The two white bands of snow, easily seen from town, say something's up. Thanksgiving says it has to be World Cup ski racing - America's Opening.
The best ski racers in the world will be skiing for one of the largest prizes, $135,000, in what is considered the first big send-off into the 1995-96 racing season.For the 10th year, now, Thanksgiving has signaled the start of America's Opening.
Aside from the holiday and the two strips of man-made snow - one for giant slalom and one for slalom - there's little else around the famed "CB's" run to suggest ski racing.
A true testimony, notes Charlie Lansche, communications director for the Park City Ski Area, to the powers of snowmaking . . . more than two million gallons worth.
The race will begin early Saturday with the GS, followed by the slalom on Sunday. This evening there will be a free concert by America, fireworks, torchlight parade and ice skating exhibition.
The field of ski racers entered will, as always, be impressive. The very best.
The most noteworthy, certainly not because of residency, is Alberto Tomba, the brash, flamboyant Italian racer who has dominated the two disciplines for years.
Last year, with the exception of the first race of the season, he didn't lose a race he finished. The races he lost he either fell or missed a gate. In the race he lost, he came from 21st after the first run, changed skis, and finished 4th.
He did something else, too. He skied in only two of the four disciplines, slalom and GS, skipping downhill and Super G, and still won the overall World Cup title.
He collected 1,150 points to only 775 for runner-up Guenther Mader of Austria. Kyle Rasmussen was America's best in 17th.
Four years ago at America's Opening, Tomba swept both races. Two years ago he fell in the slalom and missed winning the GS by the width of a ski.
In the first race this year, a slalom in Vail last week, he finished third.
"Tomba will," as one official pointed out on Friday, "be out to prove something this race. He likes to win, which is part of the reason why he does win."
Winning the Vail event was Michael Tritscher of Austria, followed by Sabastian Amiez of France. The best U.S. finisher was Matthew Grosjean in 21st.
This is, by all measures, a rebuilding year for the Americans. Putting financial problems aside, the team lost some of its veteran talent from last year and several coaches, not to mention its executive director.
Grosjean and Rasmussen carry the U.S.'s highest hopes this race. Newcomers Sacha Gros, Chip Knight, Daron Rahlves, David Viele and the Puckett brothers, Christopher and Paul Casey, will also race.
Paul Robbins, field correspondent for the U.S. Team, says other skiers to watch include:
Jure Kosir of Slovenia . . . A much improved GS racer, he was second in the slalom in Park City two years ago.
Lasse Kjus of Norway . . . He won the Olympic combined gold medal in Norway two years ago.
Michael VonGruenigen of Switzerland . . . He won the opening GS.
Paul Accola of Switzerland . . . He hasn't won since winning the overall title in 1992 but is always a threat in both events.
Kjetil Andre Aamodt of Norway . . . He was the overall World Cup winner in 1994 and considered a real threat in the GS.
Thomas Stangassinger of Austria . . . He won the 1993 slalom in Park City.
And Guenther Mader of Austria . . . He won the 1993 GS in Park City.
Racing begins Saturday at 10 a.m., with the second run at 1 p.m. Tickets are available at the resort.