Park City, Utah- Family Winter Fun
Know before you go – where to stay, dine, and play for a great family getaway in the snow!
What to do:
Ski school– Get skis the day before after 3pm if you can, then you will be ready to rock the next morning.
If you are not ski in/out – Parking is an issue. So you need a driver and a doer. The driver will take you to the skier drop off and the doer will take filled geared up kids to the ski school check in. If you need to park, currently you book parking online here and then show your ticket. Parking after 1pm is free.
Childcare- is available from ages 6 weeks and up. Be sure to book in advance here.
The Park City Mountain Coaster is a fun stop. Must have a 16 year old on each ride (up to two [people) and hair must be tied back. Book online in advance.
A fun field trip is to Heber Valley – a working dairy farm. They offer a Wednesday dairy farm tour that you can book here. It is about a 25 min drive from Park City.
Dolly’s Bookstore on Main. More than just books, kids toys, books, puzzles and games. They stay open late and there is a sweets shop attached to it.
Burns for a unique hat experience. You can design your own or go with the classic off the rack Beth Dutton style. You can add your initials, a custom hat band, and more. They craft it with you while you wait. Bonus – if you ship it home you don’t have to pay tax.
The Park City Museum was worth a peek. They have lots of fun kids toys, gemstones and the museum is a great foul weather indoor activity.
If you aren’t a skier but want to get out in the snow, White Pine does a great job with snow shoe tours.
Kimball Art Center has classes for children that cold be fun for a break from the snow.
Woodward Park City at Gorgoza Park is the premier place to ride a tube in Park City. They provide all the equipment to ride down the ten groomed tubing runs. The tow service means you won’t have to lug your snow tube back up the mountain between runs. The onsite playground is popular with the kids and there is a yurt serving hot chocolate and snacks. 18 MIN AWAY
If you are looking for a casual skate on an outdoor ice skating rink, you’ll find one at Park City Mountain Resort.
Where to stay:
We love to rent a home, it’s easier for us with the kids to be able to make dinner at home when they are pooped after a day on the slopes and having laundry is so nice. This one is in a great in town location.
The Pendry is brand new, ski in and out and has hotel rooms and residences.
The Waldorf Astoria is a fantastic family option with restaurants, a spa, and more in a great location.
Stein Eriksen offers a lux hotels and beautiful residences with ski in and out access. They are known for their excellent service.
The Montage Deer Valley is a perfect spot for the family. Deer Valley is very close to Park City and the Montage has free parking and an incredible apres ski hot chocholate and snores bar. Five stars, highly recommend! Deer Valley is a no snowboarding mountain – skiers paradise!
Where to dine:
We recommend booking a few reservations in advance, at busy times it can be a challenge to get in a peak times.
Dinner at the Viking Yurt after you are delivered via a sleigh pulled by a snowcat? Yes please! Dress warm.
Silver Star Cafe is a great restaurant for ski in ski out, or if you aren’t on the slopes. Live music, great food, and better prices than the other on mountain eateries. They do take reservations if you can plan ahead or with a large group.
Kaneo– is an easy and delightful spot. We had luck just walking in for lunch and dinner.
The River Horse books 60 days out, snag a reservation if you can it’s a great meal.
350 Main is a nice restaurant with something for everyone.
Grappa is a cozy old home serving fabulous Italian food with live piano most nights. A Park City classic!
Annex burger is a no reservation, walk in hungry and get the kids fed fast.
Kita is about a 10 min drive, but still in Park City at the Pendry Park City. Fabulous sushi, chic atmosphere, and heated parking.
Tina’s is an Argentina coffee shop off main (right at the Sundance film festival headquarters) for some empanadas or coffees.
The Funicular is a cable car that goes up to the St. Regis Deer Valley to a fun bar and outside space for fires at sunset if nice weather.
To Note:
Fly into Salt Lake City and it’s a 45 min drive to Park City. There are two Whole Foods on your way in if you want to do a curbside pick up. The Red Iguana has great Mexiacn food in Salt Lake if you need a bite.
Do you need a car? You can uber in from the airport, and uber is readily available around town. If you are ski in ski out or easily walkable you probably don’t. The Walgreens and The Market at Park City (grocery) are close that make getting any necessities easy. Parking on Main Street and at the main ski area (where ski school drop off is) parking is an issue. You can prebook parking passes here for the day. Parking after 1pm is free. There is a free bus system that is quite easy to navigate.
Altitude- it is lower here than most of the Colorado spots. So if that has been an issue for you there, this might be a great option.
If you are looking for more ski spots another we love is Telluride Colorado.
