Salt Lake City is Official U.S. Bid City for 2030 Olympics

Last year closed with a huge announcement for Utah with the U.S. Olympic Committee choosing Salt Lake City over Denver as the official U.S. bid city to host the 2030 Olympic Winter Games. And Utahns seem to be thrilled about the prospect of once again welcoming the world just 28 years after the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games! Home to the Greatest Snow on Earth, Utah is poised to be a contender for the 2026 (to be in the running for 2030, the USOC must enter the bid for 2026) and 2030 games.

A recent poll posted on the Salt Lake Tribune on Feb.7, 2018 indicated the majority were on board for hosting another Olympics.

Q: Do you support or oppose Salt Lake City seeking to host the 2030 Winter Olympic Games?

51% strongly support
32% somewhat support
Source: Dan Jones & Associates talked to 803 registered Utah voters from Jan. 15 to 18. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points.

With top tier infrastructure already in place from the 2002 games, Utah is in an enviable position to host the games for less money than other cities with existing venues. Officials have said the cost will likely be $1.2-1.6 billion.

Real estate values in Park City increased significantly leading up to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, and Park City saw many exciting changes when it came to lodging, new developments, ski resort improvements, and general infrastructure. The Olympics put Park City on the global map as a world-class destination for skiers and snowboarders, and visitation has grown dramatically ever since.

The energy during the Games was magical. Historic Main Street was closed to vehicular traffic for pedestrian use only. Crowds gathered nightly for celebrations. And who could forget the enormous line outside Roots to buy the official beret worn by the American athletes? Deer Valley Resort, Park City Mountain Resort, and the Utah Olympic Park were outstanding venues to host events like ski jumping, aerials, snowboarding, bobsled, and many more. If Salt Lake City once again receives the bid, we will be watching closely to see what other improvements may be in store and how the housing market will react.

Park City has improved many of the existing venues and continues to host international events. The Freestyle World Championships will be held at Deer Valley Resort in February as well as the IBSF Skeleton Intercontinental cup this month at the Utah Olympic Park.

Don’t miss the IBSF Skeleton Intercontinental Cup, which takes place right before the Sundance Film Festival. It is open to the public and features the best young skeleton athletes from around the world. Sliding events are free for spectators. 

Friday, January 18
Noon | Men’s and Women’s Skeleton

Saturday, January 19
Noon | Men’s and Women’s Skeleton

Utah Olympic Park
3419 Olympic Parkway