Hi--have a family trip planned for Christmas week, and are staying by Park City. (Hampton Inn at Kimball Junction exit--fit our budget!) Our snowboarding son would like to try a mountain in one of the other canyons (Brighton?Snowbird?)Are either 'doable' as a day trip from Park City? Thanks!

You will have no problem. From the Hampton Inn which is located right off the Park City Exit @ I-80 to any of the other ski venues is not more than an hour. Any other place you want to try would be an easy day trip. Brighton and Solitude are located in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Alta and Snowbird are located in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Also, Snow Basin would be about the same distance from the Hampton. Have a nice trip.

Yes, you can do this, I did this once when I was staying in Park City just to check it out, Alta actually. I will say the road up there is windy, a deer jumped out in front of the rental car and I got it on the hind quarters but it kept on going...and then when we got to the top, a blizzard began! First of the season, so the drive back was slippery. I guess all rental cars in that region have chains. Maybe there is even a bus, I would imagine lots of folks in PC want to check out other areas as well. Not sure if Alta is for snowboarders, it is pretty steep. Sorry that this post is not all you need but at least this will put you back to the top!

Deer Valley & Atla are 2 of the remaining 4 ski areas in the US that do not allow snowboarding. If you don't want to drive yourself, there are several shuttle services that provide transportation between the Utah resorts. Canyon Transportation, Lewis Brothers, All Resorts Express.

Have fun!

Thanks. I knew Alta did not allow snowboarders--hard when you have a family that does both, which is becoming more the rule these days,IMO. Glad to hear its 'doable' Is Brighton closer than Snowbird? It looks that way from the map. I will have a 4 wheel drive rental car, and would prefer to drive if roads are fairly clear. If its a blizzard, I will stick by Park City.
BTW-has anyone ever stayed at the HAmpton Inn?It was quite reasonable, and I believe it is now on the Park City shuttle route. We will probably drive to the Canyons though, because we have passes to there.

Dayle - hadn't seen you on the board lately. Where've you been?

Keith - Your son will enjoy boarding at the Canyons. Talk him into wearing a helmet. My nephew was just hurt boarding at the Canyons and taken unconscious in an ambulance to the hospital. It was just a mild concussion, but kinda scary.

The drive up both Little and Big Cottonwood is easy if the weather's good. There are lots of restaurants and stores near the Hampton Inn, you should have a great time.

Hi Keith: My husband and I stayed @ the Hampton Inn-Sandy near Cottonwood Canyon(Alta,Snowbird,Solitude,Brighton) last year 1 wk prior to the Olympics. It was a great location with breakfast and a jacuzzi and heated indoor pool & laundry are to wash/dry ski clothes! We also checked out the Hampton Inn - Park City for future trips and it is a very beautiful Hilton/Hampton Inn property. Great for families. Last year was our 1st year in SLC and we went skiing at Deer Valley, the Canyons, Alta & Solitude with no problems driving right after a huge snowstorm when roads were closed in the morning in Cottonwood Canyon. We have heard that snowboarders love Brighton (but we haven't been there yet). The following link provides reader reviews of ski resorts in several states ... You can check out the comments for Brighton or other ski resorts in Utah.
http://utah.citysearch.com/roundup/39081/?brand=msn.
Pray for snow!! We are going back to SLC this month 12/18-24th and skiing only @ resorts in Cottonwood Canyon (Alta, Snowbird, Brighton). We thought the snow was exceptionally better there than @ the resorts in Park City. We are also taking the UTA ski bus this year instead of renting a 4x4. We can take the train/bus from our hotel (Sheraton downtown ..we paid $49/nt w/ breakfast which is great considering we'll get upgraded to a suite). I would definately reccommend a trip with your family to Brighton and/or Snowbird ... it's not that far away from Park City. And, then you get to experience the best of both resort areas and decide for yourself which you like better. Also, you proabably allready know this but if you don't ..Canyon Sports sells discount lift tickets ... here's the web link with ticket prices.. Have fun! http://www.canyonsports.com/tickets.html#coupon

Hi we leave the 27th of December--it looks as though hardly any trails are open, although I did notice snow in the snow reports. Any locals able to give a 'real' opinion on the conditions. I never trust the snow reports!

Thanks.

Quote from e-mail received yesterday from daughter working at Deer Valley, living in Park City: "It's snowing and snowing".

It has been snowing for the past several days and more is expected Christmas Eve. Should be one of the best Christmas ski seasons we have had in years.

definitely go to Snowbird for the snowboarder. It blows the doors off of Park City. Last year I snowboarded at Park City, Snowbird and I skied at Alta. Alta/Snowbird are simply much bigger, (and more importantly) snowier mountains than Park City/The Canyons/Deer Valley. The trip took something like 35-45 minutes round trip - we also stayed in Park City which is simply a fantastic place to stay.

Hi! Well it's finally snowing & most of the runs are getting open now. Alta had 18" just yesterday, on top of what fell the last 2 days. More snow on tap for this Friday, Sat & Sun, plus a BIG storm during Christmas Eve/Day!

Woohoo!

Thanks all-- I feel SOOOOO much better now!!!!!