Get to know Jans General Manager, Jack Walzer, in this issue of Small Town Stories from the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau. Jack has been the GM of Jans for 25 years; he’s passionate about skiing, biking, and fly fishing, and he also plays in a local band. The blog explains how Jack fosters a culture of expertise and enthusiasm around the sports we support at Jans.

Jans has long been a cornerstone of Park City's outdoor community, and we continue to build on our more than 40-year-old legacy. Much has changed in the ski and bike industries in that time—and Park City has changed, too. One thing that hasn't changed is the level of service and expertise customers find at Jans. The Jans leadership team talks more about our philosophy and what makes our shop different with Park City Style magazine.

Between airfare, lodging, and lift tickets, the cost of a ski vacation can add up in a hurry. This comprehensive guide breaks down how you can save a little extra money on your next trip to Utah — whether that be by buying lift tickets in advance or making good use of our public transit system. The author highlights Jans on Park Ave as a good option for renting ski clothes if you need warm and waterproof outerwear during your Park City ski vacation.

You may know Park City as a world class skiing destination, but did you know that it’s also the first-ever Gold Level Ride Center by the International Mountain Biking Association? Jans Mountain Experts and White Pine Touring Guides Scott House and Weston Deutschlander showed the Big Life Magazine crew just why Park City received this illustrious distinction.

Rich with history, Park City shows off its many personalities. Reinventing itself from a silver mining town to an Olympic powerhouse in all its skiing glory, Park City was also named the first-ever International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) Gold-Level Ride Center, with over 450 miles of trails. What makes it a Gold Level riding destination? More goes into it than you think. This article explains what earned Park City a score of 96 out of 100, showing once again why we love living here.

Featuring one of our own, this article highlights Scott House, Jans Communication Director and White Pine Touring guide. Scott discusses the challenges of guiding, both up the mountain, while mountain biking and down the mountain, while skiing. His experience shows the value of hard work and dedication. Finding a balance in life can be hard, but Scott shows how it’s done each and every day.

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Describing a day in the life of a mountain bike visitor to Park City, this article explains how to make your bike vacation a reality. Beginning with the anticipation of being a newbie on the trail, to the techniques learned from riding with a personal guide from White Pine Touring, and even listing great dining destinations, this is an article that has it all.

Starting with a tongue and cheek reference to whether or not you can actually get a beer in Utah, this article shares a bit of Park City’s history before discussing specific mountain biking trails in the Wasatch Mountains. The author discusses the importance of guided bike tours through White Pine Touring and goes into detail about the Mid Mountain Loop, Strawberry Narrows and the Wasatch Crest trails. He even espouses the virtues of Park City’s free bus service which can be used for shuttle laps when you’re not in the mood to climb.

Despite being known for skiing and the Sundance Film Festival, Park City has even more to offer those seeking something other than the obvious. This article describes the town’s dining options that will make any foodie salivate, while providing a hotel recommendation for even the most discerning traveler. But the suggestions for not-so-mainstream things to do, such as fat biking with White Pine Touring, dog sledding and historic ghost tours are what really sets this article apart.

Discussing the rise of fat biking as an alternative to traditional winter sports, and one that requires much less snow, the author explains what it is, the best locations to ride and even gives suggestions on which type of bike to purchase. With a number of insightful quotes from Jans Communication Director, Scott House, this article will turn even the most cynical readers into enthusiastic snow bikers.

As its title implies, this article shows you how to enjoy the lesser known, but equally engaging attributes of Park City. From shopping on Main Street to snowshoe and fat bike tours with White Pine Touring, the author demonstrates that there is more to this mountain town than just shredding and films. She even gives insider tips on where to eat, drink and stay.

Fat biking in Park City is all the rage and this article names the locale as one of the best places to ride in the winter. With a shout-out to White Pine Touring’s guide services and a nod to Round Valley’s sprawling, free and regularly groomed fat bike trails, the author shows how and why Park City’s designation is well deserved.

With winter in full force, many mountain bikers are missing their time on the trails. This article discusses the growing popularity of fat bikes, with four-inch tires versus the standard two-inch versions, which are ideal for riding on snow. And since Park City is an IMBA Gold Level Ride Center, there is no shortage of trails for the bike obsessed to get their winter fix or for visitors looking for an alternative to skiing or snowboarding.

Park City is often viewed as a resort town that caters to primarily to the upper crust. Not just in terms of the skiing, but also with pricey accommodations and a restaurant scene that seems to appeal to die-hard foodies. But the local scene here is strong, and there are deals to be had. This article provides authentic insider tips so you can play – and stay – like you live here.

With Park City being named a Gold-Level Ride Center by the International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA), riders are flocking to this epic playground. But with over 450 miles of single track to explore, the choices can seem daunting at first. This article celebrates some of the standouts, at each of the resorts in town, along with some that are off the beaten path. You’ll be inspired to grease your chain and explore a trail you may not have discovered otherwise.

The praises of Park City as a mountain biking mecca are sung in this article by Ryan Dunfee, with a visceral telling of what it's like to interface with the town's vast bike trail system, supported by convenient access and free bus rides. Trail recommendations pepper the article, along with access tips and some insider info from Jans’ Expert Scott House. Whether or not our fair city is really the "Disneyland of the American mountain bike world," will be up to you to decide.

Even though Park City is best known for three world-class ski resorts, it happens to be a great Nordic skiing destination as well. This article highlights Patrick Coffey, director of our White Pine Nordic Center, his enthusiasm for cross country skiing and the various classes and tours offered at the Nordic Center. There’s something for everyone – from novice skate and classic skiers looking to get exposed to the sport to intermediate and advanced Nordic skiers who want to further hone their skills with Expert instructors on over 20 kilometers of dedicated, groomed Nordic track. Those looking to explore the solitude of the woods can book a Nordic tour or custom snowshoe tour to the Uinta mountains just 45 minutes out of town, but a world away.

Believe it or not, everyone who visits Park City in the winter doesn’t necessarily love to ski. Snowshoeing is a great alternative to get outside and explore the mountains in a less technical and less demanding way. This article, written exclusively for Snowshoe Magazine, discusses not only where and how to snowshoe in Park City, but also the experience of staying at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria hotel. Led by White Pine Touring Guide, Victoria Ritzinger, the author enjoys an exhilarating snowshoe tour up the easily accessible Rob’s Trail and shares insights about guided snowshoe tours to the Uinta Mountains and fireside dining at Deer Valley Resort.

Using a clever reference to Park City’s mining heritage, this article discusses how the town’s bike culture has contributed to a trail system that crisscrosses both public and private land, a city government that prides itself on open space preservation and the “garage as your trailhead” mantra that Parkites embrace. Not even an early season snow storm could derail Scott House, Jans’ communications director and mountain bike guide, from giving this journalist a true taste of mountain biking in Park City. From cruising down Main Street, to hopping on trails just outside of town and experiencing lift-accessed mountain biking to ride all the way from Park City Mountain Resort to the Canyons, the author describes not only the interconnectedness of Park City’s 400+ miles of trails, but how accessibility is the key.

An outsider’s view of what Jans is, what it does and why. This article includes a bit of the company’s history and the philosophy created by Jan Peterson himself – “Treat people as if you’re welcoming them into your home.” From the early days as just a ski shop to expansion into fly fishing and biking, Jans has been a community partner, and was even instrumental in getting Park City classified as IMBA’s first ever Gold Level Ride Center. Don’t miss the expert tips for fly fishing, snowshoeing, backcountry touring, Nordic and alpine skiing.

What exactly is the magic bullet that put Park City on the map as the first IMBA Gold Level Ride Center? This article, from a self-professed cynic, details how Park City's 400+ miles of interconnected singletrack, some hand-cut and some machined, are the real deal. From the iconic Wasatch Crest ride and the Mid Mountain Trail to downhill biking at Canyons resort, element.ly details how Park City trails are a mix of challenging ascents, flowy descents and everything in between. Trailside Bike Park is even on the itinerary led by Scott House, Jans’ communication director and occasional mountain bike guide. This particular stop left the author green with envy due to its numerous features that give riders the chance to hone their mountain biking skills.

This photo epic, captioned by a true local, visualizes fall in Park City, albeit with an unexpected snowfall – in September. Riders decked out in ski gear, complete with goggles, shred through yellow and green aspen groves and past orange scrub oak, all while tearing up snow-covered trails. The author gives some background on the growth of the Park City trail system. The article also praises Jans Communication Director Scott House, for choosing the best trail option given the wet, early winter conditions – the infamous Pinecone Ridge Trail.

Showcasing jans.com Photo Editor Ross Downard’s iconic action shots, this article is a comprehensive how-to for mountain biking in Park City. Espousing the benefits of Park City’s free bus system, which can be used as a point of access to hitting the trails or even avoiding certain climbs, the writer gives suggestions for everything from breakfast, lunch, and dinner spots to trail options and even how to get a drink in this Utah town. A local tips section at the end of the article calls out our White Pine Touring location as the local bike shop to visit for rentals, gear, bike tunes, and more.