Park City and Snowbird, Utah
Originally known as a mining boomtown, Park City, Utah, is enjoying new prosperity as an outdoor adventure capital. Located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Salt Lake International Airport, Park City is an accessible spot for nearly any mountain activity.
Winter brings beloved annual events to Park City, like the Sundance Film Festival in late January and the Freestyle International Ski World Cup in early February. The latter is a free event, during which you can watch elite athletes ski moguls and perform aerials on the racecourse from the 2002 Olympic Games.
Whether you love skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, hiking, or biking, Park City’s endless outdoor pursuits will keep you and your crew busy.
Skiing and Tubing
Utah is famous for skiing, and its slogan, “The Greatest Snow on Earth,” refers to its legendary powder — with snow dumps of 12 inches (30.5 centimeters) or more often falling in 24 hours. Park City’s slopes offer incredible runs for skiers of every ability level. The city boasts two large ski resorts, so there’s plenty of space to spread out across the mountains.
If you’d rather slide than ski, head to one of Park City’s tubing hills, where you’ll find multiple lanes with varying levels of high-speed thrills. Instead of climbing to the top of the hill, sit on your tube and get towed so you can ride down again and again and again.
No matter the season, you can savor a walk in the woods on Park City’s beloved hiking trails. Flat paths through town provide an easy hiking and snowshoeing introduction, or you can challenge yourself on big mountain climbs with unreal peak views. Try Armstrong Trail for a summer stroll or take a winter walk in Daly Canyon to learn about Park City’s mining history.
Biking and Fat Biking
Park City is known for mountain biking, but pedaling doesn’t have to pause when the snow falls. You can rent a fat tire bike and ride easy routes like the Historic Rail Trail or Round Valley all winter long. Bonus: This terrain is just as fun to ride when the snow melts. If you’re new to mountain biking and want to learn the basics, you can take lessons from outfitters in town.
Want to venture beyond Park City? Head toward Little Cottonwood Canyon to explore iconic Snowbird Ski Resort. Located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from Park City, Snowbird offers incredible winter skiing plus summer hiking and biking. The resort’s family-friendly mountain coaster and alpine slides are popular during the summer.
