Park City is for the Mountainkind

Sponsored by Visit Park City

Some were born in the mountains. Others visit to renew that sense of awe and inspiration – the kind that comes from crisp air, freshly-waxed skis, and a view from the summit. If you can relate, then you’re the Mountainkind, and Park City, Utah wants to welcome you. 

Chances are that you’re already familiar. Park City played host to events at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and will once again in 2034. The town is home to Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort, both of which have long been considered among the best ski resorts. And each year the global cinema community gathers there for the storied Sundance Film Festival. Nestled among the peaks, pines, and aspens of Utah’s Wasatch Back, Park City is only a 35-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).

But despite its fame and accessibility, Park City manages to stay true to the “mountainkind” way. You can feel it as soon as you arrive – a culture shared by locals and visitors alike. Mountainkind celebrates local businesses and artisans, farm-to-table dining, recreation and adventure, diversity, and the preservation of the natural wonders that make Park City such a wonderful destination in the first place.  

What To Do In Park City 

Winter sports are unforgettable in Park City. Deer Valley, one of only a few ski destinations reserved exclusively for skiers, consistently ranks among North America’s top resorts. Park City Mountain is open to both skiers and snowboarders, and you’ll frequently see both suited up on historic Main Street to catch the Town Lift, which can get you up to mid-mountain from the middle of downtown. There are, of course, many other options for getting to the resorts – or getting between them on the same day – including a completely free shuttle.

Together, Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort offer nearly 9,600 acres of skiable terrain. And if that’s not enough, check out Woodward Park City and its numerous lift-served terrain parks, tubing lanes, and learning zone. Or, if cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or fat bikes are your thing, Summit County’s Nordic Trail System offers 80 km of groomed trails to choose from. For families, there’s even more in store: Horse–drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, dog sledding, the Flying Eagle Zipline, and the famous Mountain Coaster.

A More Sustainable Destination 

When you’re Mountainkind, you’re passionate about preserving the beauty and natural resources of the places you love. With its incredible landscape, Park City tends to attract that type of traveler. Many visitors love the fact that they and their cars will get a little vacation in Park City, opting to park once and experience the city’s easy, free options for public transportation. As soon as you arrive, you’ll find many ways to help you visit kindly while leaving only the smallest footprint behind.    

Park City’s ski resorts are aligned with the city’s initiative to achieve net-zero carbon emissions and to run on 100% renewable electricity by 2030. Deer Valley Resort is currently generating 80% of its energy from solar cells, and Park City Mountain has now achieved 100%. Meanwhile, Woodward’s sustainability commitment also includes on-site solar panels producing up to 300,000-kilowatt hours of clean energy per year to power its campus.  

Plan Your Park City Trip  

• Getting there. Park City is just a 35-minute ride from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC). From the airport, travelers can take a rideshare, taxi, or shuttle.    

• Getting around. Park City’s free bus system makes it one of the most accessible, and easiest ski towns to get around. Park City is very walkable, while the town’s free, historic trolley is a fun way to explore Main Street.  

• Take advantage of your ski pass access. Both Ikon Pass and Epic Pass holders can use their ski pass in Park City. Deer Valley is on the Ikon Pass and offers up to seven days of skiing for pass holders. Park City Mountain Resort is on the Epic Pass and offers unlimited access.  

• Where to stay. Park City has every type of boutique hotel, resort, and ski lodge you could think of. Many of its hotels prioritize sustainability, including the Montage and Pendry hotels, which are LEED certified.