Tip!
For skiers who really want to see it all, try the new Peak to Peak experience, an all-day hybrid ski lesson and guided tour.
It’s a helpful activity on your first day for those who haven’t been to the area before, or haven’t skied it in a while.
$209 per person, reservations required
Day One
Morning:
Get up early and hit the slopes. Park City Mountain Resort officially became the largest ski resort in the country when it merged with Canyons Ski Resort in 2015. It now encompasses 7,300 acres of terrain, more than 300 trails, 41 lifts, and more groomers than anywhere else in the nation. There are two base areas. For Day 1, start at the Park City base. This side of the mountain features wide runs and groomers, surrounded by beautiful aspens and views of the Wasatch Range. More skilled skiers can traverse over to the Canyons side via the new eight-passenger Quicksilver Gondola, but beware: Depending on the route, it can take up to two hours one-way.
Lunch:
When hunger calls, grab a bite at Cloud Dine. Its location at 9,200 feet isn’t the only thing that’s elevated. The menu takes standard ski-lodge fare to the next level, with selections like wagyu pretzel dogs, pesto flatbreads, and made-to-order donuts. Another fun stop is The Viking Yurt, tucked near the top of the Crescent Express lift. Enjoy a cold beer outside among the slopes before heading down the mountain for the day.
Après Ski:
Spots to après abound. At the Park City base, a classic choice is Legends Bar & Grill, with traditional pub fare and a full-service bar.
Handle
Dinner:
One of the city’s newer and most-buzzed-about restaurants is Handle. Its American menu of seasonal small plates made with local and organic ingredients changes daily. Winter favorites include the buffalo-style cauliflower and fried chicken breast. This spot is full every night; make a reservation well in advance.
Day Two
Morning:
Start at the Canyons Village base. This side of the mountain boasts long, narrow runs lined with towering pines and panoramic views of the Wasatch Range and resort expanse. One must-do trail is the intermediate-level Harmony, which features fast dips under little street bridges and offers a peek at multimillion-dollar mansions. Read: lifestyles of the rich and famous!
Lunch:
Indulge in a table-service meal at Lookout Cabin, which earns its name thanks to the beautiful mountain views. Be sure to order the chef’s signature cheese fondue.
Après Ski:
Tucked in the Grand Summit Hotel, the Red Tail Grill is a great spot to après. Menu highlights include hearty soups, nachos, and the most delicious hot wings we’ve ever tasted.
Dinner:
Salt Lake Magazine named The Farm one of the top 25 restaurants in Utah. Its menu varies and is sourced from seasonal, local ingredients. Come hungry and don’t skimp on the wine or apps. The cheese board is an absolute must.
Day Three
Morning:
Head to Blue Sky Ranch, strap on some snowshoes, and hike out to a Norwegian yurt for an hourlong yoga class. A private guide slash yoga teacher leads the way, builds a fire at the yurt, and even brings a light snack of homemade granola bars, cheese, and hot tea. This super-unique experience, organized through Park City Yoga Adventures, takes about four hours and is surprisingly aerobic.
Blue Sky Ranch | Photo: Mike Schirf
Lunch:
Blue Sky Ranch also happens to be home to High West Distillery, an award-winning maker of whiskey and other spirits. Have lunch at the new distillery and enjoy a much-deserved craft cocktail after the yurt yoga excursion. Tours are also available. High West has a second saloon location in downtown Park City, which is very popular, with long waits. Get a pre- or post-dinner drink here.
High West Distillery
Après Ski:
Explore the cute shops along downtown Park City’s Main Street, such as Dolly’s Bookstore and Root’d home goods and gifts. After two full days of skiing and a morning of snowshoeing and yoga, today is also a perfect day to laze in the hotel Jacuzzi. Soak tired muscles and imbibe alfresco.
Dinner:
Go old-school and classy at Riverhorse on Main, long believed to be the best restaurant in the city. With its white tablecloths and candlelit ambience, Riverhorse is dressier than the town’s more typical laid-back eateries. Signature dishes include the macadamia-nut-crusted Alaskan halibut. Reservations required.
Where to Stay
Go Big or Go Boutique
Newly branded as a RockResort property, Grand Summit Hotel at Canyons Village will unveil its $15-million upgrade this winter, with refreshed rooms, lobby, and spa. The hotel’s suites are generously sized with full kitchens, stainless steel appliances, and gas fireplaces. Grand Summit offers a true ski-in/ski-out experience, with the Red Pine Gondola and Orange Bubble Express mere feet from the front door.
Washington School House
For more intimate accommodations, book a room at the Washington School House in downtown Park City. This 1889 stone schoolhouse was converted into a hyper-luxe, 12-room boutique hotel. Its San Diego–based owners kept the original structure and styled the interiors with chic Parisian-inspired decor. What the inn lacks in ski-in/ski-out convenience, it makes up for in personalized customer service. Daily breakfast and après snacks are included, as is the staff member who will drive guests anywhere in the city.
Park City Mountain Resort