Turn by turn, I gained confidence as I skied down my first run in the Wasatch Mountains at Canyons Resort. Packed and groomed, the snow carved perfectly under my skis as I picked up speed. Gliding down the runs, I couldn’t take the smile off my face as we darted around the extensive mountain. And when I say extensive, I mean huge!
Featuring 182 trails and 21 lifts, Canyons Resort has a little bit of terrain for everyone – that is if you like to ski blue square and black diamonds, which I oh-so-do! Each run uniquely curves along a big mountain bowl with four distinct hill slopes that starts at the 9,900 foot summit and slides down to the resort and highway in the outskirts of Park City below. Plus with an average of 355 inches of snow each year, there is plenty of powder time to attempt each of the resort’s trails a few times in a season.
My favorite lift at Canyons Resort though started right out the back door of my lodge for the week at the Grand Summit. Perfectly named the Orange Bubble, this lift featured leather heated seats and a bright orange plastic pull down cover to keep you warm and dry in even the wildest mountain weather. A definite must-ride when visiting Canyons Resort. Falling off the top of the Orange Bubble, two beautiful blue square trails led down the mountain and over to more terrain and lifts.
A Vail Resort, Canyons Resort is one of 12 U.S. properties available to guests with the Epic Pass, a season-pass that offers unlimited days at all of its resort properties around Utah, Colorado, and California. This year’s pass also includes several valuable days included at resorts in Switzerland, France, and Japan.
———
Eat: When you get hungry, ski down to the village at Canyons resort or stay up on the mountains. The Farm features fresh, made-from-scratch fare or if you and your group are super hungry go for the six-person burrito at the Red Tail Grill with margaritas and chips and salsa. Up on the mountain, I loved the fondue, hot chocolate and delicious entries at the Lookout Cabin.
Sleep: Right at the base of Canyons Resort with the Orange Bubble out its back down, the Grand Summit is absolutely lovely lodge to call home base for a ski vacation in Park City. The standard rooms feature plush pillow-top queen beds, deep tub, and plenty of room to hang winter clothing. The hotel also features storage for your skis and multiple dining options within the lodge. The number one thing that stood out to me though at this lodge was the hospitality! You couldn’t find friendlier staff. Loved it!
Rent: Since I don’t bring my own skis, I rented skis for my three-day trip to Park City from Skis on the Run. The company took my sizes and delivered the best rental skis I’ve ever used to me right at the Grand Summit. Fitted by an expert, I was all set with K2 rentals. At the end of the week, they even came by a picked them back up. Top notch service as well!
Evergreen Hiker 