Alright, history buffs, it’s time to wax your boards and skis! When Thaynes Lift opens for the season, a guided Silver to Slopes Historic Mountain Tour will meet daily at 10:00am in the Park City Mountain Village and 1:00pm near the Trail Map near the top of Bonanza Express chairlift and allow intermediate-level skiers and boarders to uncover the mountain’s hidden gems.
If you have visited Park City Mountain before, there is no doubt you have already seen many of these artifacts scattered about the mountain. Park City’s mining history began when silver was first discovered in the 1860s. Word spread quickly and miners from around the world began settling the area.
About half of the mines are located within the boundaries of Park City Mountain. The most famous of which was the Silver King Mine. The large structure located next to the base of the Bonanza lift was once the headframe of the Silver King Mine, housing the hoist that reaches a 1,400 ft. depth into the mountain. That shaft connects to miles of tunnels below the slopes of Park City Mountain. Other notable structures include the Thaynes Mine hoist house and conveyor, the Jupiter Mine ore bin, the King Con Mine ore bin and counter wieght, and the California-Comstock Mine mill.
The Silver King Mine ceased operation in 1953 after years of hardship and the continued decline in the price of silver. The miner’s turned away from their mining history and began to explore other opportunities. Treasure Mountain was developed as a way to save the town and was opened in 1963. Treasure Mountain would become the Park City Mountain that we know and love today.
The remaining structures sit in various states of disrepair, but Park City Mountain and Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History has made it their mission to restore and preserve these structures for future generations to enjoy. Any amount goes towards the future of preserving Park City Mountain's unique mining history, but with a $1,000 donation you will join the Miner's Club and enjoy a day of first tracks at Park City Mountain for 2 people on March 1, 2018. Ski fresh corduroy or powder (if we're lucky) with Park City Mountain senior staff, followed by breakfast at Mid-Mountain Lodge (formerly Silver King Boarding House) to learn how that building was moved and preserved. Breakfast speakers will include:
- David Hampshire, Historian and primary advocate for preserving the historic building
- Phil Jones, former President and General Manager of Park City Resort and enabler of the project
- Allen Roberts, architect for the project
- Vince Donile, funder, mover, shaker and restaurant operator for 25 years
By: Grant Potter