Thinking about a family ski vacation this year?  I just enjoyed a ski weekend at Park City Mountain Resort in Utah. I couldn’t have found a more family-friendly spot. 

First off, it was easy to get to, only half an hour from the Salt Lake City airport. I hopped on a direct flight from O’Hare in the morning and was at the slopes in the afternoon. 

Ski School
Being a beginner skier, I could care less about black diamond runs.  I’m looking for cheerful ski instructors for me and my 3 kids. Park City Mountain Resort has amazingly low class sizes— no more than 3 kids in the 3-5 year old program and no more than 5 in the 6 and up groups. 

Main Street
Park City Mountain Resort is right in the heart of this cute ski town.  In fact, one of its ski lifts is actually in the middle of Park City. So, when you get tired of skiing, there’s a flurry of fun to be had off the slopes as well. 

Attention Shoppers
Park City’s downtown hub, Main Street, and its quaint stores are delightful!  They’re also pretty pricey, but walking around Main Street makes for a fun outing. There’s also a bounty of great restaurant options. I had a great steak dinner at Easy Street in the Sky Lodge.   

Peak Excitement
Park City Mountain Resort also has an incredible thrill ride called the Alpine Coaster. It’s kind of like a fast tobogan on a track. There’s a brake handle on the side that allows you to go slower if you want, but I chose to go full force— flying around the mountain on a roller coaster!  What a rush! 

Kids of all ages will have mountains of fun at a fantastic tubing hill called Gorgoza Park.  Wahooooo!  There were endless squeals of delight as we flew down the mountain on inner tubes. I’ve heard that Park City is considered Salt Lake City’s outdoor playground.  I definitely felt like a kid again after enjoying a snow-filled and fun-filled weekend in this delightful town! 

There are shuttles between the Salt Lake Airport and Park City and free buses to get you around in town.  A car isn’t a requirement, but it did make the trip easier.

disclosure:  Park City Mountain Resort hosted my stay, but the opinions here are all mine.

Andrea Guthmann is a freelance journalist. She spent many years as a writer and producer for WTTW-TV, the PBS station in Chicago. Her travel stories have been published in the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Parent, Make It Better and on-line travel sites. 

A native Floridian, Andrea's now a big (windy) city mom of 3, who range in age from tot to teen. After giving birth to 2 beautiful children she's had the joy of becoming a mom again through adoption. She loves sailing Lake Michigan and visiting the world class museums and restaurants in her sweet home Chicago. Being a scenery starved city girl, she loves escaping to the outdoors during vacations and is working hard to raise 3 happy campers!

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