Hollywood descends on the relatively small ski town of Park City, Utah, for 10 days every January, and brings with it plenty of winter fun, parties, celebrities, free stuff, and, oh yeah, movies. Getting around, finding tickets and eating well can all be a challenge when Park City is packed, but here are some tips on how to survive Sundance, which for 2012 runs Jan. 19-29. The information included in this article is about Park City, but films are also shown in Salt Lake City, Ogden and at Sundance Resort.
Getting Sundance Tickets
Almost all Sundance tickets are already sold or given out before the festival begins, but those who arrive at the festival without tickets, or perhaps got some tickets but want to see more movies, can still find them - if they’re prepared to spend some time in line or do a little planning. Since many tickets are given to industry insiders and others who might not use them, Sundance has a wait-list system and there are also some tickets released every morning to previously sold-out shows.
Getting on the wait-list simply requires showing up two hours before the show (one hour for the first show of the day) to get a wait-list number. Keep in mind, the line can start forming before the two- hour mark. Therefore, for a 7:30 p.m. show, even though the wait-list numbers are given out at 5:30 p.m., it’s probably better to arrive at 5 p.m. or earlier to get one of the first numbers. After the numbers are given out, wait-listers can take off and go get something to eat (see below) or grab coffee, but they must return 30 minutes before the show to get back in line based on the number they were given earlier. Tickets are $15 and it’s a cash-only system.
For those willing to get up early, there are also a limited number of “Day of Show” tickets released every morning at 8 a.m. in both the Park City and Salt Lake City box offices. Tickets for the first screenings of the day are released the day before.
Parking and Shuttles at Sundance
There are places to park in Park City, but most of them aren’t near Main Street or many of the movie venues. However, once festival-goers get parked, there is a convenient system of shuttles to get them around to each of the theaters. The shuttles run often, there are often heaters at the stops and the best part of all is that there are friendly volunteers stationed at most of the main stops to help patrons figure out how to get where they want to go.
SWAG and Free Stuff at Sundance
During the festival, particularly on the opening weekend, there are many different kinds of sponsor companies that take over some of the storefronts on Main Street in Park City, set up demonstrations and will often give away SWAG (Stuff We All Get), which can include gloves, hats, liquor, coffee, bagels, or just about anything else. Those seeking swag should simply walk up and down Main Street and go into any doorway that isn’t blocked by a security guard. Free stuff can also often be found just outside of the Kimball Art Center area, which serves as Sundance House.
Dining During Sundance
Park City is loaded with great eating opportunities. Here are a few to consider. Silver (508 Main Street, 435-940-1000) opened during Sundance 2011 and became an immediate hit with its modern decor and third floor bar and dance floor. Across the street, Talisker on Main (435-658-5479, 515 Main St.) is the place to find delicious gourmet tastes that are new to the palate thanks to the highly imaginative, always changing menu. Talisker also has a great outdoor patio with fire pits that sits right on Main Street to make for warm, but fun people watching.
Over at Canyons Resort, those who want to “keep kosher” during the festival should try BISTRO (Silverado Lodge, 855-444-KOSHER), the only kosher restaurant in America located at a ski resort. Canyons is also home to The Farm (Resort Village, 435-615-8080), which uses ingredients grown and sourced within 200 miles for the New American cuisine menu.
Those who want to have an Alps-type winter dining experience will love Fireside Dining at Deer Valley’s Empire Canyon Lodge, (435-645-6632) where everything is cooked on a roaring open fireplace.
Park City can become a crazy, crowded place during Sundance, but there is plenty of fun to be had for those who know where to look.
Kathleen Curry - As a self-professed travel guru Kathleen Curry has spent many of her days and future retirement savings on travel. She has worked in the ...
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