Park City is a former silver-mining town high in the Wasatch Mountains, about 35 minutes east of Salt Lake City, that has become one of America’s best-known ski destinations. Two big resorts sit right on its doorstep: Park City Mountain, among the largest ski areas in the country, and the upscale, skiers-only Deer Valley. Between them, Historic Main Street climbs the hillside with restored Victorian storefronts, galleries, restaurants and bars, and free buses connect almost everything. The town hosted events in the 2002 Winter Olympics and is preparing for the 2034 Games, so you can watch athletes train at the Utah Olympic Park. In summer the snow gives way to wildflowers, mountain-bike trails, hiking and concerts, and the cool mountain air is a welcome escape from the desert heat to the south.
Right now in Park City
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Park City at a glance
- Best months: January to March for skiing; late June to September for hiking, biking and festivals. Late October to mid-November and late April to May are quiet “shoulder” months, with some places closed.
- Time needed: one day for Main Street and the Olympic Park; a long weekend to a week for skiing.
- Getting there: about 35 miles (56 km) from Salt Lake City International Airport on Interstate 80, roughly 40 minutes without snow or traffic.
- Ski season 2026–27: Park City Mountain plans to open on 20 November 2026 and Deer Valley on 5 December, conditions permitting.
- Before you go: entry rules, money, driving and general safety are on our United States travel guide.
Park City areas and who each one suits
Old Town and Main Street
The historic heart, with Main Street’s restaurants and nightlife, the Town Lift up to Park City Mountain, and small hotels and condos on steep streets. Best if you want to walk to dinner and don’t mind hills.
Park City Mountain Village
The resort’s main base area at the edge of town, with ski-in, ski-out hotels and condos, ski school and rentals. Good for families who want to be on the slopes first thing.
Canyons Village
Park City Mountain’s other base, about 4 miles (6.4 km) north near Interstate 80, linked to the Park City side by a gondola high on the mountain. Newer resort hotels, more space and slightly lower prices; it is a bus ride from Main Street.
Deer Valley
Just southeast of Old Town, Deer Valley’s Snow Park base and the mid-mountain Silver Lake Village have luxury lodges, quiet slopes and famous service. Its big expansion is adding a new base area to the east, near the Jordanelle Reservoir and US 40.
Kimball Junction
The commercial area by Interstate 80, with chain hotels, outlet shops and supermarkets, and the Utah Olympic Park nearby. Usually the cheapest base, with buses into town.
Skiing in Park City: the 2026–27 season
| Resort | Planned opening | Pass | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park City Mountain | 20 November 2026 | Epic Pass | Two base areas (Park City and Canyons Villages) joined into one huge area; skiing and snowboarding; Town Lift from Main Street |
| Deer Valley Resort | 5 December 2026 | Ikon Pass | Skiers only, no snowboards; groomed runs, limited ticket sales; expanding with new East Village terrain |
Opening dates are set by the resorts and published by Ski Utah, and depend on snow and temperatures. Closing dates for spring 2027 had not been announced in early October 2026; both resorts normally plan to close in mid-April, but in 2026 a record-warm winter forced Deer Valley and Park City Mountain’s Park City base to close at the end of March. Lift tickets bought at the window are expensive, often well over $200 a day in peak season, so buy online in advance or use a multi-resort pass; book ski school and rentals ahead for holiday weeks.
Deer Valley’s expansion is one of the largest in North American skiing: new lifts and runs on the east side, with a new base village, began opening in the 2025–26 season, and the resort is growing toward roughly 4,400 skiable acres (1,780 hectares). Check the resort’s site for which lifts and parking areas are open on the day.
Parking: base-area lots at both resorts can be paid or reservation-only on busy days, and spaces fill early on weekends and holidays. The free town buses are usually the easier option. Other Utah resorts are close by too: Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude are on the far side of the mountains, about an hour away by road from Park City.
Top things to see in Park City
Historic Main Street
Main Street’s brightly painted 19th-century buildings survived the town’s mining booms and busts and now hold art galleries, outdoor stores, restaurants, saloons and a distillery. The Park City Museum, in the old City Hall, tells the story of the silver mines and has the original territorial jail in its basement. In the evening the street fills with skiers walking down from the slopes, and on summer Sundays it hosts an open-air market.
Utah Olympic Park
Built for the 2002 Winter Olympics near Kimball Junction, the park is still a training center for ski jumpers, freestyle skiers and bobsled teams. Watch athletes fly off the jumps into a pool in summer, visit the free museums of Olympic and ski history, and, if you’re brave, ride the bobsled track with a professional driver or try the zip lines and adventure courses. Salt Lake City and Utah will host the Winter Olympics again in 2034.
Mining history and the trails above town
Old mine buildings, headframes and aerial tramway towers still stand on the slopes of Park City Mountain and along the town’s trail network. In summer you can walk or bike to several of them; in winter some are visible from the lifts.
Other things to do in Park City
Summer hiking and mountain biking
Park City has hundreds of miles of trails, many of them starting right in town, from gentle valley paths to long ridge rides. Lifts at the resorts carry bikes and hikers up in summer, and the resorts run downhill bike parks. Wildflowers peak in July. See our hiking and cycling guides.
Alpine coaster and family fun
Park City Mountain’s mountain coaster runs down through the trees in winter and summer, and both resorts offer tubing, snowshoe tours and children’s activities. Cross-country skiers will find groomed tracks around town.
Eating out and après-ski
Main Street is the place for dinner, from casual burger and taco joints to steakhouses and chef-led restaurants; reserve ahead for weekends and holidays in winter. Après-ski starts as the lifts close, at slopeside bars in the base villages and in Old Town’s saloons, and a local distillery and brewpubs make their own drinks. Deer Valley’s lodges are known for their buffets and fondue, and in summer several mountain restaurants stay open for hikers and riders. Remember that drinks hit harder at altitude.
Sundance: from Park City to Boulder
For four decades the Sundance Film Festival filled Park City every January. That has changed: the 2027 festival takes place in Boulder, Colorado, from 21 to 31 January 2027, with world premieres from 21 to 26 January. January in Park City is now about skiing, though the town still hosts concerts and events through the year.
Day trips from Park City
- Salt Lake City: Temple Square, the State Capitol and museums, about 35 minutes west. In 2027 the Salt Lake Temple opens for a public open house from 5 April to 1 October.
- Heber Valley: the Heber Valley Railroad’s heritage trains, reservoirs for paddling and the hot-spring Homestead Crater in Midway, 20–30 minutes south.
- The Cottonwood canyons: Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude in winter, alpine lakes in summer.
- Utah’s national parks: Arches is about 4 hours away and Zion and Bryce Canyon about 4.5–5 hours, so plan an overnight trip rather than a day trip. Many visitors continue to Las Vegas (see our Las Vegas travel guide).
Nearby destinations
- Salt Lake City34 km
- Arches National Park272 km
- Moab286 km
Getting there and getting around
From Salt Lake City airport
Salt Lake City International Airport is the gateway, about 35 miles (56 km) and 40 minutes away via Interstate 80 and Parleys Canyon. Shared and private airport shuttles run to hotels in Park City, and rental cars are easy to find. In snowstorms Parleys Canyon can be slow; Utah’s traction rules may require snow tires, four-wheel drive or chains.
Free buses and the Main Street trolley
Park City Transit is fare-free and has been since 1975. Its routes link Old Town, the resorts’ base areas, Kimball Junction and hotels across town, with frequent service in the ski season. The Historic Trolley runs up and down Main Street, roughly from 10:50 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. daily. Many visitors manage without a car; if you drive, parking on Main Street and in the China Bridge garage is paid in the busy hours, and rules change for big events. A regional bus also links Park City with Salt Lake City; check the timetable before you rely on it.
When to go and how long to stay
At about 7,000 ft (2,100 m), Park City is much cooler than Salt Lake City. Winters are cold and snowy, with dry, light powder on the mountains above; summer days are warm and sunny with chilly nights and afternoon thunderstorms in July and August. Autumn brings golden aspens from mid-September to early October.
| Season | Average high | Average low | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | 33–35 °F (0–2 °C) | 16–17 °F (−9 to −8 °C) | Peak ski season; snow in town; busiest at Christmas and Presidents’ Day. |
| Spring (Mar–May) | 43–61 °F (6–16 °C) | 25–38 °F (−4 to 3 °C) | Sunny spring skiing into April, then mud season. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | 72–80 °F (22–27 °C) | 46–53 °F (8–12 °C) | Warm days, cool nights; wildflowers, biking and concerts. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | 69–42 °F (21–6 °C) | 43–23 °F (6 to −5 °C) | Golden aspens; quiet from late October. |
Figures are NOAA 1991–2020 normals for the Park City weather station at 6,900 ft (2,103 m). The town gets about 22.4 inches (569 mm) of precipitation a year; the ski slopes, several thousand feet higher, receive far more snow.
Altitude and cold
Park City’s base areas are around 6,900–8,000 ft (2,100–2,400 m), and the top lifts are near 10,000 ft (3,000 m). If you arrive from sea level, drink plenty of water, go easy on alcohol the first night and take your first ski day gently. The sun is strong at this altitude even in winter, so wear sunscreen and goggles or sunglasses. On cold days, cover your face and fingers against frostbite, and in summer carry rain gear for afternoon storms and get off exposed ridges if you hear thunder.
How long to stay
A weekend: a ski day at each resort, or one summer day on the trails and one exploring Main Street and the Olympic Park. A week: enough for most skiers, with time for a day at Alta or Snowbird and a rest day in Salt Lake City.
Where to stay in Park City: prices and lodging tax
Ski-in, ski-out hotels and condos at the resort bases and Deer Valley’s luxury lodges are the most expensive, especially over Christmas, New Year and Presidents’ Day; Old Town inns put you near Main Street; Kimball Junction and Heber City are cheaper. Many stays are condos with kitchens, often with minimum-night rules in winter. Summer rates are much lower. Room rates are quoted before tax: in Park City, sales tax and Utah’s transient room tax together add about 13–14% to a hotel bill, according to Summit County’s published rates; check the final total and any resort fees when you book.
Practical tips for Park City
- Book early for Christmas, New Year, Martin Luther King Day weekend and Presidents’ Day week.
- Shoulder seasons: some restaurants and shops close for a few weeks in late spring and late fall.
- Alcohol: Main Street has plenty of bars; Utah’s state liquor stores close on Sundays. You must be 21 to drink.
- Wildlife: moose wander through town and along trails; give them a very wide berth.
- Tipping: tip ski instructors, shuttle drivers and restaurant staff (18–22% at sit-down meals).
- Time zone: Mountain Time with daylight saving time. Emergencies: call 911.
What to pack for Park City
For winter, bring a waterproof ski jacket and pants, thermal base layers, a warm hat, gloves or mittens, a neck gaiter, goggles, sunscreen and lip balm, plus warm boots with good grip for icy Main Street. In summer, pack layers for cold mornings and evenings, a rain jacket, hiking shoes, sun hat and a water bottle.
Park City travel FAQ
When does ski season start in Park City for 2026–27?
Park City Mountain plans to open on 20 November 2026 and Deer Valley on 5 December 2026, conditions permitting. Closing dates for spring 2027 have not been announced yet.
Is Park City on the Epic or Ikon Pass?
Park City Mountain is on the Epic Pass; Deer Valley is on the Ikon Pass. Check your pass’s access level and any blackout dates.
Can you snowboard at Deer Valley?
No. Deer Valley is for skiers only. Snowboarders can ride at Park City Mountain next door.
Is the bus in Park City free?
Yes. Park City Transit is fare-free, including the routes to the ski resorts and the Historic Trolley on Main Street.
How far is Park City from Salt Lake City airport?
About 35 miles (56 km), roughly 40 minutes by car on Interstate 80 in good conditions. Airport shuttles run to most hotels.
Is the Sundance Film Festival still in Park City?
No. From 2027 the festival is held in Boulder, Colorado; the 2027 edition runs from 21 to 31 January.
What is there to do in Park City in summer?
Hiking and mountain biking from town, lift-served bike parks, the alpine coaster, the Utah Olympic Park, Main Street’s market and summer concerts.
How high is Park City?
The town is at about 7,000 ft (2,100 m), and the highest lifts reach about 10,000 ft (3,000 m), so take it easy on your first day.
Plan your trip
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Sources · last reviewed 4 October 2026
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. Ski resort opening dates: Ski Utah; free transit, trolley hours and parking: Park City Municipal Corporation; the 2027 festival dates and location: Sundance Institute; the Salt Lake Temple open house: Temple Square; lodging taxes: Summit County; climate: NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for the Park City station. The 2026 early closures, the Deer Valley expansion size, lift-ticket prices, pass partners, drive times and attraction details are general references and flagged for checking. Prices, dates and rules change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our United States travel guide.
Data: Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Air quality: OpenAQ · Rates: ECB · Holidays: Nager.Date · Costs: World Bank ICP and price levels · Wikidata (CC0)