During the month of April, the slopes are a little less crowded, with the exception perhaps of Easter weekend.  The temperatures are a little warmer so you do not need too many layers as in the colder months which makes things a little more comfortable.  People enjoy eating their lunch outside at Red Pine Lodge at the picnic tables as if the snow was sand and you were having a day at the beach – yes, sometimes it even feels that warm but it is very comfortable at that altitude with low humidity and thin, dry air.

There are also usually discount package deals from most of the Park city hotels and resorts during the spring months.  You may be able to save half off the regular high season prices during December, January and holiday periods. Note that typically, Deer Valley Resort closes up to one week earlier than The Canyons Ski Resort and Park City Mountain Resort.  It’s just how Deer Valley rolls.  If your stay is long enough, it is also a good time to visit Utah National Parks. Within in a half day drive from Park City, you can be at Arches, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef National Parks, among others. These parks become crowded during the summer months and can have extremely high temperatures during the day, but during the spring, crowds are low and temperatures are pleasant.

So if you are debating what time of the skiing season to plan your vacation, do not discount the month of April. Now, we cannot make guarantees that April will offer you the best skiing of the season, but more often than not, it is not the worst time of the season for sure.  I overheard someone on an airplane once talking to a couple of guys that were going to Utah to do some skiing in December. He said he went to Utah in November/December and the skiing was not so great. Not too surprised. Unless we get some huge snowstorms in November, the skiing can never compare to what it is like from January through April.  They do some snowmaking at the resorts, but the machines can never cover all the terrain, especially not off trail, so advanced skiers especially will not be too impressed with the skiing conditions sometimes early in the season.

Next it is time to focus on Park City Summer Activities since the ski season is officially over here in Park City. Would you believe that Snowbird here in Utah, sometimes has stayed opened during the weekends throughout the month of May and sometimes into June?! They sometimes get a ton of snow too during the spring snowstorms. Anyway, there is plenty of things to do in Park City during the summer months so come on out and plan your summer fun mountain vacation!

Related posts:

1. Park City Mountain Resort Vacation Packages
2. The Canyons Ski Resort Spring Break and Spring Gruv
3. Park City Ski Resorts Opening Dates 2009-2010 Ski Season – Deer Valley, The Canyons & Park City Mountain Resort

All of the Park City ski vacation packages below are for direct bookings only. You can call 1-800-331-3178 to check availability and to make your reservations.  Except for the first package, the price includes lodging tax. All have black-out dates as noted. Most of them also state that you can add extra nights or upgrades for accommodations.

Family Ski Vacation Packages

Family Value Package- $257 per adult per night based on 2 adults for 4 nights.
Four night’s slopeside lodging for two adults and two kids at the Silver Star, plus two adult three-day lift tickets at Park City Mountain Resort. From $257 per adult/per night.
Note: The $257/night cost does not include taxes and fees.
Package is valid from 12/05/09 to 04/11/10
Black Out Dates: 12/25/09-01/03/10; 01/20/10-01/30/10; 02/10/10-02/20/10; 03/07/10-03/25/10. So basically this offer is not available during the holidays or during the Sundance Film Festival unless you want to pay extra.

Family Fun Package for 4 Nights – $159.00 per adult per night based on 2 adults
4 nights lodging in a fully equipped one-bedroom condominium located 1 mile from the Park City Mountain Resort, round trip airport transfers from the Salt Lake City International Airport and 3 day lift tickets at Park City Mountain Resort for 2 adults and 2 children (12 and under).

Package is offered from 11/21/09 to 04/11/10

Black Out Dates: 11/26/09 to 11/29/09; 12/18/09 to 01/03/10; 01/21/10 to 01/31/10 and 02/12/10 to 02/15/10.

Kids Sleep & Ski/Board Free Package for 3 Nights – $135 per adult per night based on two adults.
3 nights lodging in a fully equipped two-bedroom condominium located 6 miles from Park City Mountain Resort. We will also include lift tickets for 2 days to the Park City Mountain Resort for 2 adults and 2 children (12 and under).
Package is offered from 11/21/09 to 04/11/10
Black Out Dates: 12/20/09 to 01/02/10; 01/21/10 to 01/31/10; 02/12/10 to 02/20/10.

Ski Vacation Packages For Everyone – With or Without Kids

Depending upon what kind of accommodations you would like, for example condo or hotel, or when you want to visit, one of these packages should suit your needs. Just give them a call, 1-800-331-3178, and I am sure they will able to find a deal that will give you want you want.

Ski Free, Stay Free Package

Get one free night along with one free day of skiing/riding at Park City Mountain Resort.  Ski Free/Stay Free Packages combine  discounted lift tickets at Park City Mountain Resort with discounted accommodations with Identity Properties.

Note: Must purchase a three-night/three-day (adult) lift pass to qualify for an additional night’s lodging and a fourth day of skiing/riding for free.

Ski-free/Stay-free package is available opening day-December 18, January 3-13, February 21-March 14 and March 28-April 11, 2010.

Rider Weekend Offer for 3 Nights -$115.00 per person per night based on double occupancy.

3 nights lodging and 2 days of lift tickets at Park City Mountain Resort for each person. Hotel-style accommodations are located just 1.5 miles to the resort and are on the free city shuttle route. Guests have access to an outdoor heated pool and hot tub. This offer is very flexible with upgrades to studio units, extra nights or additional lift tickets for an added cost.  I’m assuming just because they call this a “Rider” package does not mean you have to be a snowboarder. But hey, you never know, so just ask to verify if you are a skier. :)

Package is valid from 12/12/09 t 04/11/10

Black Out Dates: 12/20/09 to 01/02/10; 01/21/10 to 01/31/10; 02/12/10 to 02/20/10.

Winter Great Escape Package for 3 Nights – Value Season $120.00 per person per night based on double occupancy.

Value Season dates 1/4-1/19 and 3/28-4/4. Regular Season $135.00 per person per night 12/19 to 12/24; 1/31 to 2/11; 2/18 to 3/27.

3 nights and 2 days of lift tickets for each guest at a one-bedroom condominium located two blocks from the base of Park City Mountain Resort.

You can find out more information on all of these packages at Park City Mountain Resort Vacation Packages

Park City Ski Vacation Packages – More info for all the resorts and other ways to book a ski vacation package.

Related posts:

1. Utah Residents Ski or Snowboard Lesson $25 at the Park City Mountain Resort!
2. Park City Utah Spring Skiing
3. The Canyons Ski Resort Free Lift Tickets and Breakfast Lodging Package

Park City Snowboard Team Annual Swap

I went to this one last year on the first day and got an awesome deal on a Burton Snowboard (lightly used for $50) and some brand new boots – ThirtyTwo Focus Boa last year’s model for $60! This is not a huge swap with a ton of stuff like the big Park City Ski Swap, but I was able to find some great gear at huge discounts. Just took up snowboarding so wanted to start cheap and this was a great way to do it.
Details:
Fri Oct. 23rd Noon – 5pm
Sat Oct 24th 10am- 5pm
Sun Oct 25th 9am-2pm
$5/person, children 10 and under free, senior citizens 65 and over free.
Location: The Yard Located at 1251 Kearns Blvd (where the old Anderson Lumber used to be)

St. Lawrence Thrift Stores Annual Ski Sale

I went to this one a couple years ago. Good because there is no admission fee, but still not as much inventory as the Park City Ski Team Swap. If I remember, there were more used items than discounted new gear from sellers. Regardless, it’s worth going to since it’s free. Never know what you might find!
Details:
Friday, Nov. 6th, noon-6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 7th, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Drop your donations off at the old St. Mary’s Church 121 Park Avenue, Park City No fees, free admission.
Location: Park and Recreation Building, 90 North 100 West, Heber City – right across the street from the Thrift Store

Park City Ski Team Annual Ski Swap

I went to this one 2 years ago and found some good deals. I came on the second day and there were still tons of stuff so do not worry too much if you cannot make it the first day. There’s a lot of gear both new and used. I got some new waterproof gloves for $20, but found out they weren’t too breathable – hands were always sweating in them and cold. Waterproof yes, breathable, no. Gotta have both. Anyway, I digress, I’m guessing some of the vendors have items in surplus, last year’s models, etc.. I have found some great deals on new gear that way. But next time I will look more closely at the item details to make sure they are what I want. Sweaty hands are not what I want. Found some nice, high quality ski and snowboard socks though – yippee!
Details:
Nov. 6th, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.
Nov. 7th, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Nov. 8th, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Ski team keeps 30% of the profit.
Admission is $8 on Friday, $5 on Saturday and $2 on Sunday. Children under 12 are free
Location: Basin Recreation Field House in Kimball Junction – the big building you can see from I-80 just past the Park City exit – behind all the strip malls.

So mark these dates on your calendar, come out to the swaps and then enjoy the rest of the day in Park City. Still lots of things to do here in the shoulder season of winter.  It’s a great time to take advantage of seasonal discounts at restaurants.  I always try to sample some new eats before the winter season begins so I can find out new favorites and weed out the dislikes at a discounted price.  Go hiking, mountain biking, play golf, take a ride on the alpine slide or zipline, enjoy the fall colors, come and enjoy!

Park City Mountain Resort: November 21

The Canyons Resort: November 27

Deer Valley Resort: December 5

Now these dates are based on whether or not the resorts are able to get enough natural snow and/or able to use their snowmaking equipment to make enough snow.  If the weather cooperates, it will be cold enough for continued snowmaking and hopefully will not warm up enough during the day so that the snowmaking stays ahead of the melting rate.

Deer Valley typically opens the latest to make sure conditions are good enough so that they do not disappoint skiers. Not to say Park City Mtn. Resort and The Canyons do not care, Deer Valley is just choosing to wait longer for their opening day for insurance that the conditions are good by then.  If the weather is not cold and snowy enough by December 5th, well that would just make us sad to say the least.

Is it worth it to book a vacation to ski the Park City Resorts during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, which starts November 26th (note The Canyons is planning to open the day after Thanksgiving on the 27th).  I do not know, to tell you the truth. I have never skied here during Thanksgiving because I can wait and ski the best snow days since I live so close.  A couple of years ago we had a friend who visited us during Thanksgiving and was looking forward to going skiing, but missed out because it was super windy and stormy the days he could go.  He had to return home when the storm cleared.  It’s up to you. If you are just dying to go skiing, especially if you are getting a season pass, they sure come on out.  Just remember that the snow probably won’t be the best yet (although after that storm we had during Thanksgiving the snow was great) and it is a slight possibility that the resorts won’t even be open.  But hey, even if you do book your trip there is still plenty to do in Park City besides skiing.

Do not forget to get your discount ski passes before prices go up.  Refer to this post for more information: Park City Ski Passes Pre-Season Discounts

Related posts:

1. Park City Mountain Resort Vacation Packages
2. Park City Utah Spring Skiing
3. Park City Ski Passes Pre-Season Discounts