The Canyons Vs. Park City
 

Hi all - I am researching ski destinations for next February vacation 2008. My husband and 4 teenagers. Looked at a roomy condo on VRBO that was .2 miles to The Canyons resort. Only 3 miles to Park City resort.

What kind of advice would you all give comparing the two skiing resorts. Given the fact that all the teens are girls, i am sure shopping/relaxing in a hot tub is going to be a important activity to consider.

I wanted to stay around $300 p/n during vacation week.

Hi jedimac,

I live in Park City, so here's my opinion. It doesn't matter too much where you stay -- unless you want to be able to walk places. You cannot walk to Main St. and shopping from The Canyons.

The free shuttle bus system takes you everywhere, but stops to the Canyons are less frequent and end earlier at night.

Condos with hot tubs are available at many complexes. Check out www.parkcityinfo.com for starters.

If I had 4 teens that I trusted out on their own, I would want to stay where they could walk/bus on their own!

The factory outlet stores are not near any of the 3 resorts. They are in Kimball Junction, 10 min away and have bus service also, but not very frequent.

Thanks Dayle, I think that sold me on a condo in Park City. I think I am already late in booking. Many resorts are already sold out. I will continue to look into Rentals by Owner - they do seem a better deal.

Jedi,

You must be trying for the President's holiday week? That is one of the 2 most crowded weeks - Christmas of course if the other!

If booking a condo, whether by owner or prop mgmt co, be sure to ask details such as date of last renovation, bed replacement, etc.

Here's to a great snow year!

I agree with Dayle's assessment. Your teens will enjoy being able to walk to shops/restaurants (there's even a spa!) in Park City.

As for skiing, my group (which are mostly "groomed blues" skiiers to the less challenging black skiiers) found the Canyons to be more challenging. There's no reason you can't ski all 3 resorts in the Park City area while there, though.

I agree with Dayle's assessment. Your teens will enjoy being able to walk to shops/restaurants (there's even a spa!) in Park City.

As for skiing, my group (which are mostly "groomed blues" skiiers to the less challenging black skiiers) found the Canyons to be more challenging. There's no reason you can't ski all 3 resorts in the Park City area while there, though.

You might check into the Park Station which is at the bottom of the hill on Main St. The condos are an easy walk to everything, including the town lift. Each is individually owned (although rented through Park Station), so some are nicer than others.

Thanks for your advice. I found a 3 bedroom chalet off Main street, near a trail. I am still reeling from sticker shock about how much this vacation is going to cost though! My husband tells me I'm unrealistic, I say for this price I'd be able to travel 1/2 way around the world for a month ("thrifty" is my middle name!)
Jedimac

Jedimac,

What complex is the condo in? If it's "near a trail", I'm wondering if it's in the Prospector area. Also, there really aren't any "chalets" here. Condos and houses.

If you want to save money, take the kids out of school and come during a different week. Not so crowded either!

Dayle, it's a 3 bedroom house on Norfolk Ave, on Quit-N-time ski run. says it's a 5 minute walk to Main street, 10 minute walk back up the steps home. What do you think of the area?

Jedimac

Great location! There are some wonderful old restored homes on Norfolk and some newer ones built in the old style. Without the address, I can't say for sure, but should be very nice - and expensive!

We also looked in this area....the only reason we didn't book was we have have a 6 & 3 yr old and the walk up at the end of the day didn't sound good. Im sure there is a trolley or shuttle, but we opted for another location. Good luck!