Your Ticket to the Outdoors
Exploring Historic Park City with White Pine
Winter 2020/2021
Written By: Ted Scheffler | Images: Courtesy Eric Schramm and Mike Shirf/ White Pine Touring
Drive into Park City via Highway 224 and you’ll be treated to sprawling views of the iconic McPolin Farm, a 160-acre farm purchased by the citizens of Park City in 1990 to help maintain open space and enhance the entry corridor of the town. Depending on the weather and snow conditions, you are likely to see cross-country skiers gliding along in this open space, enjoying the network of Nordic trails that surround the McPolin Farm.
These trails are part of the White Pine Nordic Center, which is based in the heart of Park City on Thaynes Canyon Drive.
Whether you’re just starting out on cross-country skis or are an expert Nordic skier, you’ll be in good hands at White Pine Nordic Center, which is staffed with ski technicians, ski instructors, and ski guides who, according to the folks at White Pine, “skate or classic ski daily and most do a little of both.” White Pine has been a fixture in Park City since 1972, offering outdoor equipment for rental and purchase, as well as instruction and tours. The outdoor retailer specializes in cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, fat biking and snowshoeing in the winter and mountain biking and rock climbing in the warmer months. They offer lessons and instruction utilizing 450 miles of trails in Park City and the Uinta Mountains.
The White Pine Nordic Center trail network is exclusively for cross-country skiers and home to Park City’s only groomed Nordic track. The terrain includes more than 20 kilometers of groomed classic and skate terrain. There are three track options available, depending on your level of expertise — the 3K loop is great for beginners or those looking for a warm-up, while the 5K loop is more challenging and has more hills. For a serious workout and steeper climbs, give the 10K loop a try.
For those looking to head into the backcountry this winter, White Pine Touring offers an AIARE 1 avalanche course that provides a solid foundation in route finding, rescue techniques, backcountry decision making, and everything else you need to know to safely enjoy backcountry travel. The course
is taught in partnership with Park City Powder Cats, Park City Peaks Snowmobiling (formerly Thousand Peaks), and the U.S. Forest Service.
For those looking for an adventure that’s a bit less daring, White Pine Touring can tailor a local snowshoeing tour to fit your specific needs and abilities.
No matter what sort of winter adventure you have in mind, White Pine’s slogan rings true: they’re “your ticket into the outdoors.”
