One Day in Park City: How to spend 24 hours in this vibrant ski destination

Regarded by many ski fanatics as their favourite place to hit the slopes, Park City is an absolute must on your winter destination wish list – even if only for a day.

The sheer size of the mountain is extraordinary with over 7,000 acres of skiable terrain - the biggest lift-served ski area in America. Anytime here is amazing, but if you’re after a bit more sparkle visit in January when the famous Sundance Film Festival is on and you could end up bumping into Leo or Brad on Main Street.

Check-in

After landing at Salt Lake City International Airport you’ll be checking into your accommodation and enjoying Schnapps within the hour. There are two main areas to stay; the Mountain Village at the bottom of the main Payday Express Lift, which has some great accommodation options like Marriot Mountainside, or near Main Street so you are right in the thick of the action come nightfall.

All of the major hotel chains are represented on or near Main Street and there’s also a Town Lift which will get you straight up the mountain in the morning. It doesn’t really matter which area you choose as the city runs a free bus service between the two every few minutes until the early hours of the morning – the trip takes just eight minutes.

There are also a lot of Airbnb options which are great if you’re travelling in a group with Park City’s beautiful coloured houses a drawcard in their own right. Anywhere on Empire, Norfolk or Woodside Avenue will serve you well.

Breakfast

Before any day on the mountain, you’ll need a big breakfast. Atticus Tea & Coffee House has a great local feel and excellent coffee on Main Street from 7:00 am, while a breakfast burrito from The Corner Store will hit the sport in the Mountain Village.

Slopes

With over 330 ski trails, halfpipes, tubing areas and a huge ice skating rink you’ll be out exploring all day. No need to worry about where you’ll stop for lunch – there are eight restaurants scattered across the mountain all serving a cafeteria-style lunch from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm.

Après slopes

Make sure to leave room for après-ski drinks as this is where the city really shines. If you’re coming down to the Mountain Village Legends Bar & Grill is the place to be for a lively post skiing session. The Nachos are famous and the bartenders are meticulous about their cocktails. If you ski down to the Town Lift you will be right on Main Street and spoilt for choice.

There are dozens of options while you make your way back to your accommodation. Collie’s Sports Bar & Grill is known for its outstanding bar food, while the No Name Saloon is also worth a look – it’s as old as anyone can remember and its heated rooftop is legendary.

Dinner

After a hot tub, you’ll be ready for dinner and all you need to do is head straight to Main Street for a plethora of options. Before you dine take some time to meander through an art gallery or two. There are over 20 in town which have helped Park City recently become zoned an Arts and Culture District.

High West Saloon

For dinner, Fletchers is fabulous and serves up an upmarket array of locally sourced produce while 350 Main is also great for contemporary American cuisine in a more historic setting. If you still have any gas in the tank the nightlife in Park City is awesome. The Cabin is where the locals hang with its super fun karaoke nights and ping pong tournaments, O.P Rockwell is the place for big-name bands while Downstairs is where you’ll find the DJs. If a nightcap is what you’re after you can’t go past the High West Salon. Famous for its whisky, vodka and barrel-aged cocktails it is hugely popular and has lines out the door most nights, but if you’re in town it’s worth the wait.