In Canyon Spirit’s first season running to Salt Lake City, 14 Australian and New Zealand travel advisors have tested a new way to sell the American West, experience Park City, a year-round mountain town just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City, before joining the rail journey.
With Canyon Spirit’s three-day Salt Lake City to Denver journey now operating weekly, advisors have a ready-made rail itinerary to build in a Park City stay.
The itinerary highlighted how a multi-night Wasatch mountain stay featuring Park City’s diverse accommodation, dining, culture and outdoor adventure can complement the scenery and romance of rail.
Hosted by Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau, the group included advisors from Helloworld, TravelManagers and House of Travel.
Site inspections took place across Park City and Deer Valley. Advisors compared luxury stays including Hyatt Centric Park City, Pendry Park City, Waldorf Astoria Park City, Montage Deer Valley, the Stein Eriksen portfolio, Deer Valley Resort lodging and the refurbished Main & Sky, steps from Historic Main Street and the Town Lift.
Between inspections, the group had a taste of Park City’s art and culture scene on an art and history e-bike tour of Historic Main Street with PC E-Bikes, created custom gin at Alpine Distilling Social Aid & Pleasure Club and dined at Matilda, an Australian-owned restaurant, with Michelin recognition.
At Park City Museum and Utah Olympic Park, advisors explored the town’s mining and Olympic heritage and what lies ahead, with Park City set to play a major role in the 2034 Winter Olympic Games.
The advisors also heard about winter product at Park City’s world-class ski resorts, including Deer Valley Resort’s expanded terrain of over 100 new runs and 31 lifts, and new gondola infrastructure at Park City Mountain.
Following their stay in Park City, the group travelled just 35 minutes to Salt Lake City to embark on their rail journey. Public transport, hotel shuttles and bookable transfers make car hire unnecessary, which suits travellers extending a rail holiday.
Sachi Sado, Director of Global Markets at Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau, said the famil positioned Park City as a natural extension to a broader western United States itinerary.
“Australians are among Utah’s highest value visitors, so extending a rail journey into a Park City stay makes commercial sense. Before seeing the landscapes by rail, guests can experience the mountains with exceptional accommodation, dining, mountain adventure all within easy reach of Salt Lake City. These advisors now have first-hand knowledge to confidently build Park City into longer, higher-value itineraries throughout the year.”
