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Base Depth:
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24hr Snowfall:
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The Canyons

4000 The Canyons Resort Drive, Park City, 84098
Phone: 435-649-5400 Snow Report: 435-615-3456 (snow report)
The Canyons Website

by Nicole Pelletier

Conveniently located just 32 miles from the Arrivals terminal at SLC International Airport, The Canyons Resort is not only one of Utah’s most accessible ski areas, it’s also the largest. Boasting a whopping 3700 acres of varying terrain that gets buried under an average 355 inches of annual snowfall, The Canyons is a limitless playground for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels.

Locals know that “the goods” on a powder day can be scored by making the networked journey from the base area up Flight of The Canyons gondola to Red Pine Lodge, on to Tombstone chair and across to the summit of 9,990 Chair (known simply a “Ninety-nine-ninety” to the local crowd). Following big storms, the ski patrol does avalanche control work from the crack of dawn (hear that booming of dynamite charges? That’s the sounds of your powder day being safely laid out!), and the ropes drop early to get this ominous pocket of the mountain open to the public. Here, find ample steep tree lines that funnel into open bowls. Windward storms accumulate loads of that famous Utah powder in the numerous gullies and aspen groves, tempting expert and advanced riders to stay high on this gem of The Canyons Resort.

Intermediate skiers will love cutting their teeth in the less daunting, but no-less-powder swept Tombstone Express and Dream Catcher drainages, which offer up a more mild approach to cruising through those beautiful quaking aspens or mastering carving turns on the spacious groomed tracks. New skiers and snowboarders can take advantage of The Canyons’ internationally staffed Ski and Snowboard School line-up, which includes professionally certified instructors that choose to teach here, and arrive from all over the world each winter to take advantage of The Canyons’ excellent learning environment.

When it’s time to take a breather, make tracks for the on-mountain dining opportunities that range from basic day lodge menus at Red Pine Lodge or The Sun Dial (think burgers, pizzas, soups) to the upscale fine dining to be found at Lookout Cabin, seated on the ridgeline just atop Golden Eagle lift.

Off of the snow, luxury beckons at the brand new Dakota Lodge, which opened August 2009. Rejuvenate sore muscles with a massage, and bask in the spirit-renewing litany of spa treatments at the renowned Golden Door Spa. After perusing the numerous shops in this cozy winter village, the perfect day is capped off with a great dinner, and here at The Canyons you won’t want to miss dining over 5-star culinary creations at Spruce, the high altitude counterpart to San Francisco’s award winning restaurant of the same name.

*all photos by Dan Campbell-Lloyd, courtesy of The Canyons Resort

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Current Weather:

-°

Forecast:
No data available
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SKI CONDITIONS

Latest Report: 20100411T17:46:00
24hr Snowfall:
0		 Last Snowfall:
Apr 07 - 4"		 Surface:
No data
Base Depth:
-"		 Trails Open:
0		 Total Trails:
167
Percent Trails Open:
0%		 Lifts Open:
icon 0		 Total Lifts:
icon 18
Terrain Type:
Beginner:
N/A		 Intermediate:
N/A		 Advanced:
N/A		 Expert:
N/A
Elevation:
weather Peak Elevation:
9990 ft 3045 m Vertical:
3190 ft 972 m Base Elevation:
6800 ft 2073 m		 Total Acres:
3700 Total Miles:
N/A
Longest Run:
Boa
 Easiest Run:
The Meadows		 Steepest Run:
Lower East Face
Best Bumps:
Yard Sale		 Best Trail Name:
Boogeyman		  
 

Air Travel

As with other Park City region ski resorts, Salt Lake City is the gateway airport for The Canyons, and it only takes about 45 minutes to get there by car. There are many private ground transport operators vying for your business to provide access to and from the resort. Quite a few of them have desks at the arrivals hall at the airport in case you don’t have reservations. Many of these transportation operators also provide private shuttles to and from other Utah ski resorts.  If driving from the airport, the route is very well sign posted and is via I-80 and highway 224.

Driving Directions

From the airport take I-80 East through Salt Lake City ( I-80 merges with I-15).  You will now follow I-80 East for about 15 – 20 minutes and take Exit #145 Kimball Junction / Park City.  This exit is the main road that enters Park City and The Canyons. You will be on SR-224.  Follow 224 for two miles from the exit and take a right at the stop light on to The Canyons Resort Drive.  Continue a short distance up to The Canyons.

Day Skiers: Turn left just past the 7-Eleven and park in the Cabriolet parking lot and ride the Cabriolet into the village.

Resort lodging guests: Follow The Canyons Resort Drive to your destination.

Ground Transportation

If coming from Park City, the free public bus system includes The Canyons on its various routes. The bus stop is located near the car park at the bottom of the Cabriolet lift. From here access to the village is possible via the Cabriolet lift (closes at 5:30pm) or the circulator shuttles that operate throughout the resort. The frequency is as follows:

  • 6:37am-5pm every 20 minutes between The Canyons and Park City
  • 5pm-11pm every 30 minutes between The Canyons and Park City
  • 7:30am-10:45pm – every 30 minutes between The Canyons and Kimball Junction 

 

The Canyons village is small so everything is within easy walking distance.

It won’t be necessary to hire a car, particularly if your vacation will primarily consist of skiing at The Canyons and staying at The Canyons in the evenings. However if you plan to ski at the other Park City resorts, do other activities, and go out in Park City a lot, a car will afford much more flexibility. There are also plenty of taxis in the Park City area.

Alternatively the public bus system will assist in getting around the Park City area. The bus system has routes that cover the downtown area, major hotels, all three ski resorts, and the suburbs including Kimball Junction where the outlet shopping is. Your accommodation is likely to have a copy of the bus schedules and maps, otherwise they can be found inside any of the buses. The bus system is generally very reliable, except during major holidays when small traffic jams may occur.