Park City...What Do You Think?
Jan 5th, 2003, 06:19 AM
#1
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Park City...What Do You Think?
I am planning a ski trip for my husband & I to Park City for the first week of April (last week of the ski season, I believe), and I am quite confused!
First, is it worth the trip from Florida at that time of the season?
Second, lodging has me in a whirlwind. We are definitely on a budget, so I am trying to find the best bang for the buck. At the same time, I do not want to compromise charm too much. I have no real need for ski in/ski out or bar access, BUT I do not want to rent a car, so I would like to stay on or near the free town shuttle line. I think that I want to stay in the historic main town area. I want to avoid Prospector Square (which I have read in this forum to avoid), but I do know what is or isn't located there. I know that there are tons of condos to choose from, but I have narrowed it down somewhat along with hotels. I think it would be best if we stayed in Park City over the Canyons.
My first choice would be the Washington School Inn, but I think it will push us over our budget (it is about $145 per night & I am looking more at $90-110 per night). Please let me know what thoughts you may have on any of the following options that fit our budget.
--Yarrow Resort Hotel
--The Lodge at Mountain Village
--Old Miner's Lodge Bed & Breakfast
--Snowflower condo
--Copperbottom condo
--Park Station condo
--Any other suggestions?!?!
Thank you for trudging through this very long post & I appreciate your help!
First, is it worth the trip from Florida at that time of the season?
Second, lodging has me in a whirlwind. We are definitely on a budget, so I am trying to find the best bang for the buck. At the same time, I do not want to compromise charm too much. I have no real need for ski in/ski out or bar access, BUT I do not want to rent a car, so I would like to stay on or near the free town shuttle line. I think that I want to stay in the historic main town area. I want to avoid Prospector Square (which I have read in this forum to avoid), but I do know what is or isn't located there. I know that there are tons of condos to choose from, but I have narrowed it down somewhat along with hotels. I think it would be best if we stayed in Park City over the Canyons.
My first choice would be the Washington School Inn, but I think it will push us over our budget (it is about $145 per night & I am looking more at $90-110 per night). Please let me know what thoughts you may have on any of the following options that fit our budget.
--Yarrow Resort Hotel
--The Lodge at Mountain Village
--Old Miner's Lodge Bed & Breakfast
--Snowflower condo
--Copperbottom condo
--Park Station condo
--Any other suggestions?!?!
Thank you for trudging through this very long post & I appreciate your help!
Jan 5th, 2003, 09:25 AM
#2
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First it is snowing in Park City as I send this. You are correct. The PC Resort usually closes for the season mid April. The best thing to do is wait until Dayle finds your post. She is the voice of authority and usually the most sage wisdom regarding PC.
However, being a resident myself I would suggest that anywhere you stay you should be on the free shuttle routes. They are very convenient.
If you do not want to compromise charm, you will definatley want to stay in 'old town'. There is nothing wrong with Prospector, but based on your post, I do not think it is what you are looking for.
To tell you the truth I am not familiar with pricing and rates but of the mentioned places Washington School Inn is best suited to your 'charm' request.
You may also want to check out Silver Queen Hotel, which is located at the bottom of Historic Main Street. It should be up there in the charm department and is in a good location.
I think your best bet is to wait until Dayle chimes in here. If I recall she is or was in the lodging and hospitality business in PC and would have more detailed info for you.
Hope you enjoy PC..and welcome !
However, being a resident myself I would suggest that anywhere you stay you should be on the free shuttle routes. They are very convenient.
If you do not want to compromise charm, you will definatley want to stay in 'old town'. There is nothing wrong with Prospector, but based on your post, I do not think it is what you are looking for.
To tell you the truth I am not familiar with pricing and rates but of the mentioned places Washington School Inn is best suited to your 'charm' request.
You may also want to check out Silver Queen Hotel, which is located at the bottom of Historic Main Street. It should be up there in the charm department and is in a good location.
I think your best bet is to wait until Dayle chimes in here. If I recall she is or was in the lodging and hospitality business in PC and would have more detailed info for you.
Hope you enjoy PC..and welcome !
Jan 5th, 2003, 12:19 PM
#3
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We were just in Park City and stayed at the Park Station hotel (condo), and thought it couldn't have been more convenient. Don't stay at the Yarrow -- I didn't see it inside, but its next to the Alberton's supermarket, near Prospector Square. Definitely stay in the Main Street area -- one of the plusses is walking to all the restaurants for dinner - don't have to take the car out or wait for a bus. The Park Station was fine for us (family of 4) - we had a 2BR 2Ba with full kitchen, daily maid service, and there were washer-dryers on premises. I'm sure there were more luxurious places, but it was perfect for what we needed. I'm sure we paid much more, having been there between Christmas and New Years, and it was pretty steep, but it may be much less in April. Having said that, if you are looking for "charm" there wasn't much of that there -- it was a regular ole' apartment-type hotel, with modern furnishings.
Jan 5th, 2003, 09:25 PM
#4
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Weather is always a crapshoot. It's an el nino year, and the last time that happened, I think PC had a bad snow year, but I don't remember for sure.
Dayle really knows her stuff, so hopefully she will be along soon to help you out. Meanwhile...
I know a lot of people here don't like Prospector Square (it is the most bleah part of town). But I always stay there because it's cheap, convenient to the main market, and there's a good liquor store nearby (very important in Utah ;-) ).
However, I always stay at a time share. No, I don't own one, but I go to the website and rent one if there's one available. The reason WHY I stay there is that they have their own shuttle service. A HUGE plus. They pick you up at the door and only have 5 stops (Deer Valley, Park City, Main Street, and the two properties). GREAT if you have your own equipment. Also, they have a evening service until 11 or midnight, where they will pick you up anywhere in town (no going to a shuttle stop!). Just call them, and they tell you how long it will take. Without this service, I probably would not stay in Prospector Square myself, as I spend very little time there. The two properties are Park Regency (so so) and Park Plaza (nicer). I have found rates for these cheaper than many of the places available through the various property management places. If you're interested, let me know, as I don't have the info offhand.
It does seem that Main Street would be what you are looking for. Silver Queen was already mentioned, and there is a Marriott Property as well. Town lift provides easy access to the slopes, and Apres Ski activities are at your doorstep (and yes, there is a liquor store nearby!) As you are coming in April, you may get great deals (especially if they don't get much snow this year). The base of Park City Resort isn't bad...I stayed at Shadow Ridge many years ago, and liked it.
Definitely skip the Yarrow. It's convenient because it's right in front of a shuttle stop, but it's only a hotel, and at those prices you can get a condo.
Enjoy Park City!
Dayle really knows her stuff, so hopefully she will be along soon to help you out. Meanwhile...
I know a lot of people here don't like Prospector Square (it is the most bleah part of town). But I always stay there because it's cheap, convenient to the main market, and there's a good liquor store nearby (very important in Utah ;-) ).
However, I always stay at a time share. No, I don't own one, but I go to the website and rent one if there's one available. The reason WHY I stay there is that they have their own shuttle service. A HUGE plus. They pick you up at the door and only have 5 stops (Deer Valley, Park City, Main Street, and the two properties). GREAT if you have your own equipment. Also, they have a evening service until 11 or midnight, where they will pick you up anywhere in town (no going to a shuttle stop!). Just call them, and they tell you how long it will take. Without this service, I probably would not stay in Prospector Square myself, as I spend very little time there. The two properties are Park Regency (so so) and Park Plaza (nicer). I have found rates for these cheaper than many of the places available through the various property management places. If you're interested, let me know, as I don't have the info offhand.
It does seem that Main Street would be what you are looking for. Silver Queen was already mentioned, and there is a Marriott Property as well. Town lift provides easy access to the slopes, and Apres Ski activities are at your doorstep (and yes, there is a liquor store nearby!) As you are coming in April, you may get great deals (especially if they don't get much snow this year). The base of Park City Resort isn't bad...I stayed at Shadow Ridge many years ago, and liked it.
Definitely skip the Yarrow. It's convenient because it's right in front of a shuttle stop, but it's only a hotel, and at those prices you can get a condo.
Enjoy Park City!
Jan 6th, 2003, 11:34 AM
#5
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Hi Shannon!
Glad to hear you're coming to Park City!
April Park City skiing is defintely spring conditions, so bring your sunscreen & camelback. Lodging rates go down in April, so you shouldn't have trouble finding a decent place in your budget.
The Yarrow is an OK hotel, not charming, just OK, but don't expect great service or food. Condos you mentioned are all OK too, you can save if you cook some of your own meals. Lots of fantastic restaurants here, but many are very expensive. Snowflower has the nicest location of those you mentioned, but Park Station is closer to Main Street. The Silver King is a condo hotel, great location at the base of Park City Mtn. Resort.
Watch the snow reports. It might be better to go to Snowbird & Alta in April!
Glad to hear you're coming to Park City!
April Park City skiing is defintely spring conditions, so bring your sunscreen & camelback. Lodging rates go down in April, so you shouldn't have trouble finding a decent place in your budget.
The Yarrow is an OK hotel, not charming, just OK, but don't expect great service or food. Condos you mentioned are all OK too, you can save if you cook some of your own meals. Lots of fantastic restaurants here, but many are very expensive. Snowflower has the nicest location of those you mentioned, but Park Station is closer to Main Street. The Silver King is a condo hotel, great location at the base of Park City Mtn. Resort.
Watch the snow reports. It might be better to go to Snowbird & Alta in April!
Jan 7th, 2003, 03:54 PM
#6
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Hi Shannon,
I went to Park City last year on a budget and stayed at the April Inn, which had a nice loft area and a kitchenette and living area downstairs..there werent any amenities but it was right on Main street and we walked to the chair lift and all restaurant..I think it was $120 per night
I went to Park City last year on a budget and stayed at the April Inn, which had a nice loft area and a kitchenette and living area downstairs..there werent any amenities but it was right on Main street and we walked to the chair lift and all restaurant..I think it was $120 per night
Jan 8th, 2003, 03:05 AM
#7
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Thanks so much for the insight! Your advice has definitely helped with lodging. It sounds like "charm" may be compromised, but that was just an ideal, not a necessity.
I have to admit, though, that now I am a little nervous to make the trip that first week in April. I don't have the opportunity to take vacations very often, so I want to make it worthwhile. If the slopes are closed or in poor condition, what else is there to do in the area?
We are intermediate skiiers, so I worry that Snowbird would be too difficult. Are Snowbird and Alta the same thing, or would Alta be an option? How far is it from Park City?
THANKS!!
I have to admit, though, that now I am a little nervous to make the trip that first week in April. I don't have the opportunity to take vacations very often, so I want to make it worthwhile. If the slopes are closed or in poor condition, what else is there to do in the area?
We are intermediate skiiers, so I worry that Snowbird would be too difficult. Are Snowbird and Alta the same thing, or would Alta be an option? How far is it from Park City?
THANKS!!
Jan 8th, 2003, 06:38 AM
#8
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Shannon,
If the conditions at the Park City resorts aren't great the first part of April, the resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon should still be good. There are Brighton and Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon with lots of runs for intermediate skiers and Alta and Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon. All of these resorts are an easy drive from Park City - probably less than an hour.
If the conditions at the Park City resorts aren't great the first part of April, the resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon should still be good. There are Brighton and Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon with lots of runs for intermediate skiers and Alta and Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon. All of these resorts are an easy drive from Park City - probably less than an hour.
Jan 9th, 2003, 11:16 AM
#9
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Hi Shannon!
April skiing in the Cottonwood Canyons is usually fantastic. It's the second highest snowfall month of the ski season. You can be skiing powder in the morning and strip to a tee shirt by afternoon.
Brighton, Solitude and Alta all have lots of great intermediate runs, Snowbird has some too, just fewer.
Snowbird also has some great lodging deals that start in April. Give them a call & check it out. Nothing like sitting in the roof-top swimming pool of the Cliff Lodge (12 stories) and watching the alpenglow.
Snowbird & Alta also now sell a combination lift ticket and you can ski back and forth between the areas. They are literally right next to each other, sharing Mt. Baldy.
April skiing in the Cottonwood Canyons is usually fantastic. It's the second highest snowfall month of the ski season. You can be skiing powder in the morning and strip to a tee shirt by afternoon.
Brighton, Solitude and Alta all have lots of great intermediate runs, Snowbird has some too, just fewer.
Snowbird also has some great lodging deals that start in April. Give them a call & check it out. Nothing like sitting in the roof-top swimming pool of the Cliff Lodge (12 stories) and watching the alpenglow.
Snowbird & Alta also now sell a combination lift ticket and you can ski back and forth between the areas. They are literally right next to each other, sharing Mt. Baldy.
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Mariarosa
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Jan 13th, 2004 02:59 PM
