Sundance Like a Pro

Posted by Heather Peterson on Wednesday, January 1st, 2020 at 7:06pm.

Park City’s busy holiday season is behind us, but the next storm is brewing – the Sundance Film Festival! From January 23-February 2, our charming ski town becomes Tinseltown. Independent filmmakers, celebrities, producers, film execs and media from around the world will descend upon Park City for what has become one of the top global film festivals. There are many ways for locals and visitors to “cope” with the festival and enjoy it! Others may choose to avoid it all together. Whatever your preference, Sundance is a uniquely unforgettable time to enjoy Park City. Here are some tips for making the most of it:

1)    CATCH A FILM

Ticket packages for the 2020 Sundance Film Festival may be sold out, but there are still ways to see films. Going to a Sundance film is not at all like catching a movie at your local theater. The energy is electrifying, you can vote on films in competition, and the best part: the filmmaker and cast Q&A with the audience that typically follows each screening. Express passes ($4,000 for the first half of the festival, $3,500 for the second half) are still available. These include privileges like access to screenings at all theaters, priority entrance so you can get a great seat, a ticket to the awards party, and more. There are also passes on sale for Eccles Theater screenings only ($3,000 first half, $2,000 second half). A limited number of tickets are released daily during the festival for screenings. These are $25 and can be purchased at any of the Festival Box Offices. eWaitlist tickets is a fantastic option as well. If there’s a film you’d like to see, you can join the online waitlist and que electronically for a last minute ticket.

You must register online for the eWaitlist feature. For more info about film tickets, click here

The last day of the festival features the award winning films being screened at various venues. Since most visitors have left by this time or have seen the winners screen on previous days, your chances for getting into films on February 2 are extremely good.

The selected films have been announced, and you can read about them online.

2)    SKI OR SNOWBOARD

There is something about Sundance that entices Mother Nature to dump snow on Park City. We often have some of the best ski conditions of the season during the festival. And as locals know, the town is full, but the slopes at Deer Valley and Park City Mountain are empty. The secret may be getting out a bit as it’s not uncommon to come across visitors and second homeowners who are in town just to ski end enjoy the uncrowded resorts.

3)    STARGAZE

While there are many private parties, particularly during the first few days of the festival, there is no shortage of opportunities to spot celebrities out and about in Park City. You’ll see them strolling on Main Street, dining in restaurants, and enjoying drinks at some of the hotel bars and lounges, especially St. Regis Deer Valley, Stein Eriksen Lodge, Montage Deer Valley, and Hotel Park City. Make your dinner reservations now! The fact that many venues close for private parties and the sheer numbers of people mean that restaurants fill up fast. The Sundance Film Festival is arguably the best time for people watching in Park City.

4)    RIDE THE BUS – IT’S FREE AND FUN!

There is no parking at festival venues, and traffic is at its worst! You can’t fight the crowds, so join them on the buses. Not only are the busses plentiful, convenient, and free, but they are a fun “vehicle” to meet people from all over the world and enjoy some super people watching. 

Welcome Sundance Film Festival 2020! We are excited to see what you have in store.

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