I'm debating whether or not to rent a car (~$600) for a ski trip to Utah in April. Two of us will need to get from SLC airport to Park City, stay a few days, then Park City to Snowbird, stay a few days, then Snowbird back to airport.

Any recs for the best way to do this? Should I use a different type of service between Park City and Snowbird vs. the services from the airport or are they essentially all the same? I figure, if I can't use shuttles for less than 50% of the cost of the rental, then I might as well just rent the car for convenience.

Thanks.

I would definitely rent a car. You can rent a car for a week for $200, shuttle service round trip just for Park City to the airport is $120.

You don't say when in April you are planning your trip, but you should be aware that all the Park City Resorts closed on April 17 this year, and it was a great snow year.

I'll be coming out on the 14th. At first, I wasn't even planning on going to park city, just Snowbird, but assuming lifts are still running at Park City, I want to ski there for a day or two and then head to LCC.

I was figuring on $600 for rental because that's what 4WD costs but can I get away with a regular car w/ a ski rack in April? Any risk of getting stuck somewhere where 4WD would have been the savior? Probably not, huh? I just assumed that I needed 4WD.

Loki,

Check when Easter falls next year, because the Park City resorts do close usually Easter Sunday or mid-April.

Chains, snowtires or 4 x4 are required in the Cottonwood Canyons (Big & Little) from November to May. April is the second biggest snowfall month in Utah.

Hi Barbara!

Easter is April 8th next year. I would think they must have cars available with snow tires for a lot less than $600. I doubt you would need a 4WD in April, the snow melts so fast when it does snow. Although Dayle probably is the expert.

Park City Mountain Resort scheduled lifts to run until 4/15/2007 so I might catch the last 2 days. I'll try and check with the local rental counters, I'm sure they'd know which cars are available with snows that people take successfully up to the canyons.

Give Priceline a try -- we were able to get a minivan for $41/day in January.

Loki,

April is low ski season, so you might be able to get a 4x4 or whatever else you want for less!

You will also be able to save on lodging any maybe lift tickets too!