Things to Do in Park City, Utah: Our Local Guide

Planning a trip and wondering what to do in Park City? Here's our guide, written from our vacation home in Pinebrook, about 10 minutes from Canyons Village and 4 minutes from Kimball Junction. It covers where to ski, what to do in summer, where to take the kids and when to visit. See photos of the home before you book.

Where to ski near our rental

Canyons Village at Park City Mountain. About 10 minutes by car, and our closest base area. Ski shuttles to Canyons Village stop close to the home. Park City Mountain is one of the largest ski resorts in the US, with more than 7,000 skiable acres.

Deer Valley. About 10 to 15 minutes. Known for groomed runs and great food on the mountain. It's skiers only, so snowboarders head to Park City Mountain.

Little Cottonwood Canyon: Snowbird and Alta. Snowbird is about 45 minutes from the house and Alta about 50, both by way of I-80 and Salt Lake City. The canyon is famous for deep, light powder and steep terrain, and Alta is skiers only. On big powder mornings the canyon road can back up or close for avalanche control, so check the UDOT canyon updates before you go.

Big Cottonwood Canyon: Solitude and Brighton. Solitude is about 45 minutes from the house and Brighton about 50, also by way of I-80 and Salt Lake City. These two are quieter and more laid back, and Brighton is a favorite with snowboarders. The Guardsman Pass shortcut from Park City is closed in winter, so take the interstate.

Chairlift running through falling snow
Skier in deep powder between snowy pine trees

Eight ski resorts within an hour

Park City Mountain and Deer Valley are next door, the four Cottonwood Canyon resorts above are under an hour away, and Snowbasin and Powder Mountain are about an hour north. Stay a week and you can ski a different mountain every day, then come back to the boot dryer in the heated garage.

Black and white photo of skiers on a chairlift above a rocky slope

Historic Main Street

Galleries, boutiques, restaurants and après spots in a restored mining town. It's a short drive from the house. Parking is tight on busy weekends, so the free Park City bus is worth using.

Things to do in Park City in summer

Park City has hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, scenic chairlift rides, the Utah Olympic Park, golf, fly fishing and paddleboarding at Jordanelle State Park. Evenings belong on our deck.

Golden aspen tree and hillside in fall

Pinebrook trails and Kimball Junction

Step out the front door onto Pinebrook's private trail system for an easy hike or a bike ride. Four minutes away, Kimball Junction has restaurants, grocery stores and shopping, so a forgotten ingredient is never a long trip. Back at the house, the gas BBQ and the back deck are waiting for sunset.

Kids' bunk room with a twin-over-full and a twin-over-twin bunk bed, a TV and ski art

Park City with kids

Kids love the Utah Olympic Park, the mountain coaster at Park City Mountain, tubing at Woodward and the trails at the Swaner Preserve and EcoCenter. Back at the house, there's a bunk room, a family room with an Xbox and movies, and a closet full of games.

When is the best time to visit Park City?

For skiing, ski season usually runs from late November into April, with the most reliable snow from January through March. Summer, from June to September, brings hiking, biking and mild mountain weather. Fall is quiet, with golden aspens in late September and early October. April, May and November are the slowest months, with the best rates and the fewest crowds.

Getting here

Salt Lake City International Airport is about 30 minutes away by car. A car is recommended, and the heated garage makes winter arrivals easy.

Winter view of snowy hills, red rock and the neighborhood under a blue sky

Our local favorites

[[Owners' 5 to 8 favorite restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores and ski rental shops]]