22 Apr 2020
In the middle of March, Park City www.visitparkcity.com, like many ski areas in the USA, was enjoyinhg a very successful ski season. The annual 'Spring Break' holiday was in full swing and the middle weekend of March would see a massive influx of skiers, many from the New York area, Texas and Florida. However, on March 14th, events moved rapidly as science and data highlighted the growing and potentially lethal danger of Covid-19, and the ski resorts of Park City, with just a few hours notice, closed down the same day.
The shock to the community and town of Park City, as in communities around the world, is ongoing, but the people of Park City have taken initiatives to help themselves, healthworkers and the homeless, both locally and nationwide.
At a local Park City level, almost 50 restaurants have remained open for takeaways and kerbside pick ups, observing social distancing at all times. Thus, jobs are protected and 'Parkites' can still enjoy dishes from their favourite restaurants. Customers can also buy gift cards for future use, and in the case of locally based Diversified Bars and Restaurants, all proceeds will be distributed to their employees.
Park City's two distilleries, High West, reknown for its high quality whiskies, and Alpine Distilling, with a burgeoning reputation for its gins, have both turned their facilities to producing hand sanitiser for the emergency services. Rob Sergent, the founder/owner of Alpine Distilling has donated $10, 000 from his own pocket to set up the production line.
Local company Backcountry, purveyor of top quality outdoor clothing and gear, has sent 7,000 facemasks to New York City Department of Homeless Servicess and is selling a limited edition T-shirt, from which all profits will go into manufacturing face masks for hospitals and homeless shelters in New York City and Salt Lake City.
On a local, regional and national level the 'GooglesForDocs' www.gogglesfordocs.com campaign has seen over 30,000 donations of ski goggles, old and new,for frontline health workers across the US. Donations can be sent directly to listed hospitals or left at designated collection points. Asked whether tinted or clear lenses were acceptable, a spokesperson commented given the acute circumstances, all donations are gratefully received.
Park City facts:
Park City, in Utah's Wasatch Mountains is North America's most accessible four season mountain recreation destination, located just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport. Home to two world class ski resorts – Deer Valley and Park City Mountain, Park City has over 100 lodging properties including large multi-family private homes, bed and breakfast inns, condominiums, and full-service hotels. Among this variety of properties is the highest concentration of ski-in/ski-out luxury lodging in North America, and more than 100 restaurants, two micro-breweries and two distilleries producing award winning whiskies as well as vodka and gin.
For further information, please contact:
Graeme Spratley
Mobile: 07941 496924.
