Today I’m sharing my Park City Winter Vacation Itinerary! When I was planning my trip, I went about it differently than probably 99% of people who plan a trip to Park City. I knew I wanted a snowy getaway, with a cute mountain town and with plenty of outdoor activities to do in the snow. Park City came on my radar, because I had never been to Utah nor experienced a western winter (I’ve always taken our winter trips on the east coast). When I began researching and planning out trip I mapped out an entire trip that was not ski focused-which is why I said I planned our Park City Winter Vacation Itinerary different than probably almost everyone who visits Park City in the winter…and I LOVED it.
I love to ski, but I’m more of the type to go on a strictly skiing trip, and because I was doing so many other snow activities (ended up having only one day of nothing scheduled or planned) I knew this wasn’t the trip to toss in a ski day. However, for those of you looking to take a ski trip to Park City, any of these activities would be an awesome addition for any day you choose to take of from skiing on your trip.
Park City Winter Vacation Itinerary
Park City Snow Activities:
Snowmobiling
It was my first time snowmobiling and what a way to experience it. The snow was powdery and the day was sunny, it was perfect. I’d recommend Park City Peaks, as they were fun, safe and the entire area you snowmobile in is awesome. From riding in the forest between the beautiful birchwood trees to getting to let it rip in huge, open fields. Our guide was great too.
TIP: If you’re someone with smaller hands, like me, you may want to skip the gloves or make sure they’re not too thick. I found it hard to grip the handles with my gloves on and opted not to wear them. The handles have heat options if your hands get too cold.
Horseback Riding
After getting my adrenaline going snowmobiling, my next activity was horseback riding in the snow, something I had ever done before. It was the most peaceful experience surrounded by 180 degrees of beautiful views. I chose Rocky Mountain Outfitters and I so happy we did as the experience felt really calm and relaxed from the start. I did a private ride with a guide that takes you on a trail on the side of a mountain past a huge frozen-over lake.
Snowshoeing
This was another first. Honestly, what a cool invention snowshoes are. There were so many times during this trip where I would step into snow and my leg would drop 1 foot or so. I snowshoe hiked in so many feet of snow and while it took some getting used to, it was awesome to be able to do that and not just fall in with every step. I chose Rancho Luna Lobos to guide us, mainly because they bring one of their pups with them to help guide and keep us company 🙃
TIP: I wouldn’t dress in too many layers, as you heat up very quickly with all of moving. It’s pretty steep so you get your sweat on quickly. Even in 20 degree weather, I wished I had one less layer on. Also, be sure to have high enough boots/pants that go over boots so the snow doesn’t get inside as you or others will be kicking snow up with every step.
TIP: Bring wipes or hand sanitizer in your car with you as the sled pups can be a little stinky-which I’m not judging! They’re putting in some real work 😉 It was nice to be able to wipe off the doggy smell once back in our car.
Dogsledding
By far one of the COOLEST experiences I’ve ever had was dogsledding at Rancho Luna Lobos. If you’re a huge dog lover like I am, this was heaven on earth. If you’re not (and why aren’t you?) this is still such an incredibly awesome experience. The love and work the Rancho Luna Lobos team puts into this place for the dogs is so admirable. From the owner’s story and how he now represents the USA in dogsledding world championships to their mission at the ranch. I will say, if you’re in the cargo bed like I was, you will be doing no work at all (which I actually felt guilty about and kept asking if I could do anything to help 😂). However, if you are the one in charge of the handle and steering, you will be sweating by the end of the experience.
TIP: Another time I wouldn’t dress in too many layers, even if it’s very cold. As the person inside of the cargo bed, I found it a little too snug with my puffer coat on, so I took it off and wore it more like a blanket on my lap. Whoever is steering, be sure to have high enough boots/pants that go over boots so the snow doesn’t get inside.
Park City Winter Vacation Itinerary
Park City Best Food:
My favorite place I enjoyed a meal was actually not in Park City, but in Salt Lake City at a place called Log Haven. It was 100% worth the drive. It’s a cabin about a 10-15 minutes drive into a national forest, giving you a remote feel without actually being too remote. The restaurant is an actual log cabin with a very cool history and the vibes were cozy and calm and the food, wine and dessert was 10/10.
TIP: Enjoy your meal here in the evening, where it’s truly magical-looking in the dark with all of the lights.
While I believe it’s a little overpriced, I did have the best scallops I’ve ever eaten at Chimayo, an upscale South Western restaurant. Also very cozy inside with a pretty fireplace.
My favorite breakfast, because of the big menu of food and drinks and because of the view it had at the bottom of a ski slope right on Main Street was The Bridge Cafe. I also enjoyed Harvest, Five Seeds and I had the best breakfast sandwiches and burritos at The Salt Box.
I was not expecting to enjoy my meal as much at Spur, since it’s known more for the atmosphere and nightlife, but I had lunch there and my food and drinks were delicious.
Known primarily for their breakfast (which looks amazing) I ended up having dinner at The Eating Establishment and I had some delicious ribs there. It’s very cozy inside in the evening.
For a treat, nestled in the back of a cute little boutique on Main Street is Chip. I had he best chocolate chip cookie ever. It’s served warm and we ate it in 10 seconds.
TIP: MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS WITH PLENTY OF TIME, if you visit during peak season.
Park City Best Drinks:
Hands down the best drinks I had during trip were at the High West Saloon, not to be mistaken for the High West Distillery. The distillery is about 30 minutes outside of Park City, where you drive to a parking lot at the bottom of a mountain to park your car and then take a little shuttle up about a 5-10 drive to the distillery. That’s why the views from there are so beautiful. The food and drinks there were awesome, however, it was the drinks at the Saloon, which is right near Main Street in Park City, that blew me away.
TIP: plan your visit to the High West Distillery on one of the days you’ll already be north-east of Park City for a snow activity. Arrive with plenty of daylight to enjoy the views.
On the one day of my trip where I had nothing planned or scheduled, I decided that would be the day to enjoy drinking and eating around. I sat at the bar at the High West Saloon and had something to eat and a couple drinks, each were AMAZING. There will be a wait, there was a 1-2 hour wait to get in each day/all day of my trip, but it’s not a big deal as you can put your name in the system and peruse Main Street until they text you to return.
TIP: If you can, ask to sit at the bar. The cocktails are so delicious and made with such precision it’s fun watching the bartenders work their magic and of course chatting with them is fun too.
My other top pick for drinks is Alpine Distilling Social Aid & Pleasure Club. You enter through the backstreet of Main Street into a moody and modern space with both high tops and lounge areas. Along with their drinks, they specialize in pairing whatever drink you order with a delicious slice of pie from their pie bar.
TIP: This is a great place for a more calm nighttime drinking spot, most others on Main Street can get packed and loud. Good for a small group too, to enjoy their little lounge areas.
My go-to coffee spots were Atticus on Main Street and Daily Rise Coffee, which is part of a grocery store. I enjoyed one of the top 5 lattes I’ve ever had at Daily Rise and the owner is the friendliest guy. While in Midway for one of our snow activities, we stopped at Fillerup Coffee station for coffee and muffins-both were tasty.
TIP: If you’re out and about on Main Street and your phone is dying, hop into Atticus for a cup of coffee and use their phone charging station.
The food was tasty, nothing special, but for the drinks and atmosphere, we enjoyed No Name Saloon. It was jam-packed inside every day, but we were able to get a seat on their balcony which overlooked Main Street which was awesome.
TIP: Don’t settle for sitting inside of No Name Saloon, the outdoor balcony is where it’s at.
The biggest tip of all: try and stay in close enough proximity to somewhere you’re able to catch one of the many trolleys that get you around Park City, Main Street and Deer Valley. If not, you’ll be paying $30+ a day to park.
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