In 1963, the last of the mining companies opened Treasure Mountain ski resort with funds from the federal government.  It opened with the longest gondola in the United States as well as a double chairlift, a J-bar lift, base and summit lodges and a 9-hole golf course.  There was a minor problem however.  No access to the mountain.  It was solved by miners. 

The Skiers Subway moved skiers through the pitch-black Spiro tunnel on a mine train through 2.5 miles.  They then used a mining elevator that lifted them 1,750 feet to the surface.  Aerial trams used for hauling ore were converted into chairlifts.  Deer Valley and Park City Resorts still have more than 1,000 miles of tunnels under them and numerous mining structures dotting the landscape.  Treasure Mountain first changed its name to Park City Ski Area and then Park City Mountain Resort.

An adjoining ski area, Park City West, later known as Canyons Resort, was opened in 1968.

Snow Park was opened in 1946 with a name change to Deer Valley in 1970.

The owners of Park City Mountain Resort missed the March 2011 date to renew the lease for the mountain.  A $7 million lawsuit was filed against the land holding company.  On September 11, 2014, Vail Resorts purchased Park City Mountain Resort for $182.5 million and combined it with Canyons Resort.  This made it the largest resort in the United States for the next two years.

The combined resort now has four gondolas, 32 chairs ( 6 six packs and 9 quads) however no tunnels are in service.

I’ll continue with more next month.  Come join the trip to a great resort.

John