If you’re heading to Park City, Utah, one stop that truly stands out is the Utah Olympic Park, a living legacy of the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics. Whether you’re a sports fan, an adventure seeker, or just curious about Olympic history, this 400-acre venue offers a unique mix of adrenaline-pumping activities and behind-the-scenes stories that keep the Olympic spirit alive year-round.
About the Utah Olympic Park
📍 3419 Olympic Pkwy, Park City, UT 84098
🔗 Utah Olympic Park website
Originally built for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, the Utah Olympic Park remains one of the most exciting Olympic venues still in use today. It’s home to one of only four sliding tracks in North America, six Nordic ski jumps, and two world-class museums celebrating the history of skiing and the 2002 Games.
Museums & Tours
If you’re interested in Olympic history or just want to learn more about Utah’s winter sports heritage, make time for the museums and guided tour.
- Alf Engen Ski Museum – Celebrates the legacy of skiing in the Intermountain West through interactive exhibits, vintage gear, and athlete stories
- Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum – Relive the excitement of the 2002 Games with displays featuring real Olympic medals, athlete uniforms, and behind-the-scenes footage
- Guided Tour – A must-do experience! Ride the shuttle bus to the top of the sliding track and the world’s highest Nordic ski jump while hearing fascinating Olympic stories and local insights from your guide (many are former athletes or coaches)
- Free Admission – Both museums are free to visit, making this an easy and affordable stop for families or anyone spending the day in Park City
Summer Activities
If you visit during the warmer months, the park transforms into a giant outdoor playground:
- Gold Pass: A 3.5-hour session of unlimited access to favorites like the Alpine Slide, Extreme Tubing, Ziplines, Drop Tower, Ropes Courses, and Airbag Jumps
- Summer Bobsled Experience: Hop into a wheeled bobsled with a professional pilot- you’ll reach speeds up to 70 mph down the Olympic track
- Flying Aces Freestyle Ski Show: Watch Olympic and Olympic hopeful skiers launch into the air and perform gravity-defying flips, landing in a pool below. It’s equal parts thrilling and inspiring
Winter Activities
In winter, the action continues:
- Winter Bobsled Ride – Ride with a pro down the real ice track, hitting speeds up to 60–70 mph
- Uphill Ski & Snowboard Access (Jan–Apr) – Take advantage of special uphill passes for skiing and snowboarding
- Guided Olympic Park Tours – Still available and worth doing even in the cold months
Winter Olympic Gift Ideas
Our Visits to Utah Olympic Park
We’ve actually visited the Utah Olympic Park twice (in the same month!), and both times were amazing experiences
First visit
We went with Josh’s dad and started in the Alf Engen Ski Museum, which had all kinds of winter sports history and even some fun interactive exhibits. Then we caught the Flying Aces Freestyle Ski Show, and it blew us away. Watching athletes soar through the air and twist before landing in the training pool was unlike anything we’d seen before. After the show, we even got to meet some of the athletes- they were so kind and happy to chat and take photos. It felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Second visit
This time it was just the two of us, and we explored the Eccles 2002 Olympic Games Museum before taking a guided tour. Our guide was a former ski coach who shared tons of behind-the-scenes details about the site, the sports, and the athletes who train here. Seeing the sliding track from the very top was awesome, but standing at the top of the highest Nordic ski jump in the world was absolutely jaw-dropping. It really puts into perspective how much courage and skill these athletes have.
Final Thoughts
We highly recommend visiting the Utah Olympic Park, no matter what season you’re in Park City. It’s rare to find an Olympic site that’s still so active and accessible to the public, and even rarer to get this close to world-class athletes in training.
With the 2034 Winter Olympics set to return to Utah, it’s even more exciting to see this iconic site continuing to thrive. Whether you come for the thrill rides, the history, or the chance to stand where Olympians stood, the Utah Olympic Park is one of those places that leaves you genuinely inspired.
Know Before You Go
Address: 3419 Olympic Pkwy, Park City, UT 84098
Website: Utah Olympic Park
Costs:
- Museums: Free admission
- Guided Tour: $15-20
- Gold Pass: $85
- Summer Bobsled: $100
- Winter Bobsled: $225
- Uphill Pass: $285
Hours:
Open year-round, but activity hours vary by season. Summer attractions typically run from late May through early September, and winter bobsled experiences usually begin in December. Always check the website before your visit for current hours, seasonal closures, and weather updates.
Parking:
Free parking is available on-site, with easy access to the visitor center and museums.
Best Time to Visit:
- Summer: For the Flying Aces show and adventure activities like the Alpine Slide and Ziplines.
- Winter: To experience real Olympic events in action — including the winter bobsled ride and ski jump training.
Insider Tip:
Even if you’re not doing any paid activities, it’s still worth stopping by to explore the free museums and take in the views. You never know when you’ll catch Olympic hopefuls training on the ski jumps or sliding track!
Winter Fun at Home
Other Salt Lake City Olympic Sites
The 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics left behind several world-class venues that are still in use today, and they’re all within easy driving distance of each other. Along with the Utah Olympic Park in Park City, these sites are part of the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, which continues to support athlete training and public recreation across the region.
Utah Olympic Oval
Nicknamed “The Fastest Ice on Earth,” this 5-acre facility was built for the 2002 Games and remains one of the premier speed skating venues in the world. It’s home to Utah’s only 400-meter speed skating oval, two international-sized ice sheets, and a four-lane, 442-meter running track.
Visitors can:
- Public Skate year-round on the Olympic ice.
- Learn to Curl, Figure Skate, Speed Skate, or Play Hockey through their sports programs
- Watch elite athletes train and sometimes compete in local and international events
Whether you’re lacing up skates for the first time or just want to say you skated on Olympic ice, it’s a fun stop for families and sports fans alike.
Soldier Hollow Nordic Center
📍 Soldier Hollow Nordic Center
Set in beautiful Wasatch Mountain State Park, Soldier Hollow was originally built for the Olympic biathlon and Nordic skiing events. Today, it’s a year-round recreation hub that blends outdoor adventure with Olympic history.
Winter visitors can enjoy:
- Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon Courses
- Tubing Hill (one of the longest in Utah!)
- Youth and adult sports programs
In summer, Soldier Hollow offers rollerski access, hiking, mountain biking, and even a golf course nearby. The site also hosts major events and competitions throughout the year, keeping the Olympic spirit alive in the mountains.
Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Cauldron Park
📍 451 1400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 – on the campus of the University of Utah
Located at Rice–Eccles Stadium, this site hosted the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Olympic Cauldron still stands today as a striking symbol of Utah’s Olympic legacy. Visitors can walk through the plaza, see interpretive displays about the Games, and take photos with the iconic torch structure that lit up the Salt Lake City skyline.
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