Expedia Road Trip: See Sundance Film Festival 2012 from a Traveler’s Point of View

Parting Thoughts: Sundance 2012 from a Traveler's Point of View

January 25, 2012 7:00 AM PST

The Sundance Film Festival is so much more than just a place one goes to see a few movies and hopefully spot a few celebrities [if that's your thing]. My few days in Park City, Utah first and foremost convinced me of the natural beauty present in Utah that I really had no pre-conceived notions of. Not only was my visit to Park City my first time at Sundance, it was my first time in Utah. I'd gladly return to both, and that's not something I often say about any United States locale since I am the type overly-preoccupied with international destinations. (Paris, you're still my first love.)

Sundance founder, Robert Redford – said,

“How would it have been if I'd had a mentor when I started, someone within the industry to help me find my voice? This is what I am trying to do here, my way of giving back to an industry that's been really good to me.”.

That spirit is still found as a thread throughout all of Park City during Sundance even though the Sundance Film Festival itself has changed somewhat over the years. Corporate advertising is now as common as LA women in tottering 5 inch heels but the spirit of much of what corporate interests do, does seem to be that of helping people. Whether it is helping them by providing a place to escape the cold and warm up or providing information for making the most of the festival there's an air of helpfulness at Sundance I haven't experienced at other industry festivals (and I've been to my fair share). Locals give of their time freely to help visitors out. There are reporters helping other reporters, screenwriters and producers sitting at Java Cow mentoring other, younger screenwriters and producers and even celebrities with enough manners not to be a diva about basic social interaction [Seth Rogen, thank you, you know what you did].

Maybe I am over-romanticizing an industry event thats core goal is to sell. Movies. Talent. Commodities of the film industry. I guess that's my right as the person who reported about it in this instance. It is, honestly, the feeling I am left with now that my plane has left Utah and I am back in jaded New York City.

Would I recommend Sundance to a traveler who has no tangible connection to the film industry? Yes! Really. Go for the movies, sure. Plan early and plan wisely and it might be the most fun you will ever have watching more than one movie in one week. However, don't go just for the movies. Don't believe that Sundance is only about movies. For instance, if you love to ski, snowboard or generally spend time on the slopes – this is the time to visit Park City. So many people make downtown their focus during Sundance that the slopes are less crowded than normal. If you're a music lover, the ASCAP Music Cafe really does make major artists more accessible than at other venues. I listened to A Fine Frenzy and was so close to Alison that I felt as if she might have been in my living room. If I owned a mansion that could accommodate three families, that is. Seriously, it was perhaps one of the best concert experiences I've had. It didn't last long enough but it was so memorable. (If I had stayed longer in Park City, I would have been able to have the same experience again with David Gray. That is, before I got kicked out for rushing the stage and trying to kiss him.) If you like food, the restaurants in Park City are worth the trip to Utah on their own. Why not come during Sundance when you might just find yourself sitting next to Malin Akerman [as I did] while enjoying that amazing meal! And as I've stated, Utah is simply so physically beautiful in the Park City area. Next time I return, I'll be renting a car so I can drive up into the mountains to capture landscape photographs. My only regret in this trip is that I wasn't driving myself and knew that every cab driver I had would have kicked out if I'd asked them to stop the vehicle every time I wanted to take another Ansel-Adams-esque wide shot. Sigh. Not every trip can be perfect. This, was as close as it gets.”

Many thanks to Expedia for giving me the opportunity to attend Sundance Film Festival so I could share it with all of you. I hope you've enjoyed the journey!

See all of Kirsten's photos here:

Expedia Road Trip: Sundance Tips and Tricks

January 24, 2012 2:30 PM PST

After quite a number of days in Park City I've finally amassed a list of what I think are helpful tips for the wanna-be-Sundance-attendee!

1) Bring snow gear – I don't mean a jacket that in Georgia would qualify as winter apparel. I mean snow gear for sub-zero temps. Not-messing-around winter gear. Why? When the snow really starts to come down and the wind whips up and down Main Street (which it will), forget looking cute. Survival is far more important. If for some reason you don't own good winter gear, many stores in Park City can properly outfit you in style. Just budget accordingly!

2) Buy Tickets EARLY – Movies at Sundance sell out far in advance of the actual start day of the festival. Don't be turned away at the door of that movie you've been dying to see. Only if you're credentialed press who can attend special screenings do you have the luxury of playing it fast and loose. (And even then, there are no guarantees.)

3) Don't rent a car. There's not enough parking to accommodate everyone who drives their own vehicle. However, the taxi system in town does get overtaxed so be prepared to wait. Most hotels have shuttles and there is a terrific bus system in town that is free! You may still have to walk a bit but that's where the snow gear you've packed or bought, will come in handy.

4) Learn early where all the public hospitality areas are. When the temperatures drop you will want to escape indoors and perhaps not always want a full meal – the lounges like Sundance Channel HQ or The Sundance House by HP are great places to rest and warm up. Utilizing social check-ins can also get you free stuff. Who doesn't love that.

5) Book your hotel early! The whole of Park City sells out for Sundance. It's the largest event of their year. Use a service like Expedia to see where hotels are in relation to what is going on. The festival publishes their venue and event maps early, so compare that to hotel listings and if you book early enough you'll be right in the middle of the action and able to get where you need to go easily.

6) Keep in mind there are other things to do besides watch movies and attend screenings. Besides the wonderful ASCAP Music Cafe with its free concerts, brands throw parties (some of which are open to the public), sponsor special pop-up bars and the resort slopes around downtown empty out. This makes it an ideal time to travel to Park City for skiing or snowboarding!”

Keep up with Kirsten's photos and remember to follow her on Twitter with #SundanceTrip!

Park City Hotels – a Sundance Round-up

January 24, 2012 12:00 PM PST

I really enjoyed the two resort visits that bookended my stay in Park City. Starting out at the very family friendly and more affordable Park City Mountain Resort was such a joy. Their staff is incredibly friendly, their slopes are so ideal forskiersof all levels and the abundance of activities (that's where I enjoyed the Alpine Coaster) makes it the ideal place to really have fun during a holiday. Also, the food was excellent at their restaurant. The overall energy of the place left me smiling long after I'd left.

On the other hand, the posh The St. Regis Deer Valley area was a quiet and majestic place that made me feel incredibly relaxed. Their level of service is impeccable as evidenced by the availability of a trained-at-Buckingham-Palace genuine English Butler and a spa that I will not soon forget. Not to mention their views of the valley and slopes below leaves one breathless. They're nestled on a crest above the action while not so removed from it as to make any of the activities in Deer Valley inaccessible. I even thought it was so fun that they have the only funicular in the United States that leads directly to a hotel. They too have very family-friendly amenities and if I had a family I certainly would find it the perfect place to truly relax and recharge together.

However, it was my stay at the Hyatt Escala Lodge outside downtown Park City in the Canyons resort area, that I am really grateful for. It was removed enough from the insanity of downtown and the festival events that whenever I was there I truly felt I could breathe deeply, sleep well and be restored by similarly wonderful views of the mountains that surround Park City. All of that was so important following long days in town covering the events. I suspect its distance from downtown is also why there were a number of celebrities as guests at the same time I was. I won't name names but if they enjoyed their private balcony, jacuzzi tub and fireplace suites as much as I did mine – than I trust they had a wonderful stay in Park City!”

Keep up with Kirsten's photos and remember to follow her on Twitter with #SundanceTrip!

Day 5: Films and Food and Snow at Sundance, Oh My!

January 22, 2012 3:00 PM PST

Sundance Film Festival is so filled with things to do in addition to watching movies that it wasn't until my last day that I was finally able to see a documentary and a drama. Jennifer Baichwal's “Payback” is based on Maragaret Atwood's book of the same name and was a fascinating take on the ideas of debt and revenge as well as the capitalist system. “Robot and Frank” was the most inventive and imaginative film I've seen in a long time. Perhaps the story itself, of an old man struggling to accept a new world full of new technology, is not original but so many moments in the film truly were. Bravo to director, Jake Schreier and to the A-list ensemble cast that he assembled!

Keep up with Kirsten's photos and remember to follow her on Twitter with #SundanceTrip!

Day 4: Sights and sounds of Sundance Day and Night

January 21, 2012 1:30 PM PST

One of the things that is terrific about Sundance is that there is so much to do besides watch movies. I discovered the ASCAP music cafe. I've been to the slopes outside downtown Park City for the alpine coaster. I've talked with locals and event staff. I've enjoyed great meals. It was only fitting that I stop into one of the many parties brands hold during Sundance to take advantage of the crowds and the opportunity to get their message in front of as many people as possible. The Stella Artois company has put on quite a party this year with The Chalice Factory and I was so humbled to be invited into the fold for a few cold drinks and a wonderful Belgian Waffle. Keep watch in early February because they're rolling out a great promotion for all fans of Stella Artois beer in the United States. I can't tell you what it is but I can assure you it's terrific!

Historic Park City at night during Sundance is really a fun place to be. It's lit up with Christmas lights, people are out talking and listening to live music on the sidewalk, you can sip hot chocolate while you stroll and watch for celebrities. There's a festive feel to the air that really makes it enjoyable. I don't even notice the cold.

Perhaps that's because Utah has such a dry cold and less humidity than I am used to living on the east coast? I stopped for dinner at the cozy 350 Main New American Brasserie and while I won't tell you what celebrity was sitting at the next table I can tell you she is a big deal. Their basement dining area is the perfect place for a romantic dinner and their black truffle mashed potatoes made me want to lick my plate. Since it is in the same block as the Egyptian Theatre, it's also ideally situated for that after-movie tradition of drinks and dessert.

The St. Regis DeerValley kindly invited me to tour their property and ride the only funicular in the United States that leads to a hotel. While the St. Regis is a luxurious property well-suited to catering to all the celebrities that descend upon Park City during Sundance is is their surprising attention to detail for families that really impressed me. I can't think of a better place to be in Park City if you really want to be pampered as a family. Interviewing their Head Butler who was trained at Buckingham Palace in London was a real treat. I think that if you can't get to London in 2012 for the Queen's Jubilee or the Olympics, coming to the St. Regis Deer Valley would be the next best thing. Alexander and his staff will take care of you as if you are the Queen. No need to fly all the way to ye merry ol' England! While you're there – don't miss Ski Beach and the J & G Grill. Husbands, if you're really kind – you'll pamper your wife at the award-winning Spa and take the kids out for a ski on the slopes.

As part of my experience at Sundance, representing Expedia – I had the privilege of getting in front of a TV crew to film a spot that will air on AMC television. Jacob Soboroff interviewed me and it was quite a departure from the coverage I've been doing of Sundance. Here we are at an International Film Festival but I've been using an iPhone 4S and handheld consumer video camera. Low tech! Stepping in front of a crew of a dozen people with Jacob, really brought the whole film festival engine home for me. It was a really fun way of rounding out the entire Sundance experience. Watch for the spot to air on AMC January 28 and 29.

Sundance, like any event, has a lot of sponsors. I can't say I mind that at all! When the weather turns nasty and it's snowing so hard in Park City that you can't see 5 feet in front of you it's really easy to take a break from the cold. Sundance Channel is just one of the many sponsors of public places where festival attendees can pop in for a break. Using social media to check in you can also unlock specials like a free lunch and there's always swag like winter hats and coffee mugs. I enjoyed a delicious mocha at the Sundance Channel HQ and the chance to warm up while I watched the pretty snow outside without feeling the cold!

Day 3:Live fromASCAP Music Cafe, Watch A Fine Frenzy's New Song Premiere

January 20, 2012 3:30 PM PST

One of the things that I didn't know before coming to Sundance for the first time is that it's not just about movies. While I was scoping out Park City on my first day, I discovered the ASCAP Music Cafe which is in the middle of the action on Main Street and is hosting live performances every day by artists like David Gray and The All-American Rejects. I love music perhaps more, certainly as much – as I love film. If you're like me, this is the place to be at Sundance!

Get there early, pick your spot in the intimate space and grab yourself a drink while you wait for the action to begin.

Today, I was able to catch one of my favorite artists – A Fine Frenzy. Not only was she, unsurprisingly terrific, she played a song that had never been heard by a live audience before! Such an exclusive and a perfect illustration of just why it's great to be at Sundance Film Festival!

I've really enjoyed being Expedia's blogger on the street for Sundance Film Festival. However, I've found myself very curious about what it's like for others to be at one of the best and largest film festivals in the United States. I also wanted to know what it is like for residents of Park City who are here even when Sundance isn't. So … I made a few new friends and convinced them to be on camera telling you about Sundance from their perspective. John, Max, Kristin, Katy and Sara had great things to say and together I think they really shed light on Park City and Sundance.

One thing I can definitely tell you is that this is a great place to be. Sundance Film Festival seems more approachable than any other industry festival I have ever been to. Park City itself is urban enough to satisfy city-lovers yet laid out in a way as to never feel far from nature. I think it's picturesque, vibrant and accessible.

Keep up with Kirsten's photos here and remember to follow her on Twitter with #SundanceTrip!

Day 3: Kirsten's Visit to the Park City Mountain Resort

January 20, 2012 7:45 AM PST

One of the best things about Park City during Sundance is that with so many people in town for the festival, the resort slopes aren't crowded. So I took the chance to leave downtown and visit Park City Mountain Resort, which was just named the Number One Family Trip in North America by Ski Magazine, where I checked out their terrain. I can see why it won the award, there's so much to do for all ages. Going full speed on the Alpine Coaster was a really entertaining adrenaline rush and it was just a taste of the many things the resort offers. Keep following along on Twitter at #SundanceTrip!

Day 2: Kirsten's Visit to Main Street in Park City

January 19, 2012 7:30 PM PST

It's the day before the Sundance Film Festival really starts and Park City seems to have more delivery and moving trucks than it does people. Seemingly everyone who is downtown is consumed with setting up, something. (Though I did, literally, bump into one celebrity who I spent the whole of my college years crushing on.) The great public bus system is still full of skiers who seemingly exist outside the world of independent film that's just about to take over Main Street. There is an interesting energy in the cold air and it causes me to smile as the sun peeks through the clouds, lighting up the slopes in the distance.

I wander from one end of historic downtown to the other, stop at a great Brasserie for a bacon-heavy brunch in which I overhear film industry gossip and end up at a soda fountain where I hear more gossip and details of events to come. Where are the swag bags?!

This is definitely the day to arrive in Park City. It's the perfect opportunity to get your bearings, grab whatever movie screening tickets might still be left and mark up the map of downtown with every party spot you're intent on conquering. With an absence of crowds you can really see quaint, historic Park City uninterrupted. There's still an energy in the air but there's no wait at the good restaurants and the stores are empty enough that shopping for that perfect souvenir is a breeze!

Day 1: Kirsten's Arrival in Park City, Utah for Sundance

January 18, 2012 7:30 PM PST

Kirsten arrived in Park City, Utah for the Sundance Film Festival today and filed this report. Sundance officially starts tomorrow so be on the lookout for great updates and don't forget to share your advice and follow along at #SundanceTrip!

Coming Soon: Kirsten Alana Heads to Sundance Film Festival for Expedia.com

January 16, 2012 11:00 AM PST

Starting on January 18th, travel blogger Kirsten Alana will be experiencing the Sundance Film Festival from a traveler's point of view.

Follow along on Twitter by following hashtag #SundanceTrip to see what she's up to, give her your tips and live vicariously through her experience and watch here for her blogs, photos and videos from the trip.

A little from Kirsten herself about the trip:

I’ll be creating special content every day in the form of photographs, video and written stories. I’ll be experimenting with timelapse and I’ll be tweeting with the hashtag #SundanceTrip. Participate by giving me tips and bossing me around (even if you have never been, what would you do if you did go?) and if I do something you have suggested you’ll get a nod of thanks in one of our videos on Expedia’s YouTube channel.

Stay tuned for more starting Thursday morning!