Planning a weeks vacation possibly end of August, 2 mid age adults, looking for scenic nature areas, with lots of greenery/trees, streams, bike trails, etc, nice shops and restaurants. Looking for a resort hotel that has a nice pool.

Should we go to VAIL or Beaver Creek CO, or PARK CITY UT? I'm thinking that the CO option could be pricier for lodging/food etc.

Thanks!

Hi free,

That's a hard choice to make. I live in Park City and once (when considering where in the Rockies to move) spent 2 weeks in Vail in July. Both are very nice! I do think Vail is more costly and actually more quiet in the summer. Park City is normally lively in the summer since we are closer to a large city than Vail. We also have a lot of major festivals and concerts all summer long. The Jazz Festival is the 3rd weekend in August and the PC Arts Festival is the first weekend in August.


You would have plenty of the activities you want at either place.

PS - Stein Erickson's Lodge is a bargain during summer and they have a pool& spa. So does the Marriott Mountainside at the base of Park City Mtn Resort - ski area.

Dayle-thanks for the replies. Now my problem is I might not be able to go until 3rd week of September. Probably won't be as many events happening at that time as there would have been in August. Any idea what the weather is like then in September? There is a brand new lodge called the DAKOTA MOUNTAIN LODGE opening July 2009. Curious if thats a nice place to stay, close enough to town?

I believe the Dakota is at The Canyons, so it's not within walking distance of town.

September is usually still quite nice. Many summer activities will be done, like concerts and festivals. You can still mountain bike, hike and golf of course. Weather can be variable, bring a warm jacket for night if it turns cold. Colors start changing about then.

Datyle j=knows Park City. She helpe me with my trip 3 years ago.

I have been to Vail and Beaver Creek in the summer (as well as Copper Mountain and Breckenridge. I am not a big Vail fan. It is essentially a small village with epensive restaurants. Park City and Breckenridgeis are more enjoyable towns, with more tourist attractions. Stein Erickson is top notch but up in the mountains and not too close to town. There is another resort, with a golf course on the edge of town (name escapes me) that is almost as nice but better location. In Breckenride look at Mountain Thunder Lodge. It has townhouses and condo units at great summer prices.

Hi mrt!

I think you are talking about the Hotel Park City, which is right next to the PC municipal golf course, public. It's a pretty good location, but there are many very nice places to stay within walking distance of town.

If you want to stay somewhere further from Main Street, no problem. The free town shuttle buses go everywhere you want to go! Just ask your lodging for a schedule.

Have fun

I think Dayle has some great advice.
I went to Vail last fall and was not all that impressed but perhaps it's because I'm a Utah gal. If you come to Park City you will not be disappointed.
You mentioned you are interested in bike trails and by that I assume mountain bike trails. Park City has some amazing bike trails that are good for riders of all levels. One of my favorites is the Mid-Mountain trail (spans from Deer Valley to The Canyons though you can pick and choose where to start and end). I rode it last September probably 4 times and the weather was perfect and the colors were changing. Accommodations are really affordable that time of the year. Friends of mine stayed at the Marriott Summit last year in Sep for $69/night. Not bad when you consider it runs $400/night in the winter.

Good luck deciding!

Beaver Creek in September will be empty but you might enjoy the quiet and having the mountain to yourself. Very small village with lots of activities in summer but not sure what is going on in September.
It is gorgeous. The area around Park City is also very special. For quiet and relaxation, Beaver Creek is fabulous.