1. Pre-book your rental car at SLC β it’s the smoothest airport pickupΒ The on-site facility at Salt Lake City Airport means zero shuttle buses and a fast exit. Pre-book and you’ll be quickly on the road to Park City.Β
2. Book ski school firstΒ Park City Mountain Resort’s children’s programs fill up fast β especially holiday weekends and school breaks. Reserve online early, save money, and lock in your schedule. The instructors are highly qualified and genuinely love teaching kids.Β
3. Pick up rentals the day BEFORE ski schoolΒ Getting kids fitted for ski boots takes time. Don’t pile it onto the morning of Day 1. Book online ahead of time and pick everything up the afternoon before.Β
The Orange Bubble Express β the iconic heated bubble chairlift at Canyons Village that carries skiers from the base up to mid-mountain Lookout Peak in 9 minutes β our private ski instructor Duke, and the snow play breaks in between that made the whole day work.
4. Kids 7 and under ski FREE at Park City Mountain ResortΒ A genuinely huge saving for families with young children. Epic Passholders also save 20% on group lessons. Do the math before purchasing any lift tickets.
5. Go ski-in/ski-out if you can β especially with young kidsΒ The Grand Summit Hotel at Canyons Village is the move. Door to lift in minutes, no parking, no shuttles. Sharing a two-bedroom suite with another family makes the cost completely manageable and the full kitchen saves money all week.
6. Try an Alpenglobe breakfast at CafΓ© Galleria in MidwayΒ Heated glass globes, mountain views, and a cozy 90-minute breakfast β weekday reservations start around $35. Book well in advance, they sell out during peak season. Skip the Stein Eriksen version ($200β$250) unless budget is no object β CafΓ© Galleria gives you 90% of the magic at a fraction of the price.
7. Add the Heber Valley Dairy Farm Tour to your itineraryΒ A perfect morning activity for little kids β hayride, baby calves, robotic milk barn, and artisan cheese. Adults $18, kids 4β12 $10, 3 and under free. No reservations needed (closed Sundays). It pairs perfectly with the Midway alpenglobe breakfast for a full valley day.
Snow tubing at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center β 1,200 foot tubing lanes, a magic carpet lift, and Heber Valley views from an actual 2002 Winter Olympics venue in Midway Utah. About 35 minutes from Park City, reserve your 2-hour session in advance.
8. For tubing, Soldier Hollow beats Woodward on valueΒ Both are great options. Woodward has Utah’s longest tubing run, but a family of four will pay as much as 12 people at Soldier Hollow. If you’re with a large group or budget matters, Soldier Hollow is the smarter choice. Book a 2-hour session in advance β they sell out.
9. The Broken Arrow Sleigh Rides at Deer Valley are worth planning aroundΒ A true trip highlight. Classic sleigh ride at Deer Valley, $43/person, kids 3 and under free. Allow 20 minutes of drive time from Canyons Village, and consider valet parking at Stein Eriksen Lodge. Book early β spots fill fast. For the full enchanted experience, Snowed Inn Sleigh Rides offers a sleigh ride + fireside Western dinner + live music. (Note: Depending on the amount of snow, Deer Valley may have more snow than where Snowed Inn Sleigh Ride conducts their rides).
10. At The Pendry, arrive early β seating is first come, first servedΒ No reservations at The Pendry Park City. The food and cocktails are excellentβ just plan accordingly. The aprΓ¨s scene is also fantastic: Party on the Playa (ThuβSat 2β5PM) and the rooftop Pool House DJ sets (FriβSun 3β7PM) are both great for a post-ski debrief with the whole family.
11. Try to use your lodgingβs free Main Street shuttle every evening (if they offer it)Β Historic Main Street is charming, walkable, and full of great options β but parking can be a headache. The free shuttle makes it effortless.Β
12. Check height requirements before the Mountain Coaster and Zip LineΒ Both are incredible β Utah’s longest mountain coaster and a seated zip line over the ski runs β but height rules apply. Kids 38″β53″ can ride the coaster as a passenger with an adult; kids 42″β53″ can ride the zip line with an adult. Check heights at home so there are no surprises at the ticket window.
13. Plan a lighter Day 1 β altitude is realΒ Park City sits at nearly 7,000 feet. Everyone (kids included) may feel more tired and dehydrated than expected on arrival. Use Day 1 for travel, light activities, and an early dinner. Stay hydrated and take it easy.
14. Book an accommodation with a kitchen β it’s a whole stay money saverΒ If you’re staying in a suite with a full kitchen, hit Whole Foods at Kimball Junction and Walmart on your first full day. Breakfast and snacks in the suite save significant money across a week and make mornings so much smoother with young kids.
