Utah Olympic Park

I love being active. Besides staying in shape, I genuinely enjoy moving and being physical. Most of my reviews for Media Geeks do not require much in the way of physical exertion. Even fewer let me be outside. I think nature, and fresh air, are genuinely good for the soul, even/especially for people whose hobbies are largely indoors. Which is why I’m thankful Utah Olympic Park was so close to Evermore, and I got to spend a day there on the same trip.

Faster, Higher, Stronger

Best known as the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics and a haven for cold-weather sports, my trip during the August heat found no shortage of activities. These include ziplines, ropes courses, airbag jumps, “extreme” tubing, a freestyle skiing show, and most exciting–the bobsled, fit with wheels but rolling down the same track used in the Olympics!

If you’re in the Salt Lake City area, the Olympic Park is a relatively short drive east. Starting the day early is a smart move, as you can do several activities before the park gets crowded. Be warned that Bobsled timeslots sold out this day, so if you definitely want to ride, buy tickets when you arrive in the morning.

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah

You can do each activity for a separate price, or you can buy a “Gold Pass,” good for all activities except the bobsled. It’s the best deal if you’re up for a full day on the mountain. We started with the Extreme Zipline and scenic Zipline Tour. Both utilize chairlifts to take you to the top of the mountain. It’s a beautiful view, if a bit too leisurely for my taste. After 2 different zipline activities, we needed a change of pace (and to get our more sensitive areas out of the harnesses for a while).

We did a few of the quicker things next. Airbag Jumping has 3 heights, and only the third gave me an adrenaline jolt, although the shorter ones may seem scarier to kids. The Drop Tower involved another zipline harness before jumping off a tall platform for a split second of freefall until a cable catches you. The Extreme Tubing uses two landing hills for the winter ski jumping. A slide down the smaller hill is required before you can do the larger one. Using the same inner tubes you’d use in a pool (with a covering on one side to act as a seat), you slide down a steep hill covered in artificial turf, occasionally sprayed with water to make it slicker. The small hill was certainly fun and I would have been satisfied even if it was the only hill.

That tall hill, though…holy cow. I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal, but sitting on the top of the hill, watching the ground curve and drop out of sight just in front of you is nerve-wracking. The view overlooking a majestic valley is amazing and simultaneously adds to the sensation of height. As you are shoved forward until gravity takes over, the hill looks steeper…and steeper…until you feel like you are looking straight down and will surely fly off the hill because there is nothing left underneath you. I also got turned a bit sideways at the beginning, so I didn’t even have the comfort of being able to lean back. Hitting top speed, I’m sure I had the breathless, frozen grin on my face that I get on a good roller coaster. Coasting to a stop at the bottom and being able to breathe again, I felt nothing more than an overwhelming desire to repeat that particular madness.

Not Quite Cool Runnings

Alas, it was not to be. We had a Bobsled appointment which required trekking to another part of the mountain. It was a hot day and by early afternoon we were getting fatigued from lack of shade. The line in the sunny waiting area did not help. Despite booking tickets early, all that does is guarantee a ride. It was still first-come, first-served. I would strongly recommend that Utah Olympic Park institute some kind of timing system to make the waiting shorter and more efficient. Slowing their process, they seemed to only have 2 operational sleds. Each one had to be unloaded at the bottom of the mountain and driven back up in a truck.

Eventually it was our turn. A professional driver steers each sled, and our group of 3 was the exact number to tuck in behind him, all wearing padded helmets familiar to anyone who’s driven go-karts. Bracing against the sides, we slowly roll down the track, gaining speed until turn 4. From there through the rest of the run, the full G-Forces are in effect. The speed and pressure are intense, and trying to keep your head up to enjoy the view is a challenge. We completed the entire track in 59.67 seconds, and I would have loved to go again, but the idea of waiting in line when we still had more to do did not appeal to us.

But Wait, There’s More

Our last activity of the day was the Canyon and Summit ropes courses. It’s divided into two sections. The lower one is described as more about balance, and the higher one focuses on upper-body strength. The safety system is very impressive, allowing you to stay secured the entire time without ever unclipping at the obstacles. I thoroughly enjoyed part one, but my companions weren’t as thrilled. Despite the knowledge of not being able to fall, it’s still a mental test to look at the ground 30 feet below while clinging to a rope. I continued on to part two by myself. It was a real workout! By the end, I was tired but also proud I made it.

We had been at Utah Olympic Park for over 6 hours without a meal, although there is a café on site. The big tubing hill was still calling my name, but we opted to call it a day. I couldn’t leave without a quick visit to the museum, which covers the history of skiing through the 2002 Olympic Games. It was far more interesting than I expected, and I wish I hadn’t left so little time to walk through it. One more item included in the Gold Pass was the “Flying Ace All-Stars Freestyle Show,” which involved skiers practicing aerial tricks and landing in a giant pool. The “All-Stars” designation is generous, as it sometimes seems more like a student showcase, with some very young skiers still learning the ropes.

A Breath of Fresh Air

Overall, it was a great day. Beautiful Utah scenery, thrilling and challenging activities, fresh air and exercise, and history for Olympics fans like myself. There is something here for young and old, adventurous or relaxing. The museum and hiking trails are free. It’s great that this park offers as much in the summer as in winter. Just make sure to check their site ahead of time. The Flying All-Star show is done as of September 1, and the Zipline Tour is closed for seasonal maintenance. For now, the Welcome Center and Museum are open daily from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with activities running from 10 to 5. Utah Olympic Park is located at 3419 Olympic Parkway in Park City, Utah 84098. More information can be found on their website here.