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Show WASATCH Continued from page 8 here at lunchtime, kids would hang wet clothes on the coal stove in hopes they’d dry out by the time the chili was gone. Then they’d pile all that clothing back on for the afternoon ski runs, “The lodge was about halfway up the hill,” Richard recalls. “We’d hook a toboggan on one of the chairs to carry the soda water in.” Snow Park only operated on the weekends. But on a good day, there could be as many as 100 skiers from as far away as Salt Lake City and Provo. It was a regular crowd made up of familiar faces. “A lot of people came over. We knew almost all of the families that came in and a lot of the faithful came up from Salt Lake every week, Richard says. “There was a whole bunch who came up from Provo and Springville, too.” But Snow Park made neither Otto Carpenter nor Bob Burns rich men. Not that they set out to become wealthy. In those days, there were values other than the bottom line. “It was real low-key,” Richard says, summing things up. “They didn’t make a lot of money. It was probably a losing proposition by the time they paid everybody and bought the soda pop.” Today large corporations launch ski resorts. Much different than a couple of local guys operating on a shoestring. But it was Post World War II Park City, silver had slumped and the town had fallen on hard times. MOUNTAIN ‘Park City used to be a little depressed town,” Richard remembers. “There wasn’t much money around. We’d complain about having to take venison sandwiches to school. We'd try TIMES although it’s even difficult imagine his grandfather Carpenter building their own “I was like four or five shut it down in 1969,” Roger for him to and Otto ski resort. when they says. turers, Snow Park 30 years before Deer to trade with some other peanut butter sandwich.” kid for a Rich Legacy Today, the contrast is complete with skiers flying in from around the globe, clad in the latest fashion, sipping champagne apres ski, while young men and women dressed smartly in green, fetch their $700 skis. Lift tickets are a little more than $2. One of Bob Burns’ grandsons, Roger Burns, oversees those green-clad and smiling ski concierges, among his other duties at Deer Valley. Roger, of course, is somewhat familiar with his family’s history on that mountain, Valley. All good things must come to an end. By the mid-’60s, modernization had swept the ski industry. The Treasure Mountain ski resort, now known as the Park City Ski Area, boasted a mile-long gondola and several modern chairlifts, made by European manufacturers. The lease that Otto and Bob had first signed in December 1946 would not be renewed by the mine company. Richard remembers receiving a telephone call in Alaska from his father. “We're out of the ski business,” Otto said simply. And although things change, they do remain the same. One of the skiers The Suntan Company Professional Sun Tanning Wolf and RUVA . that Deer Valley's concierges might meet today is Darrel Burns, who still likes to ski Snow Park — make that Deer Valley. “I know the area so well,” Darrel says, having skied the same mountain for almost 50 years now “The beginner lift is almost the same location and length as where we had ours. If I were to go with you, I would show you. We had a big lift and a little lift. And that’s what we called them.” In their place, Deer Valley has big, green lifts made by European manufac- Beds Park Y Plaza 1890 Bonanza Dr #103 (801) 655-0777 Salt Lake City 2120 S. 700 East (801) 467-1777 We Offer Professional Lines of Suntanning and Bedy Letions The warm and comfortable Soleo Restaurant serves winter game specialties and firesi ide { iiues rusti¢ European with a flare. Breakfasti+ Lunch «; 7:00-$.30 ari, *41:0=2: 6:00—10:00 p.m. 7 Days a Week guaranteed to zip you to the top of the mountain in nothing flat. Deer Valley now dwarf’s Snow Park, but not taking it’s proud history for granted, two chairlifts at the bottom of the mountain pay tribute to the area’s ski pioneers. One is named for Otto Carpenter and one is named for Bob Burns. And of course, there is the Snow Park Lodge — names from a time all but forgotten. @ — Scandinavian Bakery and Kafe SE SSL eT tet Fresh Baked Pastries Daily Catering and Marsipan Birthday Cakes 801-655-8393 710 (New Lower) Main Street * Park City |
