The Ultimate Guide to Park City Ski Resort

By: Mark T

Utah is the self-proclaimed home to the greatest snow on earth, and whether or not you agree, there’s no denying that the Beehive State has several world-class ski resorts. Park City ski area is one of the top winter attractions in the region and is a must-visit for avid powderhounds and beginners alike. 

What you know or don’t know about a resort can dramatically change your experience. This comprehensive guide will cover Park City resort lodging, parking, rentals, and more so you can get the most out of your trip. 

Overview of Park City, Utah Ski Resort

Park City Mountain Resort is located in Park City, Utah 35 minutes from the Salt Lake International Airport. The resort hosted several events during the 2002 Winter Olympics, and six of the ten U.S. Ski and Snowboard team medals were won on Park City Mountain.

On top of its rich history, Park City covers 7,300 acres of terrain, 330+ trails, 40+ lifts, 13 bowls, six terrain parks, one half-pipe, and one mini pipe, making it the largest ski and snowboard resort in the U.S. The resort also enjoys 355 inches of average annual snowfall—more than enough for fresh powder hunters.

Skiing Park City

Skiing in Park City is an unforgettable experience. The family-friendly atmosphere attracts visitors from around the country with excellent intermediate groomed runs and powder quality. 

The terrain may favor intermediate and advanced skiers, though the resort is large enough to accommodate people of any skill level. The percentage of terrain by difficulty is:

  • 8% beginner
  • 42% intermediate
  • 50% expert

Terrain Parks

Park City is one of America’s most progressive park and pipe set-ups. The mountain has six terrain parks, one half-pipe, and one mini-pipe for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. 

Little Kings: Young children and first-timers can access Little Kings off the bonanza chair, where they can practice on small jumps, boxes, rollers, and berm turns. 

Pick Axe: Intermediate riders can enjoy Pick Axe’s medium jumps, rails, and boxes to take their skills to the next level. Access off of King Con Express. 

Triple Park Zone: Advanced freestylers will love their time at 3 Kings with jumps, jibs, rails, and the mini pipe transition and funnel. Access off of 3 Kings, Eagle via Gotcha Cut-off.

Eagle Superpipe: This 22’ halfpipe runs over 550’ in length and has been home to the 2002 Winter Olympics, FIS World Championships, and several Grand Prix events.

Skiers and snowboarders at Park City should read over the responsibility code and follow the resort’s SMART style:

  • Start small
  • Make a plan
  • Always look
  • Respect
  • Take it easy

Park City Ski Lessons

Skiers and snowboarders can take their skills to the next level with Park City’s professional lessons. Rates and availability are best during the early season, so it’s best to book now. 

Child Ski Lessons. These lessons help children find a passion for winter sports on the mountain. Children will gain confidence as they learn new techniques from world-class instructors in a safe and fun environment. Available for children ages 3-14. 

Adult Ski Lessons. Park City’s instructors will help you reach new personal heights, whether you’re a beginner or you’re already skiing the slopes with ease. Available for adults ages 15+. 

Private Lessons. Private lessons allow you to customize your day and create the ultimate mountain experience. Classes are available for groups of family and friends or one-on-one for a more personalized experience. Available for all ages. 

Park City ski lessons offer world-class coaching on the biggest resort in the U.S. Use the links above to find pricing, dates, and information for individual lessons. 

Park City Ski Resort Parking

Park City has changed the parking system for the upcoming 2022/23 season to reduce congestion and increase resort accessibility. 

Paid reservations are available at the Main, First Time, and Silver King surface lots and in the Mountain Village Garage. Skiers are required to have a reservation seven days a week until 1:00 p.m., after which all parking is free. 

Reservations cost $25 per vehicle per day for surface lots and $40 per vehicle per day at the Mountain Village Garage. Free parking is available at the Canyon Village base area, Park City High School, and High Valley Transit Park-n-Ride locations. 

Guests can opt-in to receive parking alerts by texting PARK to 435-244-7169.

Park City Ski Rentals

Many skiers prefer to rent equipment from the resort rather than bring their own, especially if they visit from out of state. Park City makes rentals easy with convenient delivery and pickup options for skis, snowboards, and other gear. 

New guests can sign up for the rental email to receive a $10 discount on their first purchase. Use the online rental service to determine when and how you will receive the equipment, find the most convenient location, and learn which gear best fits your needs. 

Helpful tip: If you pick up after 3 p.m., you won’t be charged for that day. 

Park City Resort Lodging

Guests can find their ideal vacation package in one spot: Park City Mountain Reservations. Mountain Reservations is the only place where you can package lift tickets, lodging, classes, rentals, and transportation to simplify the planning process. The resort has a team of local experts who will help you design your vacation down to the smallest details.

Lodging is a critical part of any skiing trip. Park City has multiple signature properties with ski-in/ski-out access and breathtaking views, the most popular of which are listed below. 

Sundial Lodge

Sundial Lodge ski in/out access

Credit: All Seasons Resort Lodging

Located just steps away from the slopes, Sundial Lodge is at the center of all the action in Canyons Village. The property has a rooftop hot tub, outdoor heated pool, and exercise room and offers guest accommodations such as individual hotel rooms, studios, and 1-2 bedroom suites. Sundial Lodge has ski-in/ski-out access during winter and the ideal location in the heart of the Canyons Village plaza for summer! There are free concerts almost all summer, and guests of Sundial Lodge couldn’t be in a better location to enjoy.

 Another nice thing about Sundial Lodge is that the units have kitchens and spacious living areas, so even if guests don’t want to go out for a meal, they have plenty of space in their vacation rental to cook and relax.

Silverado Lodge. Silverado Lodge is a luxury retreat with premiere access to world-class skiing. The complimentary underground parking and shuttle service make transportation seamless, and the steam room and sauna are a must-visit for unwinding after a day on the slopes.

Lift Park City.  Lift is a collection of residences from hotel rooms to five-bedroom apartments. The large windows maximize daylight and highlight the pool deck, fitness center, social space, and other amenities. 

There are three other lodges on the resort that guests can choose from:

Restaurants in Park City, Utah

Resorts often have high-quality restaurants with incredible views, and Park City is no exception. Anyone looking for dine-in restaurants close to the slopes should check out the options below. 

  • Red Tail Grill features family-friendly dining, unrivaled views, and a relaxing atmosphere perfect for unwinding after a long day. Red Tail Grill requires reservations and currently accommodates parties of up to six guests.
  • Legends Bar and Grill is a casual diner with sandwiches, soups, salads, shareable plates, and more. 
  • Legacy Cafe has everything from breakfast buffets to hot pizza and spicy wings. Located in the base area of the resort, it’s a great meeting place for large groups. 

Other Activities and Tips

Park City ski area offers one of Utah’s largest and most complete skiing experiences. The resort is full of modern amenities, and the skiing is unlike anything you can find anywhere else. The best advice we can give? Plan your trip now! We’re confident you won’t regret it. 

Your trip checklist should include the following:

  • Parking reservations
  • Lift tickets
  • Lodging
  • Ski lessons
  • Rentals
  • Child care

Shop lift passes today, or check out the help center for answers to other questions. 

Elevate Your Mountain Experience with Wildhorn

Since 2015, we have been part of a new age of outdoor companies that optimize gear around performance and value. We aim to elevate your outdoor experience to a new level through our product design, quality, and customer service. 

Prepare for your next visit to Park City ski resort and shop for skis, gear, and more at Wildhorn!

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