Ski Park City

[nyllie]

In terms of the car, it’s a matter of personal preference and your budget. Especially with a GPS or smartphone, there is nothing remotely complicated about getting to or around Park City. Some people feel more comfortable than others with driving in a new place or driving in the snow. Some people don’t mind depending on a hotel shuttle, while others don’t want to plan their day around needing to get to the bus stop at an exact time. If you can afford it, get the car, and use it or don’t when you’re up here. I would recommend the shuttle for trips to Main Street since finding parking is a pain, but if you’re simply heading to Kimball Junction to buy groceries it's easy to get in the car and go. Like others have pointed out, the car can also get you out of Park City to other ski or tourist destinations. Whatever you choose, you're going to have an awesome time regardless

[SportyandMisty]

This past winter I skied 24 days at Deer Valley and 56 at Canyons, and a half dozen at PCMR.

Deer Valley of course is a smaller resort at about 900 ski-able acres compared to Canyons Resort's 4000. Canyons has backcountry access and is never crowded; Deer Valley is home to the ultimate intermediate groomers and does not allow snowboarders. Canyons has more advanced terrain but if you have beginners in your party Canyons isn't the place to go because there are so few green runs. I'm not as big a fan of PCMR, but that is just a matter of taste.

But Alta gets more snow, particularly that early in the season. If you get to Westgate & there is a lot of snow, you won't need a car -- you can just shuttle around town and the 3 resorts.

If there isn't much snow in Park City, you can see about renting a car to drive to Alta (about 50 to 60 minutes).

[Rbarker2]

We're probably intermediate plus. We just don't press anymore. Keeping in mind that being from the east coast we're most likely better icers (frozen grandular), than powder skiers. I hope altitude won't be a big issue. Incidentally, is there any chance that in bad weather we could spend our week in the SLC airport?

[skibarbie]

No on the airport thingy. I have only been here 19 years and during that time I remember the airport being closed due to weather maybe 2-3 times. Most issues you will encounter at SLC airport are due to weather at other airports.
The more I read, the more I think you will enjoy your time at Deer Valley. It is only a buck or 2 more than the other resorts in Park City and well worth it. The customer service, food, grooming are the best in North America by a long shot.
I am not a fan of PCMR and would not waste one day there. I disagree with some of my fellow posters about Canyons. The parking lot may be the lowest elevation but the "skiing" starts at about 8200' where the Gondola drops you off. The recent change in ownership has changed alot of Canyons for the better as the entire goal of Talisker, a Canadian outfit that is the largest land owner in Summit County including lots of stuff at Deer Valley, wants their "New" resort to be on par with DV. It's going to be several years away if that were to happen but,,,things there are improving.
If the snow isn't "all that" when you get here, that is when the rental car may come in handy so you can scoot up to Snowbasin or over to Solitude and Brighton. There are some shuttles that will run you over to the mouth of Big Cottonwood then its any easy hop on the city bus up to the resorts.
Start checking the forecast about 10 days before your trip and see what it looks like.
No matter what the conditions, you will have a great time cuz you are on vacation!

[Rbarker2]

Thanks again everyone. I better give this site a rest before I wear out my welcome.

Dick