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Show Park City Silver Mine Adventure PARK CITY’S SNOWSHINE FESTIVAL IS TWO WEEKS OF EVENTS AND by Kris Severson enter the bowels band of French Canadian tourists, strong on cologne and weak on hygiene). The length of the shaft approximately equals the height of the Empire State building. Impressive. Water seeps in from various seems and cracks in the shaft walls creating a slightly damp and of the earth the old fashion way, through the shaft - the shaft of a silver mine. The newly opened Park City Silver Mine Adventure opens the doors to the historic origins of Park City. Billed as an “infotainment” attraction, the ~~ -Silver Mine Adventure attempts to educate as well increasing proximity ACTIVITIES FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY to the molten core of the earth. Jim Miliner worked the mine from 1946 to 1950. He says due to the moderate temperature the mine was the most desirable job during the winter months. “The mine was the best job a guy could have during the winter. It could be fifty below _ outside but the as|/ mine was amuse by bringing you always lower than you’ve even | warm and nice,” says been before. The “Adventure,” brain the Jim. . “The child of United pay Park Mines Company | and. . Leisure Recreation .- good __ too. Yet “ones and} - Concepts, | summer uses the presently shut | down Ontario mine to take was came Silver} and warmed visitors A REALISTIC 1500 feet deep beneath DEPICTION OF LIFE AT THE MINES -PHOTO BY KRIS SEVERSON the earth and back 100 years to learn about the indus- | “enigmatic ambiance. It adds to try that bore the community of the anticipation of having a. — it up, moment of the tour was when to the 1500 foot level you | unload the elevator and enter step off the elevator as if they are making the first step on the moon. Eyes wander the low ceilings and supporting timbers that fade into blackness down the mine’s tunnels. At this point an inconceivable amount of rock 1s above your head. Deep down _ inside ‘both the interactive above ground attraction and the underground mine tour. Hall Compton, mine guide, says, “should silver prices rise, the tour would shut down and Hollywood attractions?” As a young boy I used to dig fence post holes in rock like this on — a ranch in Colorado. Six feet of rock was about half a days work. To drop at this rate for over five minutes gives perspective to the effort it takes to everyone is thinking, “these tunnels couldn’t collapse, could they?” “Naaaaah.” mining would once © again con- move this much rock. Guides tinue.” The odor of the air flowing Descending into the earth at miniature tram car that will through the mine is reminis-— cent-of a subway tunnel minus the garbage and rats. Cool, moist and earthy. The air is constantly being circulated to eliminate carbon monoxide and other stale or harmful 350 feet per minute it is hard to grasp the sheer magnitude of entering one of the world’s deepest silver mines. Thousands of feet of rock whirl past your nose as you drop to the center of the earth ‘in an open caged elevator. The shaft elevator is a four level open air cage. Each cage fits up to eight people, snugly. If placed in a full cage it is recommended that you are very familiar with those whom you are travelling (This reporter was placed among a travelling fumes, thus a fresh cool breeze is constantly passing through the tunnels and shafts. At the 1500 foot depth the mine stays a constant 55 degrees summer or winter. Compared with the crisp midtwenties of late February it is noticeably warmer. This warmth is caused by an corral you into a carry you 3/4 of a mile into the ‘mountain, interesting yet overshadowed by the thrill of being so darn The down the core of the mine. Visitors tional. In December of 1995 the mine was re-opened for April 7, with a Sunrise Service | on Steeps Patio and the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Special spring lodging discounts are available by calling City Ski Holidays at 1-800-222-PARK (7275). For information or a SnowShine brochure please contact City Ski Area at 1-801-649-8111, or check out our web http://w ww.sisna.com/pcski Once mountain top looming above | concludes Easter Sunday, to farming.” your head. I remember think- _ remains maintained and func- and falcons, will be on the mountain with a live hawk to con- duct informative presentations about the many birds of prey | that frequent Park City Ski Area. The SnowShine Festival deep in the earth. was shut down in 1982 when silver prices failed to support the cost of production, yet it just a revolving set like one of those fancy-schmanzy Robbie Beck-McHugh, Park City Ski Area’s marketing direcr. “It’s also an opportunity to thank our guests for another fantastic ski season,” adds Beck-McHugh. Scheduled activities include Mountain History Tours, a Dance Contest, VoHeyball Tournaments, and recreational ski racing for all abilities. Daily SnowShine activities include a special terrain obstacle course, free video analysis, and prize giveaways. Representatives of Hawk Watch International, an organization dedicated to the conservation of eagles, hawks I'd go back Park City. The Ontario mine ing, “are those real rocks or is Park City, Utah —- Fabulous spring skiing at Park City Ski Area 1s the backdrop for exciting outdoor activities during the annual SnowShine Festival, a two-week celebration of spring for the entire family March 23 through April 7, 1996. “The SnowShine Festival is our way of adding mote fun, directly below unique and _ peculiar cool. Tickets run $12.95 for The and — adults and $6.95 for children there we sat, 32 of us in the penny. The education alone is worth the price. The Park City and dark, and boy was it dark! I can’t figure out what the guy was thinking. Must be a French Canadian thing. As-we. finished seniors; it’s worth Mine Adventure is open seven | the under- _ ground portion, almost half of prices soar and they adjourn the visitors stole a rock sample for themselves. I can hear the French Canadians now... “You the adventure. Try this phone number, it may or may not be correct 801-649-6505. DEEP POWDER AND GREAT COFFEE... ---BOTH ADDICTING Stag Lodge. All the while, the guides are telling tales of the life of a miner in the 1800’s. Many of the guides like Jim Miliner, are actually miners who worked the mine in the 1940’s and 1950’s, giving an authenticity to the stories rare on tours of this kind. The tour wheels and walks you throughout various attractions including the pump All of which house, is relatively Page 5 every. days a week from 10am to 7pm. Don’t delay - see it now while you can before silver the black smith shop, a blasting sight, mucking rig and stables. Park more Park site: feet beneath the earth, that’s about 457.1 meters to you and ie; Che All in all the trip was , pretty | lights be turned off. guides happily: agreed 7 see this baby? It’s from 1500 one visitor requested that the S20 oe, Park a newest tourist attraction allows visitors to lee without pati E. ON 400 S. chan |