Park City
Utah Skiing Area Information
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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