Blue skies, awesome events, free music, and more. No, we're not talking about summer. Spring is one of the best times to hit the slopes in Park City, and we have three good reasons why you should consider booking a spring ski trip right now.
If you say the words “Park City ski vacation”, most people picture an image of gray skies, deep powder, and frigid temperatures. The average traveler associates a ski trip to Park City with classic December or January imagery. The late—or spring—season is a drastically underrated time to ski in Park City. Early season visitors miss out on the blue skies, sunny slopes, and amazing events that overtake the mountains during the early spring. Let us break down a few of spring skiing’s finest features.
The Grüv
One of Park City’s more unusual spring ski tradition is the Spring Grüv. Canyons Village and Park City base area fill with activity and music (more on that below) for 16 days of spring revelry, culminating in an Easter Egg hunt. The festival includes everything from Gatorade tasting to the Grüv’s most famous event: the Pond Skimming Contest.
The annual Pond Skimming is a yearly test of skiing and costuming prowess in which contestants attempt to skim across the surface of a 100 foot long pond, or get soaked trying. Needless to say, most contestants don’t walk away dry. You can either strap on a leotard/roll of bubble wrap/banana costume/princess dress/etc. yourself (costumes are required to participate), or just sidle up to the venue to watch everyone else test their luck and their dignity.
Music on the House
Music is in the air. That doesn’t just mean the coming of spring, with its attendant birds and bees. No, there is literally music in the air. The Spring Grüv comes with more than two solid weeks of free musical concerts at both base areas. Après ski concerts take place each afternoon—an amazing way to wrap up an amazing day on the slopes. Musical style varies from show to show, but generally showcases a variety of well-regarded local talent.
The Canyons Village plaza has an amazing outdoor amphitheater, and you can catch the concerts from one of our favorite Après Ski spots, Umbrella Bar. You can reinvigorate your aching bones with a stiff drink while the daily concert outside soothes your soul before an evening of fun.
In addition to the Spring Grüv concerts, there are additional shows every weekend throughout the spring at both venues. Pick one of the two venues and snuggle up for a great concert. The Spring Concert Series, and other concert series through the year, are always top-notch productions—especially considering that they are absolutely free. Taking in the show is a must if you are staying over a weekend.
Blue Skies and Fresh Powder
There is a lot to love about the weather in March and April. The first flutterings of spring begin to warm the temperatures, and the worst of winter’s chill is long gone. The whole world seems a bit cheerier under the bright blue skies than under the dull wintry blanket of December. The mountainous terrain is at its most beautiful, swaddled in thick, powdery blankets of fresh snow, gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight. The weather feels pleasant and warm, thanks to the rays of the spring sun basking in the azure skies.
That isn’t to say that the snowy weather is over and done with. Late season dumps are not uncommon, and we’ve already seen a couple so far this March. Fresh coatings will continue into April with any luck, and the 400+ inches Park City already received this winter leave plenty of the good stuff on the ground to keep even the most discerning skier busy until the resorts close.
The sun is rising earlier and setting later as the Vernal Equinox approaches. That means more day for your ski days. You can start your mornings earlier in full daylight and enjoy some extra sunlit activities after the lifts close. Take the opportunity to try some snowshoeing, fat-tire biking, or just plain window-shopping along Park City's Historic Main Street.
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