Park City Mountain Resort: Comparing The Canyons vs. Park City Side for Skiers (Copy)
Explore the Best of Both Sides:
The Canyons vs. Park City
Words by Michele Underwood | Photos by Michele, too.
Looking out over Park City from the slopes of Park City Mountain Resort—town below, Wasatch peaks beyond.
Park City Mountain Resort has two clear personalities. Canyons Village is modern and efficient—fast lifts and simple navigation. Park City Mountain Village carries the mining‑town history and quick access to Old Town. Here’s how they differ and how I ski each. On this trip, I stayed on the Canyons side in a slopeside Airbnb condo, so most days started there.
At a Glance: Key Differences
Canyons Village
Terrain: wide blues; laps off Saddleback/Tombstone
Learn: High Meadow Park (Mellow Moose, Alley Cat)
Lifts: Orange Bubble, Tombstone, Saddleback
Après: I head to Old Town (Park City side)
Quick stop: Tombstone BBQ (people‑watching + a beer between laps)
Parking: Cabriolet lot (open‑air ride to base)
Access: Cabriolet open‑air gondola—iconic and quick; drops you at the village by Red Pine Gondola (and near Orange Bubble)
Park City Mountain Village
Terrain: mixed routes; McConkey’s glades (Powder Monkey)
Learn: First Time / Payday greens
Lifts: McConkey’s, Silverlode, Town Lift (to Main Street)
Après: Viking Yurt; Old Town cafés/bars
Parking: Mountain Village early; China Bridge for Main Street
Canyons Village at Park City: Terrain, Lifts & Access
Modern base with fast lifts and a simple layout. On our trip it felt less crowded, and with High Meadow Park it’s the better place to start for beginners compared with the Park City side. Laps off Saddleback and Tombstone are fun. Orange Bubble is a lift to check out—heated seats help on cold, windy days.
Orange Bubble Express at Canyons Village—heated bubble chairs riding through the trees on a snowy day.
Canyons Village
Upscale, but not fussy. It’s an easy place to start your day and an easy place to end it.
High Meadow Park (Beginner/Progression)
High Meadow Park is where we warmed up. It’s one of the better beginner zones I’ve skied—clear layout and easy progression. Hidden Bear was the one I kept going back to—a beginner‑friendly glade where you can duck off the groomed run for short tree shots and pop back on. Mellow Moose is great for smooth, confidence‑building turns. Alley Cat is playful when you’re dialing in technique. A great place to start before heading higher.
Terrain I Keep Repeating
Off Saddleback Express, I like Kokopelli, Pine Draw, and Snow Dancer for fun laps. Linking Chicane toward Tombstone Express adds a quick tree‑lined detour that stays fun even when it’s tracked.
Orange Bubble Express
Heated seats and an orange cover that knocks down wind and snow. It keeps you warm on the way up so you can stay out longer.
Cabriolet (open‑air gondola)
Open‑air ride from parking to Canyons Village—quick, scenic, and it drops you at the village by Red Pine Gondola (near Orange Bubble). Board it from the Cabriolet Lot (free surface parking) at the bottom of Canyons Village off Canyons Resort Drive.
Tombstone BBQ (quick stop)
Good place to sit for a minute, people‑watch, and grab a beer between runs.
Cabriolet open-air gondola riding up from the parking lot into Canyons Village, with the base area and hotels ahead.
Park City Mountain Village: Terrain, History & Old Town
Town‑facing base with a mining‑town feel—historic artifacts are peppered across the mountain and you see them as you ski. I come here for the McConkey’s zone—Georgianna and the Powder Monkey glades—and a stop at the Viking Yurt or Old Town.
History on the Slopes
Old mine structures sit right beside the trails—especially along Homerun. It gives this side a different feel, like you’re skiing through a museum.
McConkey’s Express + A Favorite Glade
From McConkey’s Express, you’ve got options. Georgianna is the blue exit; dip right into Powder Monkey for short, playful tree shots. Pro tip: It can be windy up top—once you drop, it eases.
Watch on YouTube:
Town Lift to Old Town
Roll right into Main Street. I’ll grab coffee at Atticus, walk the shops, then head back up. On‑mountain, the Viking Yurt is a reliable cookie stop.
Parking tip (what worked for us): Park at China Bridge and walk to Town Lift. It was easy and not expensive for the day. I prefer this over parking at the base, where the line can be long.
Top of McConkey’s Express on a bluebird day—skiers choosing lines to blacks, double-blacks, or the Georgianna blue.
Getting Between Sides
You can spend a full day on either side. If you want to switch while you’re out, there’s an on‑mountain route that uses a chain of lifts and runs, including the mid‑mountain Quicksilver Gondola. It keeps you on snow and out of the car, but it’s a connection—not a single‑ride hop.
Best Ways to Access Each Side
Canyons: Park at the Cabriolet lot for a quick open‑air ride to the base—arrives at the village by Red Pine Gondola. If you’re staying at the base in Canyons Village (Airbnb/condo), skip Cabriolet—it’s a short walk to the lifts.
Park City Village/Old Town: Go early for Mountain Village parking. For Town Lift access, park at China Bridge—easy walk and day rates that didn’t break the bank (check current pricing). I prefer this over the base lot when lines stack up.
Beginners: Which Side Works Best?
Park City has more greens overall, but High Meadow Park at the Canyons is a strong progression area. You’ll be set either way. I’d start at High Meadow Park and spend most of the day there to get your ski legs set for the rest of the trip.
Final Take
Regulars usually have a favorite. I split time between both: the Canyons for simple navigation and modern lift comfort, Park City for the mining‑town character and tree shots off McConkey’s.
My Park City Ski Kit
Click the link to see the product.
Ski Poles: Black Crows Stan Poles →
Goggles: Dragon RVX MAG OTG →
Ski Jacket: Stoney HS Hooded Jacket Women →
Ski Pants: Stoney HS Pants Women →
Insulation: Crag IN Hooded Jacket Women →
Boots: add model/brand →
Helmet: Method Pro Mips Round →
Gloves: add model/brand →
Base layers: Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Top →
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Crew Base Layer Bottom →Socks: add brand/weight →
Ski Bag: →
Boot Bag: →
FAQ (My Experience): Canyons vs. Park City
Is Canyons less crowded than Park City?
On this trip, Canyons felt less crowded most days—especially around Saddleback/Tombstone and High Meadow Park. Your day may vary with weather and date. Were we there the second week in February.
Which side is better for beginners?
Both work; I usually start at Canyons. High Meadow Park has a clear layout and short, confidence‑building runs (Mellow Moose, Alley Cat, Hidden Bear). Park City has First Time/Payday greens too.
Is Quicksilver good for switching sides?
Yes—when I’m already on the mountain. You’ll take a couple of lifts/runs to reach a Quicksilver terminal, ride it, then take another lift/run on the other side. On this trip, we started from the Canyons base: Timberline → Iron Mountain Express → short run to Quicksilver. Return to Canyons base: Quicksilver → Iron Mountain Express → Over and Out → base.
More FAQs (General Info — ops can change)
Last checked: Aug 10, 2025
Do I need a parking reservation?
Mountain Village often requires reservations for the garage and peak hours; Canyons surface lots are free (capacity can change with construction—check current ops).
Where can I stash gear at each base?
Day‑use lockers at both bases; bag check options posted at Mountain Village.
How long does it take to go between sides?
The route uses multiple lifts/runs plus Quicksilver. The gondola ride is ~8–9 minutes; base‑to‑base via lifts/runs is typically ~40–90 minutes, depending on crowds and route.
Is there a beginner glade?
Yes—Hidden Bear in High Meadow Park is a beginner‑friendly tree option near Mellow Moose/Alley Cat.
Town Lift: worth starting here?
Excellent for Main Street access, and views up are amazing; slower as a first‑chair strategy.
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Michele Underwood writes Overland Girl, where she shares gear she uses on real trips—from the Northwoods of Wisconsin to the Ozarks. She values quality and craftsmanship in everything she buys—from outdoor gear to everyday clothes and furniture. Her choices may seem expensive to some, but she believes in buying less and buying better. Longevity matters, both in terms of function and style. Her couch is five years old and still sold at Design Within Reach—that's the kind of timelessness she looks for. Some of the links in this review are affiliate links, which means she may earn a small commission if you buy through them. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, and it helps support her work. She only recommends gear she’d bring herself.
