Skiing and More in Park City, Utah with Kids
Montage Deer Valley – Park City, Utah | Laura Powell
“Mommy, don’t look down at your skis, and do a big pizza at the end!” With no fear and a huge grin on her face, my five-year-old daughter became quite the happy little ski instructor as she wove down the mountain with ease.
Visiting Park City gave our family plenty of bonding opportunities, from learning to ski in a picturesque setting to fun things to do beyond skiing. Here are our tips for planning the perfect trip to Park City, no matter the season:
Deer Valley Ski Resort in Park City is an easy and inviting place for first time skiers. On our first day, my husband and I split from the kids for private lessons. At Snow Park Village at the base of the mountain, there are a variety of slopes with magic carpets (conveyor belts so you don’t have to lug up the hill) and fun little obstacle courses for kids (and adults) to practice their skills. Classes at Deer Valley are often smaller, about 3-5 kids per instructor, so kids get the most out of the experience.
On our second day, we skied together as a family. Our kids showed us all they learned as we moved our way through Candyland, our kids’ favorite skiing area at Deer Valley. We loved witnessing their giddy excitement on their first lift run. For lunch, we dined at The Royal Street Cafe at the top of the mountain, with its award winning cuisine and stellar views. The turkey chili and tacos were delicious. After a full day of skiing, the kids devoured frozen yogurt at Quincy’s, the cafe at the base of the mountain.
When we weren’t skiing at Park City, we soaked up Main Street, Park City’s main drag. You will find no chains here — and more than sixty local restaurants. Family favorites include Wasatch Brew Pub and Main Street Pizza & Noodle. After dinner, we couldn’t resist grabbing dessert and sitting on the cow at Java Cow Coffee & Ice cream. Browse big name outfitter stores like North Face and Patagonia, ski shops, and other clothing stores on Main Street, too. Hop on the trolley for a free ride around town and to Utah Olympic Park where kids can bobsled, zipline, and test their problem solving skills on adventure courses.
Park City Museum | Laura Powell
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the history of Park City at The Park City Museum, located among the shops and restaurants in downtown. Kids can blow up dynamite, learn about Park City mining history, ride on the ski train, and learn about the city’s history as a ski destination. Ask for the scavenger hunt at the front desk for even more fun.
During our stay at Park City, we rejuvenated and enjoyed the mountain life at Montage Deer Valley, a luxury resort steps from the slopes. The beautifully appointed room at Montage had a fireplace, a huge shower and tub, heated floor, and knock-out views from the balcony. Plus, the room included a large closet perfect for storing our ski and winter gear.
Outdoor Heated Pools at Montage – Park City, Utah | Laura Powell
The amenities on site at Montage Deer Valley were just as top-notch. The impressive lodge, restaurants, cafe, amazing wellness spa, and easy ski rental store were perks. After fun days of skiing, we went tubing at Montage and snacked on s’mores by the fire overlooking the mountain. Daly’s, the on-site pub, has causal dining with an arcade and bowling. Drop your kids off at Paintbox Kids Club for a night out at Montage or nearby in Park City. Additionally, if your kids aren’t interested in skiing, Paintbox offers activities during the day.
Tubing at Montage Deer Valley – Park City, Utah | Laura Powell
Best Things to Do with Kids in the Summer at Park City
Breathe the mountain air in the summer, too. Lodging and flights are often cheaper in the summer, and there’s still plenty to do in the Park City area. Many of the attractions above are open year-around, plus these things to do:
- Go zip lining and enjoy the scenery around Park City.
- Raft or kayak on the White River in Park City.
- See the beauty of Park City on a hot air balloon ride. Visit in September for the annual Autumn Aloft hot-air balloon festival.
- Visit nearby national parks in Utah. Walk through the narrows at Zion National Park, see the largest collection of stone arches in the world at Arches National Park, and see ancient petroglyphs at Capitol Reef National Park, all about fours hours away.
