Park City, Utah

Park City is considered a part of the Wasatch Back, which also includes Heber, Morgan, and Midway, Utah.  The area was first settled by Mormon pioneers in the late 1840s. They named the settlement "Parley's Park City," after Parley P. Pratt, one of the first Mormon pioneer leaders to explore the area. The little farming town exploded in population after silver, gold, and lead were discovered in the area in the 1860s. Park City was officially incorporated in 1870. Today, nearly 8,000 residents call Park City home. After the mining industry in Park City drastically declined after the Great Depression, the city turned to skiing to revive the economy. The first ski resort opened in 1963, and since then, Park City has thrived. Today the city is very much a mountain town. Park City is home to three ski resorts—Deer Valley Ski Resort, Canyons Resort, and Park City Mountain Resort.  The city had its shining moment in 2002 when it hosted many events in the Winter Olympics. Sport enthusiasts can also access innumerable hiking and biking trails from Park City. In addition to its skiing, snowboarding, and other outdoor activities, Park City is popular for its upscale shopping, dining, lodging, and the widely-celebrated Sundance Film Festival. Park City is regularly ranked among the most beautiful towns in the nation.