Park City, Utah is easily one of the idyllic mountain towns in the US — its snowcapped mountains and charming ski resorts are straight from a fairytale. Combined with nearby Deer Valley, Park City effortlessly combines luxury with comfort offering endless year-round outdoor recreation possibilities. As evidence to its popularity as a tourist destination, the number of guests who come to Park City all year round far exceeds the number of its permanent residents. It’s not a surprise why – this is one of the US’ best places to travel to for winter.
While skiers and snowboarders head to the slopes, guests that wish to explore Park City’s non-ski offerings have plenty of options at their fingertips. Although most ski resorts cap the number of lift tickets sold each day for optimal social distancing, there is a mountain range of activities that visitors can enjoy off the slopes, such as snow tubing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, bobsledding, dog sledding, yoga excursions and more.
Surrounded by breathtaking views and natural beauty, Park City has accommodations, activities, restaurants and an abundance of snow activities beyond the ski slopes for non-skiers that match the effortlessly chic attitude of the town.
By Kinya Claiborne, STYLE & SOCIETY
Kinya’s Wardrobe By: Nils and Krimson Klover
Photo Credit: Marselle Washington
GETTING THERE
JSX
Park City, Utah offers the perfect mountain recreation escape for visitors within easy reach located 25 miles away from Salt Lake City International Airport. This popular tourist destination is framed by the Wasatch Range and is flocked by popular tourist destinations such as the Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort (both of which are among the go-to destinations for those seeking to explore the ski slopes).
Arrive in Park City in style with a semi-private jet experience through JSX, an award-winning carrier that recently launched a new route to Salt Lake City. This carrier also has a new private luxury terminal at recently remodeled Salt Lake City International Airport. JSX’s revolutionary hop-on jet service offers a seamless and safe (socially-distanced) way to travel by air to Utah’s hottest ski destination with weekly flights from Burbank, California and Las Vegas to Salt Lake City.
STAY
Yotelpad Park City
Yotelpad Park City is one of the newest lodging options to arrive in the city, ready to cater to the flock of visitors who want to enjoy this buzzing destination. This hotel offers a resort living experience away from home. It is not your typical mountain resort lodging because it offers technology and innovation, with future-forward design concepts on their rooms and amenities.
The modern escape feel starts even before you arrive at the hotel because the booking process uses technology quite seamlessly. Meanwhile, they did not compromise when it comes to the experience because there are dedicated social spaces for guests to enjoy. One of them is the game room – you can relax by the fire or enjoy your favorite game, whether it’s the old school PAC-MAN or the pool table. Aside from the fireside lounges to help keep you warm and cozy during your stay, there are also mini workstations and a fully-equipped gym.
AC Hotel Park City
The AC Hotel Park City is another new lodging option in Park City and belongs to the Marriott hotel chain. The hotel offers a sophisticated yet minimalist design, which is evident right when you walk into the lobby and in the rooms. Speaking of rooms, every guest room is thoughtfully designed to incorporate open spaces and minimalist details so you can have a clutter-free experience. From open closets to sleek desks, everything feels spacious and devoid of unnecessary details.
In addition, the AC Hotel Park City is also notable for its wide range of bar and dining options. The AC Kitchen is a European-inspired kitchen wherein guests can enjoy their breakfast in a delightfully open and well-lit space. The AC Lounge is another exquisite dining option offering a wide selection of tapas along with signature cocktails, wines, and local craft beers to suit your taste.
PLAY
Yoga with Silk with Park City Yoga Adventures
Aerial yoga with silks is one of the top new fitness trends worth trying. At Park City Yoga Adventures, you can elevate your practice by signing up for a session or two. Each session is an exclusive and private booking that lasts for an hour and a half. This is available all year round so you can give it a try whenever you visit Park City. The sessions are held at the 4U Ranch’s indoor and heated luxury barn.
Even if you haven’t done this before, no need to fret. Yoga in Silk is going to be a fun and rewarding experience, especially for experienced yogis who want to challenge themselves with something new. Or better yet, you can book this time as a form of self-care or to enhance your fitness journey. As a bonus, you can even sip a hot tea and then go on a stroll along the gorgeous Weber River en route to your Yoga in Silk session at the barn. It’s the perfect way to soak in the gorgeous scenery of Park City.
Bobsledding at Utah Olympic Park
The Utah Olympic Park is one of the most popular destinations in Park City for winter sports enthusiasts. It was built to host the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, this venue is approximately 400 acres in size and is home to only one of four sliding tracks in North America. In addition, it houses 6 Nordic ski jumps and a variety of adventure sports and activities. It is a multi-use facility that is focused on training and development of winter sports within the state of Utah.
The winter bobsled is one of the top activities in Utah Olympic Park. The Winter Bobsled Track is the official track that was used for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games for the luge, skeleton, and bobsled events. When you book this experience, one of the professional pilots will take you through a thrilling ride down the track. It’s an experience that you simply can’t miss if you love winter sports or bobsledding!
Dogsledding with All Seasons Adventures
If you’re looking for the ultimate dog sledding experience in Park City, make sure to check out All Seasons Adventures. Recommended for anyone aged 3 and above, it is a must-try experience for the whole family! The dog sledding experience will take you through aspen groves, evergreen forests, and snow-covered meadows for one full hour. Most of these dogs are rescues from local shelters and the founders of Arctic Rescue have saved over 100 dogs!
Midway Ice Castles
The Midway Ice Castles is another family-friendly experience worth checking out if you visit Park City. This is an award-winning frozen attraction that is located in only four cities in North America – and this is one of them. The ice castles are built using hundreds of thousands of ice particles that were carved by professional ice artists. They also feature breathtaking details such as LED-lit sculptures, tunnels, fountains, slides, frozen thrones, and many more. A visit to the Midway Ice Castles is a must if you are looking for a magical winter experience.
Snowmobiling Excursion with Summit Meadows Adventures
Summit Meadows Adventures is the ideal choice for anyone looking for off-the-mountain snow fun. Their snowmobiling excursions are popular with visitors that want to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Wasatch Mountain Range. The snowmobiling excursions are guided trips on groomed trails that are available for individuals or groups.
Woodward Park City
Woodward Park City is a world-class attraction in Utah that serves as a sports community hub for active individuals. Snow tubing is one of the most sought-after activities on this destination where each booking provides two-hour sessions on the state’s longest tubing lanes. There’s also a robust array of other adrenaline rush activities to enjoy at this state-of-the-art facility for year-round fun including skateboarding, freeride mountain biking, trampoline & tumbling, and many more.
Sleigh Ride with Park City Sleigh Rides at Canyons Village
Bundle up and enjoy a lovely sleigh ride at Canyons Village to take in the wonderful views. For this experience, head to Park City Sleigh Rides at Canyons Village. The perfect date night, enjoy the magical 25-minute sleigh ride where blankets are provided for rider’s comfort, but be sure to dress warmly!
EAT
Lunch at Powder Restaurant
Powder Restaurant is the main dining destination at Waldorf Astoria Park City. It is more than just a place you go to dine – it’s an experience. Lunch is the best time to enjoy the selection of elevated comfort food at this restaurant. The dishes are inspired by the mountain regions that surround Park City; thus, you can expect seasonal menu using the freshest ingredients. It’s the ideal dining destination après ski, especially if you want to be treated to a fine dining menu.
SEE
Main Street
Want to see more of Park City, Utah? Boasting palate pleasing bars and restaurants, and an abundance of shopping options head to Park City’s Historic Main Street. There is something here for everyone, especially those looking for sightseeing opportunities. You can find many shopping destinations for souvenir items, top ski brands, and mountain fashion. Home to the Sundance Film Festival, there are plenty of arts & culture destinations to see that include art galleries, the historic old Egyptian Theater and the Park City Museum that you can’t afford to miss. If you need to eat or drink, there is no shortage of options when it comes to enjoying the local fare.
