Have you ever encountered the trademarked phrase, "The Greatest Snow on Earth"?
How about "Go Big or Ski in Park City Utah"?
OK, the second one is made up, but Park City ski fields are world-renowned for their vast quantities of quality snow.
Park City has the largest snow domain in the United States of America. It consists of two main ski resorts (which are about a 10-minute drive from each other):
The two ski resorts have more than 300 trails of endless fun served by 41 lifts. Park City is a paradise for snow lovers with natural pipes, powder-filled bowls, plunging chutes, and extensive corduroy runs.
Whether you're crossing the ski and snowboarding destination from your bucket list or planning a staycation, Brealpa's here to guide you. In this Park City winter location guide, you'll also learn about:
Discover Park City's snow adventure wonderland, from innovative and luxurious facilities to family-facing activities. As you enjoy a well-earned vacation, don't forget to explore the former mining town's exciting history.
Long before Park city was a skiing and snowboarding behemoth, it began as an old west mining town. In 1868, a group of soldiers stationed at a Salt Lake outpost discovered silver in the hilly areas.
Later in 1872, three prospectors discovered a vein with vast quantities of silver in Ontario Canyon. After that, word of the discovery spread quickly, and fortune-seekers flocked to the area turning the tiny camp into a mining town. Finally, in 1889, the town was incorporated into a city.
The city was put on the world map again when it hosted one-third of the 2002 Olympic winter games. The city also hosts the famed Sundance Film Festival, adding to the list of fun activities for holidaymakers.
Although bristling with modern technology, Park City’s architecture consists of wide streets and quaint wooden buildings. This is reminiscent of the town’s past as a colonial American village.
The city and its ski areas are the most accessible in the US.
Park City is a winter wonderland located about half an hour from the Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). You can take an Uber or Lyft to the mountain from the airport on arrival.
The road from the airport is part of the I-80, the second-longest Interstate Highway in the US. The highway is a well-maintained multi-lane road often kept clear of winter snow. In addition, the road is mainly a straight stretch, meaning you won’t have to traverse tricky twists and turns in the snow.
The city’s downtown is walkable and has a free in-town transit system, eliminating the need to rent a car. In addition, shuttle bus services take you to various parts of the city. The rental car counter is located within the airport if you must rent a vehicle.
After you settle into your accommodations, you can take a shuttle or the free trolley to the historic Main Street to explore eclectic shops and eateries.
Park City has excellent snow conditions. They even adopted and trademarked the catchphrase “The Greatest Snow on Earth.”
The skiing and snowboarding season kicks off in December and ends in March.
The winter season is also chilly, averaging between -10 and 0 degrees Celsius. February sees the most snowfall and is the best time for skiing and snowboarding.
The quality of Utah’s snow is in part due to its high altitude and low humidity. In addition, the mountains are surrounded by high desert land, leaving little moisture to cause snowflakes to stick together. This, in turn, causes the snow on ski resorts to be powdery and fluffy, as loved by skiers and snowboarders.
The other reason for the great Park City snow is the lake effect. Salt Lake is often warmer than the surrounding landscape, causing warm moist air from its surface to rise. The meeting of descending cold air with the warm moist rising air leads to intensified precipitation, hence more snow.
The geographical phenomena at Park City conspire to make the perfect winter wonderland with an average snowfall of 8 to 10 meters.
The Park City snow area is massive with terrific terrain suitable for all abilities covering over 9,300 acres. In addition, the slopes have ideal well-groomed runs that delight thrill-seekers.
The ski area comprises two ski fields – Park City Mountain and the Deer Valley Resort. They used to be three separate resorts until Park City merged with Canyons Resort in 2015.
The Park City Mountain Ski Resort is the largest in the US and has gentler slopes, making it ideal for family vacations. It is highly accessible as it is closest to the city.
The resort sits on a 7,300-acre expanse, making it the largest ski area in the US. When Vail Resorts merged Park City and Canyons, it installed the high-speed Quicksilver Gondola, soaring over the Pine Cone Ridge. The lift system carries passengers in eight-passenger cabins across 1.5 miles linking Park City and Canyon.
Vail’s $50 million upgrades included upgrading the lifts and building the new Miner’s Camp Restaurant with a capacity of 500 diners. Skiers and snowboarders love the Quicksilver Gondola ride because of the spectacular views of the mountain and the resort.
The Park City Mountain Resort has 38 lifts serving over 300 trails and 14 bowls. It was the host of part of the 2002 Olympic winter events. Since then, a group of free riders known as Park City All ride the parks and pipes daily and share tips on improving the resort with the management.
The Park City side has gentler runs ideal for beginners and intermediates. The Canyon side has more challenging terrain loved by experienced skiers and snowboarders.
Single-day lift tickets at the resort will set you back at $165. IKON Pass holders get great discounts on lift tickets and select services.
Deer Valley's fine food, luxury accommodations, and well-groomed slopes are popular.
This resort is located south of Park City and is only open to skiers (no snowboarders). It is close to the city as it's only a 15-minute walk from the historic Main Street.
The resort offers an exclusive experience by limiting the number of day-lift tickets sold. This prevents people from waiting in long lines to access the lift. Day lift tickets in this resort are more expensive than in Park City Mountain and range from $200 to $500, depending on the time.
The resort has more challenging terrain, making it ideal for expert and advanced skiers. It covers over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, with 103 runs served by 21 chairlifts. These lifts carry over 50,000 skiers up the mountain per hour.
Advanced skiers who crave speed may participate in the NASTAR, the world's largest recreational ski race event. They also love the advanced double black diamond runs available on the resort.
Aside from the two main ski resorts, Park City has other resorts scattered over the mountains. You can visit these for the adventure or if you need to explore further.
They include:
Park City is a winter paradise with many activities besides skiing to keep holidaymakers entertained. Here are some of the activities you can take part in:
Park City has some of the most luxurious accommodation options in the US. Many facilities exist on the historic Main Street, including bars, restaurants, art galleries, and high-end shops. And with the town so close to the ski fields, skiers and snowboarders have plenty of lodging and dining options.
Don’t forget to share a drink with the locals at the High West Saloon when in Park City. This is the only ski-in distillery in the world. You can sample their whiskies and take part in a fun karaoke.
Park City in Utah is a mountain oasis winter wonderland that is a must-visit for any avid snow lover. From the expansive Park City Mountain Resort to the famed Deer Valley resort, there are enough activities to entertain your entire family.
As you shred powder in The Greatest Snow on Earth, explore the rich and exciting history of the old silver mining town. Enjoy top-tier accommodation and dining in exclusive and luxurious hotels and restaurants. Don’t forget to pay homage to the High West Saloon, the only ski-in distillery, and sample their fine wine.
Planning your next winter holiday can be a breeze. Brealpa curates up-to-date helpful information to guide you as you prepare for a fun-filled snow adventure. We provide handy information on: