| Hope your 2026 is off to a wonderful start! Winter has fully arrived in Park City and the Wasatch Back, and the weeks ahead bring some of the most anticipated moments of the season. From Sundance to skijoring, there’s plenty to enjoy on the mountain and beyond. |
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The ski season got off to a slow start, but the past couple of weeks have brought a series of stronger storms that helped improve our snowpack and conditions across the resorts. The most recent storm delivered up to two feet of Utah’s signature light, dry powder, which has been a welcome boost as winter settles in. Stay up to date with the latest conditions at our resorts and in the backcountry via the following links:
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The 2026 Sundance Film Festival arrives next week for one final encore in Park City and Salt Lake City, closing an extraordinary chapter that spans more than four decades before the festival relocates to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027.
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| Over the years, Sundance has helped shape Park City’s identity, transforming quiet winter streets into a global gathering place for filmmakers, artists, and audiences from every corner of the world. Its influence is deeply embedded in the culture and character of our community, and its legacy here will endure long after the final credits roll. As we welcome this last festival season, it feels fitting to celebrate everything Sundance has meant to Park City. |
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Robert Redford Tributes
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival will include a special tribute to Robert Redford, honoring the life and legacy of its founder following his recent passing. As part of its tribute programming, the festival will feature a commemorative screening of Downhill Racer (1969), Robert Redford’s first major independent film and an early touchstone of the spirit that would later define the Sundance Institute. |
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In addition, the annual Sundance Institute fundraiser, Celebrating Sundance Institute: A Tribute to Founder Robert Redford, will take place on January 23, 2026, at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, honoring his vision and introducing the inaugural Robert Redford Luminary Award.
Early Buzz — Films People Are Talking About
The Gallerist | A satire of the art world featuring big names, including Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega. Buzz is building around its sharp humor and star power.
The Weight | Set in 1930s Oregon, Ethan Hawke plays a hardened widower forced into a dangerous gold-smuggling mission by a brutal work-camp warden (Russell Crowe), with freedom and a reunion with his daughter on the line.
Frank & Louis | Petra Biondina Volpe tells a quietly moving story set inside a prison, where a lifer (played by Kingsley Ben-Adir) becomes the caregiver for an aging, dementia-stricken inmate (Rob Morgan).
The Invite | Olivia Wilde directs this dinner-party drama starring herself alongside Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz, and Edward Norton as two neighboring couples whose evening quickly unravels.
Rock Springs | A horror entry starring Kelly Marie Tran and Benedict Wong, perfect for genre fans looking for something intense and original.
One in a Million | A powerful documentary tracing a young girl’s journey across continents and conflict zones. This is a strong pick for documentary lovers!
The Moment | Pop star Charli XCX plays a fictionalized version of herself in this mockumentary; its blend of music and indie film has garnered early buzz.
Once Upon a Time in Harlem | A cultural documentary bringing historic moments and personalities of the Harlem Renaissance to life.
Extra Geography | At an English girls’ boarding school, inseparable best friends Minna and Flic navigate adolescence by turning their school project into a bold experiment: falling in love.
Beyond these specific films, Sundance will also honor classics (like Downhill Racer and Little Miss Sunshine) in special screenings, celebrating its history in Park City before the festival moves to Boulder next year.
See the full program for this year's festival here.
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| Skijoring has long been one of our most interesting winter events here in Utah and elsewhere in the Intermountain West. This year's skijoring will deliver more fun than ever with the new Pro Skijor Frontier Tour, which brings high-speed skijoring to a multi-stop circuit that blends elite competition with community-driven winter festivals. Each stop delivers a mix of world-class racing, fan-forward events, and unmistakable energy. |
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PRO SKIJOR KICKOFF GALA
January 16 | 7 -11 pm | Black Rock Mountain Resort Ballroom | Heber
A Friday-night kickoff worthy of the wildest tour on snow. Join athletes, sponsors, and fans for a high-energy night packed with specialty Lobos 1707 cocktails, a buzzing social scene, a mechanical bull, photo-worthy moments, live music from Raina “Lawless” Wallace, and dancing until the lights come up.
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| The evening features a Calcutta-style Showcase Auction + Hybrid Fashion Show. Dress theme is Gala… PRO Skijor style. Think après-ski, western glam, or full-send ridiculous. Food is not included (plan dinner beforehand), the event is family-friendly, tickets are $35, and the energy is guaranteed. |
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SKIJORING UTAH
January 16-17 | Heber City
The 2026 PRO Skijor Frontier Tour launches with SkiJoring Utah’s 10th Anniversary, the legendary event that started it all. For a decade, this race has set the standard with high-speed action, Wild West grit, and the ultimate fusion of horsepower and ski power. Celebrate the milestone and kick off a bold new season of professional skijoring in Heber City.
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CACHE VALLEY SKIJORING
January 30–31 | Logan, Utah
Cache Valley Skijoring charges into Logan as Stop #3 of the PRO Skijor Frontier Tour. Friday features high-speed qualifiers, while Saturday raises the stakes with finals-level action, food trucks, merch, and family-friendly fun. Pick your experience: General Admission, Bleacher seating, the course-side VIP Zone, or Wyld Gear Tailgate.
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WINTER ROUNDUP
February 7 | Salt Lake City, Utah
Pro Skijor teams up with Visit Salt Lake for Winter Roundup, bringing the world’s only skijoring exhibition staged in a major metropolitan downtown. Watch horses and skiers thunder through the streets of Salt Lake City in a rare, high-energy collision of frontier tradition and urban spectacle.
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FRONTIER FINALS
February 27-28 | Salt Lake City | Utah State Fairpark
The PRO Skijor Frontier Tour Championship Finals will come to Salt Lake City at the end of February, marking the biggest and final stop of the season. The top teams from the tour go head-to-head in a high-energy, winner-take-all showdown to crown the Tour and World Champions. |
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NHL WINTER CLASSIC - Coming to Utah in 2027!
Next winter, Utah will take center stage in the hockey world as Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City hosts the 2027 NHL Winter Classic, the league’s marquee outdoor regular-season game featuring the Utah Mammoth and the Colorado Avalanche. The Winter Classic has become one of the NHL’s most celebrated traditions, bringing the sport back to its outdoor roots each New Year’s season and drawing passionate fans nationwide. This selection underscores the rapid growth of hockey in Utah and the enthusiastic support of local fans, and it’s especially meaningful that it will take place against the stunning backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains at a venue known for its Olympic history. |
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MID-WEEK FAT BIKE SERIES
In 2026, the Mid-Week Fat Bike Series expands to include four cross-country fat bike races on varied courses throughout the Round Valley Trails in Park City, Utah. Following a classic Mid-Week XC format, each race features a mass start, a single start-and-finish, and 45–60 minutes of fast, flowing laps. Open to fat bike riders of all ages and abilities, the races are designed to support skill-building, progression, and a shared love of mountain biking at every level.
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PARK CITY #6 BEST SKI TOWN
to Live in All Year Round, According to Real Estate Experts
Park City continues to shine as one of the best ski towns in the U.S. to live in year-round, according to Travel + Leisure. Praised for its world-class skiing, vibrant Main Street, and unbeatable access to outdoor recreation in every season, Park City offers the perfect balance of mountain adventure and everyday livability. With top-rated schools, a strong sense of community, and easy access to Salt Lake City, it’s no surprise we remain a consistent standout choice for those looking to put down roots.
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| Travel + Leisure also published a great review for Deer Valley, listing the resort as one of its favorite places to ski. Deer Valley scored high praise for the recent addition of 10 lifts and 100 ski runs in the East Village, as well as the unmatched lodging and amenities across the resort that make it a world-class destination. |
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We hope 2026 is off to a great start for you. If the year ahead includes any changes to your real estate plans, we’re always here as a resource. In the meantime, we hope you’re getting out to enjoy winter in Park City and the Wasatch Back, from days on the mountain to Sundance and all the events that make this season so special.
Let it snow!
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