Travel Sustainably in Park City

Sponsored by Visit Park City.

When winter enthusiasts think of Park City, Utah, they typically imagine a wonderland in the Wasatch Mountains that boasts world-class skiing. And they’re totally right. Park City after all is North America’s most accessible mountain recreation destination, located just 35 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport. Park City is home to more than 400 miles of public trails, 100 lodging properties, and two of North America’s most renowned ski resorts, Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain.  

However, the town of Park City wants visitors to think of something else, too—sustainability. Park City is working on aggressive climate goals, which includes efforts to become a net-zero town. Park City is on track to have city operations run on 100 percent renewable electricity by early 2023, and expects to have the whole community running on 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.  

As outdoor enthusiasts know, we need to protect the planet in order to enjoy it for years to come, and one way to do that is to spend our vacations in a place that reflects our values. Enter Park City. “We have really ambitious climate and waste-reduction goals, and visitors and the visitor economy play a huge role in meeting them,” says Morgan Mingle, Park City Chamber & Visitors Bureau’s Director of Sustainable Tourism. So what does a sustainable Park City ski vacation look like? 

Well imagine this: You land at Salt Lake City International Airport, hop in your pre-arranged shuttle, get dropped off at your Park City hotel, and then stroll to dinner. The next morning you get on a free electric bus that whisks you right to a solar- powered resort. As it turns out, a car-free trip is easier, and more economical—no rental fees, parking hassles, and driving in snow.  

Want more ways to travel sustainably in Park City? Below are some ideas.  

How to travel sustainably in Park City

Go Carless in Park City  

Park City has a free, robust public transportation that can take you anywhere around town and to the ski resorts. As mentioned above, you don’t even need a car to get from Salt Lake City International Airport to Park City. A number of shuttle services are available between Salt Lake City and Park City, or you can use a ridesharing service. Once you’re in Park City, it’s very walkable, too.  

Bring Your Reusable Water Bottle 

Park City sits at 7,000 feet, so carrying water helps you stay hydrated, whether you’re skiing or not. Refill stations are located around Park City and at the resort base areas. If you’re skiing, bring a small backpack or hip pack to carry a bottle and any essentials.  

Ski Green  

Park City’s local resorts—Park City Mountain, Deer Valley and Woodward —are in sync with the city’s sustainability goals. Deer Valley and Park City Mountain aim to use solar to provide 100 percent of their resorts’ energy by 2023, while Woodward’s sustainability commitment includes on-site solar panels that produce up to 300,000-kilowatt hours of clean energy per year to power its campus. Both Deer Valley and Park City Mountain also have recycling and composting efforts, which guests can be active participants in when they’re eating and drinking on resort.   

Eat Local  

A slew of Park City restaurants are leading the sustainability charge, like Este Pizza, a casual-dining joint that composts all its food waste and is making strides in reducing water use. Saltbox, a grab-and-go restaurant, is participating in a pilot program using reusable glass to-go containers.  

Sleep Sustainably  

Many Park City hotels prioritize sustainability. Both the Montage and Pendry hotels are LEED certified, meaning their buildings are highly efficient. Additionally, Park City Lodging has installed 52 solar panels at its headquarters.  

For more information, and to start planning your Park City trip, go to VisitParkCity.com.