Park City Mountain is a premier winter destination. But with two base villages, Park City Mountain Village and Canyons Village, it begs the question: Park City Mountain Village vs. Canyon Village. Which do you choose as your base?

Vail Resorts owns Park City Mountain Resort, which is a popular choice for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. It’s conveniently located near Salt Lake City Airport. As one of North America’s largest ski resorts and a former and future Olympic host city, it is guaranteed to have world-class amenities. Its terrain caters to all riding abilities, and the mountain makes for breathtaking Instagram-worthy moments.

There is a lot to choose from, and each option has characteristics and nuances that will impact each individual differently. You need to consider each factor carefully to ensure you make the right choice.

This post will explore the key differences between each ski resort base to help you choose the perfect location for your upcoming ski trip.

Park City Mountain Village and Canyons Village Map

Location

🏂 Canyons Village

This base area is 34 miles from Salt Lake City Airport and is ideally located between Kimball Junction and Downtown Park City.

Downtown Park City is the place to go for dining, boutique shopping, visiting art galleries, and partying the night away.

While Kimball Junction offers everyday essentials with grocery stores like Whole Foods, Smiths, and Walmart, local favorite restaurants also provide various dining options.

You do not need to hire a car when visiting. The Canyons Village Transit Hub offers free buses to explore downtown Park City (4.4 miles) or Kimball Junction (2.7 miles).

⛷️ Mountain Village

Mountain Village is only slightly further than Canyons Village. It sits 37 miles from Salt Lake City Airport and was the original base area of the Park City Mountain Resort.

A quick, free bus ride will take you downtown (1 mile) or to Canyons Village (3.7 miles), where you will find dining, shopping, and a bustling nightlife.

Fresh Market is the nearest grocery store for essentials and is conveniently located on the free bus route.

If you don’t stay at either Park City Mountain Village or Canyons Village, you can expect to pay for parking at the Mountain Village base area if you drive. However, parking is still free at the Cabriolet lift parking lot at Canyons Village. 

Canyons Village summer concert
Summer concert at the Canyons Village amphitheater.


Vibe

🏂 Canyons Village

Canyons Village becomes a fun and festive aprés scene during the ski sea season. The Umbrella Bar is abuzz with live music at the theater.

However, when the sun sets, the village quiets down. This is because there is limited nightlife to enjoy. As such, visitors opt to dine on Main Street or Kimball Junction.

During the summer, Canyons transforms into an outdoor enthusiasts’ haven. The village hosts various events and concerts, creating a lively atmosphere.

The scenic gondola rides up the mountain provide access to various activities, including hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and frisbee golf.

⛷️ Mountain Village

The original base area of Park City Resort delivers a variety of aprés-ski options, from casual at The Corner Store to the lively Pig Pen Saloon and the cozy Blue Bird Café.

However, as the sun sets, the village tends to quiet down. As such, visitors head downtown to Main Street for dinner and nightlife.

While the village is sleepy at night, it offers plenty of daytime adventures. During the summer, The Adventure Park, located within Mountain Village, provides thrills with a zip line, alpine coaster, alpine slide, mini golf, and more.


Accommodations & Amenities

🏂 Canyons Village

Canyons offers 23 accommodation options to suit your preference and budget—these range from hotel-style rooms to luxurious four-bedroom townhouses.

Here are the 23 accommodation options, from luxury to budget offers.

  1. Apex Residences
  2. Vintage on the Strand
  3. LIFT
  4. Sundial Lodge
  5. Westgate
  6. Grand Summit
  7. YotelPad
  8. Silverado Lodge
  9. Hyatt Place
  10. Hilton Sunrise Lodge
  11. Pendry
  12. The Ridge Townhomes
  13. Red Pine Condos
  14. Hidden Creek Condos
  15. Black Stone Condos
  16. White Pine Condos
  17. Wyndham
  18. Waldorf Astoria
  19. Viridian Park City
  20. Park West Townhomes
  21. Hyatt Centric
  22. Fairway Townhomes
  23. The Ridge

Amenities:

Most lodgings on the Canyons Village side offer a range of amenities to enhance your stay. Common amenities include:

  • ♨️ Hot tub
  • 🎲 Game room
  • 💪 Fitness room
  • 🏊‍♂️ Outdoor pool
  • 🧖 Sauna or steam room
  • 🅿️ Free underground parking

Sundial Lodge and Pendry, however, don’t offer free parking.

Some buildings provide convenient storage facilities for guests with their own ski equipment.

Westgate goes the extra mile by offering a ski valet service that gathers your ski or snowboard equipment as you step off the slopes! After a day on the slopes, hand over your skis or snowboard, and they’ll store them and have them ready for you the next day.

⛷️ Mountain Village

Park City Mountain Village features 17 lodging options, catering to various group sizes, budgets, and preferences. These include hotels, condos, and vacation rentals, all offering prime access to dining, shopping, and recreational activities at the base of Park City Mountain Resort.

Here are 17 lodging options at Park City Mountain Village.

  1. Village Lofts
  2. The Lodge at Mountain Village
  3. Shadow Ridge
  4. Silver King
  5. Marriott’s MountainSide
  6. The Lowell Condos
  7. Resort Plaza Condos
  8. Edelweiss Haus
  9. 3 Kings Condos
  10. Kings Crown Condos
  11. Sweetwater Lodge
  12. Powder Pointe
  13. Snowcrest Condos
  14. Sunflower Condos
  15. All Seasons Condos
  16. Park Ave Condos
  17. Silvertown Condos

Ski-in Lodging Comparison

Refer to our comparison table for a side-by-side analysis of Canyons Village and Mountain Village ski-in properties.

Canyons Village Mountain Village
Apex Residences Village Loft Condos
Vintage on the Strand The Lodge at Mountain Village
LIFT Park City The Lowell Condos
Pendry Resort Plaza Condos
Grand Summit Marriott’s MountainSide
Sundial Lodge Kings Crown Condos
Westgate Park City Sunflower Condos
Hyatt Centric Park City
Hilton Grand Sunrise Lodge
Waldorf Astoria
Wyndham

Walk-to-lifts Lodging Comparison

Refer to our comparison table for a side-by-side analysis of Canyons Village and Mountain Village walk-to-lifts properties.

Canyons Village Mountain Village
YotelPad Shadow Ridge
Silverado Lodge Silver King
Red Pine Condos Edelweiss Haus
Hidden Creek Condos Sweetwater Lodge
Black Stone Condos Powder Pointe Condos
White Pine Condos Snowcrest Condos
The Ridge 3 Kings Condos

Skiing and Snowboarding

🏂 Canyons Village

This side of the resort has more natural gullies, and wait for it; there are actual canyons to explore. There is vast terrain to explore. Depending on your skill level, you can ski Iron Mountain, Dreamscape, Peak 5, 9990, Tombstone, Saddleback, Sun Peak, Condor, and the Orange Bubble. There is something for beginners and advanced skiers.

For something different, take Harmony from the top of Peak 5. You will whip past gorgeous ski-in/ski-out mansions in the Colony all the way down to the Tombstone Express chairlift.

Park City Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in the US, and the Canyons side boasts 4,000 acres of terrain to explore.

One can expect uncrowded slopes with the 17 lifts servicing the mountain.

17 lifts that service the Canyons Village side of the resort.

  1. Sunrise: A high-speed quad chairlift that transports skiers to mountain peaks.
  2. Red Pine Gondola: A scenic gondola with panoramic views of the Wasatch Range.
  3. Orange Bubble Express: Serving the Orange Bubble area.
  4. Condor Express: Provides access to advanced terrain.
  5. Sun Peak Express: Serving the Sun Peak Area (terrain park located
  6. High Meadow: Serving ski areas for intermediate skiers.
  7. Saddleback Express: Provides access to black diamond and double black runs.
  8. Tombstone 6-Pack Express: Provides access to blue and black trails.
  9. 9990 Express: Strictly for experts only.
  10. Peak 5: Access to the Peak 5 area.
  11. Dreamscape: Access to advanced ski areas.
  12. Dreamcatcher: Double lift leading to intermediate trails.
  13. Day Break: Serving beginner and intermediate trails.
  14. Iron Mountain Express: Connects to the Quicksilver Gondola
  15. Timberline: Serving intermediate and advanced trails.
  16. Over and Out: A double chairlift serving intermediate trails.
  17. Shortcut: Connects Red Pine Lodge with the Orange Bubble Express mid-station.

Terrain Parks

The terrain park is just off Sun Peak Express. It offers skiers and snowboarders a variety of features, including jumps, rails, and boxes.

If you are a beginner, take a scenic ride up the Red Pine Gondola, giving you access to the High Meadow beginner area. Here, you’ll find gentle slopes and wide-open spaces perfect for you to gain confidence.

If you’re an experienced skier or snowboarder seeking a rush, Canyons has you covered. Some of the most challenging terrain can be found off Peak 5, 9990, and Condor. These areas feature bowls, cliffs, and deep snow. Perfect for testing your limits.

⛷️ Mountain Village

This is the original side of the resort. It’s favored by skiers for its fun fall-line runs to perfect your turns. Some of the popular chairlifts include:

  • Payday
  • Bonanza
  • McConkey’s
  • Silverlode

Terrain Parks

There are three terrain parks on the Mountain Village side: 3 Kings, accessible at the resort’s base from the 3 Kings Chairlift. This area has the Olympic halfpipe, jumps, and rails. Neff Land, a terrain park accessed from the King Con Express, offers small jumps, rails, and a smaller halfpipe. Jonesy’s Terrain Park is located on Jonesy’s run, accessed by the Bonanza Express chairlift. This terrain park has fun jumps and rails for beginner to intermediate skill levels.

16 lifts service the Mountain Village side of the resort. 

  1. McConkey’s Express: Provides access to intermediate and advanced areas.
  2. Pioneer: Serving intermediate and advanced areas.
  3. Bonanza Express: Provides access to various terrain, including the Jonesy’s Terrain Park.
  4. Thaynes: Provides access to intermediate and advanced terrain.
  5. Jupiter: Provides access to Jupiter Bowl.
  6. Motherlode Express: Provides access to a variety of terrain.
  7. Silverlode Express: Provides access to a wide range of terrain
  8. King Con Express: Provides access to intermediate and advanced terrain.
  9. Eaglet: Originally built for the 2002 Winter Olympics to access the top of the race course.
  10. Crescent Express: For intermediate and advanced trails.
  11. Payday Express: For intermediate and advanced trails.
  12. First Time: Perfect for beginners.
  13. 3 Kings: Provides access to the main terrain park.
  14. Eagle: Intermediate and advanced trails.
  15. Silver Star: Access to King Con from the Silver Star base area.
  16. Town Lift: Access Park City Mountain from Main Street in downtown Park City!

The First Time lift is located at the bottom of the resort. Its wide open spaces allow for beginners to grow in confidence.

For experts, some challenging bowls, cliffs, and powder can be found off McConkey’s, Pioneer, and Jupiter.

The latter leading to the iconic Jupiter Bowl and Jupiter Peak.

💡Tip: You can use the Quicksilver Gondola to go between the two sides of the resort. You can access the Quicksilver Gondola at the bottom of Silverlode Express on the Mountain Village side or from the Iron Mountain Express on the Canyons Village side of the resort.

Both Canyons Village and Mountain Village are excellent for young children. Both offer magic carpets for easy access to beginner slopes and dedicated beginner lifts.

However, if you want to watch your little ones from the window of your accommodation while they learn, the Village Loft is a great choice.

Orange Bubble Express at Canyons Village
The Orange Bubble Express at Canyons Village.


Après-ski Scene

🏂 Canyons Village

Canyons Village provides a lively après-ski scene. Multiple fire pits are scattered throughout the village, and an amphitheater hosts live music performances in summer and winter.

The main aprés location is Umbrella Bar, which has a large fire pit and amphitheater views. Most of the seating is outdoors, allowing you to soak up the Wasatch Range views while enjoying French fries and sipping on beverages.

Red Tail Grill offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Draft Burger Bar is a great place to grab a beer, burger, or a giant sundae for the kids. Aprés at Pendry is a fun, upscale place to get a cocktail and food after skiing and snowboarding.

⛷️ Mountain Village

Mountain Village doesn’t have glam venues or live music for après-ski, but here are some popular options.

  • Blue Bird Café: A relaxed, outdoor atmosphere.
  • Pig Pen Saloon: Lively atmosphere where you can enjoy drinks with a view.
  • The Corner Café: Casual dining and outdoor seating
  • Legacy Lodge: Traditional après-ski experience.
  • Baja Cantina: Cantina style dining

Blue Bird, Pig Pen, and Corner Cafe provide outside options for aprés when the weather is nice.


Conclusion

Park City Mountain Village and Canyons Village offer distinct experiences. Canyons Village provides a lively après scene and varied terrain, while Mountain Village offers a more relaxed atmosphere and traditional skiing options. Visitors can choose the best fit for their preferences.