Have you ever been to Utah or live there? I have not but it is one place I would like to visit some day. Enjoy this guest post from Gary Harper about things you can do if you visit Utah.
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There are so many resorts in Utah, it’s hard to choose just one. But, you have to, so here’s how to pick the right one for you.
Explore The Area
Get to know the area. Almost everyone will point you to Park City area, and here’s where you’ll find three of the most famous resorts in Utah. You’ll also be hard-pressed to find resorts that are as different from each other as these are.
How Posh Does It Have To Be?
There are three major ski resorts in the area – Deer Valley, The Canyons, and Park City Mountain Resort. There’s also Snowbasin, Solitude, and Powder Mountain, but these latter are very low key.
The first thing to know is that Deer Valley is posh. It defines posh. So, if you want to feel like a king or queen, and you don’t mind paying for it, this is the place to go. Some people find it a little off-putting, but it’s a great place to ski, the staff are almost like your personal servants, and there is no shortage of 5-star dining. There’s no snowboarding here though, so keep that in mind.
The Canyons is a little more laid back, and they allow snowboarding. It’s probably not the most relaxed environment you’ve ever experienced, but it’s noticeably different from Deer Valley.
Then there’s Pine City Mountain. This place is quaint to the point of being a little hokey, but in a good way. There’s more here for beginners and intermediates, but what they lack in slope diversity they make up for in charm. There are hot chocolate stands and A-frames that line the landscape and provide a reprieve from the chilling temperatures.
What Diversity Do You Want?
The best slope diversity is probably found at The Canyons, but Deer Valley can challenge serious skiers too. The smaller slopes, while not as diversified, will also cater to a particular kind of skier. For example, Alta has famously steep slopes.
If you’re looking for beginner and intermediate slopes, Pine City Mountain is probably your best bet.
Where Is The Lodging?
Lodging needs to be close if you plan on going to more than one resort over a weekend or you plan on spending the night in the hills. You pay for convenience, so if at all possible you should try to find something that’s not part of the resort.
Park City Utah lodging is one option, and they are located fairly close to most of the local resorts.
How Much Are You Willing To Spend?
Prices for the three major slopes – Pine City Mountain, Deer Valley, and The Canyons are all about the same. Outside of that, it can vary. Be aware that part of The Canyons is also a time-share (co-op “vacation ownership”), meaning that there will be people there trying to give you free lift tickets. You can take them up on their offer, but be prepared for the most epic and hardcore sales pitch of your life afterwards.
Gary Harper works as a travel consultant. He loves sharing his insights on travel on the web. His posts can be found on many vacation and travel blogs.
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