7 Family-Friendly Winter Activities

Ramping up for a Park City winter getaway with the family? Outside of enjoying a day on the slopes, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to experience around town. While the COVID-19 pandemic has affected things like indoor dining and how to book your ski days, these pandemic-safe adventures will ensure you and the kids still have a blast.

1. Go Tubing—or Try a New Sport—at Woodward Park City

If you’re looking for a way to help kids burn off some of that endless energy, this is the place to do it. Tubing (offered day and night) is one of the biggest draws to this sports park, but you can also take advantage of the lift-service ski and snowboard terrain or the indoor activities. Woodward’s progression model means your kids will safely learn how to take skills to the next level. Inside the Action Sports Hub, you’ll find trampolines, a skate park, a parkour area, and ramps for kids to play on—just book time in advance and plan to wear a mask. Insider tip for parents: The upstairs bar has wine and specialty cocktails. Two-hour tubing sessions range from $15-$49 depending on age; 90-minute daily passes and lessons also vary. Check out pricing and book online here.

2. Eat Pizza and Ice Skate at Park City Peaks Hotel

New for 2021, the Peaks Hotel has set up an ice rink right outside Versante, its onsite Italian restaurant. Open to restaurant diners with only 20 people allowed on the ice at once, you can enjoy a wood-fired pizza and drinks served to-go inside a heated tent or by the fire between 4–8 p.m. The skating is complimentary to Versante guests and skate rentals are available for $5. Reservations strongly recommended.

3. Snowshoe to S’mores

All Seasons Adventures offers a kid-friendly one-hour snowshoe tour departing afternoons from Deer Valley. Perfect for capping off a ski day or on its own, the short walk leads to a fire pit to enjoy homemade s’mores and hot chocolate. Book at least 48 hours in advance; there is a four-person minimum at $39 per person. Private tours are also available. To venture out around town, snowshoe rentals are also available at White Pine Touring and Jans.

4. See the Midway Ice Castles

This magical, straight-out-of-Frozen experience in nearby Midway will be one that the kids remember. Walk through a frozen paradise with ice slides, sculptures, tunnels, and colorful installations. Tickets can be hard to get, so book far in advance—because of COVID-19, Ice Castles is only allowing online ticket sales. Ticket prices depend on the day but range from $9.99 (kids 4–11 on weekdays) to $19.99 (adults on weekends).

5. Take a Sleigh Ride 

After the lifts close for the day at Park City Mountain Resort, Snowed Inn Sleigh Company offers horse-drawn sleigh rides up the snowy slopes. For $20 per person, you can simply ride up and down the mountain (plan on a 30-minute excursion), or for $100 for adults and $65 for kids, you can book a sleigh ride plus a western-style meal next to the fire at the Snowed Inn Lodge. Book online in advance.

6. Book a Private Class with The Paint Mixer

Add some creativity to your vacation and book a private art session for the family with The Paint Mixer’s Van-Go Mobile Studio. Your artist instructor will provide all the brushes and tools you need and take you and the kids through a step-by-step process to create a masterpiece to commemorate your trip. Start by filling out this form to get pricing and more info.

7. Go Dog Sledding

Take a custom dog-sledding tour through a private mountain ranch with North Forty Escapes. Friendly for all ages, the well-tempered dogs will pull you alongside river trails through the snow for either an hour ($375) or two 30-minute rides ($475). Sleds hold two adults and one small child. North Forty also offers a combo dog sledding plus snowmobile package as well as snowshoeing tours and sleigh rides.