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Even with life not quite being business as usual, it still feels so fast-paced and demanding, so it’s important that we find ways to reconnect with each other on a daily basis. Establishing family traditions helps us do just that. Traditions are those special times that bring families together, allowing us to express unity as a family and to create bonds that last a lifetime.

And building new traditions can be a lot of fun, where we get to decide which traditions to carry forward into our holiday celebrations and daily life.

Park City is the perfect place to create new traditions as this year has forced us all to rethink what our lives looked like – especially our social ones. So here are a whole bunch of ideas for meaningful holiday rituals to get you started during the holidays in Park City.

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

We all know that skiing and snowboarding is a wonderful activity to bond over, and that might be the main reason what brought your family out to Park City, but there are many other activities other than the traditional form of sliding on snow that can be made into a holiday family tradition.

SNOWSHOEING

A great family activity. Rent snowshoes from White Pine Touring and take them out on one of the many trails around Park City to enjoy some winter wandering. If your group doesn’t feel comfortable going out on your own, book a guided snowshoes tour with White Pine.

SNOWMOBILING

There’s nothing quite like bonding over an activity that gets your heart racing. A snowmobile tour a perfect activity for all family members. It’s something teens will really enjoy if they are into getting a little extreme. Get whisked away into the backcountry and enjoy the cold winter air on your face as you explore a little deeper into the mountains.

TUBING AT WOODWARD

This classic family winter tradition has now become easier with recent upgrades to Woodward’s tubing hill including the addition of a new magic carpet and an increased number of lanes for tubing! Woodward Park City offers snow tubing with conveniences to produce nothing but smiles for the whole family.

DOG SLEDDING

A perfect way to rest your legs, dog sledding offers unique views and access to more remote areas with stunning views, peace, and quiet in the areas surrounding Park City.  Dog sledding is great for families to enjoy together, or for those looking for an escape, a romantic activity for two!

ICE SKATING

The skating rink at Park City Mountain Resort is a wonderful spot to take the whole family. Rent some skates and hit the ice taking a couple of spins around the rink before enjoying some hot chocolate from Campos Coffee around the fire pits.

SLEDDING

Take the whole family sledding, pack up some treats and hot coco in a thermos, and make a day of it. There’s nothing quite like wooshing down a small hill laughing and giggling all along the way! Check out all the spots to hit the hills around Park City via this Park City Magazine link

SLEIGH RIDES

A fantastic holiday tradition is booking a family sleigh ride that will whisk you way into a magical winter wonderland. Head over to this Visit Park City link for all companies operating sleigh rides currently.

INDOOR ACTIVITIES

CREATE A STAYCATION

We’ve compiled an extensive list on creating a cozy staycation that will leave you rested and relaxed. Enjoy this list of activities that will for sure help create some new family holiday traditions – https://www.abodeparkcity.com/creative-ways-to-design-a-staycation-in-your-own-abode/

FITNESS AND WELLNESS

For those who want a break from the slopes, but want to keep active, Park City offers a variety of fitness centers with drop-in options. A family that’s active together boosts endorphins and happiness. Try swimming, tennis, spin classes, or time spent with a personal trainer are all great ways to exercise inside.  Follow these up with time in a steam shower, or, if you’re in need of deep relaxation, treat yourself to a day at the spa.  Or you can hire your very own personal trainer like Stoke Coach Rachel Friedman Elberts to come to your house or meet you at a trailhead and create a custom outdoor fitness experience.

GET CREATIVE

Get your creativity on at The Paint Mixer, a local painting studio that is fun for the whole family. They are also now offering private group/family sessions with their Van Go Mobile Studio. They provide all the tools of the trade and one of their inspiring artists takes you step-by-step through a creative experience. Fun for all ages and they specialize in celebrations that cater to your inner artist!

SHOPPING/DINING

DINE AT THE VIKING YURT

Enjoy an evening adventure that begins with a 23-minute spectacular sleigh ride up 1,800 feet with incredible views of the night sky, giant trees, and the best views of Park City and surrounding mountains. This magical dining experience at the Viking Yurt is a great way to spend an evening on the slopes if you didn’t have a chance to get on them during the day

DINE IN OR DINE OUT

Many restaurants are still offering curbside take out and delivery, as well as socially distanced dine-in services. Enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home with your family from one of our favorite Park City eateries https://www.abodeparkcity.com/dine-in-or-out-at-park-city-restaurants/

DISCOUNT HUNTING

Go on a family shopping spree at the Park City Outlets or do some last-minute holiday shopping for gifts for the whole family!

STROLL HISTORIC MAIN STREET

Spend an afternoon perusing the shops on Main Street. Grab a cocktail at the No Name Saloon or have a bite to eat at one of our fantastic dining establishments.

DECORATE A TREE

Our concierge can help with a fully decorated abode prior to your arrival, or if you want to make a family activity out of it, we’ll provide the tree and deliver all of the ornaments for you to decorate yourself

LOCAL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES

ALL ABOARD

Join The North Pole Express for a fun and traditional train ride to the North Pole! A family favorite, this 90 minute round trip to the North Pole includes hot cocoa and Mrs. Claus’ famous chocolate chip cookies. You’ll sing along to new and traditional Christmas favorites on the way and be entertained by elves and cocoa chefs. When you reach the North Pole Santa will join for the return trip and greet each child and present them with a special gift.

MAIN STREET SNOWGLOBE STROLL

This year Park City’s historic Main Street created something new for the holiday season. They  launched an interactive art exhibit called the “Snow Globe Stroll.” The exhibit features nine life-sized, interactive snow globes located along Main Street now through Jan. 3, 2021.

SANTA’S MAILBOX

The town of Park City has made special arrangements for Main Street to be a drop-off site for letters to Santa Claus! Little ones enjoy can enjoy this annual tradition as we all prepare for Santa’s flight over Utah. Drop off letters in the Santa Mailbox at Schreurs Plaza, between Bangkok Thai and Lund Gallery, on Main Street by December 24 to make sure their wishes get to Santa in time.

BEST PROPERTIES FOR FAMILIES

 

Take a peek at some of our Abodes that are perfect for the holidays in Park City. Our portfolio consists of a plethora of homes that are spacious enough for large family gatherings that are great for entertaining and family-friendly with game rooms, theaters, rec basements, and wide-open spaces for kids (and adults) to roam freely.

Create lasting memories and family traditions during your getaway to Park City where you’ll want to come back for years to come!

As the sunlight begins to wane, the trees begin to put on a show for us, and this special season presents itself in a display of color that one must revel in. A great way to immerse yourself in the beauty of these mountains in the Fall is to head out on some of our most spectacular hikes. Early autumn reds and oranges pop up first, and then soon after the hillsides are covered in gold. Below are a few of our favorite trails and Park City hikes to take in the Fall and all her glory.

ENJOY THESE 5 PARK CITY HIKES FOR LEAF PEEPING

BLOODS LAKE

Bloods Lake is a local favorite. You can’t beat a pristine high alpine lake perfect for swimming on warm summer days. The trail is fairly easy but it does have some moderately steep areas.

To get to the Bloods Lake Trailhead travel through Empire Pass, one of the 58 Scenic Backways designated by the State of Utah, where epic mountain views are abundant. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the parking lot from Main Street Park City. Note: Guardsman Pass is only open from May to October

Once parked, cross the street, make your way over to a prominent sign marking the Bloods Lake Trailhead. The trail is beautiful as it meanders through meadows, with scenic views of the Wasatch, and dense Aspen groves, which show their true colors during this time of year! As you make your way through the golden tunnels, you’ll find yourself at the base of some switchbacks. This is where the trail gets pretty steep and a bit strenuous. After you hike up this steep section, the trail flattens out and Bloods Lake comes into view.

ROB’S TRAIL

Rob’s Trail is another local favorite, especially in the Fall. Tucked in a neighborhood close to the Canyons side of Park City Mountain, Rob’s is a moderately strenuous, multi-use trail with plenty of opportunities for spectacular views and lots of leaf-peeping.

Rob’s Trail is an out and back, but you can make it a loop by syncing up with the Ambush Trail, which will cross the slopes of The Canyons, and loop around to Rosebud’s Heaven where you can then reconnect with Rob’s. If you choose to do a loop you’re looking closer at a 7-mile hike. Rob’s is great for a mellow hike or an easy trail run, as it starts with a pretty consistent gentle climb, through lots of Aspen trees. When you get to the top, aspens give way to pine trees, and you come across a nice bench for a rest. From that spot you have some amazing views of The Canyon’s slopes lit up in gold.

IRON CANYON TRAIL

For a quick but moderately steep hike to peep some amazing colorful panoramic views, head up the Iron Canyon Trail, which starts at the top of Iron Mountain Court, and provides a wide view of the now colorful ski slopes of Park City Mountain Resort.

The vast overlook of Park City is your destination, and it is well worth the climb! Most of the trail is shaded by Aspens, so it’s like you are hiking along the yellow brick road as they shed their leaves. There are no switchbacks along this hike so it’s a pretty straight-up strenuous climb with 860 feet of elevation gain.

PARK CITY MOUNTAIN – JENNI’S TRAIL

Now that lift access is closed on Park City Mountain Resort, the only option to get involved in some golden Aspens on PCMR is to hike up! At the PCMR base area near the First Time Lift, you’ll find signage for Jenni’s Trail. Follow the meandering, gentle uphill trail through gorgeous Aspen groves with smooth switchbacks that cross numerous ski runs until it opens up to some spectacular views of Park City Mountain with the leaves going off. The trails on PCMR are a bit of a choose your own hiking adventure, as you can go as long or as short as you want, try an out and back or a loop, by hooking up with a couple of other trails.

SILVER LAKE TRAIL

Deer Valley’s Silver Lake Trail is designated as a foot-traffic only trail, so you’re guaranteed more tranquility as you hike through the peaceful landscape. The trail is nicely marked beginning at the base of the Silver Lake chairlift. This is an absolutely gorgeous hike that ends at the top of Bald Mountain with picturesque cliffs on one side and a bird’s eye view of the Heber Valley on the other.

ADVICE

Set realistic goals and research the trail ahead of time  – pay attention to the total distance and the total elevation gain. Have an idea in mind of how far you can comfortably hike in a day and how much elevation gain is too much, and get an idea of how long the hike will take so you don’t get stuck on the trail in the dark if you decide to do these hikes during sunset (if so bring a headlamp)

This is truly an amazing time of year to be in Park City, with the transformation from Summer to Fall, the newly crisp air, and the colorful foliage all around us. It’s not too hot, and not too cold (yet), what a great excuse to get out on the trails for a couple more hikes before the days get shorter and the snow begins to fall. Click here to browse our fantastic vacation rentals in Park City!

Being at home all day every day is our new way of life. We are usually in and out of our home many times a day rushing to work, school, workout classes, errands. This upheaval of our usual routine feels a bit chaotic and creates uncertainty when we knew how to go about our day. Staying active in this time of chaos is something that can help soothe our souls so we’ve compiled a list of ways to continue to move your body so you can stay healthy while spending more time at home. From joining an online yoga class to holding a plank between meetings, these at home exercise tips will help you fit movement and exercise into your day. And an added bonus to this movement is the release of endorphins which in turn make you happy.

Whatever you do make sure you move throughout the day.

Just because your vacation plans have been disrupted doesn’t mean you can’t treat yourself like you are on vacation.  The term “shelter in place” is quite beautiful in and of itself. It invokes the feeling of finding security in a sense of place. At this moment, we can’t go anywhere. There’s nowhere to jet off to. No work trips or vacations are to be had. Instead, you are where you are. Instead of wishing for something else, why not indulge in your sense of place and Be? Here. Now?

Find new ways to connect to your home, escape from your work-from-home routine, shake things up, or channel your favorite destinations while never leaving your home. May “shelter in place” be an invitation to learn to love where you live. It’s impossible to connect to a place when we move at a frenetic pace, always going somewhere but often being nowhere. May this forced slow down bring about an awakening and a reconnection to place.

The below list could be used as a creative way to find joy in Sheltering in Place or to create your own Park City staycation vibes over the weekend:

WHEN THIS IS ALL OVER OUR MOUNTAIN TOWNS WILL BE WAITING FOR YOU WITH OPEN ARMS.

WITH THESE EXTENDED DAYS AT HOME

that no one was expecting this might be a good time to create a peaceful, lovely place for you and your family to dwell, unwind, and recharge. Currently, our homes, are not only just our home, but also our office, our school, and our place of refuge. Here are a couple of ways to create a sanctuary-like feel in your home, which will help you to relax, and enjoy a cozy living space during times of stress.

MAKE YOUR BED

every day, the moment you get out of the bed. Keep your bedroom hotel-like by doing just this one thing.

SWAP IN SNUGGLY THROW PILLOWS

Finally, an excuse to splurge on one of those big furry pillows! Add one or two textured throw pillows to your couch (or just change the covers on your existing pillows) to make your space look and feel cozier.

RETHINK YOUR BLANKETS AND SHEETS

Indulge in some new luxurious sheets and duvet covers to create an enchanting sleeping experience.

ALLOW NATURAL LIGHT IN

Open your curtains, use roll-up shades or half curtains to let the sunlight in and warm your spaces.

DECLUTTER

Organize and pare down your space to feel less stressed. Discover what’s meaningful and necessary and put your mind at ease by keeping all your stuff and papers manageable and only allowing space in your sanctuary for what is important.

BRING THE OUTDOORS IN

Purchase some inexpensive plants and create a calming ritual of watering them. Accessorize with some smooth stones, wood branches, seashells, or bring home fresh flowers.

UTILIZE SCENT IN YOUR HOME

Create a signature scent that will elicit a soothing sensation at home, use a diffuser, favorite candle, or something simple like a bundle of eucalyptus throughout each room.

USE WALL LIGHTS AND DIMMER SWITCHES

This gives you more control over your lighting mood, setting the best situation up for you to relax. You can also use candles.

IF YOU DESIRE A TRUE PARADISE IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD

Add elements that remind you of your favorite retreats. Love the beach? A grass umbrella, beach chair, fluffy towels, and seashells can make you feel like you’ve escaped to a sanctuary by the sea.

IS YOUR IDEAL VACATION FILLED WITH QUIET READING TIME WHILE SUBMERGED IN NATURE?

Style a cozy reading nook next to a bubbling water fountain and scented plants like rosemary or lavender. Adding reminders of your favorite hotel or vacation spots can help elicit feelings of relaxation.

PUT ON SOME MUSIC

Music can be therapeutic, and calm you down or give you a mood boost if you need it. Curate your own relaxed or happy mood with a playlist to soothe.

How is everyone doing? We just wanted to check in on our wonderful community. None of us could have mentally prepared for what has happened in the past couple of months. Our lives have been upended in so many ways, disrupting our routines, habits, work, school, everything. We are all just doing our best right now while living through these uncertain times.

Now that most of us are sequestered at home, work from home can come with unique challenges. Especially if you’re not used to it, it can be tough to channel the same level of focus that you might have in an office setting. And when you’re suddenly away from the rest of your team, a lack of collaboration and connection can be difficult to navigate.

WE WANTED TO SHARE SOME OF OUR FAVORITE WORK FROM HOME TIPS THAT MIGHT HELP YOU STAY FOCUSED AND RELAXED:

COMMIT TO PRACTICING DAILY SELF-CARE RITUALS. START EACH REMOTE WORKDAY WITH:

KEEP UP YOUR “GOING TO THE OFFICE” ROUTINE

Treat each day like you are going into the office, which could mean getting up early to make time for self-care, have a leisurely walk with your dog, coffee on the patio, or a quick workout. Before sitting down to work, shower, get dressed, put on makeup, etc — just as if you were going to the office if that helps with keeping with a routine

TIDY UP

Sometimes the biggest distraction is when the space around you feels a bit messy.

CHANGE OUT OF YOUR SLEEP PAJAMAS

… and into another outfit that could also be your work sweats.

IF YOU CAN, ESTABLISH A DESIGNATED WORK AREA.

MOVE YOUR DESK NEXT TO THE WINDOW

TAKE 5 MINUTES TO CREATE A DAILY SCHEDULE FOR YOU AND ANYONE ELSE STAYING HOME AND PUT IT WHERE EVERYONE CAN SEE IT.

Establishing successful new routines, when we can’t keep our old ones is key.  In a moment of anxiety or upset, turning to a ritual or routine is more effective in reducing anxiety than simply trying to calm down.

GIVE YOURSELF CLARITY AND STRUCTURE BY MAKING A LIST OF THE TOP THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THAT DAY.

SET SOME GROUND RULES WITH YOUR PARTNER FOR WORKING FROM HOME.

CREATE HEALTHY BOUNDARIES

Together with your kids come up with a rule to help them understand when you’re available.

TO STAY FOCUSED – CLOSE OUT OF NON-WORK-RELATED TABS, TAKE SOCIAL MEDIA APPS OFF YOUR PHONE, AND DISABLE ALERTS.

ASSIGN TIMESLOTS TO YOUR TASKS

It can be helpful to assign blocks of time in 45-minute chunks to your tasks.

NOTIFY YOUR TEAM ABOUT YOUR PRIORITIES.

TURN AN EMAIL INTO A PHONE CALL

An unexpected way to improve productivity is by picking up the phone instead of going back and forth on email. Plus, there are other bonuses: human connection.

EAT YOUR MEALS IN A DIFFERENT ROOM.

STEP OUTSIDE TO RESET

Get some fresh air!

TAKE A REAL LUNCH BREAK.

INCORPORATE BURSTS OF MOVEMENT

Bust out 10 pushups, walk around your house, take your dog out for a quick play session, do some yoga, or take on a household chore.

TAKE LITTLE MICRO-BREAKS

Reward yourself for completing your hardest work tasks or after a long working sprint.

SWITCH UP YOUR WORKING SPACE WHEN YOU GET BORED.

MAKE A POINT OF LOGGING OFF FROM YOUR REMOTE WORKDAY AT THE SAME TIME YOU WOULD TYPICALLY LEAVE THE OFFICE.

It’s important to build in time at night to rest and recharge.

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