In the heart of the Wasatch Mountains in Utah sits the lovely mountain city of Park City, which is just 32 mi (51 km) southeast of Salt Lake City. This former silver mining town base camp is home to a historic Main Street, representing the heart and soul of one of the West’s most popular mountain towns. Park City also has the repute of being one of the most accessible and gorgeous powder for skiers and snowboarders all across the country. What’s more, we were able to explore not just one or two but multiple ski resorts in Park City, all of which lie less than 20 minutes away from each other. In fact, Park City and Canyons Resorts merged in 2015, creating what is now the largest skiing area in the entire country – a whopping 7,300 acres!
Furthermore, the resorts at Park City are a mix of major and minor, two of which have been major locations for the snowboarding and skiing events at the 2002 Winter Olympics! What made our skiing vacation here all the better was that the towns and base camps boasted everything from boutique restaurants to art galleries and luxury shops. So, they satisfied our various cravings, making for a well-rounded skiing vacation. Check out our detailed guide to the skiing opportunities in and near Park City.
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Deer Valley
5
Most luxurious. We begin the list with the “groomers-only” paradise that is Deer Valley, one of the premier skiing destinations in the country. Think ski valets that helped unload and carry our equipment, a no-snowboarders policy on the slopes, onsite kids care, and gourmet dining opportunities. That’s why it’s often considered the crown jewel of Park City for its luxurious skiing and Après-ski experience, even in summer. So, it’s not surprising that we didn’t have a single bad day here, thanks to the excellent skiing and customer service.
What’s more, the ski school here is revered as one of the best in the United States. In fact, stylish Norwegian alpine skier and Olympic Gold winner Stein Eriksen was the director of skiing here for more than three decades! The school even admitted our kids as young as four years old and us adult skiers belonging to all ability levels.
Pro tip: We needed to plan ahead for skiing at Deer Valley since it limits the number of lift tickets sold in a day and skiers on the mountain.
The Terrain. Deer Valley offers more than 2,026 acres of skiable terrain, which also includes 940 acres of trees for “trees skiing” or cross-country skiing. It has as many as 103 runs, which also include double black diamond runs on six mountain peaks. The terrain is a mix of 25% beginner, 43% intermediate, and 32% advanced terrain, allowing us all to have a good time.
The Town. Although Deer Valley doesn’t have much nightlife, it has three main centers: Silver Lake, Empire Canton, and Snow Park Lodges. Plus, it has a host of restaurants where we could tip back a few glasses of wine post-skiing.
At a glance
- Known for: Skiers-only mountain with five-star service and ski-in/ski-out accommodation
- Opening: First week of December
- Closing: N/A
- Elevation: 6,570 ft (2,002 m)
- Summit: 9,570 ft (2,916 m)
- Lifts: 21 (2 doubles, 5 triples, 13 high-speed quads, 1 gondola)
- Airport: Salt Lake City, 40 mi (64 km)
Pros
- The crowds are smaller due to a limited number of lift tickets and skiers on the mountain.
- It offers exceptional grooming opportunities.
- The resort has amazing luxury facilities and superb customer service.
Cons
- It’s expensive.
Where to Stay: Montage Deer Valley redefines ski-to-door access, adding a dollop of luxury to it. The skis were ready by the time we headed down from our rooms, even for the kids. Not only is the staff on point but also ski school is a breeze due to Deer Valley Mountain having an office right in the hotel. The spa and six restaurants put us in a full stupor, especially after an entire day of skiing. At the day’s end, unwinding in the hot tub or swimming in the year-round indoor/outdoor pool is just what the doctor ordered. In the end, the digs were the highlight, with plush mod-cons, fireplaces, and balconies/patios with views of the mountains. That’s why it’s one of the best luxury hotels in Park City.
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Heber Valley
4
Most versatile. Heber Valley is tucked neatly between Deer Valley and Sundance, one of the best ski resorts in Salt Lake City. The scenic valley sits just over the ridge behind Deer Valley, offering everything that the Park City resort does – but without the higher prices or the crowds. But what’s great about Heber Valley is that besides skiing opportunities, it offered a lot, lot more snow-based activities that were fun for the entire family.
The iconic Soldier Hollow Nordic Center is the crowning glory of Heber Valley, as it offers loads of activities. We enjoyed skiing and snowshoeing across cross-country trails, winding through the hills and trees. These are the same trails used for the 2002 Olympics. In fact, last winter, even horse-powered skiing hit the slopes of Heber! There’s also a biathlon course, Utah’s longest snow tubing lanes, the Heber Valley railroad, and the Midway Ice Rink, Utah’s largest outdoor ice skating rink. The best sight, of course, was the Utah Ice Castles, which were a spectacular icy experience like no other we’d ever seen.
The Terrain. Although the actual skiable terrain here is much less as compared to other Park City resorts, Heber Valley’s powder is perfect for just about every snow-centered activity imaginable. In fact, the valley boasts more than 200 mi (321 km) of groomed snowmobiling trails and boasts Utah’s longest snow tubing lanes – more than 1,200 ft (365 m) long!
The Town. Clearly, Heber Valley is more than just its skiing or even other snowy activities. It’s evident that the fun doesn’t end there when the sun sets, especially since there are two base towns of Heber and Midway. What’s great is that both towns boast lovely nightlife scenes with a mix of live music, craft cocktails, and local cuisine.
At a glance
- Known for: A variety of snow-based activities for the entire family, including skiing.
- Opening: Mid-December
- Closing: Mid-March
- Elevation: 5,882 ft (1,793 m)
- Summit: 5,463 ft (1,665 m)
- Lifts: 1
- Airport: Salt Lake City, 50 mi (80 km)
Pros
- The valley has an excellent roster of snow-based activities for the entire family.
- It’s not expensive.
- It boasts two base towns with great nightlife as well.
Cons
- It might not appeal to serious, expert skiers.
Where to Stay: Since ski-to-door staying isn’t possible in Heber Valley, we decided to switch it up and stay in Heber Senator Bed and Breakfast in Heber City. Staying here put the Nordic center barely 15 minutes away. This 1902-built historic B&B was just the quiet and relaxing place we wanted to stay in, away from the bustle. Even then, it was just three blocks to the main street of Heber City, which meant that we were close to the action too. Aside from free Wi-Fi, the rooms featured plush beds, while ours even had a bathroom with a spa bath. Oh, and of course, we chose a balcony room whose patio came with stunning mountain views. Wrapping up the amenities was the fact that we were treated to delicious breakfasts every day.
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Woodward Park City
3
Woodward Park City is the country’s first all-in-one skiing and action sports resort, giving tough competition to Heber Valley. Our family, especially the kids, went crazy at the state-of-the-art campus, which had skiing, mountain biking, tubing, snowboarding, and indoor and outdoor facilities for cheer, parkour, scooter, BMX, and skateboarding. Phew! But what excited us skiers is that Woodward also happens to be an official training center for the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team. Aside from skiing, kids especially loved the massive indoor action sports center with foam pits, trampolines, skate ramps, pump tracks, and more. Of course, the thrill of racing down some of Utah’s longest tubing lanes is another wildly popular attraction.
“The kids loved Woodward Park City, and us adults had tons to do too!”
WOW Travel
The Terrain. With more than 60 skiable acres across 11 runs, Woodward’s terrains are divided into beginner (36%), intermediate (45%), and expert (18%). The terrain is designed to build skills and confidence, ranging from ‘extra-small’ approachable features to extreme terrain, jumps, and bowls. You can start by warming up at the Start Park before proceeding to the Progress Park and finally showing off your skills on the main trail.
The Town. Woodward Park City is a very lively base town with multiple options for dining and shopping. Moreover, Salt Lake City is nearer to Woodward Park City than any other other Park City resort. Plus, there’s even Kimball Junction less than five minutes away.
At a glance
- Known for: One-stop for skiing and action sports, including night skiing.
- Opening: Mid-November
- Closing: N/A
- Elevation: 6,463 ft (1,970 m)
- Summit: 6,812 ft (2,076 m)
- Lifts: 4 (1 quad, 3 surface lifts)
- Airport: Salt Lake City, 27 mi (43 km)
Pros
- This is one of the most versatile skiing and winter activity parks in Park City.
- It’s great for everyone, regardless of their skiing experience.
- It’s a great place for kids to get started on snow activities.
Cons
- Pros might prefer other only-skiing resorts.
Where to Stay: Newpark Resort in Kimball Junction is less than 10 minutes from Woodward Park City and is a modern, luxurious hotel perfect for staying at. Not only does it feature an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, but it also offers services for storing ski equipment. A steam room and sauna aside, the place even has a business center and free Wi-Fi for those who want to stay connected or check into work. The rooms are uber comfortable, with bathrobes in the bathrooms, coffee machines, and seating areas.
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Brighton Resort
2
Most kid-friendly. The hidden gem that is Brighton Resort is unarguably the most laidback of all the ski resorts in Park City, Utah. It’s because of its appealing mix of expert and beginner terrain, forgiving, wide runs, free skiing for 6-year-old-or-less kids, and lower lift-ticket prices. In fact, we saw a largely young crowd on Brighton’s sprawling runs, a large chunk of which were snowboarders. It’s why the skiing resort has the well-deserved distinction of being the place where most SLCers learn to ski and ride. Hence, Brighton also well-deservedly ranked first for family terrain and affordability in Utah Family Magazine.
Brighton has an interesting history longer than most other Utah ski resorts. It all started when an alpine ski club used its engineering expertise to build a rudimentary rope in 1936 tow to get folks up the mountain. Brighton’s basic mission remains the same even today, with the only difference now being that it has more than 1,050 skiable acres across 66 runs. Finally, Brighton also has some of the most extensive nighttime skiing in the western United States.
The Terrain. Brighton’s terrain is Utah’s only ski resort that’s completely accessible by quad. There’s a good mix of beginner (23%), intermediate (39%), and advanced terrain (38%). What’s more, the resort even has five-star grooming, trees, and chutes for us who love white-knuckle terrain and cross-country skiing. Finally, three amazing terrain parks link the bottom of the mountain to the top.
The Town. Aside from slopeside stops, Brighton Village is a nostalgic, sleepy base town that was home to many amateur and expert snowboarders in the 1990s-2000s. While it doesn’t have the glamor and glitz of other resorts, the laidback vibe is perfect for those simply looking for a great skiing holiday.
At a glance
- Known for: Laid-back local mountain connected to Solitude
- Opening: Mid-November
- Closing: May end
- Elevation: 8,755 ft (2,668 m)
- Summit: 10,500 ft (3,200 m)
- Lifts: 8 (1 triple, 1 quad, 1 high-speed quad, and 2 surface lifts)
- Airport: Salt Lake City, 35 mi (56 km)
Pros
- It’s less crowded than other ski resorts nearby.
- The slopes are connected to Solitude Mountain via the Solbright pass.
- Children aged 10 years and less ski free.
Cons
- It has a very small base with lodging and food options.
Where to Stay: We wanted to be able to walk to Brighton’s slopes, which is why we chose the Brighton Chalets. The well-furnished, modern chalets come with free Wi-Fi and lots of free private parking, which was a blessing since we’d rented our own car. Comforts like cable TVs, full kitchens, and private bathrooms aside, we loved the balconies that afforded us sweeping views of Brighton’s slopes.
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Park City
1
Best overall. Park City is one of the ultimate of all of Utah’s great skiing resorts and the largest in the country. Skiing at Park City is unique because of its proximity to not just downtown Park City but also Salt Lake City. That, combined with its modern Olympic legacy, has catapulted it to fame. Besides featuring world-class terrain parks, the mountain offers excellent, sophisticated skiing and has been ranked as North America’s “#1 “Most Accessible Resort” by Ski magazine. And this was all before it added the 4,000 acres of the adjacent Canyons Resort!
What makes Park City so popular is that it offers runs for everyone. In fact, when we weren’t skiing, we spent hours at its newest offering, Ski Beach, a snow-melt hangout area with soft seating and fire pits. With more than 7,300 skiable acres over a whopping 341 trails, Park City is truly what defines and cements Utah as a skiing destination.
The Terrain. Park City was built for the intermediate and expert skiers, offering 41% and 51% of their terrains, respectively. Offering the largest skiing area in the United States, there’s lots of beginner terrain with some wonderful views to boot, too. However, there’s so much expert and advanced terrain across Park City mountain that we had to ensure that we were booked here for at least a week – but obviously, more is better!
The Town. Park City is one of the last great American West ski towns. We loved its 1980s ski-bum culture and the silver mining charm. From pros to even those who only half-know what they’re doing on those rentals, staying in Park City is amazing. We loved the cowboy-inflected bohemian vibe that thrums along the town’s main street. Don’t forget to visit High West Distillery, the world’s only ski-in/ski-out whiskey distillery.
At a glance
- Known for: The United States’ largest ski resort with an unbeatable ski town
- Opening: Mid-November
- Closing: First week of May
- Elevation: 6,800 ft (2,072 m)
- Summit: 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
- Lifts: 42 (4 doubles, 7 triples, 4 quads, 10 high-speed quads, 6 high-speed six packs, 4 gondolas, and 7 surface lifts)
- Airport: Salt Lake City, 38 mi (61 km)
Pros
- Skiing Park City is the ultimate Utah skiing experience.
- The terrain and sheer volume of runs offer excellent skiing options.
- There are endless dining and entertainment options in the historic town.
Cons
- It’s crowded, obviously.
Where to Stay: We chose to stay in Park City proper at the amazing Washington School House, which is just two blocks from the chairlift. Our days at this lovely boutique hotel because with delicious complimentary breakfasts, after which we’d hit the slopes. After a day out on the powder, a swim in the heated pool feels like heaven. We followed it up with an alfresco drinking and dining session by the outdoor fire pit. Since there are only 12 rooms here, all of which blend modern living elements with vintage decor and all-white interiors, staying here is a deliciously exclusive and rustic-chic mountain living experience.
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Our Verdict!
Here’s a specialized list to help you zero in on one amazing Park City skiing resort, should you have to choose!
- Most luxurious: Deer Valley
- Most versatile: Heber Valley
- Most kid-friendly: Brighton Resort
- Best overall: Park City
How long is skiing good in Park City?
The ski season in Park City generally runs between mid-November and mid-April, depending on the snowfall and weather.
How many skiing resorts are in Park City?
While there are 4-5 skiing resorts in Park City, Park City Mountain, and Deer Valley Resort are the best among them for their skiable area and infrastructure.
Is Park City ski crowded?
Yes, park City is definitely more crowded than other resorts, especially at the base of the mountain in the morning. However, the resort does a fantastic job of dispersing everyone around to reduce the lift lines.
