Park City, Utah Spring Break Adventure

In addition to the gorgeous backdrop of the Wasatch Mountains, Park City is logistically easy to get to, offers visitors a wide array of lodging options, and provides adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts with more activities than you can shake a ski pole at. I went as a part of a generational trip in March, and discovered new activities and new restaurants in addition to getting out on the slopes for some fun with the kids.   

Logistics:

From Austin, hop on a direct flight to Salt Lake City, followed by a 35-minute drive to Park City or a 40-minute drive to Deer Valley. Rent a car or take advantage of a hotel shuttle. I love the simplicity of it! We decided to forego renting a car and used Snow Country Limousine to provide transportation. Despite the name, most of their fleet consists of big SUVs and shuttles.

Lodging:

Important factors to consider are whether or not you want ski-in/ski-out, base altitude, access to restaurants and relevant activities, costs, and room layouts to meet your party’s needs.

Park City resorts such as The Canyons and Park City Mountain offer diverse terrain for all abilities, including good concentrations of intermediate runs. Deer Valley has a higher percentage of beginner terrain than the other two Park City resorts. Deer Valley is also one of only three ski areas in North America that do not permit snowboarding if downhill skiing is your preference.

As a general rule of thumb, Deer Valley is the most expensive lodging, followed by the Canyons and then Park City Mountain Resort.

If you are looking for a more intimate and immersive alternative to the mega-mountain region of Park City-Deer Valley, Blue Sky Lodge should be on your radar. The hotel operates its own heli-ski program, giving guests exclusive access to three private ski zones in the Uinta and Wasatch Mountain ranges. It also offers miles of horseback riding and biking trails.

Our Deer Valley Lodging of Choice

The Montage in Deer Valley was our pick for its multiple restaurant options, ski-in/ski-out location, and top-notch service and accommodations. This hotel makes skiing as easy as it can possibly be. In addition to its mid-mountain location with two ski lifts right outside, it also boasts Compass Sports, their on-site outfitter, which offers ski rentals, lift tickets and the latest ski accessories. Everything you need to prepare you for a full day of skiing is right there in the hotel.  

Elevation Factor

One final —yet very important—thing to keep in mind when choosing lodging is its elevation. Due to its mid-mountain location, the Montage is situated at an elevation of 8,600 ft. This can be challenging for individuals prone to altitude sickness and for those with heart problems. For this reason alone, I would not recommend it for a generational trip with members over 70 years of age. My father-in-law had a tough time with it this year.

Park City March Snow Activities:

• Downhill Skiing: This was the primary goal of our trip. It’s worth it to grab a trail map before heading out to see lift times, emergency phone numbers, available lunch spots, and the layout of the runs. Also of note, the map is printed out of a non-toxic, biodegradable alternative to paper. I love having a handheld map instead of using my phone, which I would almost certainly drop off the chairlift!

• Cross Country Skiing: Ready to glide across the snow? I hope you have more grace than I do! My sister-in-law glided and I kinda plopped along. It takes a few lessons (that we didn’t have) to really advance with cross-country skiing. This is a great way to get your heart rate going without the dangers of downhill skiing. You get sweaty quickly, so dress in layers. We booked through White Pine Tours.

• Snowmobiling: Summit Meadows Adventures is open daily and offers a variety of guided snowmobile tours for individuals as well as groups. They are located off of Garff Ranch Road, eight miles from Park City’s Main Street. Because my boys are not old enough to drive (but old enough to not want to ride with someone), we are saving this for a future trip!

• Moonlight Snowshoe Hike: What a fun way to mix things up! We used White Pine Tours to line up this unique mountain adventure. Because it was March, we had more sun than moonlight, but still a fun outing for all ages. This tour can be a scenic aerobic experience or a peaceful walk in the woods. To really make it magical, you have the option to snowshoe to dinner at the raved-about Empire Lodge.

March Activities that Don’t Require Snow:

• NBA Game: Make the short drive to Salt Lake City to take in a Utah Jazz game. The Vivint Arena was a great venue for my boys’ first professional basketball game, and I enjoyed getting to see the Karl Malone and John Stockton bronze statues. Tickets can be purchased through Ticket Master.

• Tubing: Check out Woodward Park City Tubing at Gorgoza Park. The Montage also has a family tubing night on select Saturdays.

• Ice Skating: The Park City Ice Arena, nestled in the hillsides of Park City, is another great venue for mixing things up. To get you motivated to skate, check out the Utah Olympic Park training facility!

• Utah Olympic Park: Unfortunately, it was not open during our visit, but the Comet Bobsled would be a great outing for an adrenaline rush. One of their professional pilots takes passengers on a thrilling ride down the 2002 Olympic track. It’s an Olympic experience not to be missed! Riders must be 16+ years of age and 100+ lbs. to ride.

• Homestead Crater: What was expected to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to snorkel in a geothermal spring, hidden within a 55-foot tall, beehive-shaped limestone rock over 10,000 years in the making, was a bit of a letdown. Unfortunately, this vacation spot has lost its luster. The hole at the top of the dome was partially covered with a dirty tarp, the outside of the crater was covered in trash, and the bathrooms on site were neither maintained nor in working order. The water in the crater seems clean, and the temperature was as advertised. I’m not promoting this, but if you really want to see it, you can book a private session or join a group outing (no more than 10 people are allowed at a time). Snorkeling gear is an added cost.

Why I want to come back:

The Park City, Utah area has something to offer all year round. I would love to return in the summer for some mountain biking and hiking with my boys. I would also love to take them on their first via ferrata. You can book an afternoon at Mount Ogden Via Ferrata, a 90-minute drive from Park City. Next trip, I will look into The Lodges at Deer Valley for an affordable 3-bedroom condo and home to one of my favorite Italian restaurants, The Brass Tag. Overall, I  enjoyed the laid-back vibe, gorgeous scenery, great restaurants, and abundance of outdoor activities in the Park City area.