Park City resorts give money back to community programs

Two Park City ski resorts plan on giving back to the community in different ways.

Vail Resorts, which operates The Canyons, announced this week that it has awarded more than $500,000 in contributions and pledged more 1,000 hours of paid employee time to 10 area non-profit organizations.

The grants were selected based on the ability of their programs to provide a positive impact on local youth and the landscapes that surround Park City, and their commitment to build a sustainable, vibrant community.

Park City Mountain Resort will sell a number of $25 benefit days lift tickets that will be valid from opening day through Dec. 20. Proceeds will go to the Park City Museum this year. Since the program started in 2003, the resort has raised more than $550,000 for non-profit organizations in the Park City area.

The Canyons' grants are part of Vail Resorts' Echo program, which the company says is designed to bring together sustainable operations and environmental initiatives, community giving and volunteerism. Each year, the Echo program grants more than $6 million to non-profit organizations in the communities where its mountain resorts are located.

"The resort towns where we operate our world-class mountains are a critical partner in our company's success and we are committed to supporting programs that build bright futures for our kids and protect the environment that surround these communities," said Rob Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Vail Resorts. "In Park City, we are thrilled to partner with organizations that align with our core values, and make this community so special for our employees, our guests and everyone who calls this place home."

Recipients include the Park City Community Foundation that will receive a $25,000 challenge grant to support its Women's Fund; the Park City Education Foundation; the Youth Sports Alliance; People's Health Clinic; Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter; Summit Land Conservancy; Recycle Utah; Mountain Trails Foundation; Park City Institute and the Kimball Art Center.

Vail Resorts Echo will open a second application cycle starting Thursday that will be focused on smaller cash grants and in-kind donations.

Park City Mountain Resort Benefit Days lift tickets are available at the resort, Park City Museum and select retail locations in Park City and Salt Lake City. They must be purchased in person and are limited to a maximum of four per person.

Proceeds will benefit the Park City Museum, which is located on Main Street and is dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting Park City's history and heritage.

"We've shared a close connection with the Park City community for 50 years and Benefit Days is a special way for us to give pack," said Jenni Smith, president and general manager of Park City Mountain Resort. "As we reflect on the last half century and celebrate our Golden Anniversary, the Park City Museum with its mission of preserving Park City's rich history is the perfect beneficiary this year."

The museum's next exhibit opens Nov. 22 and runs through May of 2014. It is called Mines to Moguls, and explores the resort's history from its opening in 1963 to its subsequent expansion, its development as a world-class racing venue, the introduction of snowboarding and its turn as the world's hosts during the 2002 Winter Games.

wharton@sltrib.com

Twitter: @tribtomwharton