Park City, Utah: the Best Ski Town in the U.S.

Sam Chaucer
Park City in Utah has three major ski resorts for the skiing enthusiast to enjoy, making it the perfect town to visit for your next ski vacation. The three ski resorts are Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort and The Canyons Resort. The 2002 Olympics held many of the ski and snowboarding events at the Park City and Deer Valley resorts. Park City is located 32 miles southeast of Salt Lake City and is in the Summit and Wasatch counties in Utah. The average annual snowfall is 355 inches and the average monthly temperature ranges from 31° in January to 52° in April.

Park City Mountain Resort

The longest gondola in the US can be found at this superb resort. With a total ski-able area of 3300 acres, 16 lifts in total and 108 trails ranging from beginner to expert there is something for everyone at Park City Mountain Resort. Tubing, snowboarding, skiing, sleigh rides and snowmobiling are all available at this resort. Don't forget to try the Alpine Coaster for a ride you won't soon forget. Half pipes and terrain parks will be sure to provide challenges for the snowboarder.

There are numerous dining options from the base of the mountain up to the summit. From pizza to a gourmet dinner it can all be sampled here. Try the Legacy Lodge for delicious fresh daily fish specials. The Snow Hut serves traditional home-style food such as roast turkey, sure to fill the stomach after a days hard skiing. For breathtaking views make sure to drop into the Summit House and enjoy pizza and salad while seated on the resort's largest heated deck.

Park City Mountain Resort also has plenty of accommodation options to choose from, starting from $240 a night. Choices include Park City Condominiums, Park City Peaks Hotel and Yarrow Hotel. All these three lodging options are located on the free city shuttle route.

Deer Valley Resort

Deer Valley Resort has been named the number one ski resort in North America by readers of SKI magazine in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Not limited to downhill skiing, other activities include dog sledding, sleigh rides, snow mobiling, cross country skiing, snow shoeing and hot air ballooning. If you fancy yourself a speedy skier, test your skill at the NASTAR race course. Deer Valley is one of the few resorts that prohibit snowboarding and also limits ticket sales to avoid overcrowding.

Accommodation is plentiful with condominiums, lodges, private homes and hotels available. Try accommodation at Silver Lake Village, Snow Park Village or The Village at Empire Pass for the luxury of ski-in, ski-out accommodation.

Start the day off right with breakfast at Snow Park Restaurant. With a natural breakfast buffet including granola, fruits and yogurt and a grill serving items including waffles and omelets there is sure to be something to please everyone. For a delicious lunch to fuel your skiing try a pizza at Bald Mountain Pizza. To finish off the day with a sumptuous dinner, try the superb cuisine at Royal Street Café or the Seafood Buffet.

The Canyons Resort

The Canyons is the largest ski and snowboard resort in Utah, and is among the top five largest in the U.S. With terrain to suit every level skier from beginner to expert, The Canyons makes an excellent choice for any skier or snowboarder. Activities such as sleigh rides, dog sledding, snowshoe tours, fly fishing and snowmobiling are also offered.

There are four hotels to choose from located slope side at The Canyons Resort. They are The Canyons Grand Summit Hotel, Escala Lodges, Sundial Lodge and Silverado Lodge. With exceptional ski-in, ski-out locations these hotels provide a luxurious setting for you to come back to after a hard day skiing.

With eleven restaurants and cafes located all over the mountain, you will not find yourself going hungry. With dining options ranging from gourmet dining to family-friendly cafeterias, there is something for everyone. Try a Kobe beef burger at Lookout Cabin or chili at Doc's At The Gondola.

Sources:

Wikipedia

Park City Mountain Resort

Ski Park City Utah at Deer Valley Resort

The Canyons Resort - Park City, Utah

Published by Sam Chaucer

graduate/post-graduate education, decades of experience   View profile

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