7 Days in Park City, Utah: Ultimate Girls' Ski Trip Guide.
Welcome to the story of our seven days in Park City, Utah—a ski trip filled with fresh powder, bluebird skies, and maybe a few tumbles along the way. This wasn’t just a week of skiing; it was a week of unforgettable runs, incredible views, and discovering what makes Park City such a standout destination. From conquering the slopes by day to winding down with great food and drinks in the evenings, we soaked up every moment. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next ski trip or gathering ideas for a group getaway, let me take you through our adventure.
Day 1: Arrival in Utah
Our trip began with early morning flights into Salt Lake City. We rented a brand-new Ford Bronco Sport through Turo—a budget-friendly, hassle-free option. After picking up the car, we stopped by the EVO Salt Lake City Hotel to explore their outdoor gear and grab lunch at Slackwater, a local favorite for pizza.
Later, we made our way to Park City, checked into our rental, and explored Historic Main Street, a charming hub of shops and restaurants. Dinner at High West Saloon was a highlight, featuring craft cocktails and delicious burgers
Pro Tip: Order groceries for delivery before you arrive. We used Whole Foods for a $10 delivery fee—snag their famous brown butter chocolate chip cookies for your ski pack.
Day 2: First Ski Day (Canyons Side)
Staying right at the base of the Canyons side (not ski-in/ski-out) made it easy to kick off our first day at Park City Mountain Resort. We started by hopping on the super-convenient bus system to the Red Pine Gondola. After warming up on beginner trails like Hidden Bear, we moved on to blue runs like Snow Dancer and Kokopelli, which were as fun as they were scenic.
For lunch, we headed to Tombstone BBQ, where the vibe was unbeatable.
Pro tip: Grab a seat on the Adirondack chairs outside—it’s the best spot for people-watching while you grab a beer and BBQ.
Once we were fueled up, it was time to hit some serious trails. We started with the Saddleback Express, which leads to several fantastic blue runs. We looped back to Snow Dancer, then took Kokopelli to Chicane, which eventually brought us to the Tombstone Express lift. Back at Tombstone, we paused for a quick beer break—there’s plenty of seating here, but we always snag the snow-covered Adirondack chairs over the tables. It’s the perfect spot to soak in the scene.
Pro Tip: Off the Chicane trail, check out the Chicane Bypass—a gorgeous route through the pines that’s both fun and relaxing. Highly recommended!
After a full day of exploring the Canyons side, we called it a wrap with big smiles and tired legs
After our break, we took the Tombstone Express Lift and hit some exciting runs: Another World, Ripsaw, and Rhapsody. Each trail brought its own mix of challenges and stunning views. We ran a few more trails before heading over to the Orange Bubble Express—a must for its cozy heated seats. Kelly had been dying to ride it, and it didn’t disappoint! Over on this side, we had planned to tackle Echo, but we bailed halfway through and hopped onto the Sun Lodge Lift to head back up.
Day 3: Back to the Canyons Side
Our second day of skiing brought us back to the Canyons side, sticking with what we already loved. We started the morning with a few of our favorite runs from Day 2, but this time we took a left off the Tombstone Lift and found ourselves skiing through forested trails with stunning views of multi-million-dollar homes. These runs, labeled as blues, occasionally leaned more toward cross-country skiing, but they were worth it for the scenery.
We spent another lunch break at Tombstone BBQ—because why mess with a good thing? Afterward, we took the Over and Out Lift to wrap up the day. Though slow, this lift offered incredible views and dropped us off at Raptor Way, where we cruised back to the village. The last section of Raptor Way featured a steep drop that was the perfect way to end another solid day of skiing.
Pro tip: To get back to the village from Tombstone base, take the Over and Out Lift. It’s slow, but the views are worth it. The lift drops you off at Raptor Way, a trail that leads down to Canyon Village. Get ready for a steep drop at the end.
Day 4: First Day on the Park City Side
When you’re in Park City, you have to ski on both sides, right? Instead of taking the bus or parking at Park City, we opted for the chairlift and skied our way over. The Park City side has a completely different vibe from the Canyons side. One of the coolest features? The historic mining artifacts scattered throughout the trails. It’s like skiing through a piece of history!
That said, it’s easy to get turned around on this side. The snow was falling hard, blanketing the trails and making it tricky to stay on course. We may have gotten a little lost more than once and ended up off course—but that’s part of the fun, right?
The real highlight? It was a total POW day. Heavy snow fell all morning, giving us our first taste of skiing in powder. It was a learning curve, but once we got the hang of it, it was an absolute blast. There’s nothing like carving fresh tracks in untouched snow to remind you why skiing is worth every frozen toe.
Pro tip: Don’t miss The Viking Yurt off HomeRun—it’s a must-stop. They serve the best homemade chocolate chip cookies along with excellent food. The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and quintessentially yurt-like. Check out their menu before you go.
Day 5: Checking Out Powder Mountain on the Indy Pass
We have both the Epic Pass and the Indy Pass, and Powder Mountain is a gem on the Indy Pass. The drive from Park City is about an hour and a half, and the last stretch can get tricky. Snow on a 14% grade incline is challenging, but we managed it safely.
But first, coffee. Before hitting the road, I stopped at Atticus on Main Street in Park City. As a self-proclaimed coffee snob, I was impressed. Their coffee is excellent, and they have a great selection of eats. I highly recommend grabbing a cup and maybe a snack to fuel up before the drive. View their menu here.
Powder Mountain delivered big time. It had been hit with loads of snow, sometimes creating white-out conditions on the trails. Honestly, it was awesome. Thanks to their limit on the number of skiers allowed on the slopes, we felt like we had the entire mountain to ourselves. No crowds, just fresh tracks. The vibe here is entirely different from Park City—more laid-back and down-to-earth. The staff was friendly, and their bar, Powder Keg, was a fun stop with a solid beer selection on tap.
If you’re debating whether it’s worth the drive from Park City, let me save you the trouble—absolutely. Powder Mountain is a must for any skier looking for a unique experience. (You can read more about what makes it unique in my article, Discover Powder Mountain in Utah: The Uncrowded Place to Ski. and Powder Day at Powder Mountain. Beginner to Intermediate fun in legit POW.)
Pro Tip: After our trip, we learned it’s better to take the bus from Ogden or Eden to avoid the challenging road conditions. Here’s the bus schedule. If you drive, aim to park at Timberline Lodge for easier access.
Day 6: Park City Side
For our last full day of skiing, we headed back to the Park City side to enjoy a few more runs before the trip came to an end. A local gave us a great tip to park at the garage near the Town Lift on Main Street. It was so convenient—you pay for all-day parking, which makes it easy to ski during the day and spend time exploring Main Street later without moving your car.
The Town Lift is slow, but the views of the snowy streets and surrounding mountains make it worth the ride. After a few morning runs, we made it up to McConkey's Lift, where the panoramic views at the top were incredible. Though it primarily services black and double-black runs, the one blue, Georgianna, worked perfectly for us. It’s a bit windy up there, but the experience was unforgettable.
After skiing, we took the Town Lift back down to Main Street and spent the rest of the day enjoying the shops, coffee at Atticus, and the lively atmosphere. Ending the trip with this relaxed mix of skiing and downtown vibes was the perfect way to wrap things up.
Pro Tip: Right off Georgianna, after you make a left, keep an eye out on the right side for a hidden glades gem called Powder Monkey. It’s a short way down and absolutely worth it—fun, scenic, and filled with weaving paths through the trees. You can watch this play out on our YouTube video, Park City's McConkey's Express to Georgiana, with a stop through Powder Monkey.
Day 7: Heading Home
One of the great things about Park City is how close it is to the main airport—unlike many other ski resorts, the drive is short and easy. With an early morning flight, we packed up and headed back to Chicago.
We enjoyed Park City so much that we were already planning our 2025 trip during the flight home. What would we do differently next time? We’d try to book a place on Main Street. It’s a fantastic location, though definitely on the pricey side—but it’s worth considering for the convenience and atmosphere.
Why Ski Park City?
Park City stands out for its unbeatable combination of incredible skiing, rich history, and a vibrant mountain town. Whether it’s tackling powder-filled trails, discovering hidden glades, or winding down with great food and drinks, this place has a way of making every trip unforgettable. It’s easy to see why it’s one of our favorite destinations for a ski getaway.