Best Ski Town for Non-Skiers - Park City or Vail?

[Anonymous]

This will be our first ski trip, we’ll have our 17-yr old DS. We are not skiers but would like an introduction, and to visit a ski town that’s easy to get to and fairly walkable, and that non-skiers (like us, lol) would still find enjoyable to explore and hang out in for 5 days.

Park City and Vail seem to fit the bill, and seem simple to get to and navigate. Would these be good towns for ski beginners, any preference for one over the other? Or is there another town that you recommend altogether?

[Anonymous]

How much are you going to ski? Just one day introduction?

Vail is more convenient for beginner skiers - you can stay very close to the rentals/beginners slopes. But the village is like Disney World IMO.

Park City is an actual cute mountain town. But if you stay in the main part of town you may need to shuttle down to the rental area. I guess you could also stay at one of the bases and shuttle over to town. There is the town lift but it can be a pain to get back over there when you're done IIRC.

In the end, you'll have fun at either. I say Park City because it's more interesting town and you can sort out the logistics even if not ideal.

[Anonymous]

In terms of airports and logistics, Park City is easier to get to. Breck is easier than Vail but still less easy than PC.

Yes, there is an airport near Vail. I don't think there are any nonstops from near DC and it's prone to weather issues.

[Anonymous]

Definitely Beaver Creek/Vail area. Lot more choices. Beaver Creek I think is the Number 1 ski resort for families.

And I find it more beautiful than Park City/Deer Valley.

But you can’t go wrong at either.

[Anonymous]

PP here. Just saw you have one 17 yo.

Vail is still an option but it is upscale. Park City may be a better vibe for him.

I don’t know much about Tahoe?

[Anonymous]

Breckenridge.

Beginner terrain on peak 9 excellent and an great place to learn. Great town with lots of character, shops, restaurants and activities nearby.

Vail is nice if you are into that scene. But it is very manufactured.

[Anonymous]

Vail has more fun activities and much better food in town than Park City. Park City is the easier drive, unless you are flying into Vail Eagle. It's a schlep from Denver, and dont plan to drive at night.

[Anonymous]

Also, for a beginner, Keystone is great and without the overwhelming Vail scene.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered Whistler? Agree with Breck for non-skiiers. Half of our family skis and there’s plenty for the other half to do.

[Anonymous]

I would pick Park City for a more authentic town than Vail, or take the Saturday non-stop and go to Steamboat, which has the best ski town of all in my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would pick Park City for a more authentic town than Vail, or take the Saturday non-stop and go to Steamboat, which has the best ski town of all in my opinion.

Agree on Steamboat if you can make the flights work out. Take the sled up for dinner on the mountain.

If flights don’t work then Park City.

[Anonymous]

For a nonskier, Park City. Easy to get there. Other options include snowmobiling in the Uintahs, snowshoeing, shopping on main street, several (overpriced) spas, ice skating, ice castles in midway, catch a show at the Egyptian, take a sleigh ride from Deer Valley, dog sledding. You could time it to go during Sundance and catch some movies. Anywhere you go skiing is going to have lessons and beginner terrain. Vail is nice, too. Park City is just easier and has more to do for nonskiers.

[Anonymous]

Between the two, Park City probably. Beaver Creek and Steamboat otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Go to Deer Valley. Really long green slopes to learn on, don’t need to watch out for snowboarders, get a private instructor for a day or two.

[Anonymous]

We are avid skiers and have visited all the places mentioned multiple times. Park City is the easiest to get to from SLC Airport. It is a nice town and the mountain has a variety of terrain for everyone. We are big fans of Steamboat Springs. The town is great and the mountain has lots of beginner terrain and a great ski school. Breckenridge is also a great ski town and the mountain has something for everyone. I would recommend places that were towns before they were ski resorts. Vail was built to be a ski resort. It is a very big mountain with lots of terrain but there is no "there, there." There are amenities but it isn't a town like what you are thinking about.

I would go to Park City or Steamboat Springs for a great mountain town and ski resort experience. Steamboat is more difficult to get to unless you fly directly into HDN. Park City is 30-45 minutes from SLC and there is a direct flight from DCA on Delta daily. When we go to Steamboat we usually fly into Denver and drive the 3 hours to Steamboat.

Breckenridge is also a great mountain town but also a pain to get to. It is closer to Denver but that also makes it more crowded. Breckenridge is in the "front range" which are the resorts off I-70 which include Loveland, A-Basin, Keystone, Copper Mountain, Vail and Beaver Creek. (I may be missing one) I-70 can have horrific traffic that makes an hour and a half trip turn into 3 and a half.