Ski resorts: Park City Mountain vs. Vail

Quick Verdict

Park City Mountain offers a larger ski area and more trails, making it potentially more appealing to those seeking extensive terrain. Vail, however, boasts a higher vertical drop and is closer to Eagle County Airport. Both resorts have vibrant apr -ski scenes and family-friendly activities, but Park City provides more specific details on dining and apr options. The choice depends on individual priorities, such as terrain size, airport proximity, and specific amenities.

Park City Mountain boasts significantly more skiable acres (7,300) compared to Vail (5,317).
Park City Mountain has a more extensive trail network (330-350 trails) than Vail (278 trails).
Park City Mountain provides a detailed list of on-mountain dining and apr -ski options, while Vail's information is more general.
Both resorts offer a variety of family-friendly activities and lodging options.
Vail has invested in upgrading its lift system to mitigate crowds and reduce wait times.
Vail is closer to Eagle County Airport (EGE), while Park City is closer to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC).

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Park City Mountain	Vail
Skiable Acres	7,300 acres	5,317 acres
Number of Lifts	40-41	32
Vertical Drop	3,100 - 3,226 feet	3,450 feet
Average Snowfall	355-365 inches	Averages around 354 inches per year
Number of Trails	330-350 trails	278 trails
Terrain Park Features	6 terrain parks, 1 superpipe, and 1 mini pipe	3 terrain parks, including one superpipe
On-Mountain Dining Options	Lookout Cabin, Tombstone BBQ, Legacy Caf , Miner's Camp, Mid Mountain Lodge, Summit House, Cloud Dine, Red Pine Lodge, Sun Lodge, Jupiter Java, Red Tail Grill, The Farm, Murdock's Cafe and Pizzeria	Vail offers a variety of on-mountain dining options
Apr -Ski Scene	Historic Main Street has lively bars and restaurants. Options include No Name Saloon, Apr at Pendry, The Spur Bar and Grill, The Vintage Room at St. Regis Deer Valley, Umbrella Bar, The Corner Store, Legends Bar and Grill, Bluebird Apres Cafe, Pig Pen Saloon, and Baja Cantina	Vail has a vibrant apr -ski scene with many bars and restaurants
Family-Friendly Activities	Alpine Slide, Mountain Coaster, ZipRide Zipline, Flying Eagle Zipline, Scenic Lift Rides, and hiking	Vail offers many family-friendly activities
Proximity to Airport	Approximately a 35-45 minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)	Vail is 30 miles from Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) and 100 miles from Denver International Airport (DEN)
Types of Lodging Available	Hotels, condos, and private homes, with many offering ski-in/ski-out access	Hotels, condos, chalets, and vacation rentals are available
Lift Ticket Price (Peak Season)	Adult lift pass: $318-624 for six days	This information can be found on Vail's website

Overall Comparison

Park City Mountain: 7,300 acres, 330-350 trails, 40-41 lifts. Vail: 5,317 acres, 278 trails, 32 lifts.

Pros and Cons

Park City Mountain

Pros:

Varied terrain suitable for all skill levels
Wall-to-wall grooming with more than 120 trails groomed each day
Enhanced snowmaking capabilities
Vibrant après-ski scene, especially on Main Street
Numerous family-friendly activities besides skiing/snowboarding
Convenient access from Salt Lake City International Airport
Wide range of lodging options with ski-in/ski-out access
Ski and snowboard school programs for various ages and skill levels

Cons:

Lift lines can be long at peak times

Vail

Pros:

Terrain for all skill levels
Good grooming
Light snow density
Upgraded lift system
Vibrant apr\u00e8s-ski scene
Many family-friendly activities
Convenient access from Eagle County Airport and Denver International Airport
Wide range of lodging options
Highly rated Ski and Snowboard School
Modern and efficient lift system

Cons:

Crowded slopes and lift lines during peak season

User Experiences and Feedback

Park City Mountain

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

Vail

What Users Love

Vail is known for good grooming, and powder days can be unreal.
The snow density in Vail is as light as it gets.
Vail has been actively investing in upgrading its lift system to help mitigate crowds and reduce wait times.
Vail offers a variety of on-mountain dining options.
Vail has a vibrant apr\u00e8s-ski scene with many bars and restaurants.
Vail offers many family-friendly activities.
Vail is just 30 miles away from Eagle County Airport (EGE) and 100 miles from Denver International Airport (DEN), with readily available shuttles and car services.
Vail offers a wide range of lodging options, from luxurious slope-side hotels and private chalets to more budget-friendly condos and vacation rentals.
Vail's Ski and Snowboard School is highly rated, with many instructors who speak over 30 languages.
Vail is dedicated to keeping its lift system modern and efficient, with recent upgrades to enhance capacity and reduce wait times.

Common Complaints

Vail has been actively investing in upgrading its lift system to help mitigate crowds and reduce wait times.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

User Recommendations

Vail has terrain for all skill levels, with 18% beginner, 29% intermediate, and 53% advanced/expert runs.
The Red Lion is a classic spot known for its lively atmosphere and live music.
Adventure Ridge offers activities like ski bikes and snowmobiles.
Vail also has ice skating and snowshoeing.