Your Guide to Sundance 2014: What to Do, Where to Party & Where to Find Celebrities

Photo credit: Blue Powder Tours

The Sundance 2014 opening weekend is here and Park City is buzzing with exciting movies, top-notch parties and stars-struck crowds trying to make the most out of the experience. And while you can find all the film info you need at the festival’s website, we at Hey Salt Lake decided to put together a guide of the things you can do in between (or instead of 😉 ) the movies.

Where to Find Celebrities

Chloe Grace Moretz at Sundance 2014, photo by POPSUGAR

If you are planning to do some celebrity watching, try making it to the festival in next next couple of days – the opening weekend is the best time for this.

The Sky Lodge hotel on Main Street is usually one of the festival’s central people-watching spots, with its popular rooftop lounge and Robert Redford’s Zoom restaurant next door. Anne Hathaway is supposed to do some cardio at SoulCycle – the spin class being the newest fitness pop-up at the Sky Lodge this year. Classes are available by reservation and feature the industry’s top instructors and fresh juices during workout breaks.

Eddie Bauer Adventure House is another brand new addition to the festival, running this weekend at Claim Jumper on Main Street. World-class instructors will give rock climbing classes here and popular DJs will spin their beats, so the place is guaranteed to be a social anchor throughout the opening weekend.

The Village at the Lift at the base of Main Street is running its annual TAO nightclub pop-up underground, while Stella Artois lounge at the street level is a great place to see and be seen during the day. Various media outlets like CNN and L.A. Times are setting up headquarters here as well, with the former doing live broadcasts from the complex, so expect a lot of activity here. Besides TAO, other satellite clubs you want to be at on Main are Bootsy Bellows and The Sayers Club.

Hanging out by the Entertainment Weekly headquarters might be a good idea as well – they hold their celebrity photo-shoot sessions and you could spot a familiar face or two here.

Udi’s Gluten Free Table has been a big hit among actors for the last few seasons and is still their to-go place this year.

Social Film Loft on 738 Main St. will be a popular place for cocktails, live music and celebrity DJs.

Rock and Reilly’s is likely to be a Hollywood hangout before and after the concerts at Park City Live next door.

The LG Music Lodge will be holding an anniversary celebration and screening the NFL Super Bowl playoff game on giant screens. Famous guests are expected to attend, including Elijah Wood, Anna Kendrick, Paul Reiser and John C. Reilly, among others.

Dream Downtown from NYC will host an Aprés Ski Fete at The Music Lodge from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, featuring music by DJ Theory.

Oakley Learn to Ride is bringing the world’s top snowboarding pros to Park City once again this year to provide guests with private learning sessions. If you are trying to spot celebrities on the slopes, your chances are probably best at the luxury Deer Valley resort, although Park City and Canyons are likely to get their share of VIP skiers and snowboarders too.

When it comes to gift suites, Kari Feinstein’s Style Lounge, It’s So Miami Lounge, Eco Hideaway and Motorola are all supposed to be hits among the VIPs, featuring a variety of giveaways. The Billboard & Sonos Home Theater Lounge inside Park City Live will host interviews with special guests from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily during the opening weekend.

If you are wondering what faces you should be trying to spot in the crowd, check out this detailed list of celebrities that are supposed to make their appearance at this year’s festival.

And here’s The List with all the exclusive private parties and the hottest places to be during Sundance 2014. You probably won’t get in unless you are “with the right people,” but at least you’ll know where they are in case you are in a paparazzi mood 😉

What to Do in Park City

VISA U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix

Eagle Superpipe & King’s Crown Terrain Park
Jan 18
FREE

VISA U.S. Freeskiing Grand Prix is taking place at Park City this weekend, showcasing some of the world’s best ski athletes followed by the naming of the U.S. Freeskiing Olympic team. Admission is free and even if you don’t make it for the sports event itself, you might want to stop by at the end of it to listen to live performance by O.A.R. The event started Friday and is going on from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. You can find more info here.

Fox School of Wine’s Weekend Wine Series

Silver Baron Lodge, 2900 Deer Valley Drive East
Every Sat through April 05, 6-7 p.m.
$25/person

In this fun and casual wine tasting class you’ll be able try six wines while learning their history and other interesting info. A must for any wine lover.

Shopping

Photo credit: Best Private Residence Clubs

Park City is lined up with lots of boutiques, coffee shops, galleries and bookstores – so you might want to spend a couple of hours just strolling along Main Street and supporting the local vendors. For clothing and accessories, check out places like Mary Jane’s, Envy Boutique, Prospect and Park City Jewelers. Stop by Park City Sport or Jake’s Ski Rental to rent all the equipment you’ll need to hit the slopes, or go to JANS Stores to buy your own. You should also check out Dolly’s, an independent local bookstore with a great selection and a charming atmosphere. Those of you film goers with a sweet tooth should include Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory or Java Cow Creamery (or better yet both) into your shopping experience. Atticus Coffee, Books & Teahouse is an amazing place to hide from the cold and read a book, listen to an acoustic guitar player or just grab a cup of joe and restore your strength – you’ll need it for all the partying later!

Giveaways

Not all giveaways during Sundance are reserved for celebrities, and regular movie goers can get free stuff too. Stop by Brandlink Communications at Claim Jumper Friday through Sunday to participate in It’s So Miami lounge’s photo booth contest and win a trip to Miami.

The Festival Co-Op on 608 Main St. will feature promotions by various sponsors and is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

Lounges

The Sundance House and HP Live Lounge

This lounge at 638 Park Ave. is open to public during and you don’t need accreditation to get in. The Sundance House will let you explore the history and technology of filmmaking through various interactive experiences, as well as use free Wi-Fi, laptops and printers. HP Live Lounge is a heated tent that lets guests take a break from pacing Main Street, relax with a cup of hot cocoa and listen to live music.

Acura Lounge

Acura Lounge on the corner of Main & Heber features presentations on the company’s innovative technologies, gourmet movie snacks and music for the public to enjoy.

Sundance Channel HQ

Channel HQ on 268 Main St. will hold panel discussions by writers, directors and actors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., although the best times to go are 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Chase Sapphire on Main

Located on 528 Main St., this lounge will give you “A Taste of Park City,” with sample plates from local chefs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

YouTube on Main Street

This lounge is on 596 Main St. and open 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. throughout the festival. It houses production meetings, panels, happy hours and a lot more, targeting the innovators and creatives of Sundance.

Airbnb Haus

Airbnb Haus at 628 Park Ave. promises some “old-fashioned hospitality” from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., including complementary coffee and games by the fireplace, comedy shows, and chats with filmmakers and other industry experts. You can find a detailed scheduled of events at the lounge here.

Brita Keeping you Hydrated

Brita helps festival visitors stay hydrated as they explore Park City by providing them with free reusable bottles that can be refilled at a number of hydration stations around Park City. The company encourages you to refill six to eight times a day, since more hydration is needed at higher altitudes.

The Hub Presented by the Utah Film Commission

Utah Film Commission’s Hub at 751 Main St. offers complementary snacks and drinks from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., along with discussions on local film industry, tourism and business.

The MorningStar Farms® Veggie Burger Bar

You’ll find the Burger Bar right across from the Egyptian Theatre at 317 Main St. from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Their deal is hard to beat – you can get a free vegeterial or vegan hot meal here.

Where to See Live Music Events

Park City Live

427 Main St.

Next to movies, live music is the second major activity you should try to incorporate into your schedule if you are in town for Sundance. Park City Live (formerly Harry O’s) will host some amazing performances and DJ sets throughout the festival – here’s the list of the upcoming shows.

2Chainz
Jan 18, 8 p.m., $50-$75

Steve Aoki
Jan 19, 8 p.m., $50

Nervo
Jan 20, 8 p.m., $35

Dash Berlin
Jan 20, 8 p.m., $50-100

Ludacris
Jan 25, 8 p.m., $75-$100

ASCAP Music Café

751 Main St.

The events at this venue are open to all festival credential holders, space permitting.

Jan 18
The Falls, 2 p.m.
Savior Adore, 2:40 p.m.
Robert Delong, 3:20 p.m.
Guy Sebastian, 4 p.m.
The Mowgli’, 4:40 p.m.
The Fela! Band – ASCAP Music Cafe, 10:30pm

Jan 19
Savior Adore, 2 p.m.
Moors, 2:20 p.m.
The Mowgli’s, 3:20 p.m.
Carina Round, 4:00 p.m.
The Wind + The Wave, 4:40 p.m.

Jan 20
Venus and the Moon, 2 p.m.
Jeremy Messersmith, 2:40 p.m.
Years & Years, 3:20 p.m.
Kris Gruen, 4 p.m.
The Wind + The Wave, 4:40 p.m.
Belle & Sebastian, 9:30 p.m.

Jan 21
Sondre Lerche, 2 p.m.
Jeremy Messersmith, 2:40 p.m.
The Devil Makes Three, 3:20 p.m.
Matthey Perryman, 4 p.m.
Rae Spoon, 4:40 p.m.

Jan 22
Clara Nova, 2 p.m.
Matthew Perryman Jones, 2:40 p.m.
Escondido, 3:20 p.m.
KT Tunstall, 5:45 p.m.

Jan 23
Cardinal Son, 2 p.m.
Sarah Lee Guthrie, 2:40 p.m.
Escondido, 3:20 p.m.
The Autumn Defense, 5:45 p.m.

Jan 24
Greyson Chance, 2 p.m.
Clara Nova, 2:40 p.m.
Sean Watkins, 3:20 p.m.
The Autumn Defense, 4 p.m.
The Parlotones, 5 p.m.

Sundance House

638 Main St.

Another venue open to credential holders, Sundance House will host The Fela! band at 8 p.m. on January 19.

Downstairs

625 Main St.

Downstairs is this year’s satellite for L.A.’s The Sayer’s Club during the opening weekend, featuring Capital Cities on Saturday night, although a lot more is going on at this basement bar on the corner of Main and Heber throughout the festival.

Jan 19
Red Bull Music Academy presents RL Grime, Salva and Tokimonsta, 9 p.m.
$50

Jan 21
X Presented by Jeremy Fall, music by Chris Kennedy, birthday of Chris Masterson, 8 p.m.
$10 cover, ladies free

Jan 22
Locals’ Appreciation Night w/ Scooter & Lavelle, 8 p.m.
$20

Jan 23
Live Nite Events presents Steve Smooth, opening set by Timone, 8 p.m.
$20

Jan 24
Live performance by Chali 2na of Jurrasic 5, DJ Set by DJ Scooter, 8 p.m.
$25

Jan 25
Sundance Closing Party w/ DJ Mom Jeans, 8 p.m.
$50

Where to Party

Tavern @ Sky Lodge Hotel

201 Herber Ave.
Category: Pub

Formerly known as Bar Boheme, the Tavern bar in the basement of the luxury Sky Lodge hotel is the place to be during the festival. The cozy artisan bar is tucked away from the sight of the rest of the party strip on Main Street. Its wood floors, stone walls and the roaring fireplace will give you a real feel of the mountain resort while you enjoy your cocktail, wine or one of multiple microbrew selections. The Tavern plays live music on most nights and has a food menu as well, complete with desserts and definitely more “gourmet” than your typical pub food.

Sky Blue Rooftop Lounge @ Sky Lodge Hotel

201 Herber Ave.
Category: Lounge

The hotel’s rooftop lounge has couches to relax on indoors, and additional seating on a heated deck overlooking the city. If you are can brave Utah winter in a bikini, you can even sit in the hot tub, also on the deck.

St. Regis Bar

2300 Deer Valley Drive East
Category: Lounge

If you are looking for a somewhat more posh experience (and don’t mind the price), take a glass funicular up to St. Regis Bar. The hotel sits on the mountaintop and provides great views of Deer Valley. The bar has both food and drinks, with its creative cocktails being the patrons’ favorite.

The Star Bar

268 Main St.
Category: Dance Club, Live Music

This dance club is a popular spot during Sundance, with live music playing nightly, hookahs and drink specials. The place is pretty spacious, with a good-size dance floor and some seating available as well.

The Spur

350 Main St.
Category: Bar & Grill

If you like to party cowboy style, The Spur is the place for you. This Western-style bar features live bands, karaoke nights, a dance floor, rustic decor and beer specials.

Where to Park & How to Get Around

All the info you need on parking at Sundance festival, shuttle routes and schedules, even the walking times from one theater to another can be found in this amazingly useful PDF.

Experiencing Sundance in Salt Lake

If you end up spending part of the festival in Salt Lake, don’t despair, there’s stuff happening too. Sicilia Pizza is hosting a range of music events that are free and open to public, but come early as space is limited.

Sicilia Pizza Kitchen

35 W. Broadway, Salt Lake City

Jan 18
David Williams, 8:30 p.m.

Jan 19
Triggers & Slips, 8:30 p.m.

Jan 20
Devil’s Club, 8:30 p.m.

Jan 21
Ayllupura, 8:30 p.m.

Jan 22
St. Boheme, 8:30 p.m.
Andrew Shaw & Color Animal, 8:30 p.m.

Jan 23
Hot Club of Zion, 6:00 p.m.

Jan 24
Clarksdale Ghosts, 6:00 p.m.
Rotten Musicians, 8:30 p.m.

Jan 25
Juana Ghani, 8:30 p.m.

Your Turn

Hey Salt Lake crew is heading to Sundance this weekend, do you plan on going too? We’d love to hear what movies you saw, which celebrities you spotted, where you partied and what other exciting things you ended up doing while in Park City.  Drop us a note in the comments section!

8 Alternative Winter Sports to Try in Utah (Other than Skiing & Snowboarding)

Photo credit: Jerome Wilm

Are you feeling adventurous this winter, even if skiing/snowboarding is not your thing? The good news is, Utah has plenty of alternatives to choose from. This article has some ideas for everyone, whether you are a trendsetter, an adrenaline junkie or a laid-back nature lover.

Where: Any Ski/Snowboard Resort
What: Skiboarding

Photo credit: Revel8

This is a relatively new sport that has been gaining a lot of popularity in the recent years. Skiboarding, also known as skiblading or snowblading, uses skis that are a lot shorter and wider than usual. They are also much easier to maneuver as compared to traditional skis, have a faster learning curve and allow for plenty of tricks if you are brave enough to ace them. It’s a great choice for any thrill seekers who yawn at the very mention of traditional winter sports and are looking for some alternatives to spice things up a bit. When choosing the location for your skiboarding trip, look for resorts with great terrain parks.

Where: Beaver Mountain, Brighton, Eagle Point, Snowbasin, Sundance
What: Skibiking

Photo credit: Nick Wigston

Skibiking, also know as snowbiking or skibobbing, is another fun winter activity that will give you a good adrenaline rush, yet is not too risky to try for first-timers. It involves going downhill on a bike with two skis in place of wheels. Traditional skibikes or bobbers will also have two skis for foot support, while the hybrid ones or peggers don’t have these extra skis. Several resorts in Utah (listed above) allow skibikes, but some require a leash, like Brighton and Sundance.

Skibiking enthusiasts say this sport is very easy to learn and you can have a lot of fun with it. It also puts less strain on your body than skiing and snowboarding, which could be a factor if you can’t do any of the latter because of injury, disability, age or just because those traditional sports are too intense for you.

Skibikeve has been around for more than 50 years in Europe, but were only introduced to the U.S. market in the 90s, and are still not mainstream enough for you to be able to easily buy or rent one. If you really want to give this sport a go but have no idea where to start, here’s a good article on places to buy skibikes. You can also try building one on your own, but keep in mind that many resorts won’t accept self-made skibikes. Here’s another great site that provides updates on resorts that allow the sport, any special requirements these locations have and other useful info for skibikers.

Where: Powder Mountain (MAP), Park City, Strawberry Reservoir, Skyland Drive (MAP)
What: Snowkiting

Photo credit: Flysurfer Kiteboarding

Did you ever want to ski or snowboard up the slopes, avoid lift lines and easily learn the aerial tricks that you thought could only be done by the pros? You can do all that and more with snowkiting. It was called winter’s newest extreme sport by the New York Times just a few years ago, but has grown in popularity tremendously since then. Utah is considered the nation’s hot spot for this activity, so if you are into all things extreme, you should definitely check it out. And for those already comfortable with either skiing or snowboarding, snowkiting will only take you a couple of hours to learn.

Many places provide instruction and equipment these days, although all you really need if you already ski or board is a kite, harness and bar. Powder Mountain is a good place to start, offering lessons for different skill levels and group sizes, from $75 per person for a two-hour beginner session. You can find a list of other great snowkiting locations in Utah here.

Where: Soldier Hollow (MAP)
What: Tubing, Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing

Photo credit: Liftopia

Soldier Hollow has several 1,200-foot-long tubing lanes with a lift service to quickly get your lazy self right back up the hill. The resort limits ticket sales to make sure the lanes don’t get overcrowded, so if you are going on a weekend or during a holiday, it’s better to buy tickets in advance. Tubing lanes are open from noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and holidays, and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Large stadium lights are on after sunset, which could be even more fun if you want to give it a try, although it can also be the best time to freeze your butt off. The cost is $20 for two hours, including tube rental and lift ride.

Photo credit: Free Heel and Wheel

If you find downhill skiing a little too extreme or expensive, you might want to try the cross-country type. Soldier Hollow has this as well, with well-groomed Olympic courses open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The price is $18 for a full day or $15 after 2 p.m., and different discounted season passes are also available.

Photo credit: Stephen Matera

If you prefer more slow-paced outdoor activities that will let you enjoy the scenery, take photos, watch the animals and do whatever else it is people do in those situations, Soldier Hollow has snowshoeing opportunities for nature enthusiasts like you. You can get more info on these and other activities the resort offers from its website. You can also find a bunch of other snowshoeing locations on this site.

Where: Gallivan Center (MAP)What: Ice Skating

Gallivan Center

While Salt Lake City has plenty of indoor ice rinks open all year round, it’s just that much more fun to skate outdoors in the winter. The rink at the Gallivan Center downtown is a great place to showcase your triple axel skills. The price of admission is $8 and includes skate rental. The rink is open from noon to 9 p.m. Mon-Thu, noon to midnight Fri-Sat, and noon to 7 p.m. Sun.

Where: Snowbasin, Gorgoza Park (MAP)
What: Tubing

Photo credit: Pigeon Forge Chamber of Commerce

If all other winter sports fail you, you have to at least give tubing a try. It’s not that scary, you know. In fact, most tubing hills have dedicated lanes and lifts, so all you have to do is take a smooth ride down the hill, then up… then down again. Enjoy! 😉

Besides Soldier Hollow already mentioned above, Snowbasin is a great place for tubing as well. It charges $5 per ride or $30 for an unlimited daily ticket, and its tubing hill is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sat. and Sun.  You should also try Gorgoza Park located near the Jeremy Ranch in Park City. Prices here range from $8 for a single ride to $33 for a four-hour ticket. The park is open from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Mon-Fri, and noon to 8 p.m. Sat-Sun.

Where: Sugarhouse Park (MAP), Mountainview Park (MAP)
What: Sledding

Photo credit: Bryan Kelsen

If you like a little less control and a little more “adventure,” try sledding instead. Sugarhouse Park is a great place to do this thanks to its central location, great scenery and a variety of hill sizes. You can sled or tube here  from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and it’s free, but don’t forget to bring your own “equipment.”

Photo credit: Anne Barkley

If you live in Fort Union, Sandy or elsewhere South of the city, Mountainview Park can be another great spot for sledding. The hill is not extremely steep but is not the boring type either, and there’s plenty of room to go pretty far if you get a good push from a “friend” and if your sled is the right type (it does make a difference, people!).

Your Turn

Did you find this article useful? Are you already into some of these sports? Do you have your favorite spots that are not listed here? We’d love to hear about your experiences!

……………….

Want a little more insight into some of these sports? Here are a couple of videos that should give you a better idea.

http://vimeo.com/38304521

……………….

Some of the sources for this article include:

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=28062773
http://www.heraldextra.com/lifestyles/recreation/skiing/winter-sport-alternatives-for-when-you-re-feeling-adventurous/article_7450b4e6-c9c4-5aa3-9afa-f4a60fec9e21.html
http://www.ski-bike.org/ski_areas.html
http://coloradoskibikerskibikingblog.blogspot.com/2012/12/where-to-buy-ski-bike.html
http://www.snowshoeutah.com/Table-of-Contents.html
http://www.utahsnowkite.com/#!snowkiting/czpx
http://www.utahwindriders.com/snowkiting.php
http://www.skibike.me.uk/p/build-skibike.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/ski/news?slug=ycn-10832369

Female Ski Jumpers Will Finally Compete in Winter Olympics

Photo: Jessica Jerome competes in the Olympic trials in Park City Sunday. Credit: Jim Urquhart/AP

Jessica Jerome made history Sunday by becoming the first winner of the U.S. Olympic Trials for the women’s ski jumping team. The event took place at Utah Olympic Park in her home town of Park City, with 5,000 fans lined up at the finish area. Lindsey Van finished second and Alissa Johnson was third. Besides Jerome, three more women will join the U.S. team to compete in the Winter Olympics in Sochi this February.

But Jerome’s two winning jumps are a small victory in the grand scheme of things. They signified the culmination of a much bigger eight-year-long battle for the International Olympic Committee to finally let women compete in ski jumping at the Olympic level. Fighting numerous court battles, the athletes were told over and over again that there weren’t enough high-level women to justify an Olympic-level competition. Even after Van set a world record for both women and men on the 90-meter jump in 2008, she still wasn’t allowed to compete in the Vancouver Olympics two years later.

Ski jumping was the last Olympic door that was closed for women. All other initially exclusively male Olympic sports became open to female athletes over the years, including bobsleigh, wrestling, boxing and luge.