The Canyons Ski Resort Review

The resort has a base elevation of 6,800 feet and a summit elevation of 9,900 feet. It boasts eight mountain peaks, 167 trails and 3700 acres of skiable terrain. There are 21 lifts, which include two gondolas, a handle tow and a magic carpet. Ten percent of the Canyon's terrain is suitable for beginners, 44 percent is best for intermediates and 46 percent is for experts. There are two terrain parks, which have features for all levels of freestyle skiers and snowboarders. The Canyons has three on-mountain hotels. However, the town of Park City has hundreds of lodging options, which are suitable for all budgets. There are plenty of on mountain restaurants. Some are your basic ski area bad expensive hamburger type of places, while other are semi-elegant sit-down restaurants.

Location is the prime benefit of The Canyons ski resort. It is literally adjacent to two other major ski areas, Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort. The town itself has a splendid offering of restaurants, shops and art galleries. On the mountain, a highly dedicated team of ski school instructors introduce novices to the sport, and help intermediate and advanced skiers and riders learn the subtleties and nuances of powder skiing. There iss lots of terrain for practice, and the runs are wide and varied.

Unfortunately, many of the runs are poorly marked, and it is quite easy to get lost in the canyons. Navigating and getting from point A to point B can be a challenge. The fact that many of the staff members are less than charming adds to the annoyance. As mentioned, The Canyons is a mega resort, which means mega prices. However, since it is so close to Deer Valley, it is hard to avoid the temptation to compare the two areas. For the same amount of money, Deer Valley provides impeccable service, beautifully groomed slopes, a user-friendly layout and marvelous food. No matter how many improvements The Canyons makes, it will never live up to Deer Valley standards.

Then, there is the problem with altitude. Of course, this would be an issue anywhere in Utah or Colorado. However, if you know that you are susceptible to altitude sickness, The Canyons might not be your best choice for a ski vacation.

If you are planning to visit Park City, you might want to spend a day skiing at The Canyons, simply because it is there. The resort is just a short ride from the Salt Lake City airport, which reduces some of the typical stresses involved in a ski vacation. The Canyons often has a deal with some of the major airlines. For example, you can show your same day boarding pass, and get a free lift ticket for that day. It's definitely worth doing, provided that you are sure that you can adapt to the altitude. However, The Canyons should not be the only resort you visit. If you are a skier, you will probably prefer Deer Valley. Snowboarders usually prefer Park City. Resist the temptation to stay on the mountain. There are better lodging values in town, and you'll be closer to the nightlife action.