Trip Tip: Go For the Gold

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to wear a tight waterproof suit, tuck in your arms, and fly down an icy tube at 80 mph? Or daydreamed about catching some air with two boards strapped to your feet? Or wear something sparkly while you twirl on ice? Well, lots of us will once we start watching the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver Feb. 12-28.

Even before the Olympic torch lights up the official flame atop its Canadian perch, you and the kids can experience some Olympic-style thrills by heading to Park City, Utah, the site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games (and 36 miles from the Salt Lake International Airport). With gold medals and highly skilled athletes still freshly imprinted in the powder of this scenic mountain escape, visitors can try out some of those Olympic sports at their own speed.

At the Park City ski resorts and surrounding attractions, find packages, lessons, programs and experiences in everything from the standard snowboarding and skiing to bobsledding and curling. For instance:

• The Canyons Resort features the Burton Learn to Ride program for ages 15 and up ($99 full day, with equipment).


• Slide down feet-first in the 2002 Olympic luge track at the Utah Olympic Park. Kids ages 9-13 can try the Single Session Beginner Youth Luge program and learn body position, how to control the sled and other tips ($50 per session, available through January). Also at the park riders ages 16 and older can climb aboard The Comet bobsled with an experienced "pilot" to woosh down a frozen track. The ride reaches speeds of up to 80 mph with some curves pulling 5Gs of force.


• Also at the Olympic Park, kids can catch some air at the VISA Learn to Ski Jump Camps (ages 6-11), a two-hour, one-day session that introduces young skiers to Nordic Jumping ($45 per session, offered once per month).


• Mom, are you ready to learn to Freestyle? Then check out the single-day freestyle snowboard lessons or the three-day Learn to Freestyle Camp ($495, 21 and older) at Park City Mountain Resort.

If you'd rather watch than ride, there are several pre-Games events leading up to the Winter Sports School's "Vancouver 2010 Night Before the Opening Ceremonies" party on Feb. 11 at Jupiter Bowl.

Then get ready to test your "medal."