Okay, I've read the posts, talked to friends and look around on the internet. I think that Park City is the right destination for this family of 4 (kids 12 and 9). Husband has skied before but that was a long time ago. The rest of us haven't (I'm not counting my disaster trip to a Vermont ice hill 20 years ago).
I'm having trouble finding the "right" accommodation because there is so much on the web. It needs to be very nice, have a workout room, be a suite or more, be near everything, make me look tall and thin in my ski clothes, etc. SO, pls tell me the best spots to stay in Park City.
Also, I'm thinking that we won't get a car. Good idea?
Finally, we need some non-ski activities. Suggestions?
BEO

Well, if you don't get a car, you will definitely want to stay ON the bus route. I would suggest you get a car since it will give you access to more accommodations and also the GROCERY STORE -- which will be a must for a family of 4.

We've stayed at the Park Station before. It is at the bottom of the main drag on PC and so, easy access to the bus line, shops and restaurants, the town lift, etc. They are condos and each one is individually owned (and, so, different). Some are nicer than others.

Most recently we stayed in a condo at Three KIngs. It is also a condo complex, also on the bus line, but a little further from town and closer to the Park City Mountain Resort. Was perfectly nice -- in fact, we got 2 adjoining condos for our group of about 8. Each has a separate hot tub.

We go to park city every year with a huge group of neighbors and their kids (my are 9 and 13). We use Resort Quest to book our condos and have found their condo listings better than what our neighbors book. We have stayed in Park Avenue and PayDay condos and have really liked them. They are near Park City Resort (within sight view) and the Albertsons grocery store. Condos work better than hotel rooms since ski equipment takes a lot of space. I don't think they have workout rooms and frankly after a day of skiiing, working out seems a bit tough on the legs. Other neighbors stay at Marriot Summit Watch which is in town more and you can take the city lift to the slopes, however if you guys are beginners, I don't think you will want to do that since you have to ski to the lodge etc for lessons. If money is no object that the Marriot Mountainside is great and right on the slopes.

Get a car and make sure it is "skiierized", e.g. four wheel drive and ski racks. The drive from slc airport to park city is pretty quick but by the time you pay the shuttle for 4 you might as well have rented the car. Plus we find that one kid usually wants to end before the other so I take the car and the kid back to the condo and my husband and other kid usually stay and take the shuttle or walk back. Also ski equipment is heavy and nine-years old just can't lug it everywhere.

Along those lines try to rent your equipment at the resort from a place that will store it for you (saves lugging it back and forth from the condo). We use Aloha sports in park city and like them because you can exchange your equipment if it is not working right (e.g. blame equipment for your mistakes) and they have lockers for storing your stuff (shoes etc.) that you can get to easily for lunch and leaving.

Be sure to prebook your lessons before your trip since they sometimes fill up. We have found the ski school at park city to be excellent especially for the kids, our 9 year old started skiing at 3 and by the second day of her lessons at that age she was on the slopes and now puts me to shame.

Also decide which Park City resort you want to go to since that can influence your condo decision. All are close to each other, but Canyons is the first one you hit off of the highway and is the farthest from "old town park city". I have not skiied there so can't give you any further info. Park City Resort is right in the main section of town. Since I have a snow boarder 13 yr. old, we ski here and really like it. lots of runs of different degrees of difficulty, great food and just plain fun. Deer Valley is nice, but for skiers only. It is further up the road and mainly in the wooded area and surrounded by houses and condos. It is more expensive than the other two.

As far as non-skiing activities, check with the website Park City Resort, they will list all kinds of activities. Our group has done the sled rides for dinner, the intertube area for sledding and gone into SLC for a jazz basketball game. The old town section of park city is filled with shops, resaurants etc. so it can entertain the non-skiier.

Finally, check Delta and Southwest, they sometimes run packages that are great for families where the kids can ski or fly for free or the car is free. If they are available they can be found under the vacation section of both airlines. We do that and book our condo separately.

have fun, itsv

Check out the website www.epicski.com for more info. It has a forum for resort and travel that is all skiers. A great source of info for ski vacations. Have fun!

check out Deer Valley Lodging. They have condos, townhomes, and homes in Park City.

www.deervalleylodging.com

#1 Check on www.vrbo.com for a condo.
#2 Wear black to look thin. You are a funny one.
#3 Most importantly TAKE LESSONS!!!
Its a shame when people spend huge bucks to get to a ski destination and outfit themselves well and then hate skiing because they are fearful or just terrible at it.

Even good skiers take lessons for many reasons. Firstly, you get to cut the lift line which is always good. Secondly, when going to a ski area you've not tried your instructor can size up your ability and get you on the right runs faster than if you did it on your own. You will always learn something new from your instructor about skiing AND they usually have good ideas on things to do off the slopes and places to eat if you ask.

We own a condo in Prospector Square at Park City.

As somebody else said, if $$ isn't a big deal, I'd stay at the Moutainside Marriott. It is right at the base of the Park City resort. There are also very nice, and pricey, condos at both Deer Valley and The Canyons.

If you weren't aware, there are (3) resorts at Park City. There is Park City, The Canyons and Deer Valley. If you stay anywhere in town, you can catch a bus or shuttle to all (3) resorts. You won't really have any need for a car.

As far as non-skiing activities, you can go snomobiling, sledding, or ice skating.

Deer Valley is wonderful!

In PC, eat at Zoom, Robert Redford's restaurant. It is wonderful!

Wonderful coffee at Badas* in downtown PC.

Great galleries all up and down Main Street, and the arts center usually has something going on.

Hi Keysmom,

I live in Park City, and you have had excellent advice from everyone here. Just don't forget to visit the Utah Olympic Park where the bobsled, luge, skeleton, and jumping completitions were held. There are lots of fun things to do there and it's an amazing facility.

Have fun1 You'll love Park City.

Went to Park City last weekend for the first time. Ate at Zoom for lunch. Had no idea RR owned the joint. Made the decision to eat there for lunch because Chimayo and Riverhorse are only open for dinner and I really had to pee by the time I walked that far south on Main St. Anyway, awesome salads for lunch. And we didn't eat the onion rings but they look AMAZING! Like huge tractor innertubes they're so big.

Be sure to pick up the local paper as it has all kinds of coupons for restaurant deals. I know the ski season deals won't likely be as great but I saw Buy One Get One Free Entrees at Riverhorse Mon-Thurs (we spent $179 for two with drinks and tip included) and $25 off for Chimayo, Grappa, and ???(whatever else the same people own) for any night of the week.

Grappa's is good, but not outstanding IMO. A $25 off coupon would make it a bit more palatable, although if you're not a drinker the food itself is not that expensive.