Need advice from Utah natives - Snowboarding Forum

newbie2009 · 11-20-2011, 08:56 PM

Hey everyone.

My wife and I were planning a trip to Park City. Unfortunately, the only week can go is the same week that the city is hosting some kind of festival so all the rooms are taken. Well there are some rooms available but they're going for $1000.00+/night and that just isn't in the budget for us right now.

From reading the forum I've seen people suggest this hotel Super 8 Salt Lake City Hotel and then drive or take the bus to the closer resorts.

I googled the distance from Park City to the hotel and it's about 45 minutes. I have never been to Utah period so I wouldn't mind hitting up the closer resorts but I would like to take my daughter and wife to Gorgoza park for the tubing and the kiddie park. Also, the skiing classes in Park City seems perfect for my daughter since she's only 3 soon to be 4.

So my main questions are:

1. Is there an alternative hotel to that Super8? It seems to be what I'm looking for but options doesn't hurt.
2. What are the normal road conditions around end of January? Should I rent a special vehicle or will a regular car/small SUV work?
3. Is there an alternative to Gorgoza park closer to the Super8?

Any feedback will be greatly appreciated or any other advice on how I could make the most of the trip would be great.
Peace out and thanks in advance.

WasatchMan · 11-20-2011, 09:20 PM

I don't know a whole lot about hotels, but it seems that hotel is in midvale, which can be kind of gross. I'd rather stay closer to downtown, or maybe sandy/cottonwood area. I always find this map helpful http://i.imgur.com/Tnx8w.jpg

I'd wait for snowvols to chime in

snowvols · 11-21-2011, 07:26 AM

Super 8 is super close to where my house is. It is a pretty nice area. If you do get farther West is becomes a shit hole. It really depends on your budget on where you can stay at. The Sandy area will be right at the bottom of LCC, but it will put you farther from PC. There are several other hotels in the area around my house. There is a bus stop right by the hotel if you wanted to go that route. There is a motel 6 extended stay which looks fairly nice on the outside

This is where we get in another issue. If you rent a car you will have more options than if you take the bus. The normal road conditions aren't bad in January. There will most likely be salt on the road, but very little ice if any at all. You would be fine with a 2 wheel drive car until you went up the canyons. At times the shut BCC and LCC to 4 wheel or chains only, and if a storm is bad they will restrict Parleys down as well. Parleys Canyon is how you get to PC from SLC.

As far as Gorgoza park is concerned, I do not know if any other place has tubing. If you really wanted to stay closer to PC then you might want to look at renting a car and staying in the Millcreek or Sugarhouse area. Both are right off of I-80 and are closer to PC. You will have to drive up and down Parleys each way but it isn't too bad of a drive.

Also the terrain in PC will be slightly more mellow and by your username I would recommend more mellow terrain. They will still have steeps, but aren't as steep overall as the other cottonwood resorts. If you wanted to still hit the cottonwood places the hotels in those two areas are not too far at all from them.

If you have any other questions let me know. Hope this novel helps a little bit.

tekniq33 · 11-21-2011, 12:39 PM

Stay in Sandy. I stayed there for super cheap a few years ago and hit PCMR, Canyons, Brighton and Solitude. Even stayed in Park City for dinner one night and drove back. Its super convenient and WAAAAAY cheaper.

bobthegood · 11-21-2011, 12:59 PM

Been out a couple of times in the spring, and also stayed in Sandy. No worries.

newbie2009 · 11-21-2011, 08:16 PM

Just got back home and read everyone's response. Thank you all so much for your advice, it's exactly what I was hoping for. Gonna start googling now.

newbie2009 · 11-21-2011, 11:12 PM

Quick update: I took everyone's advice and booked a hotel in Sandy. I didn't think end of January was going to be a busy time but man a lot of hotels in the area were actually booked up! I also found out that Snowbird has a really good day care service so that's a plus. We still haven't decided if we want my daughter to take ski lessons or just hang out in day care while we hit the slopes. Man I tell you it was so much easier to travel when I was single but of course wouldn't trade the family for anything

Again thanks everyone for the advice.

Now hopefully the weather will co-operate...

neednsnow · 11-22-2011, 09:16 AM

End of January. Ahh when LA relocates to Utah for a week of foolishness.

11-20-2011, 08:56 PM	#1 (permalink)
newbie2009 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 63	Need advice from Utah natives Hey everyone. My wife and I were planning a trip to Park City. Unfortunately, the only week can go is the same week that the city is hosting some kind of festival so all the rooms are taken. Well there are some rooms available but they're going for $1000.00+/night and that just isn't in the budget for us right now. From reading the forum I've seen people suggest this hotel Super 8 Salt Lake City Hotel and then drive or take the bus to the closer resorts. I googled the distance from Park City to the hotel and it's about 45 minutes. I have never been to Utah period so I wouldn't mind hitting up the closer resorts but I would like to take my daughter and wife to Gorgoza park for the tubing and the kiddie park. Also, the skiing classes in Park City seems perfect for my daughter since she's only 3 soon to be 4. So my main questions are: 1. Is there an alternative hotel to that Super8? It seems to be what I'm looking for but options doesn't hurt. 2. What are the normal road conditions around end of January? Should I rent a special vehicle or will a regular car/small SUV work? 3. Is there an alternative to Gorgoza park closer to the Super8? Any feedback will be greatly appreciated or any other advice on how I could make the most of the trip would be great. Peace out and thanks in advance.

11-21-2011, 12:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
bobthegood Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Maplewood, MN Posts: 105	Been out a couple of times in the spring, and also stayed in Sandy. No worries. __________________ "I didn't do it, and nobody saw me."

11-21-2011, 08:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
newbie2009 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 63	Just got back home and read everyone's response. Thank you all so much for your advice, it's exactly what I was hoping for. Gonna start googling now. Last edited by newbie2009; 11-21-2011 at 08:31 PM.

11-22-2011, 09:16 AM	#8 (permalink)
neednsnow -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: PA Posts: 1,208	End of January. Ahh when LA relocates to Utah for a week of foolishness. __________________ Neednsnow.com: Traveling the States and Taking Pictures

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11-20-2011, 09:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
WasatchMan Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 1,023	I don't know a whole lot about hotels, but it seems that hotel is in midvale, which can be kind of gross. I'd rather stay closer to downtown, or maybe sandy/cottonwood area. I always find this map helpful http://i.imgur.com/Tnx8w.jpg I'd wait for snowvols to chime in

11-21-2011, 07:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
snowvols Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 1,388	Super 8 is super close to where my house is. It is a pretty nice area. If you do get farther West is becomes a shit hole. It really depends on your budget on where you can stay at. The Sandy area will be right at the bottom of LCC, but it will put you farther from PC. There are several other hotels in the area around my house. There is a bus stop right by the hotel if you wanted to go that route. There is a motel 6 extended stay which looks fairly nice on the outside This is where we get in another issue. If you rent a car you will have more options than if you take the bus. The normal road conditions aren't bad in January. There will most likely be salt on the road, but very little ice if any at all. You would be fine with a 2 wheel drive car until you went up the canyons. At times the shut BCC and LCC to 4 wheel or chains only, and if a storm is bad they will restrict Parleys down as well. Parleys Canyon is how you get to PC from SLC. As far as Gorgoza park is concerned, I do not know if any other place has tubing. If you really wanted to stay closer to PC then you might want to look at renting a car and staying in the Millcreek or Sugarhouse area. Both are right off of I-80 and are closer to PC. You will have to drive up and down Parleys each way but it isn't too bad of a drive. Also the terrain in PC will be slightly more mellow and by your username I would recommend more mellow terrain. They will still have steeps, but aren't as steep overall as the other cottonwood resorts. If you wanted to still hit the cottonwood places the hotels in those two areas are not too far at all from them. If you have any other questions let me know. Hope this novel helps a little bit.

11-21-2011, 12:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
tekniq33 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 723	Stay in Sandy. I stayed there for super cheap a few years ago and hit PCMR, Canyons, Brighton and Solitude. Even stayed in Park City for dinner one night and drove back. Its super convenient and WAAAAAY cheaper.

11-21-2011, 11:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
newbie2009 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston Posts: 63	Quick update: I took everyone's advice and booked a hotel in Sandy. I didn't think end of January was going to be a busy time but man a lot of hotels in the area were actually booked up! I also found out that Snowbird has a really good day care service so that's a plus. We still haven't decided if we want my daughter to take ski lessons or just hang out in day care while we hit the slopes. Man I tell you it was so much easier to travel when I was single but of course wouldn't trade the family for anything Again thanks everyone for the advice. Now hopefully the weather will co-operate...