According to BETTER and NBC News Utah is one of the least stressed sates in the country in their recent article The least stressed states in the U.S. Here's what they do differently.Work-life balance, low unemployment, fewer money worries and access to Mother Nature are all part of what makes these states the least stressed in America. In Utah, there’s an outdoor recreational activity available nearly every month of the year.
We all have stress in our life, and managing it is one of the most important aspects of taking care of yourself, but as a new report by WalletHub emphasizes, stress isn’t just a personal issue — it’s a geographic one, too. The top three least-stressed states, were Minnesota, Utah and Massachusetts, which fared much better than others when it comes to stress related to money, health and family life. The top three most-stressed states were Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.
Utah takes work/life balance to the max - Utah has the lowest number of average hours worked per week — but make no mistake, this is hardly a slacker state, and employment is on the rise. As of January, job growth was up by 3.9 percent — more than a percentage point higher than the national 1.9 percent growth rate. The unemployment rate was also better than the national average — at 3.1 versus 4.0.
“We believe in working hard and playing hard,” Val Hale, executive director of the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Development told NBC News BETTER in an email. “We leave the workplace and volunteer in our communities and churches. We keep our priorities straight and spend our time doing other important things besides work. We also enjoy a state where Mother Nature played favorites — and there’s an outdoor recreational activity available nearly every month of the year.” Hale adds that many companies incorporate outdoor activities into their conferences and business meetings, a way of “truly [integrating] their personal and professional lives.”
Your Utahan boss appreciates that you have a family to get home to - Balancing work and family can be stressful — but generally not in Utah. “Utahns don’t sell their soul to the workplace, says Hale. “There is a strong focus on family. In business, most activities occur during the day rather than at night. People respect evening family time in Utah. Many companies in the state have created workplace cultures that prioritize flexibility and support.”
Student debt is lighter in Utah, and tech jobs are booming - Hale notes that Utah was recently ranked number 1 in the best states to raise a family, “in part, because of low college tuition,” he says. “We’re the only state with an average student debt of less than $20,000.” Not only is the burden of student debt less heavy in Utah, profitable tech jobs are in abundance, so there’s an incentive to stay in the Beehive State after graduation.
“Utah has seen a boom in high-paying tech jobs during the last decade,” says Hale. “Utah’s tech industry accounts for 302,000 Utah jobs and one in every seven dollars of GDP in the state. Silicon Slopes has become an enviable destination. Companies like Adobe, eBay, and others have opened offices in the state. Many companies are starting to be founded here, and companies that have an HQ in another state are expanding their organizations to Utah because of our affordable cost of living and talent pipeline.”
This spring, don’t forget to check out the incredible art galleries and Why We Love the Galleries Galore on Main Street by Park City Magazine. Almost two dozen galleries lend a colorful vibe to Park City’s literal and figurative heart. It is a rare—and beautiful—thing for so many galleries to set up shop within a half mile of one another, as is the case on Park City’s Main Street. Here we present an overview of this historic thoroughfare’s art purveyors, highlighting a few of our faves. For a more festive tour, come out during the Park City Gallery Association’s Gallery Stroll, held on the last Friday of every month, 6 to 9 p.m.
Housed in what was once a 19th-century bank, the brightly lit Meyer Gallery (305 Main St, 435.649.8160) features homegrown Utah artists including Brian Kershisnik and Jeffery Pugh. Owner Susan Meyer, whose parents opened the gallery in 1965, says that giving clientele a taste of Mountain West art makes the gallery relevant. And running an art business with integrity is what has made her business thrive over the years. “It is not uncommon for art dealers to overcharge or mislead customers about the value or provenance of artworks,” Meyer says. “If clients are treated respectfully and honestly, they will come back.”
Maren Mullin, owner of Gallery MAR (436 Main St, 435.649.3001), was just 25 when she launched her namesake gallery. A decade later, some of her early discoveries have evolved from emerging to established—including encaustic artist and Park City resident Bridgette Meinhold and Salt Lake City–based painter Aaron Memmott. No longer the youngest entrepreneur on the block, Mullin says she’s still “constantly learning” in a business that’s rarely black and white. “We never take ourselves too seriously, and we do what’s in our artists’ best interests,” she says. “I work with great artists and staff —that’s the real special sauce.”
“One opportunity led to another opportunity that led to another opportunity,” says Colby Larsen, who owns four galleries on Main Street, each occupying its own niche and catering to a specific kind of patron. It started with the contemporary Old Towne Gallery (580 Main St, 435.655.3910), where a Miro and a Warhol hang. Park City Fine Art (558 Main St, 435.649.3583) is a traditional-meets-contemporary Western art gallery. Pando (444 Main St, 435.602.1096) branches into the nature-inspired realm with everything from 50-million-year-old fossils to landscape paintings. Finally, Prospect Gallery (573 Main St, 435.714.0508) fills the timber-hewn Claim Jumper space with blue chip–level pieces from artists like Ashley Collins and Chagall.
The colorful, contemporary art inside the cheery Terzian Galleries (625 Main St, 435.649.4927) reflects owner Karen Terzian’s self-described eclectic taste—from Melissa Chandon’s vivid, 1950s-inspired landscapes to Sara Shepherd Edgar’s humorous, monochromatic depictions of everyday people. “I like so many different types of art, so I curate that way,” Terzian says. But her choices go beyond simply liking an artist’s work at first blush. She researches with an eye for passion, work ethic, and focus. “I want artists to show me they’re dedicated and serious,” she says.
Sad the ski resorts are now closed and missing those blissful turns on the mountain? Here are the Pass comparison for 2019-2020: Ikon, Epic, or Mountain Collective? Already on sale for next season, the multi-resort passes continue to evolve. Here, we lay out the options for locking in next year’s powder access.
Epic Pass - While there is certainly more competition these days, Vail Resorts is holding its own through a combination of resort acquisitions and partnerships and a dizzying array of pass options tailored to every type of visitor and length of stay, hence the name “Epic for Everyone.” The premise being to give guests the flexibility to choose where, when and how frequently they want to ski or ride. Of course, with Park City Mountain in our backyard, the choice to pick up an Epic Pass remains a no-brainer for many locals, regardless of whether or not they’ll be able to take advantage of more than a fraction of the numerous benefits.
Priced at $939 ($489 for children ages 5-12), the full Epic Pass grants you unlimited, unrestricted access to properties owned by Vail, including Park City Mountain, Whistler Blackcomb, Vail, Breckenridge, Northstar, Heavenly, and Keystone, plus access to dozens of other partnering locations including seven days each at Telluride, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, and resorts in the Canadian Rockies? five consecutive days in each at Hakuba Valley’s ten ski resorts and Rusutsu Resort in Japan? and limited access to Les 3 Vallées, Paradiski, and Tignes Val d’Isère in France? Les 4 Vallées in Switzerland? Arlberg in Austria and Skirama Dolomiti in Italy.
Epic Local Pass - Those willing to navigate around a few peak periods can take advantage of many of the same benefits and a couple hundred dollar discount with the Epic Local Pass, priced at $699 ($569 teens, $369 children ages 5-12). Epic Local Pass holders still get unlimited, unrestricted access to Breckenridge, Keystone, Crested Butte, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Stevens Pass, Wilmot, Afton Alps, and Mt. Brighton and unlimited access (blackout days apply) to Park City, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, and Stowe. You can also take 10 days combined (blackout dates apply) at Vail, Beaver Creek, and Whistler Blackcomb? two days (blackout days apply) at Sun Valley and Snowbasin? and five total consecutive days with no blackout dates at Hakuba Valley’s ten ski resorts in Japan and five total consecutive days with no blackout dates at Rusutsu Resort.
For a limited time, you can guarantee yourself the lowest price on both the Epic and Epic Local Pass by making a $49 down payment (remainder due September 15). Anyone who purchases their pass by April 14, will also receive 10 buddy tickets.
Epic Pass Destinations - Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler Blackcomb (Canada), Breckenridge, Park City, Keystone, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, Stowe, Wilmot, Afton Alps, Brighton, Okemo, Mount Sunapee, Crested Butte, Stevens Pass, Telluride, Sun Valley, Snowbasin, Canada’s Fernie Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Nakiska, Mont Sainte Anne, Stoneham, Japan’s Hakuba Valley’s ten ski resorts and Rusutsu, three Australian resorts in 2020: Perisher, Falls Creek, and Hotham. Plus, access to 30 European resorts.
Ikon Pass - Ikon Pass, which includes Deer Valley Resort in its growing collection of destinations, adds spring skiing access to its pass benefits. The new kid on the block, the Ikon Pass is storming into its second season with 38 global destinations to choose from. Hoping to entice new and old Ikon Pass holders, they’re offering a $30 discount for renewals, a child pass promotion, and access to spring skiing.
The Ikon Pass, $949 for adults ($699 young adults ages 13-22, $299 children ages 5-12), offers unlimited access to 14 resorts, plus seven days and seven days combined at 23 resorts with no blackout dates. So far, five Utah resorts, Deer Valley, Solitude Mountain, Alta, Snowbird, and Brighton, have joined the Ikon fold. As of now, that means unlimited time at Solitude, seven days each at Deer Valley and Brighton, and seven days combined at Alta and Snowbird.
Ikon Base Pass - The more economical Ikon Base Pass, clocking in at $649 ($499 young adults, $259 children) offers access to all the same locations. The only real difference is Ikon Base Passes are subject to holiday blackout dates and receive five days each at Deer Valley and Brighton, and five days combined at Alta and Snowbird. (Blackout dates are Dec. 26-31, 2019, Jan. 18-19, Feb. 15-16, 2020? Thredbo July 4-19, 2020? No blackout dates at Valle Nevado, Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, and Mt Hutt).
If you’re interested in taking advantage of the high snowfall into spring and summer, joining the Ikon family could be to your ticket. New 19/20 Ikon Pass and Ikon Base Pass holders will be granted unlimited spring skiing at Big Bear, Snowshoe, and Blue Mountain immediately upon purchase and, starting April 8, at Winter Park, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Mammoth Mountain, Crystal Mountain, Solitude, and Tremblant.
Now through April 24, 2019 parents can take advantage of the child pass promotion, which allows the purchase of up to two discounted child passes for $199 each with the purchase of an adult Ikon Pass or $159/each with and adult Ikon Base Pass.
Deer Valley Resort Season Pass - If you’re one of many skiers loyal to Deer Valley and you plan on cruising the groomers there more often than not, the Deer Valley full adult season pass is a great option. It may be a whopping $2,365 (price increases Oct. 17, 2019), but with it you’ll get: a complimentary Ikon Base Pass; 10 days of skiing discounts for friends and family; 15% off resort owned and operated dining and retail year-round; the Wasatch Benefit Program: one complimentary day ticket at Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, and Solitude; and one scenic lift ride per day for summer 2019. You can find more information for Deer Valley’s wide range of season pass options at here.
Mountain Collective - Created with the destination skier or rider in mind, the Mountain Collective pass offers two days at 16 resorts (no blackout dates), a bonus third at one location, and 50% off additional day tickets for the unbeatable low price of $449 ($99 for kids 12 and under) while supplies last. Even without unlimited resort days, it’s a pretty sweet deal, especially for area locals who can make their money back with the allotted four days at Alta and Snowbird.
If you’re the person who plans to ski at home most of the season or take one week-long trip, this pass might not be for you. However, for skiers and snowboarders who have the time to take short trips and want to hit epic terrain in a variety of locales, including the increasingly trendy and ever-enviable “Ja-pow,” the Mountain Collective offers enough vertical feet to keep you busy year-round.
Mountain Collective Destinations - Alta Ski Area, Aspen Snowmass, Banff Sunshine (Canada), Big Sky Resort, Coronet Peak + The Remarkables (New Zealand), Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Lake Louise (Canada), Mammoth Mountain, Niseko United (Japan), Revelstoke Mountain Resort (Canada), Snowbird, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows, Sugarbush Resort, Taos Ski Valley, Thredbo Alpine Village (Australia), Valle Nevado (Chile)
Here’s hoping for a repeat of this season’s snowfall in 2019-2020!
Great article.