Summit County is bursting with artisans and handcrafted goods, as well as activities for the DIY-er. Here are a few ways to appreciate and expand your creativity while exploring an artistic mountain community.

Skiing with Soul

Park City is home to two resorts and is definitely a ski town. It’s also home to Soul Poles, an organization that creates customizable bamboo ski poles and walking sticks with environmentally-friendly methods. By embracing handcrafted manufacturing, Soul Poles provides quality eco-friendly products- made locally.

Soul Poles was founded on the belief that the ski slopes need to be protected. If businesses don’t practice sustainability, climate change threatens the very weather that makes skiing possible.

Local Legends: Soul Poles was created by Bryon Friedman and Erik Schlopy, former U.S. Ski Team racers competing at the World Cup and Olympic level. Support local business and create something unique at soulpoles.com

Busy Builders

If you’ve got younger tourists with you, head to the Summit County Library Park City or Kamas branches. Every Friday, they host LEGO Club, where they provide the LEGOS and you can go and build! This is a great opportunity for free play and a chance to design something together. Duplos are available for younger builders and master architects can play with IKOS toys. On the last Friday of the month, the Park City location adds LittleBits STEM invention toys to the playroom!

LEGO Club takes place at 2 pm on Fridays. Libraries are located at 1255 Park Ave., Park City and 110 N. Main St., Kamas.

Off the beaten path: Continue your library love with Tech Tuesdays at the Kamas branch. You can learn how to design and create 3D objects at the 3D Printing, drop-in session from 3:30 – 5 pm. Parental permission is required to sign up to use the software.

Go for glass

Create a truly one-of-a-kind piece and release your creativity at Red Flower Studios in Park City. At this creative hot shop, you work with an experienced artisan to design and create a piece of handmade glass. With their help, you’ll color and shape a piece of molten glass into a unique piece of art. Use your trip to learn a new skill and create something beautiful.

Brush up on your blooms

Flowers By You is a do-it-yourself floral and terrarium bar in Park City. The shop offers plants and materials priced by the stem so you can create your own arrangement to keep or gift. Besides bouquets, you can design your own terrarium full of varieties of succulents, different colors of sand, and the container of your choice. The staff is there to assist or take the reigns if you prefer to just give your preferences rather than do it solo.

You can schedule a party or a class at Flowers by You for a craft night, gift-making event or family activity. Call the shop at (435) 640-8968 to schedule your floral adventure. Flowers By You is open 2pm to 7pm daily.

Chocolate, please

Tandem Chocolates is a handcrafted artisan chocolate shop in Park City. They create signature chocolates for weddings, parties and events. The founder and owner, Phyllis Robinson, is a certified Master Chocolatier with a passion for the art and science of chocolate.

 Phyllis offers workshops and classes in truffle-making and other confections and hosts private chocolate-themed events. Attend a class or party on your winter adventure and add some decadence to your trip. To schedule your event, call Phyllis at (435) 658-1044.

HIGH ALTITUDE ART

A stunning collection of handcrafted gifts and artwork by local artists and artisans were shown at Art Elevated. Art Elevated ran from December 14-16, but no fret if you missed it- most of the artists sell their artwork at local shops and galleries throughout town.

LOCALLY MADE BRANDS

This organization and event focused on local makers who have created an actual product from their ideas. BRANDed PC is a gallery and spotlight on local creative talent that ran December 18-22. Support the creative sector and local brands by seeing what’s new in development around town. To learn more about the makers, visit https://www.brandedpc.org/meet-the-makers-2018.

TIS THE SEASON TO BE SILLY

The Park Silly Holiday Bazaar was an indoor market full of holiday cheer. At this family-friendly event, artisan vendors sell everything from lotions to handmade boots to original art. If you missed it this year, please join us next year!

Gingerbread World

Gingerbread houses are a holiday classic, but Montage Deer Valley and Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley take their cookie creations to the next level. During the holidays, they showcase a giant gingerbread creation, complete with frosting and candy decorations. These intricate creations involve hundreds of pounds of sugar and weeks to months of building. Talk about a holiday treat!

IF YOU DECIDE TO STAY

In addition to getting the guaranteed lowest rates, booking your lodging here is another way to help sustain art in our local community. A portion of your booking goes back to the Park City Summit County Arts Council.

EXPLORE ART ADVENTURES

IN PARK CITY & SUMMIT COUNTY

While we’re well-known as a mecca for mountain recreation, there are boundless opportunities to enjoy art, music, film, theater and other cultural events in Park City and Summit County.