The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Park City spans 7,300 acres across a base elevation of 2,073 metres and a summit of 3,056 metres, delivering 983 metres of vertical drop. The resort claims 341 trails served by 43 lifts, making it the largest ski area in the United States following the 2015 merger of Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons Resort via the Quicksilver Gondola. Annual snowfall averages 355 inches, supported by snowmaking coverage across 18 per cent of terrain.
Terrain divides into 8 per cent beginner, 41 per cent intermediate, 28 per cent advanced, and 23 per cent expert runs, with intermediate cruisers dominating the mountain. The longest run stretches 3.5 miles from summit to base. Jupiter Peak provides expert terrain with steep chutes, whilst the Canyons side offers wide-open bowls across Iron Mountain and Tombstone zones. Six terrain parks and a halfpipe serve freestyle skiers.
Two distinct base villages anchor the resort: Park City Mountain Village connects directly to historic Main Street via the Town Lift, whilst Canyons Village offers modern slopeside lodging 6.5 miles away across the ridgeline. The resort hosted snowboarding and alpine events during the 2002 Winter Olympics, with U.S. Ski Team training courses still operating on-mountain. Summit House at 2,804 metres serves as the primary mid-mountain dining hub.
Park City operates on the Epic Pass alongside Vail Resorts' network of North American and international destinations. The season typically runs late November through early April, with January and February delivering peak snow conditions. The resort suits intermediates and mixed-ability groups, though limited beginner terrain requires first-timers to progress quickly or stick to designated learning zones at High Meadow Park and Hay Meadow Park.
3,225ft
Vertical
341
Runs
7,300 acres
Skiable
30ft
Annual snow
Epic
Pass
The Terrain
341 runs across 7,300 acres skiable
Park City spreads 341 runs across 7,300 acres skiable of terrain. It leans intermediate at 41%, with 27 beginner runs to find your feet and 173 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
341
runs
341 runs across 4 grades
Beginner27 runs · 8%
Intermediate140 runs · 41%
Advanced95 runs · 28%
Expert78 runs · 23%
Time it right
When to visit Park City
The 2025-26 season opened 22 November 2025 and closes 5 April 2026, spanning 19 weeks of operations. Park City typically opens in late November depending on snowmaking conditions and closes mid-April as spring temperatures thin coverage on lower-elevation runs. Night skiing operates on select evenings throughout winter.
Average annual snowfall reaches 355 inches, with the resort receiving 636 inches during the record-breaking 2022-23 season. January delivers the heaviest accumulation, averaging 63 inches, followed by February's 62 inches. Base elevation at 2,073 metres and summit at 3,056 metres provide a reliable snow climate, with Utah's dry powder benefiting from high-elevation cold air. Snowmaking covers 18 per cent of terrain, concentrated on lower runs and key connector trails between the two village bases.
January and February offer peak powder conditions, with consistent storms and cold temperatures maintaining quality snow across all elevations. March transitions to spring corn snow by month's end, with morning freeze-thaw cycles requiring strategic timing for soft snow between 10am and 2pm. December sees limited terrain as snowmaking crews build base depth, with full mountain access typically achieved by early January. April conditions deteriorate rapidly, with lower runs closing progressively and slushy afternoons dominating.
The Sundance Film Festival runs late January through early February, bringing crowds to Main Street but surprisingly light lift queues as festival-goers focus on screenings. Presidents' Day weekend in February matches Christmas week for congestion. Spring break crowds peak in March, though improved weather and longer days offset wait times. The resort closed select lifts early in recent seasons due to unseasonably warm conditions, making January and February the most reliable months for full terrain access.
Season 2025 - 2026
22 Nov 2025
Opens
5 Apr 2026
Closes
134
Days open
30 ft
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Park City, and where to stay
Park City sits on the Wasatch Back, the eastern slope of the Wasatch Mountains in Summit County, Utah, 35 miles east of Salt Lake City. The town occupies a valley at 2,134 metres elevation, surrounded by peaks exceeding 3,000 metres that once fuelled a 19th-century silver mining boom. The resort's two base villages, Park City Mountain Village and Canyons Village, lie 6.5 miles apart along the ridgeline, connected by the Quicksilver Gondola spanning Thaynes Canyon.
Park City's Historic Main Street sits 200 metres below the Park City Mountain Village base, accessible via the Town Lift which deposits skiers directly onto groomed runs. Coalville, the Summit County seat, lies 19 miles north, whilst Heber City in neighbouring Wasatch County sits 21 miles southeast. The Snyderville Basin, an unincorporated area housing roughly 15,000 residents, spreads between Park City and Canyons Village, forming the primary residential corridor for resort workers and commuters to Salt Lake City.
Interstate 80 provides the primary access route, with drivers following the highway 29 miles east from Salt Lake City before exiting onto Utah State Route 224 at Kimball Junction. The final 6-mile stretch along Route 224 climbs into Park City, passing Canyons Village en route to the town centre. Travel time averages 40 to 45 minutes under normal conditions, though winter storms through Parleys Canyon can extend the journey to over an hour. Parleys Summit crests at 2,134 metres, requiring winter tyres or chains during active traction restrictions.
Salt Lake City International Airport lies 37 miles west, offering direct flights from major U.S. cities and international destinations as a Delta Airlines hub. Ground transport options include rental cars, rideshares averaging $60 to $75, and shuttle services ranging from $90 to $170 per person. Utah Transit Authority operates the PC-SLC Connect bus requiring a transfer at Kimball Junction, whilst Park City's free transit system serves all resort base areas, lodging zones, and Main Street year-round.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Park City, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Park City's ski season?
Park City's 2025 - 2026 season typically runs from November 22 through April 5. That window is roughly 134 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Utah, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Park City have?
Park City lists about 7,300 acres skiable of marked terrain spread across 341 named runs (2,954 hectares alongside 7,300 acres skiable). That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Park City?
Trail grading at Park City breaks down roughly as 8% beginner, 41% intermediate, 28% advanced, 23% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Park City have?
Park City operates 43 lifts across 7 lift types. The fleet includes 15 quad chairs, 8 triple chairs, 6 6-person chairs, 4 gondolas, 4 double chairs, 4 surface lifts, and 2 t-bars.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Park City?
Base elevation at Park City is about 6,801 ft (2,073 m), with the summit around 10,026 ft (3,056 m), giving roughly 3,225 ft (983 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Park City get each season?
Park City averages about 360 inches (914 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Park City accept the Epic?
Park City is affiliated with the Epic. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Epic, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Park City lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$129 to US$354, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Park City before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 8 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Park City so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Park City have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Park City. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Park City located?
Park City sits in Utah, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
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Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
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Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
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31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
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Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026