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When you think of Utah, what comes to mind? There are so many things to do in Utah for all seasons. You have to know where to look. For Utah, when it comes to vacationing, people generally believe that it is a hotspot or, in this case, a cool spot for skiing and winter-based activities and events.
One of the main cities in Utah known for its all-season activities and events would be Park City. It was previously known as a mining town but has become a popular vacationing spot. Not only that, Park City is known for hosting the annual Sundance Film Festival, too, for the movie fanatics eager to immerse themselves in cinema on their holiday.
There are many ways to enjoy Park City, from winter to summer. In this travel guide, we will share the top hot spots and cool spots to consider when planning your vacation there.
Where is Park City?
Park City’s location is in northern Utah, between the Wasatch Mountain Range and the Uinta Plateau. Park City is located 30 miles away from Salt Lake City, at least a one-hour drive.
To travel to Park City efficiently, you’d first need to fly into Salt Lake International Airport (SLC). From the airport, I recommend you rent a car to make the drive to Park City. The trip from Salt Lake to Park City is not a tedious journey. You will be able to take in the gorgeous scenery Utah offers.
Likewise, if you’re traveling into town from nearby, I recommend driving directly to Park City so you can avoid the need of renting a car.
Winter Activities and Events in Park City, Utah
Park City has a variety of activities to choose from for the chilliest of seasons. While Park City is synonymous with world-class outdoor adventures and winter sports, there’s plenty to do to enjoy this winter wonderland even if you’re not so keen on skiing or snowboarding.
Here are some activities and events when the weather outside is frightful. However, the things to do are delightful.
Deer Valley Ski Resort
The Deer Valley Resort is a skier-based lodge perfect for those who crave the adventurous slopes of skiing. Snowboarding is not allowed at the resort as it’s only for skiers. However, that doesn’t mean the activities to do outdoors are limited.
Deer Valley has over 2,000 acres of land and a wide variety of mountains to choose. They have over six mountains, such as Little Baldy Peak, Bald Eagle, Bald, Flagstaff, Empire, and Lady Morgan. If you visit during the summer, this is a great place to enjoy hiking trails and mountain biking.
Are you looking for somewhere to eat? The Deer Valley Resort has at least 12 dining options to choose from as well.
Visit Utah Olympic Park
Utah Olympic Park is the go-to place for all the outdoor fun you desire! Well known for hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, Olympic Park has everything such as snowboarding and skiing. If that tickles your fancy, there are also zip lines, extreme tubing, an alpine slide, ropes course, or a bobsled ride.
Canyons Village
Canyons Village is another perfect option to get your fix of all things skiing and snowboarding. Notably known for its primary feature, the Terrain Transition Park, this combines 50 thrilling elements of stomach-drop boosters, radical set-ups, and rails and jumps.
These features are only for those skiers and snowboarders with experience. If you are interested in doing this, they have skiing and snowboarding lessons when you are up for shredding some snow yourself. If you love the view of skiing, there is also a ski beach for you to unwind and watch other people hitting the slopes.
King’s Crown Park
King’s Crown, almost located at the center of Park City, is one of the popular options if you feel like shredding some snow. Kings Crown features several 80 feet booters and a 22-foot Eagle superpipe.
It also has a series of wide-open spaces, perfect for skiing and snowboarding to your heart’s content. After all is said and done, you can cozy up in the lodge by a big old fireplace and cozy lounge chairs. The best part is that King’s Crown is steps away from multiple restaurants and distilleries. You can quench your thirst and satiate your hunger with food and drinks.
Neff Land
Neff Land has got to be one of the most intriguing yet fun takes on a ski track that has ever existed. Rather than sliding up or off a snowy slope, you can ski over cupcakes and candy canes. The whole skiing and snowboarding lot are sugary sweets-themed, putting a fun take on a winter pastime. You can even slide up a gigantic candy cane.
This ski park takes the term “winter wonderland” to new heights, making it fun for the whole family or the kid at heart.
Snow Tubing in Woodward Park City
If you want to start on a mellow yet exciting note, Woodward Park City has a snow tubing attraction that’s perfect for the whole family! This park is the ideal place to spend at least a half-day on their miles-long tubing lanes. This can be for those who want to experience the slopes but not in a risk-taking way as normal skiers would.
Dog Sled Tours in Park City
If you want that balance of both winter fun and gushing at cute pups to spare, then dog sled tours are for sure a guaranteed good time. At Norty Forty Escapes, they provide one hour of dog sledding fun on their custom tour around an open space winter lot. There are two options.
You can either choose the one-person, one-hour option or split the ride into 30 minutes for three people. Either way, it is the same amount of fun. The best part of all is that you do not have to worry about the dogs not liking you. They are well trained and mild-mannered, therefore making the experience all the more entertaining.
Enjoy a Sleigh Ride!
Whether you are enjoying a night on the town or a day, a horse-drawn sleigh is the perfect pass time to take in the scenery that Park City has to offer. A company that provides sleigh rides would be Snowed Inn Sleigh Company. This company promotes a beautiful sleigh ride steered by cowhands, but it leads to a nice, warm cabin where you can end your night with a delicious meal and a country jam session.
Go Snowshoeing!
There is a way to have the skiing experience without the thrill of the activity. Traverse through the snowy environment, taking in the scenery of the snow-covered mountains and valleys. You can take a guided snowshoe tour through Park City and immerse yourself in the beautiful wildlife.
Snowmobile Tours by Red Pine
This is one of the most unique and fun things you should try while in Park City! Do you have a desire to take a cruise through snowy terrain without the work of skiing yourself? Red Pine provides snowmobile tours to those eager to skid and glide through plowed trails. With guidance from an expert, you will be able to travel peacefully with ease.
Sundance Film Festival
If you’re an avid cinephile or have a fondness for movies, the Sundance Film Festival will delight you. Established by the Sundance Institute, this annual festival is an opportunity for filmmakers to display their work to lovers of movies, celebrating storytellers worldwide.
Deer Valley FIS Freestyle
Every year Deer Valley hosts its annual FIS Freestyle competition. From worldwide, freestyle skiers participate in this event zip and glide their way to the podium. If you are up for an exciting event to attend, this is free to the public and takes place at night.
Elevation Utah LGBTQ Ski Week
Elevation Utah Ski Week is an annual tradition that celebrates the LGBTQ community with exciting events all week long, starting with a skiing festival. This event is open to all who are outgoing and love to party.
Winter Bluebird Cafe Concert Series
Just because the weather is chillier doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy outdoor music. The Winter Bluebird Cafe Concert Series allows you to bring you country music within the comforts of the Bluebird Cafe.
Summer Activities and Events in Park City, Utah
Park City is considered one of the popular spots for winter activities and events. However, it doesn’t mean they don’t have things to do when the weather gets warmer. Here are a few activities and events you can do in the summer.
Take a Hike or Drive
There are numerous sites and parks for you to take a drive or hike to. If you are looking for a more relaxed hike, Glenwild Loop is a perfect location to bask yourself in the summer scenery. Not only is it moderate, but this 2.4-acre trail blossoms with wildflowers, making it a picturesque moment.
Don’t feel like hiking? The Guardsman Pass Scenic Drive is the perfect location to take in the summer breeze and nature. This 14-mile drive is a definite spot to bask in without ever leaving your car. Many of the gondolas are also open year round to take guests up to the summits to enjoy breathtaking views of Park City, regardless of the season.
Spend Time on One of the Nearby Lakes
Don’t let Park City fool you, there’s more to the town than just mountains. There’s also a plethora of lakes nearby that are perfect to explore in the summertime.
Enjoy paddle boarding, fly fishing, and even rafting in some of the nearby rivers. These are great activities for beginners to experts to enjoy together.
Enjoy Outdoor Concerts
Ski slopes are typically used in the winter. However, when the season shifts from the coldest days of winter to the warmest summer weather, the slopes are turned into hubs for concert events. Deer Valley hosts outdoor concert events where they have food, drinks, and games. It’s mainly open to all. You get to experience the greenery of the slopes without the coldness of winter snow.
Woodward Park City Indoor Fitness Center
Aside from their usual winter activities, that is just the tip of the iceberg as they have their fun hub in their indoor fitness center. You can either burn rubber in their indoor bike park, test your endurance in rock climbing or get your jump on in their trampoline park.
Visit the Park City Museum
This is a fun, interactive museum that displays the history of Park City’s mining and experience life back in the 20th century with their immersive exhibits. You can choose from visiting an old general store and learning about the history of skiing or “ride” an old skier subway.
Alpine Slide and Mountain Roller Coaster
The Alpine Slide, luckily, isn’t a strictly winter-based activity you can do. It is also open in the summer. Not only that but there is also the Alpine Coaster that you can ride on. This fast-paced attraction can go 25 mph and has a perfect view over Park City.
Park Silly Market
Open to the public, this eco-friendly market allows local artists and food producers to display their products in the summer. Taking place every Sunday, you can peruse around for art, delicious cuisine, and live music.
Park City Farmers Market
Taking place every Wednesday, this outdoor market allows Utah vendors and farmers to share their fresh goods with tourists and localists of Park City. You can have a taste of organic produce and help small Utah food businesses.
Deer Valley Music Festival
Every summer, Deer Valley Resorts holds its eight-week-long summer series in July and early August. In Snow Park Amphitheater, you can unwind with a big blanket and snacks and listen to guests artists and musicians. Deer Valley provides a variety of food and drinks with their countless cafes and restaurants
Kimball Arts Festival
This 18-year long tradition gives local artists free range to promote their art. You can admire the work typically confined to art galleries, grab a bite to eat, and then some. There is also free admission to Kimball Arts Center.
Park City Wine Festival
If you are a lover of wine, the Park City Wine festival is sure to wet your whistle. Here you can sample wines from sweet to tangy from local wineries and attend luncheons and seminars. There is enough fun for the wine lover in you.
Overall Thoughts
As you can see, Park City seriously is a haven for outdoor activities. Just don’t forget to also spend time downtown Park City and on Historic Main Street. There’s a surprisingly fun nightlife scene with plenty of dining and bar options, so long as you have some energy leftover from a full day spent outside!
Now that you have an idea of what to do in Park City, what comes next? Before you start planning your itinerary, it is recommended that you book your stay now so it’s one less thing to worry about. Park City has things to do for all seasons, whether summer or winter.
Featured Image Credit: Sean Pavone
