Where to Eat, Stay, and Play in Park City

There’s a big resort sheen to Park City: the mountain, purchased by Vail Resorts in 2014, is the largest ski resort in the U.S., with more than 7,300 acres of skiable terrain. But if it’s  it’s a relaxed trip you’re after, don’t let that put you off. This silver boomtown-turned-skier’s-paradise has serious charm. Nestled in the craggy Wasatch Mountains of Western Utah, it’s the most accessible major ski destination in the United States, thanks to Salt Lake City International airport being only 40 minutes away. Every January, Park City is thrust into the spotlight when the glitzy Sundance Film Festival descends upon its snowy streets—but the rest of the year this is a laid-back town.

Between its expansive trails and the neighboring 2,000-acre Deer Valley resort, you’ll find vast terrain covered in Utah’s ethereal powder. After a day on the mountain, you can ski right into town to rest your legs at a whiskey-slinging saloon, or stroll the Victorian main street to find the perfect cowboy hat and catch some live music at an underground venue.

Here is what you need to know before your next trip to Park City, including the best restaurants, bars, and hotels.

(Editor’s note: Given the changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, the amenities and services of many hotels are fluid and subject to change. We advise you to contact businesses directly for updates and check Park City’s website for local guidelines and details before visiting.)

Getting to and around Park City

Fly directly into Salt Lake City International Airport, which recently completed the first phase of a four-billion-dollar renovation to expand terminals and make baggage claim more efficient for incoming skiers and snowboarders. For those coming from Chicago, Denver or San Francisco, you can also travel via Amtrak’s scenic California Zephyr to Salt Lake Central Station.

From there, it’s a 40-minute drive along I-80 through Parleys Canyon to Park City. If you are renting a car, four-wheel drive is strongly encouraged.

The downtown area is small and walkable. Most hotels are ski-in/ski-out, but there is also a free shuttle service (which includes transportation to Deer Valley), as well a ski lift in the center of town.

What to do in Park City

Utah is so sure it has “The Greatest Snow on Earth” it trademarked the phrase, so of course skiing and snowboarding are the main attractions. Park City Mountain is open to both downhill skiers and snowboarders and in 2015, the resort combined with neighboring Canyons Resort and added 4,000 acres to its already sizeable territory. The mountain has varying terrain, from expert-level bowls to areas designated for beginners. Those interested in the area’s history can sign up for a complimentary ski tour of the defunct silver mines scattered around the mountain. Afterwards, head to the newly renovated Mid-Mountain Lodge, a former miner’s boarding house, to grab a toddy at the resort’s only full-service on-mountain bar, and a porchetta sandwich right off the in-house rotisserie. On a warm, sunny day, the expansive deck with sheepskin-covered benches and roaring fire pits is the best place to enjoy a beer before you ski back to town.