The Largest Ski Resort In America Has Endless Outdoor Fun Under An Hour From Salt Lake City

If you're after the perfect winter destination, look no further than Park City Mountain in Utah. The state of Utah is basically a giant playground for travelers who love the outdoors. The western state is home to five of the nation's most stunning national parks. Arches National Park, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park and you can visit all of them on Utah's epic "Mighty Five" road trip. 

Throughout the year, the picture-perfect mountain state is a booming tourist destination, but winter is a particularly magical time to visit. Skiers and snowboarders from all over the world flock to enjoy the slopes, and Park City Mountain is one of the most popular spots. It's also the largest ski resort in the United States.

Park City Mountain is easily reached from Utah's largest urban area — Salt Lake City. Traveler can enjoy opportunities for endless outdoor fun, luxurious accommodations, local shops, galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Pack your warmest layers, and get ready for an epic winter getaway in Utah. 

Park City Mountain isn't just a single mountain. It's actually a massive ski resort that includes 17 different mountain peaks. In total it offers winter sports lovers over 7,300 skiable acres to explore. There are 348 different runs, so it's almost impossible to experience all that the property has to offer in a single trip. There are several ski resorts that claim to be the biggest, but if you're measuring by lift-accessible acreage, then Utah's Park City Mountain takes the prize as the largest ski resort in the United States. It's owned and operated by Vail Resorts — the same company that owns several other popular ski resorts in the West, including Vail Mountain, Breckenridge, and Keystone.

Skiing and snowboarding are the main attractions at Park City Mountain. There are plenty of routes for all levels, but most of the resort is geared towards people with intermediate or advanced skills. With 41 different ski lifts and eight separate terrain parks, it's easy to keep things interesting. If you're brand new to winter sports, you can sign up for ski school, where you will learn the basics from world-class instructors. There are options available for both adults and kids. Park City Mountain also recently debuted two new gondolas.

When you're ready to take a quick break from the slopes, there are plenty of different ski-in/ski-out restaurants located on the historic Main Street in the town of Park City, which is located right next to the Mountains Village basecamp. Park City used to be a silver mining town and dates back to the 1800s. You'll find plenty of locally owned shops, including art galleries, clothing boutiques, and more. Canyons Village is the other basecamp at Park City Mountain. The Umbrella Bar is a popular option that often has live music in Canyons Village.

Park City Mountain is only about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, so getting to the resort is easy. Salt Lake City International Airport is the nearest commercial hub. The average car rental cost in Salt Lake City is about $45 per day, and the resort itself is located close to two major highways, so don't expect a challenging drive through narrow mountain passes. Even so, it may be a good idea to rent a car with AWD just to be safe.

There are plenty of wonderful places to stay at Park City Mountain Resort and in the town of Park City. Old Town is a great home base if you want to explore the shops and galleries or enjoy some nightlife during your visit. Lodging options include boutique hotels, chain hotels, and private vacation rentals. Prices range from about $200 per night to $1,500 per night. There are also tons of options within the resort itself. The Lodge at Mountain Village has rooms starting at around $375 per night. The Waldorf Astoria Park City is a luxurious 4-star hotel with slope-side access with rooms that cost around $1,300 per night. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly place to rest your head after a long day on the slopes or a luxurious vacation in the mountains — you'll have choices.

In order to access all of the amazing slopes at Park City Mountain, you'll have to purchase a lift ticket, which can be purchased in advance for as little as $147 per day per adult. During peak season lift tickets can rise to $325 per adult. Tickets for kids under the age of 13 are slightly less expensive. If you don't have your own snowboard or skis, you can rent gear at the resort. There are several different equipment rental shops, and the price for a package starts at $57 per day.