At the end of January, I had the privilege of attending the Sundance Film Festival with my friends at Visit Seattle. I of course jumped at the chance, seeing that my hometown is Seattle and that they would be representing in Park City, I was thrilled to join!
It was a really quick trip, roughly 72 hours, but it was a wonderful experience. I had never been to Park City, and couldn’t wait to see the sights, watch some great movies and meet new people, all of which I did!
Click through to read more about my 72 hours at Sundance with Visit Seattle!
Day 1: I flew into Salt Lake in the morning and checked into Hotel Monaco. I had a bit of down time before we hopped in the car and drove up to Park City to go see our first movie of the trip, Brigsby Bear at the Eccles Theater. It was snowing like crazy – the flakes were huge but it was pretty magical. Later that evening we had a big welcome dinner at Current Fish & Oyster, which was super yummy and allowed everyone who flew into town to meet and get to know each other beforehand.
Day 2: After breakfast in the hotel, we spent the day in Park City, which was so fun. After lunch, we wandered around and explored the cute little town before heading to the Sundance TV HQ for the The Project Five by Five sponsored by Visit Seattle. It included five filmmakers (all very different in their styles of film) that came to Seattle to each shoot a short film based on one of the five senses: an animated Sasquatch using her nose to sniff her way through the city, Bruce Lee finding peace in a moment of turmoil, the journey a tasty ice cream makes from farm to cone, what sounds Jimi Hendrix may have heard and their impact on his life, and Seattle’s first skyscrapers—our towering evergreen trees. Each film was so different and interesting and made me feel so proud to be from Seattle. It was so fun seeing the city through other people’s eyes! Afterward there was a Seattle-themed party complete with two Seattle celebrity chefs Jason Stratton and Josh Henderson that shucked fresh oysters flown in from the Pacific Northwest. Allen Stone, (a famed Washington soul singer) who I actually hadn’t heard of but immediately fell in love with his sound and music, played while we all danced and goofed off. It was a blast!
Read a little bit more from Visit Seattle about the 5 short films centered around the city and The Five Senses:
The Seattle story is not one that can be told – it must be experienced. Visit Seattle has teamed up with SundanceTV to bring you Project Five by Five to help share that story. In a special showcase of short films, five notable directors share their specific, personal take on the city of Seattle. Each director used one of the five senses to inspire their short films and immerse viewers in the Emerald City. Learn more about the films below.
1. CLEA DUVALL | TASTE | TASTE
Seattle has a unique relationship to its natural surroundings. This short explores the process of harnessing the purest parts of Seattle and follows them on a journey from farm to counter, where a ferry ride plays an integral role in bringing delicious experiences to the people of Seattle.
2. DREW CHRISTIE | SMELL | SCENT OF A SASQUATCH
Did you know the Sasquatch is the unofficial mascot of Seattle? Watch as her excellent sense of smell guides her on a tour of all the city has to offer, from breweries and coffee roasters to shorelines, forests and wildlife, in this animated short.
3. IAN CHENEY | TOUCH | TOUCH OF SEATTLE
In this short, we move from the raw beauty of towering trees to the myriad ways Seattle dwellers and visitors alike can experience the transformed forest with their own hands. While the city’s skyline is iconic, the forests were Seattle’s first skyscrapers and are the featured players in this quiet portrait of a green city.
4. MARTHA STEPHENS | SIGHT | ALL AT SEA
Bruce Lee’s relationship with Seattle inspires this short: a fictionalized account of a brief moment in his life when he felt isolated, frustrated and restless. But the sight of the of Seattle’s skyline from his boat on the Puget Sound reminds him how to find his balance, and allows his mind to once again be as fluid as water.
5. TERENCE NANCE | SOUND | JIMI COULD HAVE FALLEN FROM THE SKY
This short is the unauthorized, heavily abridged, biographical, visual and supersonic moment about the fact that Johnny Allen Hendrix (aka Jimi Hendrix) knew how to skydive. Set in Seattle where Jimi was born and raised, the film wonders aloud about what this skill meant for the life he went on to lead. Why did he retreat to the sky so quickly before all of us were ready for him to go?
Allen Stone! Right now, my favorite song of his is called Upside.
Day 3: I purposely flew out super late on my last day so that I could spend it exploring Salt Lake, see a couple of movies and spend time with some family friends that live in town. I rounded up some things to check out if you ever get to head to Park City, so check it out below and thanks for reading!
WHILE IN PARK CITY:
Where to eat: Chimayo: Upscale Southwestern | Grappa: Classic Italian with panoramic upstairs views | Wahso: Asian bistro with a French twist | Riverhorse: Upscale American gastropub | Mustang: Classic American/European fare
Where to drink: The No Name Saloon is a great divey bar right on Main street where you can get pub grub and a beer while you warm up from the snow.
Where to stay: I actually stayed in Salt Lake at the Hotel Monaco, but if you are looking to stay in Park City proper, I would check out this website, which breaks down where to stay by hotels, condo-hotels, condominiums and private homes.
Where to ski: Unfortunately I didn’t get to go skiing on this trip, but from what I’ve heard, you definitely have to check out Deer Valley Resort, which I have heard is the most luxurious and is all about the experience. A friend of mine who skied there said they basically take your skis off for you, store them in lockers for you and then retrieve them for you when you’re ready to head back out on the slopes. They also don’t allow snowboarders, which is ideal for traditional skiers. Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons are now linked and seem like a great middle ground for someone who wants a larger resort, great skiing and and an overall satisfying experience. Snowbird, which was recommended by another friend said this resort is more for someone who enjoys a bit more solitude. It sounds like if a quiet day of skiing is your idea of the perfect day then this is the place for you. It’s located up a canyon about 40 minutes south of the SLC airport.
I hope you enjoyed this post and have a great weekend!
Thank you SO much to Visit Seattle and Sundance for this amazing experience! xo
