Local’s Guide to PCMR
Here’s how we make the most of our day on the hill.
Best View:
Some of the best views are from the top of McConkey Express and if you are an expert skier, Jupiter lift. From the top of both lifts, you can enjoy almost a 360-degree view of the Wasatch Mountains: Mt. Timpanogos (locals call it “Timp” for short), the backside of Brighton Resort, and Bonanza Flats – which was just preserved as open space thanks to a $38 million campaign. You will see the Uinta Mountain range to the east, and of course the town of Park City below. Don’t forget your camera or selfie stick.
Best Lunch:
This one’s a toss-up. Our favorite is Tombstone Grill and their incredible barbeque. You can smell the mouth-watering grill from several lifts away, so this is not exactly a secret.
The other not-to-miss spot is The Viking Yurt. Easily accessible from Bonanza (as well as a dozen or so other lifts that access same the ridge) soups, sandwiches and fresh cookies are a perfect midday snack. The separately owned Yurt is one of the few on-mountain dining locations with full-strength beer and liquor. Anyone for hot toddy’s?
Favorite Trails:
Ask 10 people what their favorite trails are, and you’ll likely get ten different answers. What do you expect from one of the largest and best resorts in North America? We’re going to go with Creole & Quit’n Time, mainly for the fact that you can ski directly into town. Few other resorts offer both a base village and a historic town that you can make turns right onto the sidewalk, which really sets Park City Mountain Resort apart. A great lunch choice is to ski down to High West Distillery and take Town Lift back up for some afternoon turns.
Apres:
Sunny day? The patio at Corner Store.
Chilly day? Inside at Corner Store.
Live music? Corner Store.
Patio Heaters? Cor….you get the idea!
Best Way to Ski Home:
Living ski-in-ski-out, at The Colony, has many advantages – and being able to ski to and from your front door ranks high on the list. Park City has luxury real estate options across the valley, but The Colony is one of the few to offer slopeside mountain homes with privacy and open space as well.
Our game plan is to make the last run of the day a longer one by taking Ninety-Nine 90 up, or Peak 5 if you want a shorter option, and make your way home via Showcase, Serenity or Crowning Glory. It really depends on where your home is, of course. It can be quite amusing for Colony residents when a neighbor asks “Where do you live?” you can respond with either a street address or a ski run!
Secret Stash:
This is why you read this far, correct? Where to find powder. Here are our favorite powder fields:
Cobalt Wood and Platinum Woods on Iron Mountain Express see less traffic than other parts of the mountain, so we like to head there on a powder day.
Tree Time, off the Sun Peak lift, is another favorite since that lift serves mostly intermediate terrain, the stepper tree shots don’t get skied as often.
For intermediate skiers, Snow Meadow on Dreamscape Chair is a great option for fresh turns. The ski-in-ski-out access that The Colony homes provide gives residents an advantage, and a head start on powder. Enjoy!
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