When people think about what it means to be an Olympian, they often picture medals, national flags, and fierce competition. Those moments matter—but after hosting both the Speedskating World Cup and the Luge World Cup at Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation venues, we were reminded that another value sits just as firmly at the heart of the Olympic movement: friendship.

Over the course of these events, athletes from all over the world came together in Utah—representing different countries, cultures, languages, and lived experiences. On the ice and the track, they competed at the highest level. Off the ice, something equally powerful unfolded. We watched athletes laugh together, cheer for one another, trade pins, share meals, and reconnect with friends they’ve made through years of international competition.

At the Utah Olympic Oval and Utah Olympic Park, the venues weren’t just competition spaces—they became meeting places. Athletes who might face each other as rivals in one race were encouraging one another the next. Conversations crossed borders effortlessly. A nod of respect at the finish line, a shared smile in the warm-up area, or athletes from different nations celebrating personal bests together reminded us that sport has a unique way of breaking down barriers.

In a world that often feels deeply divided—politically, culturally, and socially—those moments matter. They show us what’s possible when people meet each other first as humans, not headlines. The friendships formed through sport aren’t about ignoring differences; they’re about recognizing them and choosing connection anyway.

This is especially meaningful at events like World Cups, where athletes return season after season. Many of them grow up together on the international circuit. They witness each other’s injuries, setbacks, breakthroughs, and victories. These shared experiences create bonds that last well beyond a single competition—and sometimes well beyond their athletic careers.

At the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, we see this as part of our mission. Our venues exist not only to train champions, but to foster community, understanding, and shared experience. When we host international events, Utah becomes a gathering place for the world—a reminder of what the Olympic values look like in action.

Being an Olympian isn’t just about standing on a podium. It’s about standing alongside others, even when you’re competing against them. It’s about respect, empathy, and friendship forged through shared pursuit and mutual admiration.

As we look ahead toward future World Cups—and toward 2034—we carry this lesson with us. In moments when division feels loud, the friendships we witnessed on the ice and the track speak just as loudly. They remind us that sport can still bring the world together, one race, one handshake, and one shared moment at a time.

Olympic legacies are often measured in medals, records, and historic moments. But in Utah, the true legacy lives somewhere deeper—in the quiet determination of a young athlete lacing up skates for the first time, in a volunteer standing in the cold before sunrise, and in a community that believes opportunity should never be out of reach. 

At the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation, community support is what transforms ambition into possibility. Every donation, every volunteer hour, and every partnership plays a role in shaping the path from curiosity to confidence—and sometimes, all the way to the world stage. 

Where Dreams Begin 

For many athletes, the journey doesn’t start with podiums or international competition. It starts with access. 

Access to a facility.
Access to equipment. 
Access to a coach who believes in them. 

Community support makes that access possible. Scholarships and program funding open doors for kids who might otherwise never experience winter sport. First-time lessons become first victories, and early exposure becomes the foundation for lifelong growth—whether that athlete continues on to elite competition or carries those lessons into school, work, and life. 

Building More Than Athletes

The impact of community support extends far beyond athletic performance. Sport teaches resilience, discipline, teamwork, and confidence—skills that shape strong individuals and stronger communities.
Through UOLF programs and venues, youth and adults alike find a place where effort is valued, failure is part of learning, and growth is celebrated. These experiences build leaders, teammates, and problem-solvers who carry the Olympic values of excellence, respect, and friendship wherever they go. 

The Power of Giving Back 

Behind every athlete’s story is a network of supporters making it possible. 

Volunteers who give their time to events, programs, and competitions.
Donors who invest in opportunity rather than outcome.
Community partners who believe in the long-term impact of sport. 

This collective commitment fuels everything UOLF does—from hosting World Cups that inspire future generations, to maintaining world-class venues that serve Utah year-round, to ensuring financial barriers never stand in the way of participation. 

A Living Legacy 

Legacy isn’t something we wait for—it’s something we build every day. 

When the community shows up, dreams move from imagined to achievable. Young athletes discover what they’re capable of. Families find belonging. And Utah continues to grow a legacy rooted not just in past Olympic moments, but in future potential. 

Help Turn the Next Dream Into Reality 

Your support makes this work possible. 

A gift to the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation helps provide scholarships, maintain world-class venues, and expand access to sport for kids and families across Utah. Whether it’s a first lesson or a future Olympian’s training day, your generosity helps write the next chapter of Utah’s Olympic legacy.

Donate today and be part of the legacy in action.

Together, we can ensure that opportunity—and inspiration—are always within reach. 

We’ve received a few questions about snowmaking at Utah Olympic Park in Park City, and we’re happy to share a little more about how the process works and why weather conditions play such an important role.

Snowmaking Is About More Than Just Temperature

It’s common to think that snow can be made anytime temperatures are near freezing, but snowmaking actually depends on a combination of factors. One of the most important is wet-bulb temperature, which takes both air temperature and humidity into account. This measurement helps determine whether water sprayed into the air will freeze before it reaches the ground.

In general, snowmaking becomes effective when the wet-bulb temperature is around 28°F or lower. Colder and drier conditions—often between 10–20°F—allow snow to form more quickly and efficiently.

What We’ve Seen Recently in Park City

From November 24 through December 15, Park City experienced a mix of weather patterns, including several warmer-than-normal daytime temperatures in the 40s and low 50s, along with moderate humidity. Overnight temperatures did occasionally dip closer to freezing, but the added moisture in the air often meant wet-bulb temperatures remained higher than what’s ideal for consistent snowmaking.

Based on available temperature and humidity data from this period, the average wet-bulb temperature is estimated to have been in the mid-to-upper 30s, which is above the typical threshold needed to make snow effectively. While there were brief windows that came close, they weren’t long or cold enough to allow snowmaking to happen efficiently.

Why Conditions Matter

Snowmaking works by spraying fine droplets of water into the air, where they cool and freeze into snow crystals as they fall. Colder, drier air allows this process to happen more easily. When the air is warmer or more humid, droplets take longer to freeze and may reach the ground as water instead of snow.

Wind also plays a role—calmer conditions give droplets more time to freeze before being carried away.

A Thoughtful, Weather-Driven Approach

Snowmaking requires significant resources, including water and energy, so timing matters. Our team closely monitors weather conditions to identify the best opportunities to make snow in a way that’s effective, responsible, and supportive of long-term snow quality.

Looking Ahead

As soon as colder and drier conditions return and wet-bulb temperatures drop into a favorable range, snowmaking will resume. Overnight temperature trends are especially important, and we’re ready to move quickly when conditions align.

We appreciate everyone’s curiosity and interest. Snowmaking is both a science and a collaboration with the weather, and we’re always happy to help explain how it works and what we’re watching for as the season progresses.