Last year marked my inaugural visit to the breathtaking state of Utah. My journey began in Salt Lake City, where I attended a conference, before venturing south to the stunning landscapes of Moab and Canyonlands for our annual Fit Foodie retreat. After just a few days immersed in Utah’s natural beauty, I was captivated. I knew then that a return trip, specifically for winter skiing, was an absolute must. My adoration for Utah was officially cemented, quirky liquor laws notwithstanding.
This year, my family opted for an unconventional Christmas celebration. Instead of exchanging numerous presents, we chose to create lasting memories by hitting the slopes in Park City. For me, an experience-based gift far outweighs any material possession, and this trip certainly delivered. A massive thank you goes out to Kay and Neil (my wonderful parents), Michelle and Ben, Marky, Clay, Matt, and Paul for making this weekend truly extraordinary. It was a testament to our family bond that we navigated the entire trip without a single argument – a genuine family triumph! And how could I possibly forget our dear friends Sam and Jake, who drove all the way from Boise to join us? It was incredibly special to reconnect with these cherished old friends and meet their adorable little one, Enzo.
The winter season across the United States has been unusually mild this year, and Park City was no exception. I was genuinely surprised by the warmth; temperatures at the basin hovered around a balmy 42ºF throughout the entire weekend. This unseasonably warm weather meant a noticeable lack of fresh snow, resulting in the closure of many ski runs. While we still had a fantastic time, it certainly was a unique winter experience.
Our Ideal Park City Accommodation
For our family getaway, we secured a truly remarkable Airbnb just outside the vibrant downtown area of Park City. My positive experiences with Airbnb and VRBO continue to grow; they consistently offer excellent value and comfort for group travel. Our chosen condo boasted four spacious bedrooms and four bathrooms, providing ample space and privacy for our large group. It perfectly met our needs for relaxation and communal gathering. Although it wasn’t a ski-in/ski-out property, we were treated to a magnificent view of the slopes right from our window, a constant reminder of the adventures awaiting us. We noted the convenience of a complimentary bus system that picked up skiers and transported them directly to the slopes, an option we ultimately didn’t utilize due to our own transportation arrangements but certainly a valuable amenity for many visitors. One of the standout features of the condo was the abundance of natural light it received, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. Furthermore, it offered numerous beds, which is always a blessing when traveling with a large family; you can never have too many comfortable sleeping arrangements on a family vacation!
Culinary Delights: Dining in Park City
Budget-Friendly In-Home Meals
Vacation towns, especially ski destinations, can quickly lead to exorbitant restaurant bills. To manage our expenses and enjoy quality time together, we prioritized preparing most of our meals at the Airbnb. Park City offers several easily accessible grocery stores, so immediately upon arrival, we made a stop to stock up on essentials. As the designated head chef for the weekend, I took on the delightful task of preliminary meal planning, focusing on a few main dinners and breakfasts that would cater to varying tastes and energy levels. Our grocery haul included staples like fresh eggs, hearty oats, creamy peanut butter, an array of sandwich fixings, an abundance of snacks for the slopes, a selection of beer, spirits (keeping Utah’s unique liquor laws in mind), and plenty of refreshing La Croix. Here’s a glimpse of our menu, designed to feed anywhere from 9 to 12 people depending on the evening:
Hearty Fajita Bar: While I surprisingly haven’t yet created a classic fajita recipe for FFF, this dish remains my absolute go-to for feeding a hungry crowd with ease and flavor! We prepared both seasoned beef and chicken, serving them alongside warm tortillas, savory Spanish rice (conveniently from a box), creamy Greek yogurt, fresh salsa, and ripe avocado slices. It was a customizable and satisfying post-ski feast.
Comforting Chili Baked Potato Boats: There’s a reason my friends affectionately call me “Spud”! Chili baked potato boats are, without a doubt, the most legitimately comforting and satisfying dinner after a day of vigorous skiing. With nine hungry mouths to feed, I prepared a double batch of our rich chili. It was quite similar to THIS delicious recipe, but made with savory beef for a classic touch.
Decadent Overnight French Toast Bake: My brother enthusiastically declared this to be his all-time favorite Fit Foodie recipe. Naturally, as the best sister ever, I absolutely had to prepare it for the family! I baked nine generous pieces for the nine of us, though in hindsight, a double batch would have been even more perfect!
Memorable Restaurants and Bars
While we didn’t explore as many restaurants and bars as I might have initially hoped, primarily due to the premium pricing prevalent in Park City, every establishment we did visit delivered exceptional quality. It was a testament to seeking out highly recommended spots.
High West Distillery: This gem came highly recommended by my Fit Foodie readers, and I am incredibly grateful we made it a point to visit. High West boasts an impressive selection of whiskeys and a fantastic menu featuring elevated American fare. Its convenient location right off the slopes in town makes it an ideal spot for a sophisticated après-ski experience.
501 on Main: I enjoyed an evening here with my friends Sam and Jake, indulging in drinks and delicious appetizers. Everything we ordered was superb, and to my delight, they even featured avocado toast on their menu! I wholeheartedly recommend 501 on Main as a vibrant and welcoming spot to unwind after a day on the slopes, offering a great atmosphere and excellent service.
Squatters: If you appreciate a well-crafted beer, Squatters is a must-visit. Their apricot ale is absolutely divine – truly, I could drink it every single day! While their extensive beer menu is the main draw, their food menu is also quite impressive. A word of caution: their buffalo wings pack a serious punch of heat, so be prepared!
Miner’s Camp: We frequented this slopeside bar for refreshing drinks on both of our downhill skiing days. While the beers were undeniably pricey, they were also undeniably necessary after a vigorous morning on the mountain. I even enjoyed a uniquely named “Hooker Blonde Ale.” While I wouldn’t necessarily recommend eating here due to the cost, definitely splurge on a local craft beer to soak in the lively ski resort atmosphere.
Adventures on the Slopes: Our Skiing Experience
This trip marked a significant milestone for me: I finally invested in a pair of cross-country skis. In an ideal world, I would have purchased both cross-country and downhill skis simultaneously, but I’ve decided to postpone the downhill ski purchase until summer. Despite having downhill skied nearly every year since I was seven, it’s still a wonder why I haven’t made that personal investment! Nevertheless, we embraced both disciplines during our Park City adventure, which was truly fantastic!
Our first two days were spent exploring the expansive terrain of Park City Mountain. Several members of our group, including Mark and some of my brother’s friends, had Epic Passes, which proved incredibly convenient as they are valid at Park City Mountain. In my typical fashion, I procrastinated purchasing my ski passes, witnessing the prices steadily climb with each passing day. Fortunately, I was able to utilize one of Mark’s “buddy passes” from his Epic Pass, securing a much-appreciated deal! For my downhill gear, I opted to rent skis from Utah Ski and Golf, conveniently located right off Main Street, which worked out perfectly. The core group primarily tackled blue runs, interspersed with a few green trails. My personal downhill skiing style is characterized by a deliberate, controlled approach. I’m capable of navigating challenging runs, but I prioritize caution and precision. My main stipulations for the trip were a firm “no moguls” and “no trees.” While we successfully avoided any aggressive tree runs, we did inadvertently find ourselves on one mogul run, which, predictably, resulted in my only fall of the entire weekend! I should also mention that I tend to be a “four-hour skier.” I absolutely love the energy of skiing for the first part of the day, then retreating to our cozy accommodation to edit photos or prepare delicious meals for everyone! Regarding the ski conditions at Park City Mountain: for someone like me, accustomed to the relatively flat terrain of Minnesota, they felt great! However, local skiers would likely observe the distinct lack of abundant fresh powder this particular winter season.
On our third day, we embarked on a cross-country skiing excursion to Solitude with my sister and brother-in-law (referring to him affectionately!). This meant a scenic but somewhat circuitous drive, passing back through Salt Lake City and then ascending again, as the direct mountain pass was closed. Upon arrival, we secured day passes at the Solitude Nordic Center and eagerly set off. I won’t sugarcoat it – Nordic skiing at high altitude is incredibly demanding. To compound the challenge, Ben and Shell immediately led us to blue trails, which translated to seemingly endless hills. Did I mention that Mark and I had literally just learned how to skate ski? I’ve been a long-time classic skier, which is a vastly different technique from skating, and Mark was a complete novice. We nearly succumbed to exhaustion, exacerbated by less-than-ideal trail conditions (a consequence of the limited snow). We hadn’t quite connected the dots that a joyous 40-minute downhill cross-country ski session would necessitate an arduous hour and a half uphill trek to return. Despite the grueling effort, I want to emphasize that this challenging cross-country ski experience profoundly contributed to my personal growth and improved my skiing technique, and that’s truly all one can ask for. I sincerely wish we could have dedicated one more day to cross-country skiing; one day simply wasn’t enough to fully satisfy our newfound passion!
The most cherished aspect of this entire trip was undoubtedly the invaluable quality time spent with truly wonderful people. It had been two years since I last saw my dear friend Sam and her husband Jake, since their wedding. Sam and I met in college, and we have a tradition of seeing each other every other year, so it was incredibly heartwarming to meet their newest family member, Enzo! I also thoroughly enjoyed playing drinking games with my family and relishing the freedom of not setting an alarm clock each morning. We even had the pleasure of spending some time with my dad’s cousins, Ben and Hillary, who have retired in Park City. Their generous insider tips proved immensely helpful in navigating the area and making the most of our visit. All things considered, here are some key takeaways and essential tips for planning your own Park City adventure:
Essential Takeaways and Tips for Your Park City Ski Trip
- Rent a Car: Having your own vehicle will significantly simplify your travel experience in Park City and the surrounding areas. Our group of ten had only one car, which meant we occasionally relied on Uber for transportation. While this was manageable, a rental car offers unparalleled flexibility. It allows for spontaneous grocery runs and helps avoid potentially significant Uber surge prices for airport transfers (we observed prices ranging anywhere from $50 to $125).
- Utilize Uber Ski: For those who choose not to rent a car but are bringing their own ski equipment, Uber Ski is an incredibly convenient service available in the Salt Lake City and Park City regions. This specialized Uber option provides vehicles equipped to transport skis and snowboards, eliminating transportation worries.
- Purchase Lift Tickets in Advance: This is a golden rule for any ski trip. Buying your lift tickets well in advance will not only save you a considerable amount of money (mucho dinero!) but also prevent you from enduring long, frustrating queues at the ticket window, allowing you to maximize your time on the slopes.
- Prioritize Grocery Shopping: As we experienced, preparing meals at your accommodation can lead to substantial savings, especially in a resort town where dining out can be costly. A little meal planning and a well-stocked grocery haul are particularly beneficial for breakfasts and lunches, keeping you fueled throughout your skiing days without breaking the bank.
- Dress in Layers for Mountain Conditions: Always remember that temperatures at the summit of the mountain can be as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit colder than at the base. Packing appropriate layers is crucial for staying comfortable and safe, allowing you to adapt to changing weather conditions throughout the day.
- Be Aware of Utah’s Liquor Laws: Utah has some distinctive alcohol regulations. Be mindful that much of the beer available in grocery stores is 3.2 percent alcohol by volume, and importantly, you cannot purchase hard alcohol on Sundays. Planning ahead for your beverage needs is advisable.
This trip report was quite an extensive one, but I hope it provided valuable insights and inspiration for your own adventures! I’d love to hear from you if you’ve ever visited Park City, Utah, and what aspects of your experience you enjoyed the most!