Plan Your Trip to Park City
the greatest snow on earth
Park City, Utah
So you want to go to Park City…Don’t. I’m completely kidding. What was once the west’s best kept ski secret is no longer a secret which infuriates locals due to the negative impact created by an influx of tourists after realizing you live and work in one of the most beautiful places on earth. Needless to say, it is a beautiful, amazingly friendly, ski town that remains one of my happiest of happy places.
We love Park City so much, we have a second home there but would be happy if you continued to think that Colorado is the only place to “really” ski (wink wink) Truth be told there is a reason Utah is called the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” Because of the proximity to Salt Lake City airport (under an hour), yearly snowfall, and it’s family friendly atmosphere, make Park City our destination of choice for all of our winter adventures.
Planning Your Trip
There are multiple locations to stay and ski in Park City. There are two main resorts in Park City - Park City Mountain Resort (owned by Vail) and Deer Valley. If you are skiing or snowboarding at Park City Mountain Resort the areas to stay are The Canyons Village, Park City Base, and Old Town. If you are skiing in Deer Valley you can stay in and around Deer Valley and in Old Town. It is just a short drive to ski at either of these world class resorts however they require different lift tickets.
Where to Stay
Canyons Village
Canyons village
Once considered the “wild west” of Park City, the Canyons has become one of the best, most convenient places to ski. I am admittedly bias because this is where we chose to purchase a vacation home.
Pluses:
Super convenient…did I say that already? Yes I did. Nearly all of the lodging at the Canyons Village is Ski In/Ski Out and with restaurants, rentals, and shops you might not even need to leave or rent a car. Ski School at Canyons village meets at the base of the gondola so you don’t need to drive your kids to ski school…or anywhere for that matter.
You really don’t need a rental car, which reduces your cost, area traffic, and greenhouse gas emission in the area. A major complaint of locals as the area grows in popularity.
Newer and diverse lodging options with lots of amenities
Lots of blue runs including my favorite Boa off the Super Condor Express lift if you like long, uncrowded runs.
More advanced terrain including 9990…the highest peak at The Canyons with a dedicated lift servicing only double black runs.
Ski from Canyons Village to the Park City Base via the Quicksilver Gondola and over to the Town Lift which takes you right onto Main Street for lunch or après ski.
Get your fancy on and make a lunch reservation at Look Out Cabin the only on mountain dining with table service and a full bar.
Central Après Ski Area with live music and a great laidback scene.
Minuses:
Not many beginner runs outside of the bunny hill and ski school areas.
Will need to drive (or ski) into Old Town where the best shopping, restaurants, and bars are located. Luckily if you don’t want to drive there is a free bus line, hotel courtesy shuttles (ask your front desk), and of course Uber.
Early morning lift lines to get on the mountain are long during high season
Park City Base aka “Mountain Village”
Park City Mountain Village
The O.G. base lift area for Park City Mountain has its own pluses and minuses.
Pluses
More beginner terrain and runs
Usually has more man made snow, so more runs are open earlier in the season
Closer to Old Town and Town Lift
Ski from Park City Base to Canyons Village via Quicksilver Gondola
Walk your kids to Park City Base Ski School
Lots of Ski In/Ski Out rental options
Ice Skating Rink
Minuses
Older accommodations
Fewer fine dining options
Deer Valley
deer valley
Luxury, first-class skiing experience. I like to say that if you fall skiing at Deer Valley they will come and pick you up.
Pluses
No Snowboarding
Not as crowded. Deer Valley limits the number of skiers on the mountain on any one day…even in nonpandemic times. You must have a reservation.
More groomers if you like the corduroy
Super luxe accommodations from St Regis to Montage to Stein Erikson to single-family homes and high-end condominiums.
Minuses
No Snowboarding
No central après ski area, village or ice skating rink
Lack of bowls and expert terrain
Can be a bit of a drive or hike from your luxury accommodations to ski school or the lift.
With that luxury comes a luxury price tag from accommodations to lift tickets.
Old Town/Main Street
Old Town Park City
Staying in Old Town has the charm of a mountain town, and is central to the best dining, shopping, and nightlife Park City has to offer. However it also carries its own positives and negatives.
Pluses
Easy to get to Deer Valley AND Park City Mountain if you want to ski both resorts during your stay.
Walk or take the free trolly to Town Lift
Walk to Restaurants, Bars, and Shopping on Historic Main Street
Minuses
Very few ski in/ski out accommodations, although there are a few homes on the mountain
You will need to drive to take kids to Ski School
Not as many full service hotel options
To Rent or To Buy?
My Happy Place
I know you will love it as much as we do!
Our favorite place to stay in Canyons Village is the Westgate. We chose to buy there because of the vast amenities that the condo/hotel offers. Not only is the condo hotel ski in/ski out but there is onsite ski rental as well as a ski concierge that stores your skis/boards and brings them out to you to the gondola. It’s hard enough getting the kids out the door with all their gear so this really helps the process. The Westgate has multiple pools, including an adults only indoor pool, and has the village’s only indoor/outdoor pool. A kids club is on site as well as an arcade. You can literally drop the kids in the kids club and go to Serenity Spa, to the gym, or to a yoga class without ever leaving the building. The Edge Steakhouse and Drafts are also attached as are a small market and liquor store.
Some of the very best properties in Park City are managed by Canyons Village Rentals. We trust the rental of our condo to them as do many of our friends in the area. When planning your trip to Park City, definitely check out their site or shoot me an email and I can put you in touch!
Thinking of buying a second home in Park City? Craig Popa at Mountain Home Park City is your guy. Contact him at 435-640-5557
Insider Tips
Book early! Ski school, condos, hotels, restaurants, lift tickets, babysitters, kids clubs, and activities all fill up early especially during high season and when you add in pandemic challenges it is imperative to make reservations as early as possible. If something is booked, ask to be added to a waitlist.
Book reservations for on-mountain dining for lunch. Covid restrictions are making lines long and many places require reservations to sit inside. Call ahead depending on where you are skiing.
Leave plenty of time to get to the airport. While getting to the airport is relatively quick and easy the current airport configuration requires extra time to get from check in to your gate. I turned on my apple watch and clocked a mile walk (without using the people movers) from check in to my gate. Important to note that the new Salt Lake City airport is stunning but is only phase 1 and the current check-in to gate situation will be addressed.
Always be sure to check websites for the most up to date information regarding Covid-19. Your health is always most important!
Thinking of buying a second home in Park City? Craig Popa at Mountain Home Park City is your guy. Contact him at 435-640-5557
Check out my Winter Dining Guide post here:
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Do you have any “insider tips” you would like to share? What area is your favorite? Post it in the comments! I would love to hear what you think!