Infrequent visitors to Park City have been making shocked double takes out their car windows while driving into town. Since Woodward Park City broke ground last fall, the Gorgoza tubing hill and its ubiquitous lines of would-be snow sliders have been replaced by miles of construction fencing, a small army of excavating equipment and a massive hole in the ground. Tubing is out for the 2018-19 season during construction, but it will return along with a massive new multi-use facility for the 2019-20 winter.
The project was not without controversy during the planning stage. The Summit County Council upheld the permit for Woodward Park City after denying three appeals to the Planning Commission’s decision predicated on process and a lack of consideration of the impact of Woodward’s sound and lighting on the nearby community.
For each grumbling lament about paving paradise there’s an effusive voice backing the project. The emotional yin and yang from Parkites is evident in every bar and online comment section. Ultimately, the march of progress continues, and after selling their stake in Park City Mountain Resort to Vail in 2014, Powdr Corp. is returning to Park City in a major way.
Wherever your loyalties land, there’s no argument to be made that Woodward Park City will be anything but a world-class facility. Winter outdoor activities will include lift-accessed skiing and snowboarding day and night with a terrain park in addition to 10 lanes for beloved snow tubing. When the weather warms up, Woodward will offer lift-served mountain biking on downhill and slope-style trails, a dirt park for BMX and mountain bikes and a paved concrete park for all wheeled action sports. Interestingly, there’s also going to be a parkour park for folks looking for free-running, no-frills thrills. Indoor zones will include trampolines, foam pits, a tumble track, 10,000 feet of concrete park, pump tracks, mini ramps and more—as well as a cafeteria, coffee shop and cafe/bar to keep everyone well-fed.
Specific pricing information for yearly, season and day passes are still in development, and will be updated on Woodward’s website. Park City is making a push to host another Olympics, and the new facility will only help keep Park City at the forefront of action sport progression. campwoodward.com
Pledging Sustainability
Credit to Woodward for being good stewards in Park City. The facility will be supported by sustainable investments in solar energy, a green roof and recycled materials, and will include on-site affordable housing for approximately 11 employees.
Subscribers can see more. Sign up and you’ll be included in our membership program and get access to exclusive deals, premium content and more. Get the magazine, get the deals, get the best of life in Utah!
