SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (Nov. 17, 2014) – Utah Symphony and Utah Opera announced today an initiative encouraging skiers and snowboarders to enjoy a symphony or opera performance after a day on the slopes. When people show a same week lift ticket from any of Utah’s ski resorts, they access the best available seat in the house for just $35, which represents a savings of up to $60. For more details and restrictions, call the ticket office at 801-533-6683.

 

“Utah has so much to celebrate recreationally throughout the seasons, and many of us in the organization share the same passion for our mountains as visitors to the state do,” said Utah Symphony | Utah Opera President and CEO Melia Tourangeau. “It’s an added bonus for a ski destination to boast an array of nightlife, dining and performing arts options, so we are making it easy for visitors to have a great evening in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City at Abravanel Hall or Capitol Theatre.”

 

Utah’s ski industry and tourism officials are enthusiastic about the promotion, which they agree will bolster the image of Salt Lake City as a vibrant “big city” destination.

 

“Utah is the only place in the world where the Greatest Snow on Earth is 30 minutes from world-class symphony and opera performances,” said Vicki Varela, Managing Director Utah Office of Tourism, Film and Global Branding. “And now, there is a way to get culture and adventure on the same day for a great deal. It’s just one of the many privileges of living in or visiting our great Ski City.”

 

Susie English, Director of Communications for Ski Utah, says skiers and snowboarders are just 35 minutes from downtown Salt Lake and cultural activities such as NBA games, ballet, symphony, opera, dining and more. "One of the many things that make Utah's ski and snowboard resorts so special is the proximity to a major metropolitan area,” she explained. “This new program from Utah Symphony | Utah Opera really highlights the après ski and nightlife options that our visitors can enjoy when skiing Utah."

 

“Only in Ski City can an après-ski symphony or opera experience be so closely connected," added Scott Beck, president & CEO of Visit Salt Lake. "Nowhere else can skiers and snowboarders take advantage of world-class skiing and riding and all the amenities of Salt Lake’s unbridled urban offerings, including its stellar cultural arts line-up. Salt Lake is redefining après-ski and the winter vacation with its 1,700 restaurants and 140 bars, 120 hotels offering an incredible range of lodging options, unbeatable accessibility and activities for everyone. There is only one Ski City."

 

Throughout the winter season until the end of May, Utah Symphony offers concerts most Friday and Saturday evenings at Abravanel Hall (123 West South Temple). For the complete Utah Symphony season, visit www.utahsymphony.org/14-15-season. During the snowy months, Utah Opera presents two operas with five performances each at Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South): Bizet’s dramatic “The Pearl Fishers” runs January 17, 19, 21, 23 and 25. Mozart’s comedy, “Così fan tutte”, takes the stage March 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22. For more information on Utah Opera, visit www.utahopera.org.



People calling the ticket office should mention “après-ski” to activate the promotion, and plan on showing their same-week lift ticket at will call when they pick up their tickets.

 

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera connects Utah communities with great live music in orchestral and operatic art forms that celebrate past traditions while cultivating present and future audiences. The Utah Symphony, which performs at Abravanel Hall, is one of the nation’s only year-round orchestras. Together with Utah Opera, which performs at the Capitol Theatre, USUO reaches 450,000 residents in Utah and the Intermountain region with educational outreach programs serving more than 155,000 students annually. The organization employs 57 staff and 85 full-time musicians and presents four full operas and more than 70 symphony performances in each regular season as well as community concerts throughout Utah and an annual summer series – the Deer Valley® Music Festival – in Park City, Utah. For more information, visit www.usuo.org.