Park City, Utah, is well-known for having The Greatest Snow on Earth®. But you must choose the right lift tickets to make the most of this world-class powder.
With 341 runs spread across 7,300 skiable acres, choosing where to begin can be overwhelming. Not to worry, with the ski season typically running from November to April, there is ample time to hit the slopes.
This helpful guide will help you navigate the system for a good deal.
Park City Mountain Overview
Park City Mountain Resort, the second largest in the U.S. and third largest in North America, offers a winter wonderland 32 miles east of Salt Lake City. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this massive playground has something for everyone. With 42 interconnected lifts, exploring the slopes is a breeze, making for an unforgettable winter adventure.
Key features of Park City Mountain
- ⛰️ Summit elevation: 10,026 feet
- ❄️ Average snowfall: 360 inches
- 🏔️ Vertical drop: 3,226 feet
- 🏂 Total terrain parks: 8
- ⛷️ Total ski runs: 347
Before choosing your lift tickets, remember your skill level, interests, and group dynamics. This will help you make the most of your time on the mountain.
Park City Ski Resort winter trail map.
Terrain Overview
Park City Mountain offers an endless array of terrain. With so many slopes to choose from, we’ve categorized destinations by skill level to help you plan the perfect ski or snowboard adventure.
🟢 Beginner
Park City Mountain is fantastic for learning because the wide-open spaces and gentle slopes make building confidence easy.
The resort has 27 trails for beginners to explore, most of which are located on the Park City Mountain Village side of the resort.
The First Time Trail at the resort’s base is a good starting point. This trail can be accessed via the First Time Lift at the base of Park City Mountain Village Resort, which provides access to multiple beginner runs.
If you’re heading to the Canyons Village side, the High Meadows lift at the top of the Red Pine Gondola offers a dedicated beginner area and three magic carpet areas for young kids to improve their skills.
These two areas allow you to practice and improve as you get comfortable on the snow. This makes Mountain Village or Canyons Village a great choice if you are a beginner rider or have young kids.
🟦 Intermediate
The King Con Quad Lift on the Park City Mountain Village side is central to the intermediate terrain. It provides access to many of the park’s 150 blue runs and is popular among visitors because it has a fast chair lift system.
The Silverlode on the Mountain Village side of the resort offers plenty of options for challenging and enjoyable runs.
On the Canyons Village side, the Red Pine Gondola takes you to Saddleback Express and High Meadow Chairlift, offering access to green, blue, and black runs. The Orange Bubble Express provides access to green and blue runs.
♦ Advanced
There are over 50 ways for thrillseekers to get their hearts pounding on Park City Mountain. The high altitude and steep terrain provide an exhilarating playground for experts.
The Motherlode high-speed express chairlift provides access to the iconic Motherlode trail, which is well-known for its thrilling steps. Thaynes Lift, which is close to Motherlode, also provides access to popular, challenging trails.
The McConkie Express and Jupiter lifts, which are on the Mountain Village side of the resort, are favorites among adventurous skiers and snowboarders. McConkie provides access to intermediate and advanced runs, while Jupiter Lift is reserved for advanced and expert skiers and snowboarders.
On the Canyon Village side, the 9990 Express chairlift provides access to challenging black diamond terrain for expert-level skiers and snowboarders, featuring bowls, trees, cliffs, and moguls.
♦♦ Expert
McConkey’s Bowl and Jupiter Bowl are great options on the Park City Mountain Village side for those with expert-level skills. They link to double-black runs that feature extreme steepness and cliff drops.
Murdock Peak is a short hike from the Condor Express chairlift on the Canyons Village side and provides breathtaking views and bottomless powder.
Favorite lifts at Park City Mountain Resort:
- 🚡 Mountain Village Side: Payday, Crescent, Bonanza, and Silverlode.
- 🚡 Canyons Village Side: Saddleback, Tombstone, and 9990.
Skiing on Docs Run at Canyons Village in Park City.
Questions To Ask Yourself
Before deciding which Park City Mountain lift tickets to buy, you need to determine what you hope to get from your stay.
- 🏂 Are you taking an extended ski vacation or a quick weekend getaway?
- 🏂 Will you spend your whole day on the slopes or choose an occasional ride?
- 🏂 Are you a beginner, intermediate, or advanced rider seeking the thrill of the terrain?
Remember to consider your budget and accommodation. Will you be staying in a slopeside lodge, or do you prefer the central location of downtown Main Street?
Where you choose to stay will significantly impact your experience. Once you have a clearer picture of your desired accommodations and lift access, it’s time to decide on the best ticket type.
Available Tickets
From a Park City day pass to half-day tickets, there’s a variety of ticket options to suit the needs of every skier and snowboarder. The two main options available are day lift tickets and EPIC passes.
A day lift ticket gives you access to Park City Mountain for a single day. Still, an EPIC pass offers unlimited access to Park City and other participating resorts throughout the season.
Lift ticket prices typically increase closer to the ski season, so it’s a good idea to purchase your Park City resort lift tickets as soon as possible.
Typically, Epic Passes go on sale earlier than individual lift tickets. As ski season begins, your only option is to buy separate tickets.
These dates can vary yearly, so it’s essential to check the official Park City Mountain and EPIC Pass website.
Ticket Prices
Below are the latest lift ticket prices. All prices are in U.S. dollars.
| Ticket Type | Child (5-12 yrs) | Teen (13-18) | Adult (19+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day Pass | $51 – $71 | $97 – $135 | $97 – $135 |
| Epic Local | $397 | $616 | $762 |
| Epic Pass | $523 | $1,025 | $1,025 |
It’s worth noting that not all resorts participate in the EPIC Pass program. As such, you may need to buy your Park City lift tickets in areas not covered by the pass. Below is a compilation of Utah resorts that are not part of the Park City Ski Resort or the EPIC pass. Links to their ticket sales pages are provided below.
Money Saving Tips
To have fun on the mountain without breaking the bank, you’ll need to do some strategic planning. Here are some ways to help you stretch your dollar:
- Plan ahead. You can expect to receive a substantial discount if you purchase your tickets well in advance.
- Ski during the week. Take advantage of the cheaper prices and quieter slopes during the weekdays.
- Bundle with ticket packages. Explore package deals that combine lift tickets with accommodation, travel, and equipment rentals.
- Buy a season pass. If you plan multiple ski trips a season or plan to ski for more than four days, a pass will likely be more cost-effective in the long run. On top of the cost savings, pass holders often unlock additional benefits like 20% off food, rentals, and more.
- Military discounts. The EPIC pass offers special savings for active and retired military personnel.
- Check for family-friendly deals. Children can ski for free at some resorts.
- Student deals. Take advantage of special offers for students, like the $69 Student Pass, which grants fourth, fifth, and sixth graders a bundled deal at all 15 Utah resorts. With a Kids Freeloader Pass, any adult season pass holder can enjoy free skiing or snowboarding for a child under 18.
- Beginner discounts. Beginners can master the basics with Beaver Mountain’s Learn-to-Turn group lesson. For $90, you’ll get expert instruction and an all-day lift pass.
Maximizing your mountain adventure without breaking the bank is all about thoughtful planning. Armed with this insider’s guide, you’re now equipped to craft the ultimate ski adventure.
Our team of experts is on standby to help tailor your trip to your group’s individual needs. Let us guide you to the ultimate mountain escape.
