Park City

Park City, Utah could certainly stake a rightful claim of being the “perfect mountain town.” Combining its silver mining town heritage, a progressive vibe and a deep appreciation for the outdoors, Park City strikes a balance between luxury and comfort, all the while showing a deep appreciation for athletics and the arts. Whatever your daily activity may be, you’ll work up an appetite for the diversity of fine restaurants that line Historic Main Street and beyond, and want to wind down with the craft whiskeys and vodkas at the High West Distillery and Saloon.

Any visit to Park City requires a leisurely walk down Historic Main Street past the vibrant Victorian architecture of old mining cabins, lovingly restored and maintained by residents. All year long, you can duck into the shops to browse, or grab a coffee at Atticus Bookstore and sit yourself down on a bench and soak in the sun and scenery. Every Sunday, from June through September, the Park Silly market–one of the most treasured Park City events–fills the streets of lower Historic Main Street with live music, local craftsmen and great food.

Winter

If surfing powder is your thing, you know Park City has you covered. With 426 downhill trails across 9,326 acres and numerous spots to Nordic ski, there are limitless possibilities. These numbers partially explain why the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team is headquartered in Park City. Other reasons include unbeatable proximity, quality of recreational opportunities and quality of life.

In 2014, Vail Resorts Inc. purchased Park City Mountain Resort and merged it with the adjacent Canyons Resort into the largest ski resort in the United States. Other plans currently in development would create gondolas linking downtown with base areas at PCMR and Deer Valley Resort so visitors can easily travel between resorts for unlimited ski adventures.

Cycling and MTB

But there are plenty of other things to do in Park City. When the snow has melted, get your hiking boots on and your mountain bike tuned (or rent one in town) and get your heart pumping. From gentle strolls on the Rail Trail across a wide-open basin with spectacular views of the mountains, to twisty, thrilling singletrack mountain bike trails like Town’s loop, you will not be disappointed.

In summer and fall, set your knobby tires on the Mid-Mountain Trail, which contours across three ski areas for 20 miles of riding through dense pine forests. Also don’t miss the Wasatch Crest Trail, which traverses the spine of the Wasatch Range on smooth, fast singletrack. Trails like these caught the eye of the International Mountain Bicycling Association and as a result Park City has become the world’s only IMBA-certified Gold Level riding destination.

For road cyclists, test yourself on hill climbs or enjoy long scenic tours that branch out from town. In August, the world’s best cyclists come to town for the final stage of the Tour of Utah, with a sprint finish down Historic Main Street in front of thousands of cycling enthusiasts.

Dining

After working up an appetite on the trails, it’s time for Park City’s second favorite activity — eating. It is uncommon to find the quality of local restaurants and diversity of cuisine in a city of this size. In June, a 1,500-seat table stretched the length of Historic Main Street for the Savor the Summit’s Grande Table event to create an enchanting evening of fine food and live music with hundreds of your new best friends.

While Park City honors its past, city leaders, residents and local business people continue to look forward to the town’s future, focused on making Park City an even more enjoyable place to visit.

Getting Here

Park City is a 30-minute drive on I-80 from Salt Lake City and 45 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport, which offers hundreds of flights per day. In the winter months, an army of snowplows keep the pass between Salt Lake City and Park City well maintained.

Local Highlights

Olympic Legacy Park

The venue for several events during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, the Olympic Legacy Park includes aerials, ski jumping, luge, skeleton and bobsled competitions as well as summer activities.

Top Accommodations

The Park City area’s luxury scene significantly evolved in recent years when three major players in the industry opened: Stein Erickson, Waldorf Astoria Park City, St. Regis Deer Valley and the Montage at Deer Valley. A wide range of other accommodations for all budgets dot the Park City landscape, both slope-side and around town.

Historic Main Street

On the National Register of Historic Places, Park City's Historic Main Street is the centerpiece of this mountain town, and home to dozens of restaurants, bars, unique local shopping experiences and other fun things to do in Park City that offer visitors the very best of Utah.

Sundance Film Festival

For 30 years, filmmakers, stars and audiences have been traveling to Utah, the Sundance Film Festival host state, to see some of the most innovative storytelling in cinema. Park City is the epicenter, but Sundance venues can also be found in Salt Lake City, Ogden and Robert Redford's own Sundance Mountain Resort, which means easy access to 11 of Utah's world-class ski resorts no matter where you're staying.

Outdoor Culture

The Deer Valley Music Festival, Kimball Arts Festival and Park Silly Sunday Market headline a calendar full of great Park City events throughout the warmer months.

What’s Nearby

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is at the urban heart of the metropolitan Wasatch Front in the northern part of Utah. SLC is a gateway for travelers making the quick trip to Utah's ski resorts, southward to Utah’s renowned red rock country or northward to Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Increasingly, SLC is giving travelers reasons to stay and enjoy the comfortable urbanism of this vibrant city. SLC’s compact downtown makes for easy walking between local restaurants, bars and nearby attractions in the city center, including Temple Square. Use TRAX light rail from the airport, across downtown and up the hill to the cultural attractions near the University of Utah and Foothill Cultural District. Explore trailheads to the extensive Bonneville Shoreline Trail system in a few minutes’ walk or ride from downtown.

Heber Valley

Heber Valley astonishes with its alpine splendor and access to endless outdoor recreation only 20 miles away. Exclusive resorts, authentic dining and world-class golf round out the valley's extensive list of incredible accommodations and vast trail network, which means your Heber Valley sanctuary can be built on luxury (European-style hotels like Zermatt Resort and Spa and Blue Boar Inn Bed and Breakfast), off the road (Wasatch Mountain State Park), or a combination of both. Ride the historic Heber Valley Railroad or time your visit to see Swiss Days and the Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship during the Labor Day weekend.

Kamas and the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway

The quaint mountain town of Kamas is undeniably the Gateway to the Uinta Mountain Range, though Samak may have sneakily staked a share of the claim – you'll note Samak is Kamas spelled backward. Stop in Samak for essential provisions like house-smoked trout and jerky. From there, until you venture off the road into thousands of acres of national forest and pristine wilderness, it's all scenic driving all the time on the 56-mile Mirror Lake Highway Scenic Byway. Between beautifully developed campgrounds and endless, rugged backcountry, you'll find the perfect stop to park your RV or pitch your tent for blissfully cool nights just flat out away from it all.

Jordanelle Reservoir

Jordanelle State Park is located in a picturesque mountain setting near Heber City. The park offers an array of recreation opportunities off the Wasatch Back. Camping, boating, swimming, fishing, and hiking are some of the activities to do at this very popular park. The Perimeter Trail circles the Jordanelle shore and is suitable for hiking, biking or horseback riding. Access from the park or from the Ross Creek day use trailhead. The park offers two recreation areas, Hailstone and Rock Cliff, and a nature center including rentals and developing camping with modern amenities at Hailstone.

For more detailed information on attractions, accommodations and dining, visit Park City Chamber of Commerce/CVB www.visitparkcity.com