A Guide to Utah Olympic Park Summer Activities

Utah Olympic Park is nestled in the stunning Wasatch Mountains near Park City, Utah. Originally constructed for the 2002 Winter Olympics, this world-class facility has since evolved into a hub for both recreational activities and Olympic training. Visitors can enjoy the olympic museum and also participate in bobsledding or other hands on activities year-round. While these venues will host a number of the 2034 Winter Olympic events, you can still enjoy the many recreational activities in both winter and summer. Here’s our guide to the Utah Olympic Park summer activities, from tours and museums to ski jumping and bobsledding.

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A Brief History

The Utah Olympic Park in Park City, Utah, was a focal point for the world’s top athletes during the 2002 Winter Olympics,, hosting the bobsled, skeleton, luge, ski jumping, and Nordic combined ski jumping events. The park’s state-of-the-art facilities were specifically designed to meet Olympic standards, setting the stage for record-breaking performances and unforgettable moments in winter sports history. Today, the venue is run by the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, providing an excellent training venue for athletes. In addition to the training opportunities, there are recreational opportunities open to visitors. Summer is a wonderful time to enjoy Utah Olympic Park’s many activities.

Will the Utah Olympic Park Host 2034 Winter Olympic Events?

The current plan is that the Utah Olympic Park will host the same events it did in the 2002 olympics (bobsled, luge, skeleton, ski jumping, and Nordic combined ski jumping). It will also host a few additional events, namely the freestyle ski cross and the snowboard parallel and snowboard cross.

The same sports facilities will be used to host the 2034 events, with minimal modifications. For example, the 120 meter ski jump will need to be extended to create a 150 meter ski jump. One potential benefit of the 2034 Winter Olympics is that it may drive improvements in the public transportation between Salt Lake City and the Park City area. The Salt Lake City light rail system is a result of the 2002 Olympics. The hope is that the 2034 Olympics will be the impetus to finally build a train from Salt Lake City to Park City. In the meantime, it is quite challenging to get to Park City via public transport.

Is It Worth Visiting the Utah Olympic Park in Summer?

Absolutely! Visiting the Utah Olympic Park is a must for anyone interested in Olympic history and outdoor activities, and it’s one of the top unique things to do while in Park City. The park has a unique blend of adrenaline activities like bobsledding and ski jumping and also exhibits such as the Olympic and Ski Museums. For people who would like to participate in hands on activities, it’s best to visit in summer or winter. Summer, with the ski jumping into the pool, is our favorite.

Is it worth visiting the Utah Olympic Park during those months when the summer & winter activities aren’t available? Yes, for those people who are most interested in seeing the museums. The Alf Engine Ski Museum has extensive memorabilia and an interactive ski jumping simulator, while the Eccles museum has 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic exhibits.

How Much Time is Needed to Visit Utah Olympic Park in Summer?

Between late May and late September, plan to spend a full day exploring Utah Olympic Park’s various summer attractions and activities, to fully appreciate all the park has to offer. Start with a morning hike or a bike ride through the scenic trails to enjoy the cooler temperatures. Afterward, take a park tour or test your courage on a bobsled ride. Take a break with a visit to the Olympic and Ski Museums to cool off and learn about the park’s rich Olympic heritage and try the ski jump simulator. Cap off your day with some fun on the alpine slide, extreme tubing or zip lines, or by watching a freestyle aerial show if available.

Utah Olympic Park Summer Activities

The Utah Olympic Park is open year round, though certain activities are only held seasonally. Free year-round activities include the Alf Engen Ski Museum, the Eccles Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games Museum, and the gift shop with memorabilia. There are several hiking and mountain bike trails to enjoy around the park for those who would like to walk to the top of the bobsled or ski jumps for photos. Additionally, you can often watch young athletes training on the freestyle jumps into the pool.

There is a seemingly endless array of activities to participate in during the summer, which runs from late May to late September. We’ve summarized the activities below, though it’s worth checking the website for availability of each activity for your dates.

See information on entry fees and passes below.

Taking the Olympic Park Tour

We really enjoyed taking the 1-hour guided tour, which provides a history of the Olympic Park and takes visitors past the ski ramping (into the pool), nordic ski jumps, and to the top of the bobsled run. You’re driven in a bus to the top of the bobsled, so no need to hike up if you take the tour. We’d highly recommend this even if you don’t have time to participate in the other activities. The tour guide was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the park, current training activities, and planning for the 2034 olympics. If there are a lot of questions, this may be a 1 hour 15 minute tour.

Summer Bobsledding

Take on the same tracks used by Olympic athletes in 2002, available for both professional training and public enjoyment. They are planning to use this same track for the upcoming 2034 Olympics. If you decide to try the bobsled, you’ll ride in recreational bobsleds reaching speeds up to 70 miles per hour over approximately a 1 minute ride. Before the ride, you’ll receive a safety briefing and are required to secure your helmets. A professional pilot guides each group. It’s an incredible experience! If you’d like to spectate before signing up (or spectate only), take the guided tour. They often synch up the tour so that you can watch the bobsledders start from the top of the track.

Note that guests must be 16 or over and at least 100 pounds. The summer bobsled experience is not included in the Gold Pass. It needs to be purchased separately and costs $100 per person (in 2025).

You can also bobsled in winter (typically November through mid-April). In winter, you start lower down on the track than in summer to ensure that speeds don’t get too fast. Otherwise the winter bobsled experience is much like what is described above under Summer Bobsledding.

Ski Jumping in Summer

There are a few ways to experience ski jumping at the Utah Olympic Park in the warmer months.

• Flying Ace Allstars Freestyle Show: on weekends starting in mid-June, watch some of the country’s best ski and snowboard aerialists perform jumps into the Spence Eccles Olympic Freestyle Pool. The show lasts about 1/2 an hour.
• Water Ramping Lessons: Sign up for a camp or individual lessons with Park City Ski and Snowboard to learn the basics of freestyle jumps into the pool.
• Water Ramping Spectating: If you visit during the week, you can watch whoever is out practicing on the ramps. These are often kids who are participating in summer camps, but it can be fun to watch.

Summer Gold Pass Activities

The Gold Pass activities can be bought as a package, with 3.5 hours to explore the activities. You can buy these individually if available. Prices vary depending on how far in advance you purchase the tickets. Check the Olympic Legacy Foundation’s site for prices for your dates, and try to purchase passes as far in advance as possible.

• Scenic Chairlift Rides: Take a scenic ride up or down (or roundtrip), enjoying the views over the valley.
• Alpine Slide: Glide down the mountain on a sleek track with curves and bends.
• Extreme Tubing: Experience the unique thrill of sliding down the ski jump landing hills on a tube, available both in summer and winter.
• Ziplining: Soar above the park and enjoy panoramic views on one of the exciting zipline tours.
• Discovery Course: A low ropes course designed especially for younger children or those not quite ready for high-flying adventures.
• Action Tower: Challenge yourself with climbing, free falling, and tightrope walking, all in one structure.
• Drop Tower: Feel the rush of a free fall from this 65-foot tower for a quick adrenaline fix.
• Canyon and Summit Ropes Courses: These courses offer varying levels of difficulty and provide a great way to build confidence and agility.
• Airbag Jumps: Practice your flips and jumps, landing safely on a giant airbag.

Planning Your Visit

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Utah Olympic Park?

There are many free activities throughout the year, including the 2 museums, the gift shop, and hiking and biking on the grounds. Opening hours and pricing for the other activities vary by date. Pricing typically gets more expensive the closer you get to your visit date. We encourage you to check the Olympic Legacy Foundation’s site for the latest details and reserve early.

Tips for Visitors

• Book Activities in Advance: Popular attractions like the bobsled experience and zipline often sell out quickly. Prices also tend to be lower the earlier you purchase the ticket.
• Dress Appropriately: Weather in the mountains can change rapidly; wearing layers is recommended.
• Stay Hydrated: At higher altitudes, it’s crucial to drink plenty of water to avoid altitude sickness.
• Use Sunscreen and Wear a Hat: There is very little shade when you’re outdoors at the park and you are at altitude, making it easier to burn. Nothing can spoil a blue-sky Utah day like a sunburn.

How to Get to Utah’s Olympic Park

By Car: Getting to Utah Olympic Park is straightforward, whether you’re coming from Salt Lake City or Park City. From Salt Lake City, it’s about a 30-minute drive via I-80 E. From Park City, the park is even closer; a quick 10-minute drive north on UT-224 will get you there. Both routes are well-marked and scenic.
We use and recommend Discover Cars for reserving car rentals.

There is currently no effective public transportation to take from Salt Lake City. We’ve heard that there may be public transportation added in advance of the 2034 Olympics, but it’s unfortunately not available today. Private transfers can also be arranged. Check availability below:

Day Tour from Salt Lake City to Park City and Utah Olympic Park

For those staying in Salt Lake City, who would like to visit Park City and the Olympic Park for the day, consider leaving the driving to someone else, taking the Park City and Olympic Heritage Tour.

Book your Park City and Olympic Heritage Excursion below:

Where to Stay When Visiting

One of the most luxurious unique places to stay when visiting Park City is at the St. Regis Deer Valley, located in Park City, the offers luxury accommodations with stunning mountain views and top-notch service. It’s a bit further from the crater but perfect for those who want to combine their visit with other activities. There are 3 restaurants on the property, fitness center and spa, pool, free bikes, and easy ski-on / ski-off access in the winter.

Check availability of the St. Regis Deer Valley on Booking.com!

To browse other lodging options in Park City, search below:

Utah Olympic Park Summer Activities Wrap-Up

By visiting the Utah Olympic Park, you’re not just stepping into a hub of Olympic history; you’re also experiencing a pioneering venue that exemplifies how large-scale sporting facilities can operate sustainably. More than 20 years after the 2002 Winter Olympics, all of the winter sports facilities are still in use. Whether you’re there to dive into the history of the Olympics or to participate in hands on activities, the Utah Olympic Park offers a unique way to spend a summer day. If you have time while in the Park City area, don’t miss a visit to Midway to visit the Soldier’s Hollow Olympic venue and to take a swim in the Homestead Crater.

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