Johnny Utah

I vividly remember watching Creed on TV close the Winter Olympics in the 2002 from Salt Lake City. I had missed my chance at a ski season while at Uni as was often in Thailand and soon found myself busy working summers on my project Rhythm and Vines, which continues to this day.

Creed closing Salt Lake City Olympics 2002

So when my Otago friend Chris Mahony mentioned he would be having his wedding in the ski fields of Utah in March 2016 I immediately put my hand up to attend.  I had hung out with his wife Alex Chaffin on multiple trips to NZ and also met up with her in Miami when there for WMC in 2013. Chris had been a loyal friend over the years and always in touch when in town for a beer. He had showed me around Oxford when he had studied for his PHD there. I knew a few others going, including Kelsey her friend I had hung out with in LA. Why not!

 As I flew into Salt Lake City from Dallas was immediately blown away by the proximity of the mountains. They almost encircled the city from all angles, bar the murky lake on the urban fringe.  Andrew Witters picked me up and we ubered the 30 mins or so to Park City and checked in to the hotel. It wasn’t long until we were in the saloon bar shooting shit with the Bachelor party crew. Oxford rugby mates conversed with Washingon political comrades alongside Otago and Kings friends.  Sliders and nacho’s rolled in alongside IPA’s in the crisp mountain air. I took the coverted yellow jersey off the groom after 8 or so attempts from the crew. Chris soon disappeeared and we ended up at Downstairs night club before calling it a day.

Next afternoon after checking out the saloon-like town, it was straight to Sundance Resort, a 40 min drive from Park City. The place was created in the late 1960’s by Robert Redford as a tranquil retreat for artist’s and creatives alike. It had become the center piece for the Sundance Film Festival hosting VIP guests and screenings in its boutique and quaint setting. I was shattered from travel and found a spare bed at the Chaffin's house to sweat out my demons and prepare for the festive weekend ahead.

I wasn’t feeling 100% the next morning so parked up at the café and greeted the skiers for lunch. Was able to catch up on work and settle into my cozy room stone’s throw from the reception.  That evening it was down to the cocktail party with Regina and Sam Priest before a unique slide show and speeches from up to 12 people. Quite an American tradition to gather guest the night before the wedding. And then on to Owl Bar but was in bed around midnight still feeling under the weather.

I was up for a ski the next morning and it wasn’t long before I find my ski legs again in the wet spring snow. Enjoyed the stunning vistas from the top of Bear Claw while chowing down a bratwurst and IPA with the other guests. I skied with Chris's French friend Olivier with only one short tumble at the bottom to top off a memorable day. Soon was getting ready for the wedding held which was held in the brisk mountain air. Alex looked a picture along with her 7 bridesmaids.  We enjoyed cocktail drinks before being ushered into the Convention Center for more formal speeches and dinner. The 10 piece band entertained us with Bruno Maars and Michael Jackson covers. On to the Owl bar where I got up and played Free Falling with the Mahoney brothers on support. Then ending up at the Mahony's house drinking PBR, singing Aladdin songs and Guns and Roses until the small hours.

I wasn’t awake til midday and missed most of the crowd at the farewell brunch. The burger at Owl bar was all I could manage before I checked in for another night to enjoy the plush surroundings of Sundace.  Skied the next day at Sundance with Andrew Witters. Was good to shoot the shit between runs about our business and where we would go next. After a spa it was time to get on the road to Deer Valley. Up the prestigious St Regis Resort for a burger and beers as the lights twinkled over the valley in the still air as the snow decended on the charming village.

I awoke to the most amazing sight of crisp snow lined trees and balconies outside my window. I booked in some ski gear down below our accom and we strided across the car park to the bottom of Park City lifts. There was an spooky feeling to the lift up through the fog, the trees white with icing sugar like snow dripping from any available branch. The crunchy powder was something else, like sliding on cocaine down the hill as I carved up the fresh powder. We did a few runs of the crisp untouched Blue Runs before on to the unchartered tree runs. It was an exhilarating feeling as I leaned back and skidded down the slopes taking time to dodge the tall timber while bouncing through the powder. What a feeling!

We had to say good bye to Sam Priest unfortunately but continued with a burning attempt at the black run Thaynes with out him. After lunch we were off on the Quicksilver chairlift to Canyon Mountain a new part of the resort making it the biggest in North America. I lost the boys after a few runs of Tombstone but it was a great challenge to follow Trance back towards the gondola at the end of the day.

After a few beers and whiskeys at the Legends bar we were hitting our straps so back to the house then to supermarket for supplies. I had jumped in with Doug and Will two friends from the UK who had a ski trip planned for the week. Will was visiting from Dallas, while Doug was an Oxford friend rugby friend of Chris who was living in South Africa. Top blokes and we got on famously. We stocked up on Coors light, Pizza, Bagels, Eggs all the basics. We went and met Alex and Chris one last time before a cheeky night cap at the local dive bar for NBA chat and ridiculous pints of beer!

We awoke to the plan of hitting Deer Mountain and was up by 9am to settle in to the more premium facilities for skiers only. We chased Alex and Chris across the mountain and found them by striking Montage hotel. I had some trouble on the first black drop lost my skii’s and spent a good ten minutes breathing the biting air to get them back on. I felt like Hilary on Everest with every burning deep breath to regain my composure and get skiing again. The slow trek through the trees was a highlight though and I found the others back on the next lift down.

This time I took my chances on a double black and the near vertical slope owned me, I came loose again this time with ski's left meters up the bluff. It was too steep to put them on so I traversed over to a tree to put them on. The black run seemed a breeze now but still tested my burning lungs and thighs. After lunch we said good bye to the bride and groom and had a casual run back to base. We sat out in the spring sun and enjoyed beers and plotted our plans for the Lions tour of NZ in 2017.

I decided to have the next day off skiing and was able to catch up on work at the local Starbucks. We caught the new Superman and Robin movie before heading out for sushi and karaoke. It was here we met Howie D from Backstreet Boys, singing his own songs none the less! What a nice guy and was very fond of his trips to NZ.

I had a drink with Shana the concierge at Ciseros where Matt Corry and Hampster had worked for a couple of seasons. We chatted about her life in Utah and Portland before heading back to my house for a drink and meet the boys. Everything seemed booked out for dinner so we went to Chop House for a homely meal. Continued back at mine for some music and religion chat.

The boys had left by the time I stumbled out of room and reluctantly caught an uber to Salt Lake City. I was sad to leave Park City after such a memorable week but given the snow was melting on the hills under the blue sky it was time to quit while I was ahead.  I'll be back! I visited the popular Rubys Café for some chicken steak eggs bennedict and then on to the bus station to store my bags. The crowds had gathered at the local arena for the Bieber concert and I joined them buying a ticket for $100 off the scalper. I was impressed with the scale of production and dancing but disappointed with his general laziness and lack of enthusiasm. Too much snowboarding for the lad! After a night cap at Lucky's I was soon on my 3am departure on the California Zephyr train with some other characters. The next morning I was too awake on the majestical rockies and Utah seemed but a distant memory.