Park City Springtime Hero
Spring arrives a little differently in Utah. The state’s famous “Greatest Snow on Earth” often keeps falling well into March, which means many resorts build a deep base before the season begins to wind down. In strong snow years the latter half of the winter can produce some of the most enjoyable skiing of all.
Park City is one of the places where that late-season snowpack really shows its value. Located just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, the town is one of the easiest major ski destinations in North America to reach. Within a short transfer you move from the airport into a lively mountain town surrounded by some of the largest ski terrain in the United States.
Apart from being a wonderful place to stay in its own right, lined with quirky boutiques, enticing cafes, bars and restaurants and choc-full of awesome accommodation options; Park City is also home to the largest ski area in America, Park City Mountain Resort, with its 7,300 acres of superb skiing and snowboarding, as well as Deer Valley, famous for its pristine pistes and sublime service. Both resorts hosted events at the last US Winter Olympics and visitors can explore that heritage, as well as the original one as a 19th century silver mining town.
Fast forward to the future though and Park City is working hard on sustainability to ensure the super snowy seasons like this one continue in the years to come. The latest commitment is for both ski areas to be fully powered by solar electricity by the end of the decade, with a solar farm due to be built 30 miles away in the desert.
Spring skiing here often follows a familiar pattern. Overnight temperatures help firm up the snow, producing smooth morning runs before the sun gradually softens the surface later in the day. With so much terrain spread across the mountains, it is easy to move between different elevations and aspects as conditions change.
Away from the slopes, Park City itself remains one of the most characterful ski towns in the United States. Historic Main Street still reflects the town’s 19th-century silver mining heritage, now lined with restaurants, galleries and small independent shops. It is a place where skiing blends naturally with a lively mountain town atmosphere.
The destination has also placed increasing emphasis on sustainability in recent years. Both Park City Mountain and Deer Valley are working towards major renewable energy goals, including plans to power operations using solar energy in the coming decade.
With deep Utah snowpacks, enormous terrain and one of the most accessible ski towns in North America, Park City regularly features in discussions about the best destinations for spring skiing. It can also be a strong option for travellers considering skiing in April when the snow base across Utah is often at its deepest.
For lift operations, snow reports and visitor information visit the official Park City tourism website.