Park City/Deer Valley - trail suggestions needed
 

Hi all. Today, for the first time, I skied a black diamond trail in the Poconos. (WooHOo!!!) I know this trail would be be nothing out West, but for me this is a major accomplishment.

We're heading to Utah next week - to DV and PC. Can anyone recommend EASY blue trails? I went down a harder blue last year (realized it only after I got on it) and actually hurt the bottom of my FOOT. I was clenching so hard my foot hurt for a whole day!

Also, we are traveing with our kids, 12 and 14, and another family with kids 14 and 18. Any suggestions on restaurants for us?

Thanks.

Hi karens!

Yes, our runs are more difficult, but our snow is easier! The snow in the Rockies isn't as icy due to lower water content, so it doesn't pack down into ice as badly as East Coast snow. Makes it easier to turn and a lot more fun!

If you can ski a "black diamond" in the Poconos, you can do well on most of the blues. Usually the key for most people is whether or not the run has been recently groomed. Most people have a harder time skiing moguls.

The ski resort have boards posted (usually at the bottom of the resort and at the main lifts) that report the previous night's groomed runs. Start with those and see how you do.

We had a monster snow storm yesterday. It took me 1 hour and 45 minutes to get my Sundance Film Festival guests to the airport from Park City, when it normally takes just 30 minutes. Put the Jeep into 4 wheel drive, low! so - the snow is great, several more storms are expected over the next 2 weeks. Try a powder lesson and have fun!

The resorts have free mountain tours, you might like to take one for starters. The host will give you some great recommendations and show you how to get around the mountain and the various areas to ski.

Restaurants for families (depending on how sophisticated your kids tastes are.....)

Red Banjo Pizza on Main St.
The Easting Establishment, Main St., great food, reasonable prices
Hungry Moose, Main St, burgers, etc.
Baja Cantina, base of PCMR
Cicero's, Italian, Main St. (not my favorite, but most people like)

There are SO many. One of my favorites is the Hapa Grill in Kimball Junction at the Redstone Center. More expensive, great food. Sushi, sashimi, blend of Polynesian, Thai, Japanese cuisine.

I agree with the recommendation of skiing the groomed blues. Both PC & DV hand out grooming maps, which I find easier than trying to remember what I read at the top of the lift.

At Deer Valley, Last Chance is an easy blue on the front side. The runs around the Northside chairlift on Flagstaff Mountain are also what we call light blue.

At PC, try Payday, and whichever runs under the King Con chair are groomed.

Thanks, all. We leave this weekend.

After being nervous about hurting myself now I am nervous about ALL THE SNOW you all are getting!

The 3 different places I keep checking forecasts keep saying different things. I'm glad you all got snow, but I really hope it will STOP for when we're there!

If you do have snow while you're there, I'd suggest taking a powder lesson. We live in the Midwest, and that's not something we can learn here.

I think KSL's weather forecast is generally the best. http://www.ksl.com/?nid=88

Have fun!

Barbara S.- thanks so much for the link to the weather, it was really helpful! I barely got out on Monday night with that snow storm and can't believe the amount of snow we are getting. Wish I could be there right now to take advantage of all that powder!

Dayle et al. - thanks so much for your suggestions. We got back y-day. My kids had a blast. I had a lot of fun Fri and Sat, but with the snowfall Sat. night - that continued on Sunday, I didn't think I would have handled all that snow too well.

We skied Park City Fri and DV on Sat (and my husband and kids went back to DV on Sunday). I think I am the only person who prefers PC to DV. I LOVE the Homerun trail - long and easy. When I get a bit overwhelmed, I like having someplace safe and long to come back to.

I took a lesson at DV and the instructor said we skied some of the steepest blues, so I am getting better. Sat. was a simply gorgeous sunny beautiful day in the mountains!

My youngest son has autism and the adaptive program at PC is GREAT. The instructor was perfect. My son tried snowboarding for the first time and he did awesome. He's a good skateboarder and he picked up snowboarding almost effortlessly - it was so amazing to see him do this. He couldn't handle the rails, though. He'll have to practice on the easier trails out east here.

We went with another family and Dayle - everyone really liked the Eating Establishment. My favorite chocolate caramels are Rocky Mnt. Chocolate Factory, also on Main St. Everyone tells us how good Cows ice cream is, but I can never get myself to eat ice cream when it's that cold. (Never feel bitterly cold out west though - the dry air doesn't feel as miserably cold as it can here).

I love western US history, so I really enjoyed the main street area of Park City and the architecture. Also liked the tiny museum and its jail cells.

I haven't skied anywhere else out west yet (husband has), but I feel you really can't beat the ease of getting to PC, the great snow and the atmosphere in general. We rode the lifts with the friendliest people.

Hi karens,

Thanks for posting a few words about your trip! I was wondering how you liked it!

No, you're not the only one who prefers PC over DV - me too. Snowbird is my favorite, but as far as close to home it's PC for me. In fact, I stopped skiing DV a couple years ago because I can't stand skiing on people's driveway and between highrise condos/lodges. I kind of like skiing in the mountains!

The Easting Establishment has been around for many years (I think at least 30) - you can see why.

You'll have to come back again. We're working up a little UT Fodorites lunch for April 12!

Dayle - I've been reading the details of your April UT lunch with envy. I love Utah so always look forward to returning - and it would be great to meet everyone. Maybe another time...

Have fun!

Karen-
For your next ski trip out west, you might want to consider Steamboat. It has some of that western ambience that PC has. It also has a good adaptive ski/snowboard program. It's a bit tougher to get there but depending on where you live you may be able to get a direct flight into Hayden. Steamboat has a beginner terrain park with a few boxes that I bet your son could handle with ease pretty quickly.