Photo: Benjamin R. / UnsplashDay plan
Park City Ski Day Trip from Salt Lake City
Enjoy a fun-filled day of family skiing without the hassle of overnight stays.
- Leave
- 7:30 AM
- Back by
- 5:30 PM
- Driving
- 45 min each way
- Travelers
- Families
Drive times © openrouteservice.org by HeiGIT · Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Park City Mountain from Salt Lake City: 45 min each way by car · best for 2 adults and 2 teens (14–17) · hours checked for Saturday.
$480–$720
The total covers tickets and tours for the whole party, plus food, gas and parking estimated in the breakdown below.
Things to do
- Park City Mountain Ticket Office · Lift-pass pickup (Day 1)
- Quicksilver Gondola · Ride to mid-mountain (Day 1)
- King Con Chairlift · Morning laps (Day 1)
- Jupiter Peak Viewpoint · Short stop and photos (Day 1)
- Eagle SuperChair · Quick laps to mixed groomers (Day 1)
- Crescent Express · Short connector and gentle run (Day 1)
- First Time learning area · Family practice run (Day 1)
- Mid‑Mountain Plaza · Stroll and short rest (Day 1)
- Home Run · Blue cruiser back toward the village (Day 1)
- Payday groomer laps · Family-friendly cruisers (Day 1)
- Back in Salt Lake City (Day 1)
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Why this plan works
A full, clustered ski day in Canyons Village: pick up lift passes, ride the Quicksilver Gondola, ski named lifts and runs suitable for a family, eat on-mountain, and finish with an easy lower run before the drive home.
- 7:30 AM
Head out · Salt Lake City → Park City Mountain
7:30 AM
45 min by car. Leave Salt Lake City by 7:30 AM, arrive around 8:15 AM.
- 8:30 AM
Park City Mountain Ticket Office · Lift-pass pickup
8:30 AM
A single venue entry point for all ski activity and to get your four lift passes on the same pick-up ticket.
Book ahead · Timed-entry tickets usually release a month or two ahead; confirm with the venue
Collect pre-purchased lift passes or buy same-day tickets at the Canyons Village ticket office and bind rentals if needed; confirm current lift-open status before you go.
- 9:05 AM
Java Cow Coffee · Quick breakfast & coffee
9:05 AM
Fast, casual grab-and-go cafe in Canyons Village to start skiing without delay.
Grab coffee, hot chocolate and a pastry just steps from the ticket office so everyone is fueled before the first lift ride.
- 9:35 AM
Quicksilver Gondola · Ride to mid-mountain
9:35 AM
Fastest way to reach mid-mountain terrain and access the King's-area lifts for a full morning of runs.
Board the Quicksilver Gondola to gain quick mid-mountain access and open up runs served by the King Con and nearby chairs.
- 10:05 AM
King Con Chairlift · Morning laps
10:05 AM
Long, steady laps ideal for building confidence and stamina before a mid-morning break.
Load King Con to do a few longer laps that access Jupiter-area cruisers suited to intermediate family skiers.
- 10:55 AM
Jupiter Peak Viewpoint · Short stop and photos
10:55 AM
A quick scenic pause that rewards the morning climb and suits all ages.
Step off at the Jupiter summit for family photos and an easy skin-back or short glide to the next lift.
- 11:25 AM
Eagle SuperChair · Quick laps to mixed groomers
11:25 AM
Offers varied groomers that let beginners and intermediates ski together comfortably.
Ride Eagle SuperChair for a set of family-friendly groomers and shorter connector runs back toward mid-mountain.
- 12:05 PM
Crescent Express · Short connector and gentle run
12:05 PM
A forgiving area for kids and teens to practice turns without steep terrain.
Use Crescent Express to sample a gentle blue run that eases younger skiers into slightly longer descents.
- 12:35 PM
First Time learning area · Family practice run
12:35 PM
Short, safe slopes designed for families to practice together pre-lunch.
Take a relaxed run through the First Time beginner zone so newer skiers in the group get confidence before lunch.
- 1:15 PM
Red Tail Grill · On-mountain lunch (mid-mountain lodge)
1:15 PM
A central mid-mountain lodge with quick, casual mountain food and easy access from the Quicksilver/King Con area.
Book ahead · Call ahead: most restaurants open tables about a month out, and large parties often need longer
Sit for a casual mountain lunch with warmed sandwiches and salads on the deck; a quick indoor option if weather turns cold.
- 2:20 PM
Mid‑Mountain Plaza · Stroll and short rest
2:20 PM
A low-effort regroup so the family is ready for an afternoon of gentle runs.
Walk the plaza area at mid-mountain, warm up, use restrooms, and plan the afternoon route while kids stretch legs.
- 2:45 PM
Home Run · Blue cruiser back toward the village
2:45 PM
A long, steady cruiser that suits teens and adults wanting an easy sustained descent.
Ski Home Run for a consistent blue groomer that keeps speed controlled for family members of mixed ability.
- 3:30 PM
Payday groomer laps · Family-friendly cruisers
3:30 PM
Wide groomers perfect for young skiers and a calm afternoon pace.
Run the Payday groomers for wide, mellow slopes that keep the group together and build toward a relaxed final descent.
- 4:40 PM
Head back · Park City Mountain → Salt Lake City
4:40 PM
45 min by car.
- 5:25 PM
Back in Salt Lake City
5:25 PM
5 min to spare before 5:30 PM.
If you fall behind
- What to cut if you fall behind: Quicksilver Gondola · Canyons Village
Bookings & costs
$480–$720
0 of 2 bookable items booked
Food not included: about $150, listed below
Locked in
$0
paid or reserved
Still to book
$600
est. $480–$720 · 2 items
Gas & parking
$0
est. $0
Know before you go
Practical notes for this trip — the things worth sorting before you leave.
Getting around & driving
Check road conditions on I-80 and the canyon before you leave and plan extra time for chains or temporary closures.
Time-sensitive
Booking windows & timing
Confirm the Park City Mountain ticket office opening time so you can pick up your lift passes on arrival.
Time-sensitiveLift-pass pickup · Park City Mountain Ticket Office
Weather & packing
Expect cold, variable mountain weather in January—layer, bring goggles, hand warmers and a helmet that fits each skier.
Crowds & timing
Arrive early for shorter lift lines on Quicksilver Gondola; mid-mountain lodges fill by early afternoon, so eat sooner if you want seats.
Time-sensitive
Want this day from your own starting point?
Make this yours — free, no account, no card.
Questions about this plan
- What time should we leave Salt Lake City to start this day?
- You should plan to leave Salt Lake City by 7:30 AM to arrive at Park City Mountain around 8:15 AM, allowing time for lift-pass pickup and breakfast.
- Where do we pick up our lift passes?
- Your lift passes can be collected at the Park City Mountain Ticket Office in Canyons Village, which is your first scheduled stop at 8:30 AM. Confirm their opening hours when you book.
- What is the cost estimate for lift passes at Park City Mountain?
- The estimated cost for a single-day lift pass is $480–$720 per person. See the cost breakdown for total estimated expenses.
- What is the suggested on-mountain lunch spot?
- Red Tail Grill is suggested for a casual on-mountain lunch at 1:15 PM. There is also an indoor alternative, Grappa Ristorante Italiano, in the village base if weather is cold or wet.
- When should we plan to depart Park City Mountain for Salt Lake City?
- You should aim to depart Park City Mountain by 4:40 PM to be back in Salt Lake City by 5:25 PM, before the 5:30 PM deadline.
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