Park City Holiday Traditions
Every family has their own traditions when it comes to the holidays. For many Park City locals, traditions usually revolve around skiing, dining, and annual events. Below are some of our favorite family holiday traditions.
Tradition #1: Ski Opening Day
It’s not the ski conditions that matter. It’s the fact that winter is here and you’re back on the snow. Round up your posse and ski a couple runs, and then kick back and enjoy live music and world famous waffle fries at the Corner Store, right in the resort plaza. If you’re feeling ambitious, try your luck at getting the first chair– legend has it that nabbing first chair on opening day gives you the best tracks of the season.
Park City Mountain opening day usually falls in mid-November and the date fluctuates based on weather and snowfall. Deer Valley Resort typically opens during the first or second week of December.
Tradition #2: Ski On Thanksgiving
Forget the Turkey Bowl and go skiing. Take a few runs and work up an appetite for a delectable meal at Flanagan’s on Main or Hearth and Hill. Try to keep your jaw off the table and give thanks for the opportunity to share a great experience with family and friends.
If you’re planning a Thanksgiving trip to Park City, check out our blog post that details the best lodging, skiing, and dining for your Thanksgiving trip.
Tradition #3: Attend the Park City Electric Light Parade
Now that Thanksgiving is over, the turkey has been roasted and leftovers devoured, the holiday season has begun. The Electric Light Parade signals the start of winter and is a great excuse to decorate your car and have a fun night out on the town. Park City comes alive and offers a great excuse to dine on Main Street. For a great view and a comfortable atmosphere try to get a table near the street level windows at Red Banjo or Riverhorse.
Tradition #4: Santa Rides the Town Lift
It’s always a good time when Santa comes to town. In Park City, he enters with style, riding down the town lift on a magical sleigh lit up with Christmas lights. Join the locals as we greet Santa Claus before Christmas and eat warm cookies and milk. Take a photo with Santa and let him know how good you’ve been this year.
Tradition #5: The Annual Torchlight Parade & Christmas Eve Celebration
One of Park City’s oldest and most treasured traditions is the Annual Torchlight Parade at Park City Mountain on Christmas Eve. Bring your family and friends together for a night of music, dancing, cookies, hot cocoa, and holiday cheer at the resort plaza. Watch hundreds of skiers and snowboarders serpentine down Home Run as they create a beautiful torchlight performance.
Tradition #6: Deer Valley Resort’s Annual Torchlight Parade
Each year Deer Valley Resort puts on an amazing torchlight parade on Big Stick ski run on Bald Eagle Mountain, behind the Snow Park Lodge on December 30th. Traditionally Deer Valley Resort’s famous hot cider and cookies are served at the Snow Park Plaza during the event. Bundle up your family and join us for one of our favorite family traditions of the year.
Tradition #7: New Year’s Eve Celebration
With one of the best firework shows in all of Utah, the New Year’s Eve Celebration at Canyons Village is a must. Enjoy family friendly activities like music, dancing, ice carving demonstrations, sleigh rides, and a huge firework display. Bring in the New Year with your loved ones and reflect on a great year and holiday season.
From our family to yours, have a great holiday season. The holiday season offers a wonderful opportunity to experience over 9,300 skiable acres of “The Greatest Snow on Earth®”. As you begin planning your winter getaway to Park City, check out Park City Lodging for the best selection of vacation rentals near Park City Mountain’s base area and Canyons Village, Deer Valley Resort, and historic Main Street.
If you’re looking for more ideas on how to spend the holidays in Park City, check out our blog post.
Published on Monday, August 1, 2022