Skiing Out West at Park City

At 50, I thought my ski days might be numbered. Certainly, trying something as intimidating as skiing out west was not on my radar. After growing up in New England and living in Vermont, I really only know how to ski on ice and I don’t even do that very well. When Ski Utah invited me to Park City Mountain I wondered how I might handle powder, bowls, and trails that are miles long. Turns out I hande it pretty well. Park City Ski Resort’s conditions are like nothing I have ever experienced before.

Park City Mountain

The proximity of Salt Lake City’s Airport to Utah’s ski resorts make it the ultimate destination for skiers. The majority of Utah’s ski resorts are located within an hour’s drive of the airport. Park City Mountain is merely 35 minutes away making it very easy to escape to the slopes for a few days.

Skiing out west

Renting a Car in Park City

There is no need to rent a car. Instead, I’d highly recommend using Canyon Transportation to take you to your hotel. They are fast, reliable and using them couldn’t be easier. Upon arrival at the airport, simply check into their desk adjacent to the baggage claim area and within minutes a representative will whisk you out to your awaiting vehicle.

The drivers are courteous and knowledgeable. The driver we used even gave us a quick Utah history lesson on our ride on our way to the mountain. It was like having my own personal tour guide.

Once you arrive at the mountain you won’t need a car either. Park City is the only ski resort with lift access that goes directly into town. As a matter of fact, you can ski right into the High West Distillery if you’d like. Park City also has an environmentally conscientious free public bus system. These zero-emission buses make stops at most of the resorts and provide easy access to town. 

Lodging at Park City Ski Resort

Park City is made up of two distinct areas; the Mountain Village and the larger Caynons Village. Both have a wide variety of accommodations to suit all types of visitors. There are vacation rentals, lodges, and luxury properties. I stayed at the ski-in, ski-out Grand Summit Hotel. Set at the base of the Canyon Mountain, it is just a few steps from their back door to the orange bubble express. The hotel boasts loads of amenities that will make your ski vacation ultra relaxing like in-room grocery delivery, hot tubs, a sauna, steam room, and spa.

The hotel overlooks the ‘ski beach’ where people hang out for après ski. It is also alongside the village which has an ice skating rink, firepits, lots of shops, and plenty of restaurants. Be sure to make a reservation at The Farm, the award-winning farm-to-table restaurant. They use locally sourced ingredients in their dishes which must be why everything tastes so fresh. 

Skiing at Park City Mountain

Park City Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in the United States. It boasts seventeen peaks, fourteen bowls and seven terrain parks spread out over a total of 7,300 acres. There are a whopping 348 trails! You will find wide open groomers, powder-filled bowls and plenty of black diamond runs. The sheer size of it all could make it slightly terrifying for anyone there for their first visit. 

Park City Utah Dana Freeman Travels

One of the best ways to experience Park City for the first time is to ski with a professional guide. My son and I were fortunate enough to ski with Alex Fleet, one of Park City’s finest. He took us on a peak-to-peak adventure I will never forget. I can’t remember the last time that I was first and last chair.

Having a guide map out our runs and navigate all of the chairlifts enabled us to cover more ground than we would have on our own. Truth be told, skiing with Alex made me fall in love with skiing all over again. In addition to a guide, I also recommend insurance for skiing to protect yourself and your gear.

Skiing at Park City Mountain

Renting Ski Gear

I prefer to travel with just a roll-on. By using a ski rental delivery service, I was able to avoid the hassle of checking bags and paying extra baggage fees. Ski Butlers meets you right to your hotel room. A knowledgeable staff member will arrive with multiple pairs of skis, boots, and poles. They will bring enough gear with them to ensure the right fit. In less than thirty minutes we were ready to get on the slopes. 

Ski Butlers Utah

Lift Tickets and Season Passes

Consider purchasing an Epic Pass. If you ski more than five days a year you will get more than your monies worth out of it. A full Epic Pass gives you unlimited and unrestricted access to 65 resorts. For me, living in Vermont, I use the Epic Pass at Stowe Mountain Resort and Okemo. Then if I want to ski Park City for vacation, my lift tickets are already covered. This significantly reduces my vacation costs. Park City Mountain

Epic Pass Benefits

  • Discounted lodging –  20% off the best available rate when available at all of the Vail Resorts locations.
  • Ski-with-a-friend and Buddy Tickets – discounted lift tickets for family and friends.
  • PEAKS Reward – a free membership program that earns free lift tickets, lessons and more.

Keep your eye out in the fall for the best deals on pre-seasons passes.

What To Do In Park City 

Famously known for the Sundance Film Festival, this silver mining town was founded in the late 1800s. It is now known as one of the best ski towns in the country. In 1940 the first ski hill was created but what really put Park City on the map was the 2002 Olympic Games. Keep your eye out for an Olympic return. They have a bid for out 2030 games.

A huge draw for vacationers is the historic section of Park City. Along the streets, you will find colorful buildings with saloon style architecture that house boutique shops, wine bars, art galleries, and coffee houses. Everything is within walking distance although there is a trolley that will stop anywhere along the street.

Skiing out West Dana Freeman Travels

There are dozens of world-class restaurants, gastropubs, and breweries to choose from as well. We enjoyed a great meal at the Wasatch Brew and Pub. Despite being landlocked, many park city restaurants specialize in seafood that is brought in daily from Alaska, California and even Maine.

Skiing out west Park City

Although this was my first time skiing out West, it won’t be my last. This season I will be using my Epic Pass to check out Vail Ski Resort.

Disclosure: Complimentary accommodations, meals, transportation, and activities were provided by Ski Utah and their partners. No other compensation was received for this review. This post reflects the honest opinion of my experience without outside influence.

Commenting area

  1. This looks like a great place to ski. I have always wanted to go to Utah for hiking. I have never even thought about skiing. Great post and the town looks charming.

  2. Coming from the tropical country, I am still yet to try skiing. In fact, I’ve never touched snow at all in my entire life so that one is still on the list. Hopefully one day I can try to do both so I could add something on my bucket list as it looks fun, although it seems I need to learn it slowly to excel myself to do it. Thanks for sharing, and safe travel always! 🙂

    • There are so many great easy, green runs at Park City I am sure it would give you the confidence to try something new. I would recommend checking out their ski school. They have fantastic instructors!

  3. We will be going to Park City summer of 2019 (July 7-10). I hope it is as equally exciting a place as in winter and that the trolley will also be around.

  4. Excellent details of how to plan a skiing trip! Thanks for sharing will definitely save this and follow. Beautiful photos, looks like a great time!

  5. My dad tried to teach me how to ski when I was a kid (I was terrible at it!). Your trip makes me want to try to learn again. Skiing with a guide seems like something that would be beneficial to me, especially in a huge ski resort like Park City!

    • Dana Freeman December 20, 2018 at 8:53 am · · Reply

      My Dad taught me to ski too. Skiing with a guide takes all of the fear and pressure off of needing to know which lift to take or which trail is suitable for your skill level. I really enjoyed it. Plus I can’t recommend Alex enough.

  6. Being from Michigan originally, it seems odd that I’ve never picked up skiing. To make it even more perplexing, we then moved to the Blue Ridge Mountains in NC and I still didn’t ski. But your guide is an excellent road map for someone wanting to try. I’d definitely go with a guide (and most likely a friend) for my first go-round. Thanks for the post.

  7. Utah indeed seems THE place to head out for skiing. So strategically located with so many Ski resorts makes it a really great winter destination to head to. Your post provides a wealth of information for planning a trip to the west. I like the fact that you have also covered important details like what gear to take, which kind of pass to buy, etc..

    • Dana Freeman December 20, 2018 at 8:52 am · · Reply

      Thanks Sandy. I try to give as much information as I can so you might feel comfortable exploring the location on your own.

  8. It looks really nice. But while my fiance and his friends ski, I’ve never tried. Would this be a suitable place for a beginner, as well?

  9. I’m from Virginia, and yet the only place I’ve been skiing IS out West! Haha. Colorado, to be specific. And to be honest, I hated it. Not Colorado, skiing. I hated skiing. I’ve been a couple of times since that first time, but it’s just not my cup of tea. BUT, I definitely advocate visiting out west in the winter! Park City is a lovely town, and there are plenty of things to do besides hitting the slopes!

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