Utah Advice

[stomachdoc]

I'm gonna take my older daughter on a surprise Daddy-Daughter trip to Utah the last weekend in March. I'd like to stay Ski-On/Ski-Off and I think I've narrowed it down to either The Canyons or Snowbird. I'd like to be somewhere where there is something to do after skiing, so I'm leaning a bit toward the Park City location of the Canyons. Any Thoughts?

 

[wa-loaf]

Yup, definitely stay closer to Park City. There's nothing going on at Snowbird at night. It's only about 1/2 hour from Snowbird to SL, but if the weather is bad you don't want to drive out of the Canyon.

And if you want to try Snowbird it's about an hour to drive around from the Canyons.

Have a good trip.

 

[tirolerpeter]

UT thoughts

Yup, definitely stay closer to Park City. There's nothing going on at Snowbird at night. It's only about 1/2 hour from Snowbird to SL, but if the weather is bad you don't want to drive out of the Canyon.

And if you want to try Snowbird it's about an hour to drive around from the Canyons.

Have a good trip.

wa-loaf is right. If you are lucky and catch a good dump, you will have great skiing at Snowbird....BUT, you might not be able to get down to the city, or want to drive that road until they have totally cleared it. When it snows, they restrict it to 4WD or Chains Only.

 

[Talisman]

The Canyons is not as close to Park City as Park City Mtn Resort or Deer Valet and the snow isn't always the best because of the low base elevation. Park City has lost some of the charm it had prior to the Olympics, but still has bustling night life and a lift right from the town square and two trails to get back to town.

 

[wa-loaf]

It's only like a 10 min drive to Park City from the Canyons. Not walkable. So staying in or closer to Park City would be ideal. But between Snowbird and the Canyons the choice is great skiing and no nightlife (Snowbird) or good skiing and access to nightlife/culture (Canyons).

 

[RISkier]

Two years ago we stayed near The Canyons but were not in ski-in/ski-out accomodations. As previously noted, The Canyons is a few miles from main street PC but there is public transportion. If you look at Tony Crocker's web site there is lots of historical information about snow depths and mountain aspect. Based on that site, the PC area resorts are somewhat prone to early spring conditions. Doesn't mean you wouldn't have epic conditions, but it is something to keep in mind. Snowbird and Alta are higher and are better bets for good later season conditions. It took us a little less than an hour to drive from The Canyons to Alta. Snowbird is a couple of miles less. We really liked PC as a village base, lots of dining, drinking, and shopping options. We generally took the free bus from The Canyons to downtown PC. The bus system was relatively convenient. The village areas at Alta and Snowbird are largely just collections of lodges so the range of other activities seems pretty limited. Based on your original post, I'd probably stay near The Canyons but keep the option of driving to the cottonwood canyons open. My personal view is that if you don't go to the cottonwood canyons, you're missing the best skiing that Utah has to offer.

 

[tekweezle]

does the Canyons have ski in/ski out? I didn;t see any the last time I was there. I think maybe there are some ultra expensive accomadations on the mountain though but it;s on private land.

you take the cabriolet lift from the base area to the parking lot. it;s close but it;s not true ski in ski out as in don;t expect to make a quick pitstop for lunch or expect to not have to carry your skis. the Canyons is atleast 10 minutes away from the center of Park City. you need to take the bus or drive.

I think they have a tour where you can ski all the interconnected ski resorts through the backcountry.

as for snowbird, if you are staying at the resort, it;s on a mountain road so traveling on it might be problematic especially if you get snow. it;s not close to park city either but not too far. I think it was about 15-20 minutes away. however, I don;t know if there is public transportation all the way to Park City. I know there is a shuttle bus that will take you from the resorts down to the parking lot at the mouth of the canyon though. sounds like if you choose snowbird, you might be stuck at the resort. if you get massive snow, they do a "lockdown" due to avalanches!

 

[tekweezle]

btw, the day you fly in, if you get there early enough by flying out at 7:30am EST getting into SLC at 10:30am MST, you can ski for free for the rest of that day at Park City, The Canyons or Deer Valley by showing them your airline ticket and filling out a form. I think you can get that form online at at the ticket desk.

use it and get a free half day of skiing!

as for which I would choose-Park City/Canyons and Deer Valley versus Snowbird, Alta, Brighton and Solitude, it depends on what level of skiers are you and what you are looking for. mid winter, i think the conditions will be fine no matter where you go. if you want to hang out n town and take in the sites, the former has everything you might be looking for including dependable grooming.

late season, definitely go with the later group or if you are in search of sick terrain and deep powder. however, the trip up the mountain pass can be a little hairy if the weather is inclement.

goodluck and have fun!

 

[drjeff]

If you're going the last weekend in March, Snowbird might be a more reliable choice, inspite of the lack of nightlife issues. I'm a timeshare owner at in the base area at The Canyons, and I head out each year the 1st week of March. If its a good, snowy March, no issues. If its not a snowy March, the lower elevation and largely Southerly exposed slopes can make for some reduced terrain/heavy spring "slop" at the Park City Areas vs. the higher elevation/less Southerly exposed Little Cottonwood Canyons areas.

As for nightlife issues, Park City wins hands down. They have over 100 restaurants in the immediate park City Area alone, and walking up and down Main Street is a fun thing to do (you'll see it this week quite a bit on most of the nightly entertainment TV shows {Entertainment Tonight/Extra, etc} since the Sundance Film Festival is going on there right now). The Canyons is a 5 minute car ride from the base area lodging upto Main Street in Park City. Just about all of the main base area lodging choices at the Canyons have a Main Street Shuttle service (might be a little limited though late season - ask when you book if you choose to stay there)

Snowbird, has basically the lodge there and a couple of other hotels right up the road at Alta, thats it.

Basically, late March, you're looking at more reliable snow conditions in Little Cottonwood Canyon, vs. more off hill father/daughter activities in the Park City area. :???:

 

[GrizzlyFD]

What's your skill level? What do you two like to ski? They are very different resorts. BCC/LCC resorts are much more dependable when it comes to snow both quality and quantity. They are having a down year snowfall wise so it might be in your best interest to book on of the cottonwood canyon resorts as they get more snow and it is preserved much better.

If your both skiers, I would look into one of the lodges at Alta. They are all pretty nice and most include breakfast and dinner. You get to know everyone really quick and might get some hints about the mountain. Solitude and Brighton are nice also late season, but they have even less nightlife than Alta/Bird.

-matt

 

[castlerock]

Last weekend in March

By the last weekend in March the Parleys Summit side resorts are almost shut down, it could even rain on you at that elevation. Snowbird is by far the better choice. What exactly are you looking for after skiing. Snowbird has plenty of options to keep you busy for a long weekend, pools, spas, restaurants, shopping.

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

Stay at he Canyons and drive to the Little Cottonwood Canyon mountains. You'll have the best of both. BTW, IMO there's some pretty good skiing to be found @ the Canyons as well, although it's no Alta/Snowbird.

 

[haines]

Snowbird, Snowbird, Snowbird,Snobird

This Mtn is a legend. It was one of the first Worldclass resorts along with Alta Utah. Snowbird has the reknowned "STH" (steeper than hell) Alta has the "High Rustler" These incredible MTNs will bring you back to the birthplace of Skiing like it was in the Early Seventies.

At night go to the Mormon Tabernacle Church with its world largest organ. Catch the Utah Jazz

 

[tekweezle]

This guy is going on a Father/Daughter trip. He might not be looking for "STH" terrain.

That being said, if you are going last week of march, you should probably shoot for Snowbird, Alta, Brighton and Solitude instead of Park City. The weather might be too "springlike" at that time and those resorts give you the best chance at mid winter conditions and maybe a freak snowstorm. the south facing, lower elevation resorts in park city might have degraded conditions. that is unless you like skiing in 50 degree weather and sloppy crud.

I did it this past end of march beginning of April and had a great time.

 

[SKIQUATTRO]

take a shuttle from the airport to park city. the city has great transportation to DV, PC and the Canyons..if you get the silver pass it allows you to ski DV, PC and the Canyons..PC is a great town....you do not need a car!!!