The local area consists mostly of blue and black trails cut through the trees, with easier runs running along the ridges and the valleys between. The more interesting terrain is in the lightly wooded bowls and ridges at the top.
The trail map marks 13 ‘Signature Runs’ that are groomed regularly and are a great blast – and five ‘Adventure Alley’ blue runs among the trees that are great fun. The free mountain history tours of the slopes that look at the area’s silver-mining heritage are enjoyable too. Signposting is clear.
Extent of the slopes
The ski area, when combined with Canyons, is by far the biggest in the USA. Most of the local easy and intermediate runs lie between Summit House and the base area, and are spread along the sides of a series of interconnecting ridges. Virtually all the local steep terrain is above Summit House in a series of ungroomed bowls, and accessed by the McConkey’s six-pack and the old, slow Jupiter double chair.
Fast lifts
You can get around most of the area on fast chairs. But there are still a few slow ones on the upper mountain, including the 40-year-old Jupiter double which accesses a lot of expert terrain. And the lift from town is slow.
Snow reliability
Utah is famous for the quality and quantity of its snow. Park City’s record doesn’t match those of Snowbird and Alta, but an annual average of 355 inches is still impressive, and ahead of most Colorado figures. Snowmaking covers about 15% of the terrain.
For experts
There is a lot of excellent steep terrain at the top of the lift system. It is all marked as double diamond on the trail map, but many runs deserve only a single-diamond rating.
McConkey’s Bowl is served by a six-pack and offers a range of open pitches and gladed terrain; we’ve had some great runs here on each of our visits. The slow, old Jupiter lift accesses the highest bowls, which include some serious terrain – with narrow couloirs, cliffs and cornices – as well as easier wide-open slopes. We had some enjoyable runs through fresh snow in lightly wooded terrain by heading to the right at the top of the lift, then skiing down without hiking. But if you are prepared to hike, you can find fresh powder most of the time – turn left for West Face, Pioneer Ridge and Puma Bowl, right for Scott’s Bowl and the vast expanse of Pinecone Ridge. Access to some Pinecone Ridge runs was made easier in 2015 via the mid-station of the new Interconnect gondola.
Lower down, the side of Summit House ridge, serviced by the slow Thaynes and, in 2015, the revamped Motherlode chair, has some previously little-used black runs, plus a few satisfying trails in the trees. There’s a zone of steep runs towards town from further round the ridge. And don’t miss Blueslip Bowl near Summit House – so called because it used to be out of bounds and ski company employees caught skiing it were fired, and given their notice on a blue slip.
There’s good expert terrain in the newly linked Canyons area too. Skiers (no snowboarders, due to some long, flat run-outs) should consider doing the Ski Utah Interconnect Tour. There’s cat- and heli-skiing available too.
For intermediates
There are blue runs served by all the main local lifts, apart from Jupiter. The areas around the King Con and Silverlode six-packs have a dense network of great (but fairly short) cruising runs. There are also more difficult trails close by, for those looking for a challenge. The ‘Signature Runs’ and ‘Adventure Alleys’ (see above) are good ideas and worth trying.
But there are few long, fast cruising runs – most trails are 1 to 2km, and many have long, flat run-outs. The Pioneer and McConkey’s chairlifts are off the main drag and serve some very pleasant, often quiet runs. The runs under the Town lift have great views of the town. And, of course, there are the linked runs of Canyons and separate area of Deer Valley to explore.
For beginners
An excellent area for beginners. Novices start on moving carpets and graduate up the hill quite quickly. The gentle three-and-a-half-mile Home Run is a lovely long green to progress to. The Town chair can be ridden down.
For snowboarders
In 1995, when Park City won its Olympic bid for the 2002 Winter games, the resort lifted its ban on snowboarding. Since then it has steamrollered ahead to attract boarders by building some of the best terrain parks in the world. And there’s some great ungroomed terrain as well: the higher bowls offer treelined powder runs and great kicker-building spots. Plus there’s now the Canyons area to explore – for long a snowboarder favourite. Beginners will have no trouble on the lower slopes.
For cross-country
There are 20km of prepared trails on the Park City golf course and 30km at Soldier Hollow just out of town.
Where to Ski and Snowboard
This guide is taken from Where to Ski and Snowboard, edited by Chris Gill and Dave Watts. Chris now produces Where to Ski guides to individual countries. Find out more and receive an exclusive book discount.