How To Decide Where To Stay In Park City
Park City, Utah is a glorious vacation spot. With 300 annual days of sunshine, you cant get in a better atmosphere to soak up the scenic surroundings. When you take a trip there to enjoy some high-quality resort skiing for you and your family, its imperative to have the right place to stay. But with so many places to stay in Park City, how can you decide which one is the best value? Think about two different factors when you are making your decision: the size of your group and the kind of amenities you might need while you are there. Additionally, check out a few other helpful ideas to consider when deciding on your resort lodging.
Best Accommodation Near Park City
In case the best options ran out or you just dont want to stay in the center of Park City, you can also go to a nearby village like Heber City and Midway. This means the accommodation prices will be slightly cheaper but you will still be close enough to have easy access to the ski resorts!
Here are some options for hotels near Park City, Utah:
- Zermatt Utah Resort & Spa Trademark Collection by Wyndham This great luxury resort is a 20-minute drive from the ski resorts and has villas perfect for a 2 to 5 people to stay. The resort includes a fitness center, a ski pass sales point, and ski equipment rental. Their additional benefit is having a free shuttle service to the ski lifts.
- Best Western Plus Heber Valley Hotel It is one of the best Park City hotel deals about 20km from the ski resorts with an indoor pool, a fitness center, and a ski storage space. Its a great accommodation if you are looking for activities such as hiking, skiing, or even cycling, depending on the season.
- Swiss Alps Inn This small cozy and homelike Inn offers an outdoor pool, an indoor hot tub and a childrens playground for all the guests. The accommodations rooms include a seating area, cable TV, and a private bathroom with a bath and shower.
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Park City Utah Ski Guide
Park City, Utah, is a large ski resort west of Salt Lake City. Its nestled in the Wasatch Mountains. One lift ticket provides access to what feels like two large resorts you can hop between. The Park City Mountain Resort combined with the nearby Canyons Resort during the 2015-2016 ski season to form one huge ski resort connected via the Quicksilver gondola. The two sections and their villages still go by the names Park City and Canyons to differentiate them, but they are all part of one Park City Mountain Resort. The resort has over 330 trails, 17 mountain peaks and over 7,300 skiable acres. The resort has two villages, and you can ski right into Historic Old Town!
If you are planning your first visit, this Park City, Utah ski guide will help you get there, find a place to stay, share general mountain info and give you the scoop on lessons, rentals and where to find some tasty grub.
Villages at Park City
At Park City, you can find the Park City Mountain Village at the base of Park City, the Canyons Village at the Canyons area and you can ski right down to the Town Lift in the town of Park City in the historic district for lunch or post-skiing aprés entertainment or drinks.
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Getting To And Around Park City
Fly directly into Salt Lake City International Airport, which recently completed the first phase of a four-billion-dollar renovation to expand terminals and make baggage claim more efficient for incoming skiers and snowboarders. For those coming from Chicago, Denver or San Francisco, you can also travel via Amtraks scenic California Zephyr to Salt Lake Central Station.
From there, its a 40-minute drive along I-80 through Parleys Canyon to Park City. If you are renting a car, four-wheel drive is strongly encouraged.
The downtown area is small and walkable. Most hotels are ski-in/ski-out, but there is also a free shuttle service , as well a ski lift in the center of town.
A ski lift in Park City
Travel: How To Enjoy 3 Days In Park City Utah Without Skiingyour Browser Indicates If You’ve Visited This Link
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Orange County Register
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Deer Valley Coolest Area To Stay In Park City
Deer Valley is home to some of the best skiing in Utah with wide-open terrain, more days full of sunshine than we can count, and consistently good, powdery snow. In the summer months, the valley opens up into a haven for mountain bikers and hikers with masses of spectacular trails to explore.
Deer Valley Resort has a variety of sleek and cool bars to unwind in after a day of adventuring the mountains. If youre looking for an alternative to fast-paced activities, the neighborhood offers a range of more laid-back options including art galleries and museums.
Day : Ski Park City Mountain Before Embarking On A Nighttime Sleigh Ride
Begin your second ski day by taking a shuttle or riding the free bus over to the Park City base area, where you can grab a quick coffee and bite at Jupiter Java. From there you can get checked into ski school before jumping on either the Crescent lift or Payday Express to Bonanza for an easy, meandering cruise down Claimjumper. Drift is also a favorite beginner run for skiers and riders who are looking to practice a little more skill and gain confidence in their speed.
Those looking for more intermediate runs and some tree skiing will find several options off the King Con Express, Silverlode Express, and Motherlode Express. If youre wanting incredible views, we suggest taking the intermediate run Georgeanna from the top of McConkeys lift. Skiers and riders will be greeted with expansive views of Mt. Timpanogos, Guardsman Pass, Heber Valley, and the Uinta Mountain Range from the other side, which also serves as a great area to snap some photos. Take the trail down along the edge of the Park City property line before either continuing the trail to the left when you hit the Y, or taking Tycoon to the bottom for a challenge.
Once youve had enough for the day, head back to your accommodations for a rest before embarking on a horse-drawn sleigh ride for the night. Located at the base of Park City, you have the option to choose a 30-minute sleigh ride without dinner or opt for a dinner ride that leads up to a mountain lodge with food and entertainment for the evening.
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Study The Map Especially If You Are A Beginner Or Lower Level Intermediate Skier
Its always good to spend a little time with the trail map before skiing any new ski area. But we found it even more vital at Park City Mountain because of the size of the resort and its challenge level. If you arent an expert skier, its vital to know what turns you need to take so that you dont end up on a lift serving more challenging terrain.
The Best Places To Stay In Park City Utah
Nestled in the mountains at 7,000 feet, Park City remains one of the most preserved mining towns in America. On the historic downtown Main Street, youll find art galleries, local eateries, boutique and high-end shops, and unique bars. The annual Sundance Film Festival is largely held here in late January each year.
Utahs slogan is The Greatest Snow on Earth thanks to the unique conditions that create the best powder snow in the country. The 2002 Winter Olympics left a lasting impression, and the Utah Olympic Park can be used by visitors to try out bobsledding, ski jumping, or zip lining in the summer. Deer Valley and Park City Mountain are the two ski areas youll find here, and they offer more than 9,300 acres for skiing! Additionally, Woodward Park recently gained popularity as a fun terrain park and sledding hill for families to explore.
To be fair, both resorts are close to everything in Park City. The best attractions and restaurants can easily be accessed from either resort. However, the Canyons Village of Park City Mountain is the closest to the growing Kimball Junction area. Youll find an outlet mall, lots of great places to eat and traditional big box stores here if you need anything.
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Day : Take A Day Off The Slopes To Explore Park Citys Top Attractions
For your third day, take the day off to rest your legs and explore Park Citys many attractions and historic areas. Start your morning by taking the free bus system over to Main Street for breakfast or brunch. We suggest checking out The Eating Establishment, which serves up classic breakfast and comfort food at the right place.
Once youve finished with breakfast, take the morning to do any shopping along Main Street and the surrounding area that you may have missed on your first day before heading over to Utah Olympic Park. Built for the 2002 Olympics, the park features one of only four sliding tracks in North America, six Nordic ski jumps, a 2002 Olympic Games museum, and many other activities, including a zipline and ropes course. Thrill-seekers can even take a ride on the Comet bobsled!
After playing around the Olympic Park, take a shuttle or bus back into the Park City base area to try out the iconic mountain coaster. The elevated track winds you through more than a mile of loops and curves at speeds up to 30 mph, with the use of hand brakes.
Finish off the night with dinner at Wasatch Brew Pub, where the kiddos can pick their favorites off the kids menu, and you can sample some of Utahs best brews.
Day 5: Finish out your final ski day and soak it off in a mineral crater
As the largest ski resort in the U.S., its hard to ski everything in two days, so take your final day to enjoy the runs you may have missed, or even jump back on your favorites.
What I Packed For The Boys An Organic Ski Packing List For Kids
1.A good base layer that will stay dry when they sweat . I got them a pair at Patagonia I had to go in store to have them order it fore me. I couldnt find it online. I bought two of each kid but one pair for 3 days was fine.
2. Insulated and waterproof ski pants. Waterproof is KEY and getting an insulated pair was ideal because they only needed these and the base layer on the bottom.
3. An insulated and waterproof coat. The boys already had this thin down jacket so I just bought a waterproof rain shell to wear over it and it worked out perfect. Plus now they are not stuck with a huge jacket they will never use in Atlanta.
4. A dry fit mid-layer for their core. This is a layer they can take on or off depending on their comfort level. Quinn wore his everyday but Cole was too hot with one on. We used a couple of old long sleeve zip ups but if you are buying new, opt for something dry-fit if you can find it. I like this one because it doesnt have a bulky hood.
5.Goggles make sure they have UV protection because the glare is so strong sometimes, you need them to act as sunglasses too so you can actually see.
8.Lip balm with SPF Apply before the kids head out but also stick one in their pocket especially if they are going to be away from you all day in ski school. Both my kids reapplied on their own.
10. Mittens Go with mittens over gloves. The heat from their fingers will help keep their hands warmer. These worked well for both my kids.
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Pick A Side & Stick To It
Park City Mountain Resort is actually two ski resorts in one, formed when Park City and the Canyons Resort merged back in 2015. This means there are two major base areas. While the sides are connected by both trails and lifts, traversing from one side to the other takes quite a bit of time. This is particularly true if you arent a more advanced skier.
The center of the Canyons Village base area.
My advice is to pick a base area and plan to ski mostly on that side for the day. Thanks to the advice of my friend Summer of The Points Guy , I learned before our trip that the Canyons side has a lot of very challenging intermediate blue terrain that might be too much for my 10 year old daughter on the days she skied with us. Ok, ok I might have been intimidated a bit myself too.
Thanks to this inside intel, we opted for the Park City side. It turns out we definitely made the right choice for our family, as this side has more green and easier blue terrain. Wide green slopes like Claimjumper allowed my daughter to gain confidence. We were then able to move to some easier blues like Muckers and Treasure Hollow.
Ski school is available on either side. So if you are going to put your kids in ski school, make sure you sign them up on the side that you personally want to ski more for the day.
Westgate Park City Resort & Spa
Right by the gondola at Park City Mountain, the Westgate offers ski-in, ski-out access from its spacious rooms and suites. Many come with kitchenettes and private balconies, and the ambience is modern mountain. The property is very family friendly, and kids stay free.
The Serenity Spa here is world-class, and the massages and service are excellent. They also have a hydrotherapy circuit, steam room, and sauna on-site. Other amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a hot tub, restaurant, game room, tennis courts, and a childrens playground.
Address: 3000 Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, Utah
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Expect Traffic On Powder Days
Because of its proximity to Salt Lake City , locals head for the mountains when the weather brings new snow. This can mean a lot of traffic to Park City on powder days, as we experienced on the last day of our trip. Once you exit I-80 at Kimball Junction, the road to Park City is only 2 lanes in either direction and can get very backed up. Plan accordingly if you are trying to get to ski school or a lesson on time .
From Olympic Fame And Luxury To Innovation And Extreme Adventure Discover A Vast Winter Playground On Three Resorts
Park City is a mountain oasis located just 40 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport , your access to adventure. With the mammoth Park City Mountain, famed Deer Valley and the state of the art Woodward Park City just minutes apart, you’ll find a playground of over 9,300 skiable acres. Revel in The Greatest Snow on Earth®, see why the 2002 Winter Olympic Games were held on Park City Mountain and Deer Valleys legendary slopes, and experience the innovative and adventurous environment of Woodward. You can even ride the runs where skiers found their Olympic glory.
Riding the mountains is far from the only thing to do in this exciting mountain town. Watch the latest independent flicks at the annual Sundance Film Festival, which is held annually in late January.. Park City’s bustling nightlife is filled with concerts, jazz clubs, dancing, and film screenings, and you’ll find over 100 restaurants and bars to choose from.
And you don’t even have to drive or wait in powder day traffic or find a parking spot! The city’s free electric bus system will get you where you need to go.
Pro Tip: chat up the locals on the bus to find out where the powder stashes, best eats and gear deals are.
Don’t forget to stop at High West Saloon, the world’s only ski-in distillery in the heart of Park Citys historic downtown. Of course, the biggest whiskey aficionados will head out to its standalone distillery and tasting room in the nearby town of Wanship, where the magic occurs.
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Getting To Park City Utah And Parking Tips
We love visiting Park City for the ease of traveling there. It’s centrally located in the west whether you are hopping by via car or plane. It’s a hub for Delta, so many cities have direct flights. The region has great signage when it comes to directing people to ski resorts and back to the airport. If you are flying in, youll land at Salt Lake City International Airport. Then its a quick 36-mile trip east along route I-80 to UT-224 S. to Park City. You do not have to worry about winding mountain roads on this journey. People in surrounding states can easily access Park City with many major highways passing through the Salt Lake City area.
If you do not want to drive, you can take a shuttle, taxi or ride share from the airport. Once you are in Park City, the free bus system can take you where you need to go. Check the schedule and routes online. The free bus system stops at the ski resorts. You can take it to the Cabriolet lot at the Canyons or to the base of the Park City Mountain.
To protect your family from COVID-19, having a car can keep you from mixing with other parties in public transportation. In more normal years, the free transit system is a great way to access the ski resorts, outlet mall and grocery store. During the pandemic a car rental is the safer way to go. Speaking of rental cars, opt for a 4-wheel-drive vehicle if available.
Parking at Park City
Parking at the Canyons
Ski Valet and Lockers