Clousie

We may be flying into SLC on Pioneer Day. Can anyone tell me what to expect? Will it be difficult to find accommodations and places that are open? Will it likely be more crowded or as in most cities, do people head out of the area especially on holiday weekends?

We plan to be in the vicinity Saturday and Saturday. Any suggestions as to what to see?

Anonymous

Several years ago, I scheduled a full week of business in SLC in July, and found out after I arrived that Pioneer Day fell midweek. EVERYTHING was closed -- offices, stores, everything. There was a sparsely-attended parade in the morning that went right past the hotel, then I spent the rest of the day visiting Park City as there was absolutely nothing I could do in SLC.

Presocia

The main obstacle you'll encounter on July 24th are the traffic patterns due to the parade route and the marathon that precedes it. It's best to be on foot in the downtown area that morning, and to have a hotel with parking. I can't imagine you'll have much difficulty in obtaining a hotel room as most of the people participating in the events are "locals."

BarbaraS

Nearly all the stores and restaurants will be open. Yes, a lot of people head out of town for the holiday weekend, especially to the mountains. You would probably enjoy a trip up to Snowbird, Sundance or Park City - our mountains are gorgeous. Most people enjoy Temple Square. Shopping at the Gateway - there will probably be lots of activities and fireworks on the 24th.

kar

Pioneer Day is a lot like Fourth of July, a parade, fireworks, small town activities. Activites are held throughout the state, not just in downtown Salt Lake, though the main parade is there. People do head up to the mountains as in the middle of July it can be very hot in the valley. However, going up to the mountains is a thirty minute drive, 40 minutes all the way to Park City. Many people (including myself) commute it every day. So, it would be easy to see sights such as the Temple Square or go shopping in the morning and head up to Park City or Brighton for a short hike in the afternoon. The fireworks are always fun! Have a great time.

Greg1

Pardon this slightly off-topic question. Kar, since you commute to PC every day, will I have a problem with a small rental car going up the Little/Big Cottonwood canyons? Last year I took the bus and noticed a lot of people parked and took the bus - is that to reduce traffic at the resorts or is the road dangerous without 4 wheel drive? Thanks, Greg

kar

Greg, definitely it is a weather issue. Particularly in the Big/little Cottonwood area, when we get a big "dump" those roads can be wild to say the least. Parleys canyon is less so, and as it is a main trucking route, is plowed more quickly. However, it too can be a real challenge without four wheel drive in a snow storm (even with it!). During a storm, the roads to the Cottonwood canyons are frequently closed to cars without four wheel drive or chains, or closed completely for avalanche control. (This happens a couple of times a year). However, having said all that, the roads normally are just fine with out four wheel drive, certaintly so in the summer. All four resorts in the Cottonwood canyons have adequate parking unless it is an unusually crowded day. Skiing is fabulous, went yesterday and hit some powder lurking in the trees!