a representative from the Utah Department of Natural Resources confirmed that the three animals were indeed baby moose.

Ski Patroller Christian Helger tragically killed in chairlift accident — Park City Mountain ski patroller Christian Helger, age 29 from Millcreek, was killed on Jan. 4 after a pine tree fell onto the Short Cut chairlift cable. The tree caused the lift chairs to vertically move up and down significantly enough to cause Helger to fall from the lift chair into a ravine of deep snow.

Deer Valley confirms Mayflower Mountain expansion — Alterra Mountain Company announced in August that it had reached an agreement with Extell, the developer of the Mayflower Mountain Resort, for Deer Valley to expand to include Mayflower Mountain Resort. Representatives from Alterra called it “the largest ski resort expansion in ski resort history.”

Parkites look back at the flooding of 1983 — After Utah received the highest snow water equivalent in 26 years during the 2022-23 winter season, many speculated what spring runoff would bring. This story took a look back on the spring of 1983 when extensive flooding filled the streets of Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City named preferred host for 2034 Winter Olympics — Salt Lake City was named the preferred host for the 2034 Winter Olympic Games by the International Olympic Committee. Salt Lake City will enter into a targeted dialogue with the IOC, and the host nations for the 2030 and 2034 Olympic Games will be announced just before the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.

70% of homes in Park City vacant or second homes — Information shared by the Housing Resource Center from the 2021 housing needs assessment found that over 70% of homes in Park City were either vacant or second homes, and less than 20% of homes are owner occupied.

Gwyneth Paltrow goes to court over Deer Valley ski crash — Gwyneth Paltrow’s trial began on March 21 in a lawsuit filed by retired optometrist Terry Sanderson, who said that the actor-turned-lifestyle influencer violently crashed into him in 2016 while skiing at Deer Valley Resort. Paltrow was ultimately found not at fault for the collision.

President Joe Biden visits Park City for campaign fundraiser — President Joe Biden visited Park City on Aug. 10  to attend a Biden Victory Fund reception. The President’s motorcade caused quite a stir as it drove up Parley’s Canyon before turning off onto State Road 224, then up White Pine Canyon Road.

Kouri Richins arrested and charged in the death of Eric Richins — Kamas woman Kouri Richins made headlines in May after she was arrested in connection with the death of her husband, Eric Richins. Kouri Richins allegedly purchased $1,800 worth of fentanyl pills from an acquaintance in the months leading up to his death caused by an overdose.