Park City in 5 days

Two huge ski resorts, Sundance glamour and a silver-mining Main Street. Best time to visit: December-March, June-September. Average daily budget: $250 to $700 USD.

Day 1, Get oriented

Base: Old Town / Main Street, Historic core with bars, galleries and ski-in access via the town lift.

Morning: Ski or ride Park City Mountain. 7,300 acres, the largest single resort in the United States.

Afternoon: Explore Old Town / Main Street, Historic core with bars, galleries and ski-in access via the town lift.

Evening: Deer Valley. Immaculate grooming, no snowboarders and legendary slopeside lunches.

Eat: Slopeside turkey chilli at Deer Valley, a genuine institution

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Canyons Village, Modern base area on the Park City Mountain side, good for families.

Morning: Historic Main Street. Mining-era buildings, tasting rooms, galleries and the town lift.

Afternoon: Explore Canyons Village, Modern base area on the Park City Mountain side, good for families.

Evening: Utah Olympic Park. 2002 Olympic venue with bobsled rides and ski-jump training pools.

Eat: Utah craft beer and elk burgers on Main Street

Day 3, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Deer Valley, Ski-only luxury resort with groomed runs and famous on-mountain dining.

Morning: The Homestead Crater near Midway, a warm geothermal spring inside a limestone dome. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Deer Valley, Ski-only luxury resort with groomed runs and famous on-mountain dining.

Evening: Night skiing and sleigh-ride dinners at Canyons Village. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: High-end tasting menus in restored mining buildings

Day 4, Day trip or nature

Base: Prospector, Cheaper condos on the free bus route, popular with budget skiers.

Morning: Empire Pass views on a summer hike when the wildflowers peak in July. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Prospector, Cheaper condos on the free bus route, popular with budget skiers.

Evening: The free town shuttle, which locals use instead of ever moving their car. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Breakfast burritos before first chair at a locals' cafe

Day 5, Slow finish

Base: Kimball Junction, Grocery stores, outlets and value hotels 10 minutes from the lifts.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Kimball Junction, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Kimball Junction, Grocery stores, outlets and value hotels 10 minutes from the lifts.

Evening: Dinner at Slopeside turkey chilli at Deer Valley, a genuine institution, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Kimball Junction.

Eat: Slopeside turkey chilli at Deer Valley, a genuine institution

Hidden gems

The Homestead Crater near Midway, a warm geothermal spring inside a limestone dome
Night skiing and sleigh-ride dinners at Canyons Village
Empire Pass views on a summer hike when the wildflowers peak in July
The free town shuttle, which locals use instead of ever moving their car

Getting around

Salt Lake City International (SLC) is 35 to 40 minutes away, with shared shuttles, rideshares and rental cars. Once here you rarely need a car: the free town bus network links Old Town, both resort bases and most condos every 15 to 20 minutes. Winter parking on Main Street is limited and snow tyres or AWD matter on canyon roads during storms.

Safety

Park City is very safe. The real issues are altitude (2,100m in town, 3,000m+ on the peaks), so hydrate and ease into day one, and mountain hazards: avalanche risk in the backcountry, cold exposure and sun intensity at elevation. Summer brings afternoon thunderstorms and occasional moose on the trails, which you should give a wide berth.

Park City in 3 days | Park City in 7 days | Full Park City guide