Why Park City, Utah Should Be Your Next Ski Vacation

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As international travel resumes, it’s time to dust off the passport and plan that ski trip. Photo / Unsplash

The resumption of international travel is good news for ski adventurers across Australasia, who, after two years of closed borders, have been tingling in the snow after the Winter Olympics.

Although the icy artificial snow in China has disappointed purists, the bold displays on the snow and in the air have surely inspired many to dust off their passports and seek out that perfect winter getaway.

For enthusiasts, beginners, families, and younger groups craving afternoon options, few places in the world offer a greater variety of conditions and activities than Park City in the United States.

Nestled in the mountains of Utah’s Wasatch Range, the area is easily accessible from most major Australian airports via Los Angeles and a brief second flight to Salt Lake City.

Park City Mountain’s expansive ski areas offer a wide range of terrain for traditional and freestyle skiers and snowboarders, while the surrounding area includes snowmobiling, dog sledding, clay shooting and even an ex bobsled luge. -Olympic for adrenaline junkies.

But it’s the town’s neighboring resort, Deer Valley, that offers pristine snow for ski enthusiasts.

Deer Valley Resort

Known as the posh sister resort of Park City Mountain, Deer Valley is one of only three mountains in the United States where snowboarders are not permitted, with its ski-only policy allowing perfectly groomed slopes to stay groomed longer without be cut by snowboarders. .

The rule is also a blessing for many families or more cautious skiers, who may feel the chaos of sharing a mountain with snowboarders.

But it’s known as the posh sister for a reason – Deer Valley caps lift sales each day to ensure that lift waits are drastically reduced and the slopes are free of crowds.

Another annoying aspect of winter sports, transporting ski gear, is also left behind in Deer Valley, as every gondola and après-ski facility includes a valet parking service, where staff take care of your ski gear. ski and collect it for you when you’re ready.

Valet parking also extends all the way down the mountain, meaning you can put your skis and poles off and pick them up in the morning when you hit the slopes.

park city mountain

Less than five minutes down the road, Park City Mountain offers a very different atmosphere.

The city itself has typical Old West charm and architecture paired with modern bars and is home to the iconic Sundance Film Festival.

It’s easy to forget that the small town’s main asset is the snowfields given the abundance of cosmopolitan outlets, including a whiskey distillery, High West and rooftop bars, until that a drag lift up the mountain reminds visitors of the adventure that awaits the sprawling mountains.

Park City Mountain is the largest ski and snowboard mountain in the United States and offers endless options for thrill seekers, with more than 330 runs, 42 lifts, 13 bowls, six terrain parks, a half-pipe and a mini-pipe – it’s all there.

Thrill-seekers can throw themselves over steep cliffs into bowls and ski through trees, but the mountain also offers a wide range of trails for the less advanced, with 42% of the mountain suitable for intermediate riders and 8% to beginners.

What else can I do?

When legs are burning and a break from the ski slopes is in order, take a snowmobile tour with the crew at Summit Meadows Adventures.

The tour combines daring speeds with panoramic views of the surrounding mountain ranges.

And for a trip with similar breathtaking views at a gentler pace and lovable companions, take a dog sledding trip through a ranch with Wasatch Adventure Guides.

Thrill-seekers can also enjoy a bobsleigh ride with veteran sliders on the course at Utah Olympic Park, where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held.

One of the main benefits of visiting Park City is that Park City Mountain is owned by Vail Resorts, which means the company’s Epic Pass allows the user to ski at a range of ski areas in the United States. , in Canada and even in Australia at Hotham and Perisher.

Where to stay

No visit to the snow is complete without ski-in ski-out accommodation and The Lowell Condominiums just meters from the Park City Mountain lifts is the perfect option.

The rooms are ideal for several families or large groups with large independent bedrooms and generous kitchens to allow guests to cook their own meals and reduce the cost of travel.

The property also has a heated pool to jump into after a long day shredding the mountain.

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