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Introduction
Park City Mountain Resort is the main ski area in Park City, a lovely old silver mining town with loads of history. The carefully restored main street creeps uphill, restaurants, bars and shops crowded along it, although as you get away from downtown the town sprawls into anonymity, and that's where much of the accommodation is.
The Park City slopes are big and wooded and pretty, covered with fabulous light and powder snow. You can take time out to ski the town's other resorts (plush Deer Valley and fast-growing The Canyons) on the outskirts. After dark the place is a fairytale setting and each January it fills with celebs for Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival.
The Park City slopes are big and wooded and pretty, covered with fabulous light and powder snow. You can take time out to ski the town's other resorts (plush Deer Valley and fast-growing The Canyons) on the outskirts. After dark the place is a fairytale setting and each January it fills with celebs for Robert Redford's Sundance Film Festival.
Mountain facts
Resort elevation: 2,100m (6,900ft).
Top elevation: 3,048m (10,000ft).
Base elevation: 2,100m (6,900ft).
Number of lifts: 15.
Number of runs: 104.
Average annual snowfall: 9m (30ft).
Where in the world?
Park City is located in Utah, less than an hour's drive from Salt Lake City.
Hit the slopes
The season runs from mid November until mid April.
The area for beginners around the base lodge gives way to intermediate runs on and around the bowl above, not least the long blue from the top of Pay Day chairlift. From this area there's a pretty ski down, across a bridge, to the top of Main Street and the Town Lift chair.
For intermediates there's plenty of cruising and a network of blues (and moderate blacks) off the ridges served by the Silverlode and King's Con chairs. Experts head higher for thrills - the glades of McConkey's Bowl and the couloirs in Jupiter and Scott's Bowls. Good skiers should do the Interconnect, a day's guided backcountry tour from Deer Valley through Park City, Solitude, Brighton and Alta to Snowbird.
There are four terrain parks for everyone from novices (Jonesy's) to experts (the King's Crown Superpark), rated as some of the world's best.
Deer Valley and The Canyons share a lift pass with Park City and are a must-ski too.
The area for beginners around the base lodge gives way to intermediate runs on and around the bowl above, not least the long blue from the top of Pay Day chairlift. From this area there's a pretty ski down, across a bridge, to the top of Main Street and the Town Lift chair.
For intermediates there's plenty of cruising and a network of blues (and moderate blacks) off the ridges served by the Silverlode and King's Con chairs. Experts head higher for thrills - the glades of McConkey's Bowl and the couloirs in Jupiter and Scott's Bowls. Good skiers should do the Interconnect, a day's guided backcountry tour from Deer Valley through Park City, Solitude, Brighton and Alta to Snowbird.
There are four terrain parks for everyone from novices (Jonesy's) to experts (the King's Crown Superpark), rated as some of the world's best.
Deer Valley and The Canyons share a lift pass with Park City and are a must-ski too.
Beyond the slopes
The town is fascinating and you'll have fun simply exploring the historic streets. During the Sundance Film Festival, and Winterfest, a February celebration of the area's 2002 Winter Olympics triumph with concerts, ice sculptures and such, the place really comes alive.
Tour the Olympic Park where you can ride a bobsleigh or a one-man variation, and take a ski-jump lesson. Then there's snowmobiling, skating, tubing, snowshoeing, sledding, sleigh rides and more.
Tour the Olympic Park where you can ride a bobsleigh or a one-man variation, and take a ski-jump lesson. Then there's snowmobiling, skating, tubing, snowshoeing, sledding, sleigh rides and more.
Family fun
The ski school's Kids Signature 5 set-up guarantees a maximum of five children (aged six to 14) per instructor. Lessons are available from age three. Clubhouse Main Street is one of several by-the-hour crèches, and there are non-ski nurseries at Deer Valley and The Canyons.
Retail therapy
Main Street is great for browsing, if not buying. For every Bunya Bunya (511 Main Street), a hip clothing emporium, you find the monied exoticism of an Alaska Fur Gallery (591 Main Street) or expensive art galleries.
For great prices and stylish gear try the outlet mall near The Canyons with more than 50 stores selling bargain Nike, Ann Taylor and Ralph Lauren.
For great prices and stylish gear try the outlet mall near The Canyons with more than 50 stores selling bargain Nike, Ann Taylor and Ralph Lauren.
Après ski
The bar scene is busy, with none of the old worries about getting a drink in Utah. At Resort Centre Legends, the Brewhouse and Bar throb after skiing.
Main Street is where it's at in the evening - The Claim Jumper (573 Main Street) and No Name Saloon (447 Main Street) are good for beer-swilling fun, the Wasatch Brewpub (250 Main Street) a little calmer. Harry O's (427 Main Street) is the hip dance club, although Cisero's (306 Main Street) is popular too. Just stroll and you'll find somewhere that takes your fancy.
Main Street is where it's at in the evening - The Claim Jumper (573 Main Street) and No Name Saloon (447 Main Street) are good for beer-swilling fun, the Wasatch Brewpub (250 Main Street) a little calmer. Harry O's (427 Main Street) is the hip dance club, although Cisero's (306 Main Street) is popular too. Just stroll and you'll find somewhere that takes your fancy.
Eating out
When it comes to dining, Park City is a place with flair and fun. Try the Blind Dog (1781 Sidewinder Drive) for an eclectic take on seafood and steak, Hungry Moose (438 Main Street) for burgers and American diner dishes, and the Goldener Hirsch (7570 Royal Street East) for a European touch. There are around a hundred choices, from cheap and cheerful to fine dining, in Park City and around Deer Valley.
Getting around
Free shuttle buses get you to Resort Centre, Main Street and to The Canyons and Deer Valley, running until late in the evening.
Splashing out
Go heli-skiing in Utah's Wasatch and Uinta Mountains with Wasatch Powderbird Guides (website: www.powderbird.com) or Park City Powder Cats (website: www.pccats.com). Trips (with a number of flights) suit most levels as long as you're a confident skier.
Powder Cats also runs snowcat ski trips from its Thousand Peaks Ranch - the feel of heli-skiing without the helicopter, and no chance of it being cancelled due to a mega storm of Utah's famed powder snow.
Powder Cats also runs snowcat ski trips from its Thousand Peaks Ranch - the feel of heli-skiing without the helicopter, and no chance of it being cancelled due to a mega storm of Utah's famed powder snow.
Accommodation
Luxury
Silver Queen InnBoutique hotel on Main Street with elegant suites, outdoor hot tub and great views.
632 Main Street
Tel: (435) 649 5986 or 1 800 447 6423.
Website: www.silverqueenhotel.com
Moderate
The Lodge at the Mountain VillageSki-in, ski-out hotel at the base of the mountain, a 10-minute walk from Main Street, with pool and spa overlooking the slopes.
1450 Lowell Avenue
Tel: (435) 649 0800 or 1 877 245 6343.
Website: www.thelodgepc.com
Budget
Chateau Après LodgeBargain hotel just across from the main lifts, with free breakfast.
1299 Norfolk Avenue
Tel: (435) 649 9372 or 1 800 357 3556.
Website: www.chateauapres.com
Getting there
Nearest airport: Salt Lake City (SLC).
Distance to resort: 40km (35 miles).
Driving time: 40 minutes.
Distance to resort: 40km (35 miles).
Driving time: 40 minutes.
Website
This resort is good for...
Intermediates, Families, Beginners, Non-skiers, Experts, Après ski, Snowboarders
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