Park City, Utah is home to two resorts – Deer Valley and Park City Mountain – which, combined, offer over 9,000 skiable acres. That’s a lot of terrain ready and waiting for you to enjoy. There is no denying it – skiing and snowboarding both require quite a lot of gear, making packing for your next ski trip seem like a daunting task. To help ease the process, we compiled a list that’s divided into items we suggest you bring along with you in your suitcase and those that are easy to rent from one of Park City’s area rental shops or outfitters.
WHAT TO RENT:
- SKIS/SNOWBOARD: Avoid the hassle of schlepping an odd-sized ski bag along with you during your travels and leave your skis or snowboard behind. Park City area shops carry a wide variety of skis and boards, ranging from beginner level skis, easy to turn for those just getting started on the slopes – to high-end demo fleets, allowing enthusiasts to try out this season’s top-rated skis. Consider using a ski rental delivery company – they’ll take the hassle out of the rental process as they drop off and pick up your equipment at the beginning and end of your stay. They’re even on-call to meet you at your convenience to help with any issues that arise while on the hill. Want to try a different pair of skis? They’ll switch those out, too, if you want to try something new!
- POLES: Poles are included in ski rental packages, so you can leave them at home. However, if you want to take home a Park City original, pick up a pair of custom, bamboo Soul Poles as a souvenir.
- HELMET: If you don’t have your own helmet or want to save room in your suitcase, most ski rental shops and outfitters have them for you to rent. Helmet rentals come in many sizes, most of which have adjustment options in the back to fine-tune the fit. If you have concerns about helmet fit, you can always bring a light hat (without a pom pom) to wear underneath. Goggle rentals are often offered in addition to helmet rentals, so if you rent a helmet you’ll want to add them on.
- ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT: Park City is home to the National Ability Center (NAC), an organization dedicated to enabling people with disabilities to pursue their passions. For those who are already comfortable using it, the NAC offers state-of-the-art adaptive snow sport equipment rentals. Rental options include mono-skis, bi-skis, mountain boards, to name a few, and lessons are available by appointment.
WHAT TO PACK:
- SKI/SNOWBOARD BOOTS: While most outfitters and ski shops offer ski and snowboard boot rentals, if you have a pair of ski boots that you like and that fit well, we suggest you bring them along. They’re likely already fitted to your feet, thus will be more comfortable on the slopes.
- SKI CLOTHING: Bring your own ski pants, jacket, gloves, ski socks, and base layers with you from home. Don’t worry if you forget anything (and there is a lot to remember!) – area ski shops have you covered with a wide variety of all the ski gear you could ever possibly want or need.
- GOGGLES: Have a pair of goggles that you love? Bring them with you – they don’t take up a lot of room.
- SUNGLASSES: Park City winters are loaded with sunshine – make sure to include a pair of sunnies in your suitcase. They’re a perfect accessory for chairlift rides and for après-ski outside.
- BACKPACK: If you plan on spending long days on the mountain, pack a backpack and leave it in Park City Mountain or Deer Valley Resort’s daily storage lockers (you can even empty out your carry-on bag and use that!). Pack snacks, water, sunscreen, hand warmers, or anything else you might want and access them with ease throughout the day.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Park City offers an abundance of off-slope activities to choose from. Don’t worry about packing extra gear – for activities like snowshoeing and Nordic skiing, there are plenty of outfitters who can set you up with the proper rental equipment. Your ski clothes are suitable for other outdoor adventures, too. We recommend packing a solid pair of snow boots to keep your feet dry both during winter activities and while cruising around town.
*Header photo credit: Ski Butlers