Park City Ski Guide: 6 Quick Tips for Vacation Planning
Consisting of two resorts — Park City Mountain and Deer Valley — Park City, Utah, offers one of the largest ski areas in the U.S. This ski-loving city has even ranked among the 16 best ski resorts in the U.S. by Outside magazine. Whether it’s been awhile or the first time, there are some things to know before planning a vacation. To get started, read this quick Park City ski guide and note some tips.
Park City Ski Guide: Get Started With These 6 Tips
Getting to Park City
Located only a 35-minute drive from Salt Lake International Airport, Park City offers easy access from all over the U.S. The airport has daily flights from over 70 cities, and guests can rent a car and drive to the resort. Those looking for a road trip find Park City is located less than 500 miles from: Albuquerque (New Mexico), Boise (Idaho), Las Vegas (Nevada) and Glendale (Arizona).
Salt Lake City has both Lyft and Uber, and many drivers are happy to make the trip to the airport. They are also available for quick trips around Park City.
Transportation Options
Visitors have several rental car options in Park City, including Budget, Hertz and Enterprise. Those not interested in renting a car have free public transportation options via buses or Park City Transit Trolley. In addition, seasonal parking passes are available after an Epic Pass purchase, and the city offers both free parking and paid parking.
Park City Lift Tickets
Purchase Park City lift tickets at least seven days in advance to receive the best discount. Available online, an EpicDay pass allows guests to buy in advance and skip lines. These passes are renewable, and visitors may add lift tickets to them each time they visit. Those new to skiing also have beginner and half-day lift pass options at specific resorts.
Want to ski all season? Epic Pass allows guests to ski as much as they want and provides access to other top ski resorts such as Vail, Beaver Creek, Whistler, Keystone and Breckenridge. The Epic 7-day Pass offers access to these resorts and suits those who plan to ski for a week. Four-day passes are also available, however all Epic Passes are available for a limited time.
Lodging: Vacation Rentals
Park City and Deer Valley house a large collection of hotels, condos, home rentals and lodges. Guests who prefer to book a vacation rental in Park City have several location options including: Canyons at Park City, Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort. Many of these rentals offer Wi-Fi, ski-in/ski-out, a fireplace, washer/dryers and incredible mountain views.
Mountain Info and Ski Trails
No Park City ski guide would be complete without mountain stats. The resort areas feature over 7,300 skiable acres suited for all skill levels. As one of the largest ski areas in the U.S., visitors have over 300 trails, 41 lifts and eight terrain parks.
The city also offers a ski and snowboard school with lessons available for children, adults and seniors. Guests select from private, family and master classes. Those over the age of 15 can book Peak to Peak Experience, which explores all 7,300 acres on intermediate and advanced terrain.
Plan to bring lift tickets and equipment rentals because the school does not provide them.Guests are welcome to ship or bring ski equipment with them, but Park City has dozens of equipment rental companies in the area.
Other Winter Activities in Park City
Traveling with loved ones who don’t ski? Don’t worry. There are plenty of other winter activities in Park City. Fun things to do include sleigh rides, as well as snowshoe and snowmobile tours in Canyons Village. Thrill-seekers love riding the alpine coaster, while the flying eagle provides a more gentle ride.
In addition to outdoor recreation, visitors enjoy annual celebrations. Events include The Nutcracker, cookie classes, a film series, live concerts and the world-renown Sundance Film Festival in January. Those who want to celebrate the holidays in Park City should plan a trip during Snowfest, a 16-day winter festival that features apres music, entertainers and family-friendly activities.
After reading this quick Park City ski guide, see which Park City restaurants are perfect for families.