8 Things You Should Know Before Moving to Park City, Utah

The resort town of Park City, Utah, is one of the world’s most prized residential areas. Often snowy, the area packs a lot of activities and amenities into its less than 18 square miles of space, providing an exhilarating yet tranquil lifestyle to its approximately 8,500 residents.

With proximity to world-class ski resorts and Salt Lake City, Park City offers convenience and accessibility not afforded by many other small towns across the country. From the vibrant arts scene to the endless opportunities for enjoying an active outdoor lifestyle, there is something for everyone in Park City.

But, before you pack the moving van, there are a few things to consider about relocating to Park City, Utah.

In Park City, most residents cherish a laid-back lifestyle reminiscent of yesteryear. Your day might include morning chats at a local coffee shop with neighbors, followed by a casual stroll through the farmers market (when in season), before a friendly competition of tennis or golf. The air is fresh and the scenery stunning, but at 7,000 feet above sea level, the high altitude takes some getting used to.

While the population of Park City is small and everyone seems to know one another, during ski season, the streets, bars, and restaurants become filled with tourists looking to soak in the beauty of this extraordinary town. Because of the influx of visitors, this unique upscale community rolls out the welcome mat, offering top-of-the-line amenities to accommodate the needs of its guests. This provides residents with services often found in larger cities while maintaining its small-town charm.

If you enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle that includes hiking, biking, and skiing, then Park City is the place for you. With over 400 miles of trails, there is always a hill to climb, mountain to scale, or path to traverse.

Health and wellness are priorities in Park City, with numerous yoga studios, spas, gyms, and fitness centers. Nutritious and healthy dining options are readily available, and whole-food markets are plentiful.

Velvaere is a new residential project that focuses on elevating the mind, body, and soul to enhance the wellness of the individual and the community as a whole. The 60-acre plan includes 115 private residences with estate homes/lots, paired homes, and cabins with ski-in and ski-out access to Deer Valley Resort.

Park City gets approximately 230 days of sunshine yearly, boasting low humidity and minimal rainfall of about 20 inches annually. Temperatures during summer rarely exceed 80 degrees, a perfect atmosphere for hiking and other outdoor activities.

Skiing is a popular sport in Park City due to the Greatest Snow on Earth® that covers the mountains from late October to early April. On average, Park City receives 280 inches (or over 23 feet!) of snowfall annually, with an average of 56 days of snow. January temperatures can drop into the teens, so bring winter gear on your move to Park City.

One of the reasons families love Park City is the incredible public school system, which ranks as one of the best districts in the state. The Park City School District boasts a 93% graduation rate, with many students attending prestigious colleges. The Park City Education Foundation raises $1.5 million annually to support and fund over 100 programs in the district.

Unlike most small towns, Park City offers several high-end country club communities — residents frequent Glenwild, Promontory, Red Ledges, Tuhaye, Jeremy Ranch, and more. The golf courses are some of the best in the state, designed by pro golfers such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. Even Tiger Woods is working on a new project, developing Utah's highest-altitude golf course.

Golfing enthusiasts will enjoy world-class championship courses, upscale country clubs, luxury amenities, tennis courts, fitness centers, social activities, and more. Residential options include breathtaking mountain properties that provide exclusive access to Park City's finest golf courses in the summer and ski resorts in the winter.

Park City has several world-class ski resorts. World Ski Awards has ranked Deer Valley Resort as the #1 resort in the United States for the past 10 years. The exclusive mountain destination limits the number of skiers it allows on the slopes and prohibits snowboarders, attracting a clientele that enjoys crowd-free runs without distraction. While many don't like the policy, frequent patrons embrace it wholeheartedly.

Still, there is proof that Deer Valley wants to meet the high demand for skiing: Mayflower Mountain. The massive expansion project is projected to open in the winter of 2025. Currently in development, the ski resort will feature luxury hotels, private residences, and extensive amenities for residents and visitors. The completed Mayflower Mountain will include 130 runs, 17 ski lifts, thousands of feet of vertical drops, over 100 miles of hiking and biking trails, a Tiger Woods-designed golf course, and much more. Not since 1981 has North America seen the birth of a new world-class alpine village.

Park City Mountain Resort recently completed a $50 million renovation project, making it the largest ski resort in the country, offering more than 300 groomed trails, eight terrain parks, 47 lifts, and 7,300 skiable acreage. It now connects to Canyons Village, creating one of the best facilities in the country. Utah Olympic Park, built for the 2022 Olympic Games, is considered the world's premier training facility, and several other local ski resorts (such as Alta, Brighton, Snowbasin, Powder Mountain, and Solitude) are a short drive from Park City.

Many residents enjoy ski-in-ski-out properties, allowing remote workers the freedom to get a few runs in on their lunch break, enjoying picturesque mountainside scenery without ever leaving their home office. When the snow melts away in the summer, many ski resorts transform into outdoor activity centers featuring zip lines, mountain biking trails, alpine slides, live concert venues, rope courses, and more.

Another feature unique to Park City is its public transportation system, which is rare for a town of its size. Even more rare is that the services are FREE at all times. Public buses have nine routes, stopping at all local neighborhoods, shops, and attractions. A trolley traverses Main Street from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., providing visitors convenient access to the historic downtown district.

Since 1985, Park City has hosted the largest independent film festival in America. The two-week-long prestigious event, started by Robert Redford, draws visitors worldwide. Every January, the restaurants, hotels, ski mountains, and local establishments are packed with writers, actors, directors, and producers representing their films.

Since Main Street is where most eateries and clubs reside, there is a good chance of seeing well-known actors, making the event a paparazzi's dream come true. While the Sundance Film Festival offers a huge boost to the economy, many residents are put off by the massive crowds it attracts, yet others enjoy the excitement the festival creates.

The experienced team of real estate experts at Peek | Murray has broad knowledge of Park City and the surrounding areas. Whether you need help buying, selling, or getting the best return on investment home improvement, we can provide innovative solutions for achieving your real estate goals.

If you are considering relocating to Park City, contact us with any questions you may have. We are happy to help you learn more about the area and can assist you in finding a luxury property that meets your lifestyle needs.

_{*Header photo courtesy of Wikipedia}