OVERVIEW
Park City is home to two major ski resorts and three main base areas, each with its own distinct feel. Use this guide to help you determine which is best for you.
BASE VILLAGES | SELECT HOTELS | MAP
VISITS: Feb. 2020
BASE VILLAGES
CANYONS VILLAGE BASE
The Canyons Village is separated from the buzz of the Park City base and Main Street but gives access to all of the skiing that Park City Mountain offers. The area has a friendly, low-key feel, but doesn't have the extensive dining options of Main Street. From our experience, the slopes on the Canyons side are the steepest when comparing the three areas and offered the least beginner areas, but it also felt less crowded and offered long runs to enjoy.
Click here for a map of the base area
HOTELS:
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Hyatt Centric Park City (4-star) - Ski-in / ski-out hotel with condo-style rooms including kitchenettes and laundry
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Waldorf Astoria (4-star) - Luxury hotel connected to the Canyons Village base via the Frostwood Gondola
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The Pendry - A new luxury development coming to the heart of Canyons Village with a hotel, residences, and dining options (opening 2021)
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Westgate Park City (4-star) - Slopeside hotel with multi-bedroom condo-style suites
RESTAURANTS:
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The Farm - Fit for a foodie, farm-to-table dining
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Powder - Upscale comfort food at the Waldorf Astoria
PARK CITY BASE / MAIN ST.
This is the heart of Park City, and even if you are staying at Canyons or Deer Valley, you will be sure to venture here during your trip. Main Street has a charming historic feel leftover from Park City's days as a mining town. Here there are dozens of dining and shopping options. The actual base also has a few options, but Park City has helped connect the skiing to the town via Town Lift, which gives you direct access for lunch or apres.
Click here for a map of the base area
HOTELS:
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Hotel Park City, Autograph Collection (4-star) - All-suite hotel positioned on the golf course and a ~10-minute walk to the Silver Star Lift
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Main & SKY (4-star) - Industrial-style suites and residences featuring balcony hot tubs, pool tables, and views of Main Street just steps from the Town Lift
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Washington School House (4-star) - Stunning 12-suite boutique hotel in a historic schoolhouse just a block from Main Street
RESTAURANTS:
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Davanza's - Quick, casual spot offering a variety of family-friendly options ranging from pizza to tacos to Philly cheesesteak
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The Eating Establishment - Elevated diner food offering breakfast all-day
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Firewood - Seasonal menus and local ingredients cooked over an open flame in an open-style kitchen
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Fletcher's - Contemporary American food designed to share, with cocktails and DJs in the downstairs library lounge
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No Name Saloon - Electic, lively bar and grill in a historic building that looks like the Alamo and has a rooftop patio
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Riverhorse on Main - Highly-rated, eclectic American cuisine with live music
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Vinto - Casual Italian bistro offering pizzas and pasta
DEER VALLEY
Deer Valley is known for its luxury, and that extends from the resort to its hotels, homes, and restaurants. Come here if you are looking to spoil yourself. I also found Deer Valley to have a more relaxing feel, as the clientele tend to be sophisticated families or more mature couples. While we enjoyed Deer Valley a lot, things here are a bit more spread out rather than concentrated in a compact, walkable area. So, if you are looking for a dining adventure beyond your hotel or kitchen, you will probably have to head into Park City. That said, the hotels here are top-notch and offer food to match.
Click here for a map of the base area
HOTELS:
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The Chateaux Deer Valley (4-star) - A luxury lodge with European flair positioned slopeside at the Silver Lake Lodge
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Deer Valley Lodges (4-star) - Condo-style properties offered through Deer Valley that are great for groups or families
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Goldener Hirsch Inn (4-star) - Small, family-owned luxury hotel that feels as though it were transplanted from the Alps to its ski-in / ski-out location at Silver Lake Village
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Montage (5-star) - Luxury hotel with ski-in / ski-out access from Empire, extensive spa facilities, and a bowling alley at Daly's Pub
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St. Regis (5-star) - Luxury hotel perched above the Snowpark Lodge offering ski-in / ski-out access, a private ski beach, and ski valet
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Stein Eriksen Lodge (5-star) - Ski-in / ski-out Scandinavian-style luxury hotel featuring a high-end spa and hot tubs on some of the room's patios
RESTAURANTS:
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Apex - The flagship restaurant at the Montage serving classic continental cuisine
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Brass Tag - A more casual spot offering brick-oven cuisine and apres
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Cena - Family-friendly Italian restaurant at The Chateaux
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Glitretind - Elegant savory dishes at the Stein Eriksen, also open for lunch and breakfast
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Goldener Hirsch - AAA 4-Diamond European-style restaurant fit for a romantic dinner
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Rime Seafood & Steak - Matthew Harris restaurant at the St. Regis
SELECT HOTELS
Canyons Village Luxury Resort
Canyons Village Luxury Resort
THE ROOM:
We just had a standard king room, so it was fairly simple. The room was plenty nice, but maybe a bit less luxe than some other Waldorf properties. We had a nice little walk-out patio to enjoy the snow and a fireplace to help keep warm which was great!
THE SHUTTLE:
This was something we didn't know we needed that ended up keeping our trip from being a disaster. This was especially true on the days we skied Deer Valley!
THE SKI VALET:
We ended up only getting to ski one day at Canyons, so we really didn't get to use the ski valet as intended. That said, the setup is a little different because of where the hotel is positioned. You go one floor below the lobby to drop off / pick up your boots (and put your street shoes in a basket for the day). You don't have to worry about lugging your skis because the valet will take them at the front door. When you get up the next morning, your skis will be waiting for you on racks right by the gondola, which is just across the street from the lobby. For the most part, it's awesome, the struggle just comes if you ski from multiple bases / resorts.
MY TAKE:
WALDORF ASTORIA
WHERE WE STAYED
If you are looking to improve your ski vacation, look for two things - ski valet and a hot tub. We learned our lesson about ski valet with our condo in Breckenridge that was less "ski-in / ski-out" than it was sold to be. It truly makes a difference to not have to lug gear around, step into wet boots, or get stranded somewhere without street shoes. Also, if you only ski once a year or just like to relax after a long day, a hot tub can really help with the achy muscles. There are a number of resorts that check these boxes in Park City, but the prices can be obscene. The Waldorf ran us about half as much as some of the other resorts, and overall we really enjoyed our stay!
KEY FEATURES:
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4-star resort
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Multiple room types including standard rooms and suites with full kitchens and laundry
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Rooms come with a fireplace, some even have one on the balcony
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Large pool area with clear dome-topped seating and fire pits to stay warm
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Multiple hot tubs (including one that is adults-only, yay!)
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Hot chocolate served at the valet after skiing and smores served by the pool around dinner time
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Luxury spa offering a ski-specific sports massage, cupping therapy, and gemstone healing treatments in addition to traditional options
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Shuttle service
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Runs between the hotel (Canyons), Park City, and Deer Valley during the day at the top of every hour
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Runs between the hotel and Main St. every half hour during the evening
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THE LODGE AT BLUE SKY
AUBERGE RESORTS COLLECTION
I've included this hotel here because it's a little bit outside of Park City, so it may not come up in your standard hotel search, but it was one I strongly considered for our trip. The on-base ski lounge and free shuttle make it possible to enjoy the slopes while being a bit removed from the hustle and bustle. Our favorite ski hotel, The Madeline, is also an Auberge property, and I can only imagine that the Lodge at Blue Sky also knocks it out of the park.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
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5-star resort
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3 room types including suites at the Sky Lodge, Earth House suites built into the hillside, and free-standing Creek Houses
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Private ski lounge at the base of Park City Mountain with free shuttle
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Guided activities including fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, outdoor yoga, clay shooting, and heliskiing
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Edge spa offering a whiskey rundown, a "back in the saddle" massage, and CBD treatments in rooms overlooking the creek
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Heated infinity pool
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Yuta Restaurant and neighboring High West Distillery & Refectory
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On-site organic farm
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Rooms come with binoculars to spot wildlife
RELATED ARTICLES
Park City Destination Guide: PTO Travel Pro* | Deer Valley Destination Guide: PTO Travel Pro* | Weekend Skiing in Park City: PTO Travel Pro* | Telluride Destination Guide: PTO Travel Pro*