Park City is both a ski resort and a Utah resort town, and is quite possibly the most readily accessible major ski destination in the country. Located in the Wasatch Mountain range just 32 miles east of Salt Lake City, it’s possible to land at the international airport, grab your skis, hit the road, then hit the slopes at Park City Mountain Resort within the hour.  

Once in Park City, visitors have access to free shuttles that run all over town, with buses scheduled every 20 minutes. In addition to massive Park City Resort, with its 3,300 acres of skiable terrain, 3,100-foot vertical drop and 100 trails, winter visitors may also wish to check out nearby Deer Valley, renowned for its exceptional service and high class amenities (and prices to match), or The Canyons ski resorts.  

Like other Salt Lake City ski resorts, Park City Mountain Resort recently hosted several of the 2002 Winter Olympics competitions from, including Giant Slalom and snowboarding events. With a top elevation of 10,000 feet, a three-and-a-half mile longest run, and terrain fairly evenly divided among beginner, intermediate and expert runs, Park City is a big alpine resort with a cosmopolitan feel. The town offers everything from nightclubs and galleries to fine restaurants and a manufacturer’s outlet mall.  

The down side of Park City’s big resort reputation and extreme convenience to Salt Lake City is a certain amount of crowding, especially on weekends. Expect relatively long lift lines, especially at lower elevations in the morning. Lift tickets are also relatively expensive in comparison to those at a stripped down resort such as nearby Alta. Snow conditions may also become marginal at lower elevations in less than ideal weather, usually early and late in the season. Although it receives 350-inches of snowfall annually, its relatively low 6,900-foot base elevation translates into occasionally sloppy snow at lower altitudes.  

Skiers and snowboarders looking for even more variety (or perhaps a respite from Park City’s sprawling development) can always make a quick one-hour journey to other nearby resorts such as Solitude, in Big Cottonwood Canyon, or Alta or Snowbird, in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

Park City for Romance
Romance is always in the air when the snow flies. Snuggle up in a private room with fireplace, or head out to sample Park City’s nightlife. Those in search of luxury and pampering may wish to visit nearby Deer Valley, where service has been elevated to a refined art form and elegance is the norm.

Sidebar: Where to Ski
Beginners  
Beginners will find 18 trails designed with them in mind. See trail maps for easiest runs at Park City.

Intermediates  
Fully one half of Park City’s 3,300 acres is dedicated to intermediate skiers, so it’s easy to spend a day or a week cruising wide groomed blues or challenging steeper, bumpier runs. There are 44 trails designated “more difficult.” Consult a trail map for more details.

Experts  
Park city boasts 38 “most difficult” trails, and features 750 acres of bowl skiing. Check out Jupiter, Scott’s Bowl and McKinney.  

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