We started the year with a short family vacation doing my favorite winter activity–skiing in Park City! I learned to ski as a spoiled child when we took nearly annual ski vacations to Switzerland. That sort of ruined local East Coast skiing for me, but we took our kids to Whitetail and Wisp a few times. A few years ago a friend invited us to join her in Park City, and we’ve enjoyed skiing there every winter since.
Five Things About Skiing In Park City
The topic for today’s Friday Five link up hosted at Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness is Winter Fitness. In case you’re considering a ski vacation this year, or planning ahead for next year, I thought I’d share five things about skiing in Park City.
1. Easy Logistics. One reason we keep going back to Park City is because the logistics are so easy. Park City is less than an hour from the Salt Lake City airport (as long as you aren’t driving during a blizzard!). There is plenty of free parking at the base area and free bus service around town in case one member of your party wants to head back early.
Bundled up on the first lift ride of the day.
2. Different Skiing Options. The main Park City ski area has a great mix of easy, intermediate and expert runs spread out over what I think of as four areas of the mountain. Most of the easy and intermediate trails are served by high-speed lifts that keep the lines pretty short, and even when the lines get long they move quickly.
A few years ago Park City merged with Canyons, which had been a separate ski area. Now you can take a short cable car ride with skies in hand to get from one area to the other. We did that for the first time this year, and spent an afternoon exploring the intermediate runs on that side of the mountain before taking a bus back to the Park City base.
My son starting off during the bit of snow that fell while we were there.
3. Snowboarders Are Welcome. While most resorts welcome both skiiers and snowboarders these days, nearby Deer Valley does not permit snowboards. That will keep us from trying out their slopes, since my son prefers snowboarding.
4. Gorgeous Scenery. I probably would find any mountain scenery gorgeous, but that doesn’t stop me from appreciating the views as we swoosh down the mountain–and pause for pictures once in a while.
When it’s not snowing, the skies are so blue!
5. Apres Ski Options. After a full day of skiing, we don’t need much entertainment at night, but it is nice to have the option to go out to dinner. The Main Street area has a variety of restaurant options from casual to fine dining, as well as quaint shops and a fun ice cream parlor. Our favorite places to eat include The Flying Sumo for sushi as Wasatch Brewery for pub fare.
Park City is more expensive than local resorts (the peak adult lift ticket price is $142!), but both lift tickets and equipment rentals are discounted if you buy in advance. We usually go for three days of skiing, but it we stayed longer or could go more than once a year, season passes might be worthwhile.
Do you like to ski?
Do you have any other questions about skiing in Park City?
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I loved to ski in my teens and early 20’s until some mogul jumping resulted in a knee injury. : ( Having just been to Park City last June for the Half Marathon, it was fun to see the ski runs and how some of them finished up right in town. I can’t just imagine how amazing it is in winter!
There’s an old saloon right where the ski run hits the town, so you can ski in, have a whisky to warm up, and hit the slopes again — not that I’d condone that!
Park City is so beautiful! We took a vacation there years ago and really enjoyed it. Great spot for a family trip!
It really is a family friendly town. It’s fun to see all the tots in ski school too.
Wow, skiing in Switzerland!
My family skiied. I tried it (I was pretty young), but I really didn’t like it. Despite having skiing pretty close to us now & having lived in VT, I’ve never felt the need to try it again. My BIL had a really bad crash quite a few years ago.
But at least I can picture you there, having been there now! I can definitely believe that it’s beautiful in winter.
You can get hurt skiing, and we’ve had a few scares in our family so I’m not sure how long we’ll keep tempting the odds. 😉
I’ve skiied once in my life. it was a disaster! So I never tried it again. That was 30+ years ago. Being so close to “wintersport” here in Europe you’d think I’d have tried it again. To be honest though, it just doesn’t appeal. I love that other people enjoy it but I’m only down for the Apres ski activities if that’s ok with you! ha!
I understand! I think learning as a kid is key. Plus, it can be cold on the slopes! You can get the hot tub ready for us. 😉
DEAL! haha!
Sounds like a great trip for your family and glad you had a good time even though some trails were closed. I did not realize some sloped don’t allow snowboarders. Glad this one did for you guys.
Some think that snowboards mess up the snow for skiers – the way the boards affect it, I guess.
Aww, I’d love to go to switzerland someday! I’ve never been to Park City, but those photos are gorgeous! I’ve only tried skiing once in my life (I was 7, ahaha ._.), but would love to try it again sometime!
I have never been skiing but I bets getting to go to switzerland as a kid was amazing. I hate hate hate the cold so skiing is just not for me.
You’d be surprised at how warm it can feel on the slopes – especially in a down jacket and ski pants!
The views have to be absolutely breathtaking, but I’d probably be cozied up inside the lodge, by the fireplace LOL I’m horribly uncoordinated, and have never even attempted to ski. Now with my 6-inch Voldemort scar on my knee, there’s no way I’ll even consider it. If I had a tiny bit of natural athletic ability, that would be a different story 😉
I understand your hesitation! My husband is warier that he used to be, but I’m still pretty fearless. 😉
Wow, those views are beautiful! I haven’t been skiing in years but I should look into it again.
Maybe when your knee is better!
I’ve only tried snowboarding, and I fell for most of the day. I’m not a winter sport person, but the ski resorts are still fun with shopping and restaurants.
Yes, there are lots of fun things to do off the slopes too!
Yes, there are lots of fun things to do off the slopes too!
That view looks amazing! I am terrified of skiing, or snowboarding. Do you feel skiing is a good workout for you? I’m just curious of how much work it takes.
Like everything, it depends. The runs with moguls are thigh burners for sure! Easier runs are … easier. 😉
I adore snow skiing! We’ve gotten spoiled at Monarch Mountain in CO. It’s more of a “local” resort where you park right at the door. No trams, shuttles, buses, long lines, etc. and lift tickets are reasonable. I’ve heard a lot of great things about Park City though. Makes me want to give it a try. 🙂
That local resort sounds great – and from the pics I’ve seen from you, the skiing is pretty great there too!
I wish I were a skier because this looks beautiful. Actually all of the ski destinations are breathtaking. I should probably pick up this sport. 🙂
Wow, it looks so beautiful. I skied in HS but only at our local mountain in Central PA. Not quite as nice as the Utah views! I don’t ski anymore but I do enjoy hiking in the mountains. Glad you guys found a place you love to go.
I haven’t skied in years! I prepare XC skiing now. But your pictures make me want to try it again!
I have never tried XC, but my husband may get me to!
I am not a skier. 🙁
The views would be amazing though!
I’ve visited Park City years ago in the early Spring but we didn’t do any skiing. It was beautiful with a quaint little strip in town as I recall. Sounds like you guys had a wonderful trip and family time!
I have never been skiing but it sounds like so much fun! I will definitely have to add Park City to my travel bucket list!
I have never been skiing unless you count a going down a neighbors 3 foot hill on plastic skis when I was 7…haha
I am not a huge fan of winter sports outside. Give me a spot by the fireplace to read a good book and make hot drinks for everyone else 😉
It is beautiful to look at those mountains though!
Park City is really cool in the summer too. We spent a fun day there when we were in the area a few years ago.
That is some great scenery! Yay for easy logistics and a family vacation that your teen is excited for. I have never been to Park City but I recently got my winter blue sky and snow fix in Pinedale, WY, and Denver. No skiing, though, only skating. I can ski because the skill set of skating transfers to skiing very easily. But I prefer to save my knees for skating.
I’ve never skied before but Park City definitely looks like a great option for a family ski trip. The scenery is absolutely beautiful!