We've been putting off booking our accommodations for the last three nights in Salt Lake because we figure that prices can only come down. We booked 3 hotel/ticket packages for the first three waves but plan to book something on our own for the last three nights where we bought tickets independently. The prices for lodging and tickets are outragious!!!! We wanted to book a room at the Salt Lake airport because we can't imagine driving there on Monday morning Feb 25th after the games are over! We'll probably have LOTS of company on the roads getting there! Hopefully I'm not making a mistake but it seems that more and more properties are being added so we're hoping that all these new properties won't be scooped up by families of qualifiying athletes at the last minute.

My husband and I are wondering what the other fodorites are doing for lodging? Any secrets to getting a room? Has everyone already secured lodging by now?

Isn't anyone going who doesn't have lodging? HELP!!

Have you tried http://www.travelwest.net/cities/saltlake/
http://www.willowcreekinn.com/2002_winter_lodging.htm
http://www.go-utah.com/olympics/lodging.cfm

RMC-I won't be any help to you but I thought I'd reply to your question about what other Fodorites are doing about lodging. We are coming to the the Olympics for the last week and we have reservations at an RV park since we are coming in a motorhome from California). I felt lucky to get that space and that was back in April or May. At that time everthing was already full but this RV park called me back since they had just opened another area.
This will be my first Olympics and I am not sure what to expect. I am trying to figure out warm clothes to bring!
Good luck getting your room-hope that works out for you!
If you have any Olympic tips I'd love to hear them!
Shadow

Hey, I've got the best seats at all major competitions and the best lodging possible. ON MY HOME COUCH IN FRONT OF MY TV/VCR.

RMC - You are right about the airport being extremely busy on Feb. 25th. I live in Salt Lake and am an Olympic volunteer at the airport and all of the airport volunteers are required to work on Feb. 25th. I haven't heard of rooms being made available yet, but that is the speculation. If I see or hear of any tips for getting a room - I'll post it.

What events do you have tickets for? I only have tickets for short track speed skating. I would love to see the figure skating, but they were priced too high for me.

Shadow - In cold weather they always tell you to dress in layers. Even a lot of the indoor events will be cold and nearly all of the events require you to walk outside quite a ways.

If you have any more questions, I'll try to answer them. The games should be great.

Hi All,

Thanks for the replies. I wish I could say that I was counting the minutes to the games but after Sept 11 I'm still a bit aprehensive about getting on a plane and going to a place where the crowds will be large. How sad huh? It's the most expensive vacation we've ever taken and I'm not sure I really care about it all that much. Hopefully I'll forget about all my fears once I get there and that things will go smoothly.

We're arriving on February 13 and staying thru closing ceremonies. We're staying at the Marriott in Park City until the 22nd and then we're on our own. That's why we need lodging. We purchased tickets for events independant of the hotel packages. I think we're seeing at least one sesson of every event there. Off the top of my head we're seeing a bunch of skating events, skiing, ski jump, both mens and womens ice hockey, luge, bobsled,short trak, speed skating...etc. You get the picture I'm sure.

(Sorry "hehehe" but I doubt that sitting on your sofa, warm as it may be, will compare to being there but that's just my opinion).

Is anyone traveling independently? I'm wondering if people plan to rent cars? How is the public transportation set up? I've never traveled without renting a car so I'm a bit aprehensive about not getting one.

Arnie...thanks for the pointers to the websites. I'll check 'em out and post back.

RMC - I think the events of September 11th will bring an added emotion to the Olympics. Everyone is feeling especially patriotic.

They are encouraging everyone to use public transportation - even locals. They are offering a special transportation pass for $20, good for unlimited bus and light rail service from Feb. 6-24. Public transportation is free for ticketed spectators.

Staying in Park City sounds fun - I'm sure there will be a lot going on there. They are encouraging people not to drive in to Park City because the congestion will be so bad. So having to drive in that traffic probably is reason enough not to rent a car.

You will have to travel to Salt Lake to see a lot of your events though. Figure skating, hockey, speed skating, and short track are all held in the valley so you'll definitely need to get a transportation guide and allow yourself plenty of travel time.

If you have closing ceremony tickets - I hear it is going to be amazing.

RMC, Barbara-its good to hear from others who are going to the Olympics! I don't know anyone else who is going.
I am starting to get excited!
My husbands cousin lives in Park City and she told us she will be taking public transportation during the games as well-and she's not even going to the games!
We will be arriving around Feb. 17 or 18. Our first event is on Thur. Feb. 21-
we are going toki Jumping, Ladies Figure Skating (yeah, the final Free Program-the "biggie"-woohoo!), Womens Final Giant Slalom, 4-man Bobsleigh, and the Closing Ceremonies!!! I am really excited about the Closing Ceremonies but am really concerned that- after spending more money per person than I spent round trip to Europe last summer-that I will be cold!
Barbara-I am trying to determine what type of pants to wear? I will be wearing long underware etc. but should I wear ski pants or lined jeans or what?
I do plan on layering but what kind of pants?
RMC-we plan on taking the $20 shuttle for most events.
The other thing I was wondering about was the Summit Lodge. It cost $125 per person per day-will it be worth it?
Barbara-do you know anything about that?
I thought the one at the Park City Mountain Resort (for giant slalom) might be good for me to get out of the cold for a while-but as with all else-its very expensive. Do you know anything about it?
Thanks for any help!
Shadow

Just found a website that lists rooms in private homes/private homes with or without the owners around. Three day minimum for most.
www.utahhomes.com , then scroll down to a link in the middle.
Doesn't seem that cheap but I would expect people to lower their prices if they don't have any takers yet.
Good luck!

Shadow - I hate to be cold too! All of the volunteers get to go to the dress rehersal for the opening ceremonies - since it is an outside stadium I think I'll wear my ski pants and ski jacket, boots, hat and my ski mittens. If your hands get cold easily, mittens will keep them warmer than gloves. You might want a scarf as well.

They sell packaged chemical hand and foot warmers that last several hours. I may buy a few just in case. If you don't know what they are I could explain it better.

For the figure skating (lucky girl), if you get cold easily the lined jeans would probably be plenty. I just wore jeans last time I went to see figure skating and was plenty warm.

I don't really have any info on the Summit Lodge, although there are shops and restaurants at Park City Mountain Resort and I don't think I'd pay that much to warm up.

Barbara-thanks for the info. There is so much to think about-since we have spent so much money I want to have it all planned out well!
I have the hand warmers you are talking about-lots of them! And, I will prob. be ordering battery charged socks from Cabelas as well!! (I am cold in my house now and it is 70degrees-see what I mean?) And, you are so right about mittens-I can't even think of gloves.

Regarding the Park City Mountain Resort-we will be attending the Women's Giant Slalom there. Is the Park City Mountain Resort like a hotel or is it a destination area? And, how close would that be to the Giant Slalom? You are right, if I could just get into it (if its a hotel or something) I would not pay the $125.
This is all sort of confusing!
I really appreciate your help and patience!
Shadow

Shadow...

funny you should mention the closing ceremonies. My husband just sent me an e-mail on it because he's a bit disappointed. The headliners are N'Sync, Christina Aguilera, Harry Connick and Charlotte Church. He was mostly disapponted about the N'Sync/Christina thing because we're in our 40's and it's just not "our thing". Hopefully they'll add some "better" acts in! Hey for a rate of $850+ per ticket we were expecting some really BIG names to show up. I suppose it's all relative.


I am also greatly concerned about the cold. I kept saying that I'd rather be in Hawaii and now all these really cheap airfare just came out. Go figure!
I have bought some long underwear which was recommended to me by a skier. They are called "Hot Chillies". They are also a pretty steep price so I hope they'll be good.

Barbara...I just realized that I have 2 extra tickets for the ladies figure skating final on Thursday Feb 22 that I'm going to put on e-bay as soon as I get them. I didn't realize when I ordered my package that we got tickets for the ladies final on Thursday night so I ordered a set outside of the package we bought. Now I have two sets of tickets. Let me know if you'd like the pair!

What's your opinion on renting a car. I just talked to a reservationist in Park City who said that the free transportation is only good for that area and if you need to get to Salt Lake for events you're on your own. I'm wondering if we should just break down and get a car even if we don't use it. What do you think?

Dear RMC, Shadow & Barbara, Glad to hear of your plans! We're so excited here. Barbara, great info! I wish I could have volunteered too. Shadow, I think you replied to an eariler posting of mine for a Fodorites get together at my house in PC. Sorry!!! I lost your email address. If all of you would like to plan a time (evening) to get together during the Olympics, please e mail me & let's arrange it. I have a friend coming from California too.

Shadow, I wouldn't waste money on battery socks. I tried battery charged ski boot heaters & the problem is, the cold greatly lessens the life of the batteries. I found them to be almost completely usless. Those little HEAT packs also come in toe warmers, or you could just use the hand ones in some roomy boots. (That's my plan...)

For RMC: I was just looking at our little local paper. There are still LOTS of ads for Olympic rentals in Park City, condos & houses. Call the Chamber & Visitors Bureau in Park City & they can give you several names of property management companies too. E mail back if you have trouble.

RMC - I'd love tickets to the ladies figure skating finals!!!!! If I can afford them? I can understand you being nervous about not having a car, I have never vacationed without renting a car. utahcommuterlink.com and rideuta.com will give you info about transportation. Or you could call UTA (Utah Transit Authority) at 888-743-3882 and ask them about bus service from Park City to Salt Lake City. The $20 UTA pass appears to me to be for transportation once you are in the Salt Lake valley not to or from Park City. There is a private company offering $20 roundtrip from SLC to Park City, but I didn't see anything from Park City to Salt Lake.

The artists scheduled to perform were chosen based on what the athletes would like - it's kind of their big party. They are keeping everything very secretive about opening and closing ceremonies, but I have a friend who is helping with the arrangements and she says it will be spectacular.

Shadow - Park City Mountain Resort has several hotels and condos nearby with a little area of shops and restaurants at the bottom of the lifts. saltlake2002.com says it 3/4 of a mile walk from the shuttle drop off.

RMC, Barbara and Dayle-this is great! Finally some excitement about the Olympics! I have had so many questions and this is great to hear from those of you who live there and from others going and confused like I am!!!!

RMC-I am in my late 40's (but I am a "young late 40's!!!ha ha) and my husband just turned 50! I am actually thrilled about Charlotte Church-we really like her. And, just being at a live performance is exciting! So, if we can just all stay warm I bet we love it!
For the prices we've paid lets hope so anyway!!!
I have bought a pair of Hot Chilies too!
And, you are right-they are expensive but I was told they are the best-better than the silk ones for warmth. Lets pray its so......
I am excited about the women's final Ice skating too! I put in for "A" seats and got "C" seats what did you get?
Barbara-thank you for the info. on the Park City Mt. Resort. I hope I can just get in there if I get really cold-I agree, the Summit Lodge is $125 just to get out of the cold and see TV screens.
Dayle-yes, that is me that replied earlier. We just don't know what free time we will have just yet-we are trying to find a time to visit with my husband's cousin who also lives in park City. So, I will let you know if we can get together-its getting confusing with trying to see her and also coordinate transportation to our events.
We are going to try to do this without a car.
We will take the city buses around Salt Lake and the Mt. Venue Express to get to the events in Park City.
Keep the great info. coming!
Thanks!
Shadow

Barbara-another question! You mentioned a $20 transportation pass but also said that public transportation is free for ticketed spectators. Is the $20 unlimited pass for area residents? And does this mean that we can ride local buses and Trax for free if we are ticketed? We would do that to get around Salt Lake but will use the Mt. Venue Express to get to our events up in Park City.
Will it be feasible to take the bus to get around Salt Lake for dinner and shopping? (otherwise we will tow a car)
Thanks for any help.
Shadow

Shadow - The $20 unlimited pass is for anyone, local or not. If you were using public transportation just on your way to your events you would not need the pass. If you want to use it for other days you could buy the pass or just pay the daily rate if you wouldn't be using if often.

Whether you would also want a car depends on where you RV Park is. I am not planning on driving into downtown Salt Lake at all during the Olympics - I don't want to hassle with the traffic and parking spaces will be limited. But if you are going up to Park City to see your cousin and can't use the Mt. Venue Express you would need a car.

Barbara-thanks! We are staying at the
"VIP Campground/RV Park" on West North Temple. We don't want to be stuck there not being able to take public transportation to restaurants, etc.
In fact, we would have to take public transportation to the Closing Ceremonies at Rice-Eccles Olympic Stadium too.
Shadow