Spread across 17 peaks and more than 7,300 skiable acres, Park City Mountain in Utah holds the title of largest ski resort in the United States when you measure by lift-accessible terrain. That scale translates to 348 runs, 41 lifts and eight terrain parks — realistically more skiing than most visitors can cover in a single trip.

The resort sits about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, making it one of the easiest big-mountain ski trips to pull off in North America. Two major highways serve the town, so the drive avoids narrow mountain passes, though renting an all-wheel-drive car in winter is still smart. Rental cars average around $45 per day in Salt Lake City.

Skill-wise, the resort caters to all levels but skews towards intermediate and advanced skiers and riders. Beginners can book ski school with instructors for both adults and kids, and the resort has recently added two new gondolas to the mix. Vail Resorts owns and operates Park City, which means it sits alongside Breckenridge, Keystone and Vail in the same portfolio — handy if you hold an Epic Pass.

Off the slopes, the historic mining town of Park City does plenty of heavy lifting. Main Street, next to the Mountain Village basecamp, dates back to the 1800s silver boom and is lined with locally owned galleries, boutiques, restaurants and bars. Canyons Village, the resort's other base area, is home to the Umbrella Bar, a popular spot that often hosts live music.

Accommodation spans a wide range. Rooms at the Lodge at Mountain Village start around $375 per night, while the slope-side Waldorf Astoria Park City runs roughly $1,300 a night. In Old Town, lodging ranges from about $200 to $1,500 per night depending on season and style. Budget-minded travellers have options too — chain hotels and private rentals sit alongside the boutiques.

The costs to factor in: adult lift tickets bought in advance start at around $147 per day and can climb to $325 during peak season, with cheaper rates for kids under 13. If you don't own gear, rental packages start at about $57 per day.

For anyone planning a winter trip, Park City Mountain works well whether you're chasing a week of serious vertical or a shorter getaway that mixes skiing with good food and walkable nightlife. And since Utah's "Mighty Five" national parks — Arches, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands and Capitol Reef — are within road-trip range of Salt Lake City, it's easy to tack on a non-ski adventure if your trip straddles seasons.