The mission of the Utah Olympic Park is “to provide a year-round, world-class facility to develop athletes in winter sports through competition, training and recreational programs.”
This facility was originally known as the Utah Winter Sports Park and was officially funded in 1989 as part of the Salt Lake Bid Committee’s efforts to be approved as a site for Olympic Winter Games. In 1991, the name was changed to Utah Olympic Park and construction of the Park, ski jump facilities and freestyle aerials splash pool was completed in 1993. The bobsled, skeleton and luge track became operational in 1997.
As a result, the 2002 Olympic Winter Games was held at the Park. More than 300,000 visitors attended during the 16 days of competition to view the 14 events: three in ski jumping, three in Nordic combined, three in bobsled, three in luge and two in skeleton.
Admission fees are as follows which includes a self guided tour of the Olympic competition sites and access to the JoeQuinneyWinterSportsCenter. That facility, which is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, contains the 2002 Eccles Olympic Winter Games Museum, the Alf Engen Ski Museum, a retail shop and a theatre.
· Adults – $8
· Seniors (65+) – $6
· Youth (3 – 17) $6
· Infants (2 and under) – Free
· Guided Tour – $2
· FamilyDayPass (up to 5 people) – $35 which includes admission to the park, museum and guided tour.
· Locals Annual Pass forUtah residents only – $25 which includes admission to the park, museum and any non-ticketed event.
· LocalsAnnualFamilyPass forUtah residents only – up to 5 people – $75 which includes admission to the park, museum and any non-ticketed events.
· Military – $1 off admission with active ID and is not valid for accompanying friends and family.
Some of the sports practiced by the athletes in training include:
Aerials – Competitors ski down an in-run to a steep ramp which is called a kicker. They then launch into the air and perform a series of twists and flips attempting to make a smooth landing for a good score.
In the Luge competition, the athletes start in a sitting position in the sled and grasp metal handles on the sides of the track. They rock back and forth to maximize launching power. This is an extremely fast paced race along an icy course with many twists and turns. Sliders must cross the finish line in contact with the sled.
In the Bobsled competition, athletes use aerodynamic sleds to race against the clock on an ice covered course with many twists and turns. Team members must spring for about 164 feet while pushing the sled from the starting clock in order to gain momentum. In order to win, a driver must have the skills to choose the fastest line through the curves while avoiding the walls.
Location of Utah Olympic Park: 3419 Olympic Parkway, Park City, Utah 84098, Telephone: 1-435-658-4200.
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