Winter in Park City, Utah: What to see and do | Travel guide

Looking down Park City’s historic main street is like a peek through the ages of the bustling town. Over 200 years of history stands out in the buildings, the businesses, and the slopes along the edge of town.

Home to the Sundance Film Festival, with two iconic ski resorts, excellent restaurants, and numerous outdoor activities, Park City is a winter paradise. It was a treat exploring some of the city’s iconic views, flavours, and meeting the people who make it so welcoming.

If you’re looking for a winter playground, there is a lot to know about Park City, so here are some of my favourite things, and how to plan your visit.

What to do in Park City

Park City is an all-season destination, with a lot to do all year, including excellent shopping and dining, but the highlights are definitely skiing in the winter, and hiking and biking in the summer. If you love the great outdoors, a week in the area is just enough to really explore and take it all in.

I visited in January, and it was snowy, sunny, and beautiful. Park City receives an annual average of over 300 inches of snow, and it’s considered one of the best places in North America to ski. As a former host of the Winter Olympics, it’s an iconic winter destination, and the city will host events again when the Winter Olympics return in 2034.

I skied Deer Valley Resort and enjoyed four days there, where you can use your Ikon Pass, but skiers also flock to Park City Mountain Resort, where they accept the Epic Pass.

Skiers will fall in love with the city, and all it has to offer, and some of the slopes even end right near Main Street. It’s really a bit astonishing watching as skiers swoosh down the mountain peaks as you’re standing in the middle of town.

Park City also offers dog sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing, fat biking, ice skating, and cross country skiing, to name a few things. For more ideas, Deer Valley Resort has a lot of ideas for what to do all year.

Main Street, the heart of Park City

Walking down Park City’s Main Street is a step into history. The historic street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and features a number of buildings from the turn of the century.

The street is bustling and active, with art galleries and shopping, theatre and restaurants, and the Park City Museum tells a full story on how the city grew and changed over the years, from a mining town to a vacation destination.

The museum has impressive displays and information. It’s a small but mighty museum, and it really gives a glimpse back into the days of mining in the city, and how it transformed into a ski destination. I also appreciate the store that’s filled with lots of enticing local products and souvenirs.

Along the street, look for the Egyptian Theatre, one of the theatres used for the Sundance Film Festival that also hosts numerous events throughout the year, and it has a beautiful facade.

Shoppers will appreciate the stores and specialty shops along Main Street, including jewellery, clothing, art galleries, with lots of locally made goods.

Food connoisseurs will want to try some of the city’s incredible restaurants, ranging from sushi hot spots like Shabu and Yuki Yama Sushi, to upscale steaks at Butchers Chop House & Bar, southwestern fare at Chimayo Restaurant, and lots more including 501 on Main, No Name Saloon & Grill, Riverhorse on Main, and nearby, the excellent Tupelo Park City.

Where to stay in Park City

Park City has ski in chalets, lodges, hotels, resorts, and a wide range of options for every visitor.

Luxury accommodations include The St. Regis Deer Valley, Stein Eriksen Lodge, The Lodge at Blue Sky, and Montage Deer Valley, plus numerous options at both ski resorts. Explore the full range of hotels and resorts in Park City.

I’ve heard wonderful things about the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, Park City Peaks Hotel, and Marriott’s Summit Watch, as well.

During my trip I stayed at the Lodges at Deer Valley, a cozy, inviting, and upscale property with so much to offer. I stayed in a one bedroom suite that included a large living room, full kitchen, with a warm and well appointed bedroom, and two bathrooms. There’s also a dishwasher, full laundry, and a gas fireplace to relax after a day out in the snow.

The décor and style is rustic American chalet, and it feels like the perfect home away from home. The bed was also perfect, especially thanks to the perfect linens and pillows. You can also step out and enjoy the heated pool and hot tub at the Lodges, perfect for relaxing your muscles after a full day of skiing.

And the service at Deer Valley, from the hills to the lodges, is second to none. The resort offers some of the best experiences that I have ever had, with staff going above and beyond, plus lots of other activities, restaurants, bars, and lounges.

Wherever you decide to stay, Park City is an exceptional vacation destination. To get the most out of your stay, I recommend five to seven nights to explore a little bit of everything, and still get two or three days on the slopes.

Discover Mountainkind

Travel and sustainability go hand in hand, and Park City is working to protect their home, while inviting visitors to admire the destination with respect, and care.

As the city explains, “What is Mountainkind? It’s a statement, an action, a way to describe the way you live, visit, or play in Park City. Locals and visitors alike share a common passion to protect and preserve our incredible landscapes and values built around diversity and inclusivity. All Mountainkind who want to experience our incredible mountain town–on the slopes or the trails–are welcome here.”

Maintaining that promise, the city launched their Elektron project, a solar farm that currently generates 80% of Deer Valley’s power needs. By 2030, the resort is working alongside the city to reduce their carbon emissions by 50%, while also aiming to use only solar power for all their electricity needs.

Mountainkind goes a step further though; it’s not just about protecting nature. The city is focusing on sustainable transportation–like the free busses across the city–and housing, developing art and culture, and enticing visitors to buy locally made goods. It’s something that everyone visiting Park City should know, and it takes sustainability to the next level.

Park City is encouraging visitors to embrace Mountainkind with a few simple steps.

Have a question about Park City?

Leave a comment below, and feel free to ask me anything that you want to know about Park City, skiing at Deer Valley Resort, and other highlights in the area.

Or reach out to me on social media to ask any questions, or see more coverage of Park City and beyond.

All photos by: W. Andrew Powell, The GATE.