Photo courtesy of Deer Valley® Resort
With 2023 just days away, the time is now to plan how you’ll welcome in the New Year. Here at Chin|MacQuoid|Harris|Fleming, we’re partial to the mountain-town tradition of a dazzling torchlight parade. We’re always blown away by the breathtaking sight of skiers quietly making their way down the mountain by the light of the torches’ red glow, set against the backdrop of a sparkling winter night’s sky.
With record-breaking snowfall and all of Utah’s 15 ski areas open, there’s plenty of options to choose from for your perfect New Year’s celebration. So, pick your favorite spot, grab your favorite people, bundle up (!!!) and prepare to ring in 2023.
- DEER VALLEY RESORT: Enjoy live entertainment daily from 2:30-5:30 p.m. through Jan. 1 upstairs and on the outdoor deck at Fresh Tracks Kitchen, located at Deer Valley’s Snow Park Lodge. The “Brews & Tunes Après Series” features musical guests including Michael Louis Austin (Dec. 30), Anna Kaelin (Dec. 31) and the David Burchfield Duo (Jan. 1). Check out the Deer Valley Events page online for the complete holiday-week lineup. On Friday, Dec. 30, guests are invited to the annual Torchlight Parade – back in person this year! The parade starts at approximately 6 p.m. (dusk) on Big Stick ski run on Bald Eagle Mountain, behind Snow Park Lodge. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cider and cookies on the Snow Park Plaza from 5:30-7:30 p.m. For those looking to kick it up a notch, make your reservations now for Deer Valley’s New Year’s Eve Party at Cast & Cut in Snow Park Lodge. Dance the night away to music by The Spazmatics and enjoy a full bar, party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and light culinary fare.
- PARK CITY MOUNTAIN: Say “so long” to 2022 at Canyons Village on Dec. 31 with live music and a fireworks display. Musical acts include DJ Don, Freida and the Feel Goodz, and RATZ. The party starts at noon and concludes with fireworks at 7:30 p.m. Also join in on the “Winter Nights” après festivities happening from Dec. 27-Jan. 1, from 3-5 p.m. Each night will feature a DJ, with the special edition of a laser light show Dec. 27, 28 and 29 on the Ski Beach across from The Farm restaurant. The light show runs every 20 minutes starting at 6 p.m., with the last show at 7:40 p.m.
- SOLDIER HOLLOW NORDIC CENTER: Add a little adrenaline to the new year’s mix this year with an evening tubing session at Soldier Hollow. Through Jan. 1, Soldier Hollow has extended its tubing sessions to include a late-evening session that runs from 8-10 p.m. The whole family can get in on the action at Soldier Hollow, which boasts the longest tubing lanes in Utah. With 1,200-foot sliding lanes and a magic carpet, tubing is the perfect way to take advantage of all this snow! Tubing sessions do sell out, so be sure to book your spot ahead of time.
- ALTA: Ever wanted to join in a torchlight parade? You can at Alta, where up to 500 skiers can join in this annual tradition on Dec. 31. Alta’s Torchlight Parade runs from the Collins angle station to the Wildcat base area and is followed by an outdoor bonfire and firework show by the Town of Alta and Alta Ski Area. Festivities begin at 5:15 p.m.
- SOLITUDE: For a unique musical experience, head to Solitude on Dec. 31 for an Alphorn concert at 3 p.m., followed by an hour-long children’s magic show starting at 4:30 p.m. Following the show, guests are invited to watch Solitude staff members in the torchlight parade (6 p.m.) followed by fireworks. The event – located at Solitude Village and Last Change Lodge – is free, and refreshments will be available for purchase.
- MORE TORCHLIGHT PARADES!: Be sure to check out other resort celebrations including torchlight parades at Brian Head Resort, Nordic Valley and Snowbird.
BEFORE YOU GO
While we wish the holiday season meant quiet roads, empty parking lots and available tables, we know that’s simply not the case. Park City and its surrounding resorts can get hectic on and off the slopes thanks to an influx of visitors. So this year, keep the goodness and holiday vibes rolling by planning ahead. Some tips:
- Make your restaurant reservations in advance – and this includes for lunch on the slopes. Being “hangry” is no fun for anyone, so book online, call ahead or plan to send someone ahead to put your name on the waitlist.
- Ditch the car. Park City has a fantastic free public transit system, so try taking the bus. If you must drive, plan ahead and inform yourself on the resort’s parking policies. For instance, Park City Mountain requires parking reservations this season for its Park City Mountain Village lots, while Deer Valley offers free priority parking in Lot 2 at Snow Park for vehicles containing three or more people. Learn more online with Ski Utah’s resort parking guide.
