If you’re planning a Park City, Utah winter getaway anytime soon, you’re in for a treat with this Park City Winter Guide! Every year, four of my girlfriends and I meet up in a different place to have a girls’ weekend. This year, we decided we wanted to go to a mountain ski town during the winter for some relaxing fun in the snow. After much research, we landed on a trip to Park City, Utah!
Park City is a wonderful mountain town located in Utah just 40-minutes from Salt Lake City. Not only has Park City evolved into one of the most popular skiing destinations in the country, but there are also plenty of other activities to do here besides skiing. If you’re a non-skier, you can also enjoy things like exquisite dining experiences, historic downtown shops and activities, high-end spas, and a bunch of other winter sports.
In this Park City Winter Guide, I’ll be sharing my top recommendations for things to do in the winter, no matter if you ski or not.
Also, I’m so glad you’re here…let’s be friends on Instagram!
Park City Winter Guide
The best way to get to Park City in the winter is to fly into Salt Lake City International Airport and either drive, or take an Uber/Lyft from the airport to Park City. The good news about visiting Park City is that you don’t need a car, even in the winter, because of the awesome public transportation system.
Most of the lodges and hotels have complimentary shuttles that will take you to activities nearby and if you’re on the Historic Main Street, you can take the free trolley. The free bus system can also get you to your destination with ease and if all else fails, there’s always Uber, Lyft, or taxi.
Park City in the winter is chilly and can average anywhere from 14 degrees (low) and 35 degrees (high) in the winter months of December – February. These months are when you’ll see the most snowfall. Many big-time skiers say that February is the best time for skiing with the best fresh snowfalls. Just remember that holiday weekends will be the busiest times in Park City if you’d rather avoid crowds.
Depending on the activities you’ll be doing in the winter, I recommend dressing warmly and bringing:
- Ski goggles – These are great and cheap from Amazon
- A helmet – I love this one
- Gloves – These are awesome and warm.
- Snow pants – Love these.
- Ski Jacket – I bought this last season and love it.
- Hat, scarf and sunglasses
You can also rent your ski and snowboard gear in Salt Lake City for cheaper rates than in Park City. However, there are plenty of places to rent in Park City.
Park City Winter Guide: Where To Ski In Park City
Park City Mountain Resort
Ready for one of the best ski trips of your life? Fun fact: Park City Mountain is the largest ski resort in the United States, known for its world class skiing and diverse terrain. It’s also located immediately within the town of Park City. It actually used to be two ski resorts (Park City and Canyons Resort), but they merged back in 2015. There are over 43 lifts and over 330 trails, plus you can even ski-in directly from the mountain to parts of Park City’s Historic Main Street, which I find to be pretty awesome.
Just keep in mind this mountain is massive! I highly recommend picking one side and sticking to it. Especially if you’re on a friend trip or family getaway. Traversing from one side to the other can take a bit of time. The Park City side has some of the easier runs for beginners and intermediates (although there are still a lot of challenging runs), while the Canyon side has a bit more difficult runs. See what I mean in the trail map here.
Luckily this mountain is great for skiing and snowboarding and has runs for all skill levels. To get to the mountain, all you need to do is pop on the public transit bus. Most hotels and Airbnb’s will let you know where your stop is located. I think this is the most efficient way to get around Park City Mountain.
A one-day adult lift ticket will cost you about $165 depending on the weekend and month and many people opt to use the Epic Ski Pass in Park City. Note that the park is typically open from November – April, 9 am – 4 pm.
Deer Valley Resort
At the south end of Park City, you’ll find Deer Valley Ski Resort. And when I say ski resort, I quite literally mean only for skiers. It’s one of the three resorts in the USA that won’t allow snowboarders. A bit snobby if you ask me, but I digress. Deer Valley is a world-class ski resort known for limiting the number of lift tickets sold each day so guests don’t have to wait in long lift lines…I can get behind that!
Deer Valley has about 20 ski lifts and a lot of challenging terrain, but some incredible views. Check out this Deer Valley Trail map to see the different runs. A one-day adult lift ticket will set you back about $200-$500 depending on the weekend and month you’re going. The park is open from early December until April, 9 am – 4:30 pm.
Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort are the nearest ski resorts to Park City, but there are still some highly recommended resorts just outside of town.
Park City Winter Guide: Where to Ski Outside of Park City
Solitude Mountain Resort
Drive 12-miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon (about 45 minutes from Park City) and you’ll hit Solitute Mountain Resort. This is a less crowded, more relaxed hidden gem of a ski resort. Over 50% of the terrain is for advanced skiers and they have 82 runs!
A one-day adult lift ticket is about $115 depending on the weekend and month you’re going and they do honor the IKON ski pass. The park is open from early December until April, 9 am – 4 pm. Find a terrain map here.
Brighton Resort
Continue through Big Cottonwood Canyon and you’ll hit Brighton Resort. Brighton boasts that 100% of their terrain is accessed by high-speed quads, so you’ll make it up the mountain quickly here. They also get 500 inches of snow on average in the winter and have a popular night skiing program. Note that Brighton also has more beginner-friendly terrain than Solitude does.
A one-day adult lift ticket is about $100 depending on when you go. They also honor the IKON pass. The resort is open from November – April, 9am – 4pm. Find a terrain map here.
Alta and Snowbird
Just south of Big Cottonwood Canyon is Little Cottonwood Canyon where you’ll find the ski resorts of Alta and Snowbird. These resorts have two of the most challenging terrains in the state. Alta is another ski-only resort, but Snowbird allows boarders. Both resorts get about 550 inches of new snowfall each year and are great for intermediate skiers and boarders.
A one-day adult lift ticket is about $130 – $150 depending on when you go. They also honor the IKON pass. Both resorts are open from November to May, and Snowbird is open from 9 am to 4 pm and Alta from 9:15 am – 4:30 pm Find the Alta terrain map and the Snowbird terrain map here.
Park City Winter Guide: Things To Do In Park City In Winter
Ski/Snowboarding
I loved Park City Mountain because of its general ease and location, but check out the other ski resorts above to see which option would be the best for your trip.
Utah Olympic Park
The Utah Olympic Park was built for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games and is located right in Park City! There are Nordic ski jumps, a Winter Games Museum, ice skating and so much more. Check out their site for more activities and ticket pricing.
Have a Spa Day
By far, the best spa in Park City is at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, which also happens to be Utah’s only 5-star spa. Some other top spas in the world are also located in Park City such as the Spa Montage, VIE Spa, and Waldorf Astoria Spa offering everything from a manicure to a full body treatment. It’s a perfect way to spend some time away from the slopes albeit a bit of a splurge.
The Crater at Homestead
Take a detour from the typical Park City activities and head to this unique Crater at Homestead for a swim. My friends and I had a blast floating around in this natural geothermal spring. It’s perfect if you want a swim in warm water in the middle of winter. Just know that there will be scuba divers below you. This can sometimes freak people out while swimming on the surface.
Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride
This is such a fun activity for a group. Each ride costs $25 per person and takes about 25-minute. You could bring your flasks and ask for a ride through the scenic parts of Park City. Dress warm and bring a camera if you want to take a few pictures to remember the ride. I recommend going through Park City Sleigh Rides for your adventure!
Dog Sledding
What’s a better combination than dogs and snow?!? I recommend going with this family-owned and operated dog sledding company, Rancho Luna Lobos, for a truly local experience. You can also get a kennel tour to meet the dogs. Dog sledding costs ~$350 per sled with two people to a sled. I suggest booking it earlier in the year because the dates fill up very quickly.
Nordic Center
If you’re into snowshoeing, or cross country skiing, the Nordic Center is for you. At the Nordic Center, you can get all the rentals you could want and they offer guided lessons and tours. You can also go out on the nordic paths on your own with cross country skis or snowshoes. Into fat bikes? That’s also a rental option here too. You can get a track pass for about $50, snowshoe rental for $18, and a full set of cross country skis for $25.
Go Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is a great way to spend a day on the mountain and enjoy the scenery. I recommend Red Pine Adventures if you’d like an actual snowmobile tour, or you can always go out on your own and rent your gear at Lofty Peaks adventures.
Walk Around Historic Downtown
Park City has such a cute downtown, and if you’re skiing at Park City Mountain, you can actually ski right down to the bars. I just love spending a bit of time walking around to check out the cute shops, bars, and restaurants in the downtown area. I also recommend checking out the local Park City Museum while you’re downtown!
Park City Winter Guide: Places To Stay In Park City In Winter
Airbnb
I stayed here in this 3BD/3BA – Newly remodeled Condo that slept up to 10 and it was perfect for the 5 of us. It had ample space for our small group, and we were so close to the bus stop to the mountain that we could just easily take the bus to go skiing. There was also a place to rent our ski gear right in our Airbnb complex. Book this same place here.
Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley
Stein Eriksen Lodge offers a luxurious experience for all ages; with stress-free accommodations and free cancelations, it’s easy to see why travelers choose here to spend their winter vacation. I stayed here in the summer, and it was a gorgeous hotel. I can only imagine how amazing it would be in the winter. It is a bit pricey, so be prepared to splurge on yourself. One of the perks of Stein Eriksen Lodge? It’s in Deer Valley. See current prices here.
Hotel Park City
Hotel Park City offers year-round adventure for the whole family. Its proximity to Deer Valley makes it a fantastic destination to stay in the winter months. It’s a luxurious stay with scenic views and comfortable beds from your suite or cottage. See current prices here.
Silverado Hotel
Enjoy the comfy beds and great amenities. The Silverado Hotel is perfect for a winter getaway with the family. This mid-range hotel accommodates up to four-bedroom suites and a year-round pool. You can find a gym that is always open and a friendly staff that goes above and beyond to give you the best vacation experience. See current prices here.
Newpark Resort
Stay awhile at the Newpark Resort. They offer a vibrant experience with over 120 rooms and 10 guest-townhomes. Enjoy year-round festivities and adventure with guided tours and the best that Park City has to offer. Plan your next Park City winter trip with all the amenities you could ever dream of on your visit. See current prices here.
Park City Winter Guide: Places To Eat In Park City In Winter
High West Distillery
A perfect blend of the wild wild west and whiskey. This place is so cool! They offer whiskey tastings, or you can just go in here for a drink and food.
Tupelo
We wanted to try an upscale, cozy dinner spot and Tupelo definitely exceeded all our expectations. Their globally inspired cuisine had our mouths watering and we loved the overall vibe.
Twisted Fern
With a farm-fresh-inspired menu, Twisted Fern blends local flavor with sustainable efforts to reduce waste and increase their customers’ happiness. We love sustainable eateries with a cause. And the food was delicious.
Old Town Cellars
It’s wine o’clock! With Old Town Cellars’ dedication to making wine delicious and affordable, you can bet your bottom dollar that you will have an amazing glass of wine that blends with a passion for the great outdoors. We loved hanging out at this spot.
Silver Star Cafe
The views here are great and their breakfast and lunch menu are packed with a southern twist and pinch of spice. Go for the food and stay for the live music and hometown feel.
Riverhorse on Main
This dinner spot is extremely popular and has delicious food and live music!
The Eating Establishment
A wonderful brunch spot! They truly embody the spirit of “breakfast all day,” and it’s a concept we were quickly able to get behind.
Pink Elephant
Try the local coffee! Pink Elephant Coffee Roasters was created on the ideal of loving coffee, embracing adventure, and preserving nature. You can check out their local cafe and pick up a bag of specially roasted coffee beans.
The Wasatch Brewery Pub
Some of the best beers come from smaller breweries, in my opinion. The Wasatch Brewery Pub also had a diner where you can sit down and have a nice cold one.
Five5Seeds
In need of a fantastic place to have brunch? Five5Seeds exceeded our expectations with a delicious fusion menu.
No Name Saloon
This spot is a classic! You must go get a beer and eat here. Think wild west meets family-friendly motorcycle diner. The environment was bustling with people ready to get their apres-ski on!
Atticus Coffee, Books, & Teahouse
What a cute spot! Check out the cute bookshop and coffee shop vibe mixed together.
No matter what, you’re going to have a great time in Park City in the winter. There’s so much to see and do and it truly feels like a winter wonderland! Please let me know in the comments if you enjoy any of my recommendations and let’s be friends on Instagram in the meantime!
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