Park City, Utah, offers a world-class winter experience, but a dream ski trip doesn’t have to break the bank. Known for its luxury resorts and high-end dining, Park City still has plenty of secrets for the savvy traveler looking to save money. By planning ahead and making smart choices about lodging, transportation, and activities, you can enjoy the magnificent powder without draining your wallet.
1. Smart Lodging and Timing
The single biggest expense of any Park City trip is often lodging. The key to saving is choosing the right location and travel dates.
- Book a Rental with a Kitchen: Ditch the expensive hotel resort fees and opt for a vacation rental with a full kitchen. This allows you to cook breakfast, pack lunches for the slopes (a massive savings over mountain dining!), and prepare group dinners. This small change alone can save hundreds of dollars. Our Moose Management home rental inventory has plenty of options to choose from that will fit your needs perfectly.
- Target the Shoulder Season: The most expensive times are Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and President’s Week. Look to book in early December or mid-to-late January. You’ll still get excellent snow, but at significantly lower lodging rates.
- Stay Off Main Street: Properties slightly removed from the immediate downtown area or directly slopeside (like those near Kimball Junction or Canyons Village) often offer better square footage and amenities for a lower price.
2. Conquer Transportation Costs
Park City boasts one of the most efficient and budget-friendly transportation systems anywhere. Use it!
- Utilize the Free Bus System: Park City’s extensive public transit system is completely free and easy to navigate. Use it to get to the resorts, historic Main Street, and grocery stores. This eliminates the need for rental cars, expensive parking fees, and costly ride-shares.
- Minimize Airport Transfers: If flying into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), look for shuttle services that drop you directly at your accommodation, rather than renting a car for the entire trip.
3. Savvy Skiing and Activity Swaps
The cost of lift tickets can quickly add up to be much more than you had bargained for (pun intended!). So planning your slope access is crucial.
- Buy Lift Tickets Early (or Not at All): Unless you have an Ikon or Epic Pass, never buy lift tickets at the window. Purchase them online weeks or months in advance for substantial savings.
- Skip a Ski Day: Dedicate one day of your trip to non-skiing activities. You can enjoy free snowshoeing on certain trails, explore the many free art galleries on Main Street, or take advantage of the free sledding hill at the base of the mountain. You save the cost of a full day’s lift ticket and rental equipment. In fact, we wrote an entire article on different ways to enjoy the snow in Park City besides skiing. Check it out!
- Budget-Friendly Gear: If you don’t own gear, look for rental shops located off the mountainside (in town or outside of Park City). Their rental rates are almost always lower than the shops located right at the base of the resort.
By making smart choices about where you stay and how you move around, you can easily save money without compromising the quality of your incredible Park City winter adventure.
Our super-knowledgeable and local Moose Management staff is always here for you, so consider giving our offices a call or sending a text to 435-714-6544. We would be more than happy to help you plan your next Park City trip one-on-one, and help you save some cash, too!
