Park City’s Winter Glow-Up Has Arrived

The new Sunrise Gondola is the biggest on-mountain upgrade in years, delivering true ski-in, ski-out access from Pendry Plaza with zero friction. Photo courtesy of Pendry Park City.

Insider Info

Wellness is baked into the stay this season, with IV therapy, cryo treatments, and recovery-focused amenities designed for long mountain days.

Park City — home to the largest ski resort in the United States — sits just 30 miles from Salt Lake City, making it one of the most accessible mountain playgrounds in the West. Its story began with silver, which first drew miners to the area in the nineteenth century before skiing transformed it into a winter capital.

Today, Park City Mountain stretches across 7,300 skiable acres with 330 trails, 43 lifts, and eight terrain parks. Nearby, Deer Valley Resort offers a second option devoted exclusively to skiers and is currently expanding toward more than 5,000 acres of terrain.

A New Lift, a Big Moment

This winter marks one of Park City’s boldest seasons yet. In recent weeks, Park City Mountain debuted its eagerly anticipated 6,500-square-foot Sunrise Gondola in Pendry Plaza. The cutting-edge, 10-person gondola is the first new lift installation in Canyons Village since 2015, giving Pendry Park City guests unprecedented slope access with a smooth, seamless ride just steps from the lobby.

To celebrate, Pendry Park City is rolling out a series of ultra-luxe winter escapes via its residences and townhomes.

Elevated Living at Pendry Park City

In addition to lavish guestrooms and suites, Pendry Park City offers expansive residence and townhome options, including four-bedroom, four-bathroom layouts and two-story, three-bedroom homes spanning more than 3,600 square feet. Guests enjoy fully furnished spaces with marble bathrooms, expansive terraces, smart TVs, generous entertainment areas, and full access to Pendry’s signature services and amenities.

Residence and townhome guests also receive VIP access to a curated menu of add-on experiences. Highlights include Drip Hydration IV treatments tailored for immunity, beauty, or recovery; cryogenic therapies designed to boost circulation and ease muscle fatigue; and Paintbox, Pendry’s lively kids program offering all-day activities for children ages 5 through 12.

A dedicated adventure concierge makes booking effortless — from private in-room ski and snowboard fittings to guided snowshoe expeditions, cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, snow tubing, and dog sledding. For seasoned thrill-seekers, Pendry can even arrange a once-in-a-lifetime heli-skiing adventure atop Utah’s most awe-inspiring peaks.

Après, Pendry Style

To mark the Sunrise Gondola launch, Pendry Park City hosts a full slate of seasonal celebrations. Daily “Après Terrace Lunch” runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering a midday reset in signature Pendry style. After the lifts close, “Party on the Playa” brings beachy energy to the mountains with live DJs and festive specials in Pendry Plaza.

“Seasonal Sounds” delivers cozy fireside evenings with shareable comfort food and nightly live music at Après Pendry, while The Pool House Bar & Grill hosts rooftop DJ sets complete with panoramic mountain views, fine cuvée, curated bites, and front-row seats to Canyons Village’s Silver Sky Nights fireworks.

Exclusive Winter Experiences

Pendry Park City also partners with Snowed Inn Sleigh Company and Viking Yurt at Park City Mountain to offer two ultra-exclusive winter experiences. Through Snowed Inn Sleigh Company, guests can book private horse-drawn sleigh rides to a secluded mountainside cabin for a multi-course dinner and live entertainment.

The Viking Yurt experience delivers a true Nordic adventure. Guests ascend 1,800 vertical feet via a snowcat-pulled sleigh, enjoying sweeping nighttime views en route to the yurt. The custom-designed sleigh accommodates up to 32 guests with face-to-face seating that keeps the party lively. The journey sets the tone for an unforgettable dining experience inside the yurt itself. Pricing varies based on residence or townhome size, dates, party size, and optional enhancements such as spa packages and excursions.

Beyond Pendry: Park City at Its Peak

And the rest of Park City? It’s exceptionally good this season.

Beginners will find welcoming terrain at High Meadow Park in Canyons Village, a family-friendly learning area with gentle slopes and adventure trails. At Mountain Village, the First-Time Zone offers easy access to surface lifts and encouraging terrain for early lessons.

The Ski and Snowboard School provides programs for all levels, from group lessons for children to private sessions for families and individuals. Intermediate and advanced skiers can join complimentary Mountain Experience tours meeting at the top of Red Pine Gondola at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., focused on exploring Canyons Village terrain.

On the Park City Mountain Village side, the Silver to Slopes Historic Mining Tour blends skiing with storytelling. This free, guided, intermediate-level tour explores historic mining structures and hidden relics, tracing Park City’s evolution from silver camp to world-class ski destination.

Off the Slopes

Park City’s appeal extends well beyond skiing. Visitors can zip line over snowy landscapes, ride the Mountain Coaster, explore the backcountry by snowmobile, or glide through the woods on a horse-drawn sleigh. History buffs can visit the Park City Museum on Main Street or explore the Swaner Preserve & EcoCenter for a deeper look at the region’s ecological roots.

Utah Olympic Park — built for the 2002 Winter Games — remains a must-see. The active training center and public attraction offers free museums, Nordic ski jump tours, bobsled rides, and seasonal adventure experiences.

The Art of Après

Après ski is a Park City specialty. More than a dozen on-mountain restaurants range from fine dining to grab-and-go favorites. The Farm Restaurant highlights locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, while Tombstone BBQ is a longtime favorite for smoked meats and house-made sauces.

For drinks, High West Distillery shines as the world’s first ski-in gastro-distillery, serving craft whiskey and inventive cocktails. The Umbrella Bar in Canyons Village pairs panoramic views with live music, and Old Town Cellars on Main Street offers a relaxed setting and a strong lineup of local wines.

Insider Takeaways

  • The new Sunrise Gondola is the biggest on-mountain upgrade in years, delivering true ski-in, ski-out access from Pendry Plaza with zero friction.

  • Pendry’s residences and townhomes quietly offer one of the most luxurious home-base experiences in Park City, especially for families and groups who want space without sacrificing service.

  • Après culture is fully activated, from midday terrace lunches to rooftop DJ sets and fireworks views that turn skiing into an all-day affair.

  • Park City’s strength remains its range: world-class skiing, historic tours, Olympic thrills, and standout dining all within a remarkably compact mountain town.

For more information, visit pendry.com/park-city.

Sign Up for AZi’s Weekly Hot Takes

Get the inside scoop delivered weekly with smart takes, local stories, and the Arizona buzz you actually want.