Piece of paradise: the summit and Wasatch county housing market is struggling to keep pace.

• Author: Kinder, Peri
• Position: SPECIAL REPORT: SUMMIT/WASATCH COUNTIES REAL ESTATE

Ever since the 2002 Winter Olympic Games shone a global spotlight on the state's stunning Wasatch Range, visitors have made their way to Summit and Wasatch Counties looking for a place to play, and often a place to live.

The counties have experienced a steady 4-7 percent growth rate in the housing market since the recession. And after Vail Resorts purchased Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons, interest in the area has only escalated.

Buying the town

Rick Shand served as the president of the Park City Board of Realtors in 2016. He says Canyons Village (just four miles from Park City's Main Street) has demonstrated the most growth as Vail Resorts partnered with proven developers to bring housing opportunities back into play.

Canyons Village is exactly what people expect when it comes to world-class amenities and experiences. Newly available ski-in/ski-out homes allow residents access to the ski resort from their backyard, plus construction of condominiums and townhomes are in high demand as well as luxury homes on 8-acre lots.

These developments can't be built fast enough to accommodate the need for housing.

"Vail is driving a lot of the marketing in Park City and surrounding areas, creating a strong campaign to encourage people to come to Summit County. More people are coming into Park City and Utah than we've ever seen before," Shand says.

It didn't hurt that Vail added the Park City area to its super-popular Epic Pass, which allows skiers to purchase access to more than a dozen ski resorts around the world for less than $1,000. Last year, more than 600,000 passes were sold, bringing an influx of tourists to the Summit County area.

Shand says it usually takes someone at least three times visiting as a tourist before they buy property, but he's seen people purchase a home in Summit County after their first stay. He's sure things will slow down at some point, but it won't be anytime soon.

"When people buy a vacation home, they have to buy the town first. People are buying Park City. There's been a concentrated effort to promote summer activities and festivals."

That effort includes Park City's investment in the redevelopment of Main Street that has spurred a lively interest in visitors and residents alike, plus the ongoing summer and winter festivals are a bigger draw every year. Residents enjoy the community atmosphere and opportunities available for music, art and theater.

Second homes

The area is beginning to attract younger families...