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There's a wonderful place out West high in the Rocky Mountains where in the dead of winter you can find a beach to relax and no waiting in line to plop down on a ski chairlift. It's January in Park City, Utah and the powdery white slopes of Canyons, Deer Valley and Park City Mountain ski resorts are anything but crowded. In the distance, you can hear the clickity-clack of parallel skis pouncing against one another as a middle-aged man smoothly zigs and zags his way downward. Two children race beneath our chairlift and our outstretched skis and poles. They giggle in delight. All around lie the Wasatch Mountain Range, its peaks topped with snow and rocky sides partially shrouded in fir trees.

Even though we couldn't see it, 36 miles due west is Salt Lake City.

And then there's the "beach" a special mid-mountain enclave at Deer Valley where dozens of skiers stretch out on large chairs having removed their gloves and goggles to catch some rays. Everyone wisely avoids digging their toes into the snow. For a brief moment, the absence of crowds, people waiting in line, and hordes of speed crazy skiers barreling their way past us was puzzling. But then the light went on. It's Sundance Film Festival time in Park City. Everyone's in town watching the latest crop of new independent films or on the lookout for celebrities. There's no better time than the present to fulfill the thrill of skiing out West at some of the best resorts and slopes in the country.

In less than 50 years, Park City has literally grown out of the dust and cobwebs of a real Western ghost town to a premiere winter and summer destination. Colorado has its ritzy Aspen and Vail resorts where great skiing blends with a chic demeanor. Park City, too, has its fashionable characteristics, but it's also a growing community of genuine people, schools, churches and stores. It's likable and full of energy from sun up to well after sun down. Being bored is not an option.

To get to Park City from the Chicago area takes only about four to five hours. That span of time not only includes flight, but riding a shuttle on the Interstate highway from Salt Lake International Airport into the mountains to the east.

Park City is a town of 7,000 people situated about 8,000 feet above sea level. There's plenty of clean and comfortable lodges to choose from and a myriad of restaurants, bars, and shopping opportunities.

In winter, skiing and other cold weather sports is king. The three most popular skiing spots‹Deer Park, Park City Mountain and Canyons‹are located right along the main drag and within short distance of the always on the go downtown strip. Between the three resorts, skiers are like kids in a candy store. They have 9,000 acres of slopes to chose from, twice the size of Vail. Canyons is the biggest of the trio sporting three lodging properties, 17 lifts and 155 trails, some of which are for the more advanced.

Park City Mountain Resort, the favorite of the locals, features one of the best kids' skiing programs around along with 14 lifts and four high-speed six passenger chairs. Seventeen percent of its slopes are considered "easy" and 50% "intermediate".

Deer Valley Resort is considered the more "top end" of the three with great slope grooming, food offerings and valet parking. Ticket sales at Deer Valley is limited to 6,500 daily so no one gets that closed-in feeling. Single day ski rates hover in the neighborhood of around $70 to $80. High season, when the chance of getting a room is the hardest, is around Christmas, New Year's and Presidents Day in February.

A visit to Park City must include a short ride to Utah Olympic Park, site of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Unless you're of Olympian caliber, the park is mainly for viewing not only the state-of-the-art facilities, but at times athletes in training. There are daily guided tours that include visits to the top of the 90 and 120 kilometer ski jumps. There's also the luge track where athletes lying flat on their backs, zip downhill on a smooth sheet of ice blazing at speeds as fast as 95 mph. It's the fastest track of its kind in the world. Next to the luge track is the "skeleton" track where helmeted racers, hurling head first on a tiny sled, also on a sheet of ice, hit speeds of 80 to 85 mph.

Then there's the bobsled where the curious and adventuresome‹and in some instances kooky‹visitors and tourists can actually take a ride.

"This is not like an extreme roller coaster ride, a guide told our group of about 30 people as we received instruction on how to handle what turned out to be an unforgettable experience.

I'm not a roller coaster kind of guy, but, I thought, what the heck. This can't be that bad.

Clad in my thick winter jacket, gloves and a safety helmet that fit as tight as a drum, I wondered what the heck did I get myself into as I struggled to slip in the No. 4 man spot. A second earlier I was asked if I would mind sitting there. Naw, no problem, I said. Little did I know that whoever sits in that spot takes the brunt of G forces once the bobsled picks up speed. And boy, did it pick up speed‹especially on turn 4.

Fifty eight seconds felt like a flash. Zigging and zagging on 15 turns, our yellow bobsled fired its way like a rocket reaching 85 mph. I had no idea where we were on the course or whether we would live or die. What I did was hold on for dear life until the guy in the front pulled on the brake.

If roller coasters are your thing, and you can afford the 300 buck fee, passing up a chance to go on a bobsled ride would be a sin.

At night when the slopes sleep, downtown Park City awakens. Main Street is ground zero for fun with its 35 restaurants and 20 bars. Some of the watering holes bear names like "The Spur" and "Hungry Moose". Music can be heard everywhere. And throughout, galleries lure art lovers and comedy shops attract people who like to laugh, which seems like everyone.

Park City is also a great place to visit in the summer with its cool temperatures and 360 miles of hiking and biking trails. The dry climate keeps bugs away.

As for the Sundance Film Festival, finding a room during the two weeks of January when scores of independent films are showcased is tough. But once the 10,000 film-goers and movie stars leave, the town gets down to its real business of skiing and winter activities.

For more information about Park City, Utah, call 800-453-1360 or visit www.parkcityinfo.com.