Your Guide to Family Fun This Spring

March 15th, 2023

KOLLABS, “The Bandits,” mixed media, 36″ x 36″

Here in Park City, we may be best known for our magical, powdery Winters or our fun and vibrant Summers, but we’re here to assure you that Spring in Park City can be just as incredible of an adventure for the whole family. As a family owned and operated business, we know how important it is to ensure that the entire family will have a blast on your Spring vacation. That’s why we’ve curated a guide to family fun this Spring, inspired by our local Park City kids’ favorite activities. So read on to plan the perfect family-friendly Park City Spring trip — complete with a visit to our very own Gallery MAR.

Left to right: Pamela Murphy, “Downhill,” oil, 32″ x 24″ | Pamela Murphy, “Bunny Hill,” oil, 26″ x 22″ | Pamela Murphy, “Helping Hand,” oil, 32″ x 41″

Spring Skiing

With the amazing Winter we’ve had so far here in Park City, it may be hard to turn our attention towards Spring as the snow continues to fall. Considering that some parts of the Wasatch Mountains have registered over 500” of fresh snow this winter, Spring may feel like it’s a world away. Make no mistake, if you and your family are here to ski this Spring, there will be the most bountiful harvest of spring corn skiing the area has seen in the last 49 years. (Learn more about this incredible winter in our recent SnowMARgeddon blog post.)

Deer Valley Resort will remain open until at least April 17th and Park City Mountain Resort, the largest lift-serviced ski area in the United States, just unveiled they will remain open until April 23rd, 2023 this year, extending the season a full two weeks and making it the latest closing date in 30 years, so it’s not too late to book one more wintry Spring trip!

James Wolanin, “Toboggan Run,” acrylic, 48″ x 48″

Park City Pond Skim

We cannot write a piece on Spring skiing without mentioning the most famous spring event on the mountain, the infamous pond skim. The annual Park City Pond Skim event is set for April 8th this year. Be sure to bring your camera, most outlandish costumes, and quirky energy. It will be the story your kids will be aching to tell their friends all about. Skiers from all over come to take one last run down the hill and finish off by gliding over a pond of clear water in front of a crowd of enthusiastic fans. Only rarely do the skiers make it all the way across the pond.

If you wish to sign up for the pond skim, we would recommend following the event for notification of when sign ups go live as there are only 100 spots available.

KOLLABS, “The Antlers,” mixed media, 48″ x 48″

Woodward Park City

Since opening in December 2019, Woodward Park City has provided a camp-like experience for beginning skiers to expert skiers that includes nine ski and snowboard terrain parks and more than 10 snow tubing lanes. During the warmer seasons, they offer three lift-serviced mountain bike trails and two outdoor skate parks. For those who are looking for a “poor-weather active day” activity, Woodward Park City boasts a 66,000-square-foot indoor facility featuring a 10,000-square-foot concrete skatepark, trampolines, a spring floor, airbags and foam pits.

If you’re looking for an active rest day for yourselves but your kids are still full of energy, they’ve got that covered as well. You’ll find a cafeteria and a third-floor café with a full bar that overlooks the indoor facilities below. Sometimes delivering a magical and rewarding experience to your kids is enough to warrant that Après-ski glass of wine, even if your boots are still on the warmer and your skis never left your locker.

Left to right: Sara Edgar, “Ruminating with Cows II,” mixed media, 24″ x 24″ | Sara Edgar, “Sweethearts,” mixed media, 24″ x 20″

Stroll Down Historic Main Street

Did you know that there are over 200 distinctive businesses in historic Park City? That number includes over 100 independently owned and operated boutiques and 50 restaurants that will be sure to expand your culinary horizons. While you’re on Main Street, stop into Gallery MAR to take in the latest inventory of striking, diverse, and bold displays of artworks across nearly every medium.

If you’re an Argent resident, be sure to pick up a copy of Gallery MAR’s Argent Activity Book for your kids. With interactive games, a scavenger hunt, brain teasers, kid’s Main Street activities, and artist highlights, it’s the perfect way for your kids to engage with art while nourishing their brains and sustaining their interest.

Afterwards, brush up on your regional pioneer history at the award-winning Park City Museum, conveniently situated right in the heart of old town Park City. The modern luxuries available within our town are enhanced when you have a greater understanding of the history of the town and region. If you’re a history buff, you’ll love learning about how the prospectors first discovered silver in these mountains in 1868, eventually growing into one of the top three metal mining areas in the entire state. Mine ruin tours have ended for the 2022-2023 season, but if you’re an annual visitor or plan on coming next winter, a free, guided, intermediate-ski tour of the mine ruins located on Park City Mountain Resort is available.

As your fun day out with the kids is winding down, pop into Dolly’s Bookstore, or the Park City Library (Gallery MAR owner Maren Mullin’s kids’ recommend asking for Miss Katrina!) where everyone can pick up a new book to enjoy that evening around the fire. Now that everyone’s brains and hearts are full, it’s time for their sweet tooth to be satiated. We recommend ending your relaxing Main Street afternoon with a sweet treat and cozy latte at Java Cow, where the delightful scent of fresh waffle cones, ice cream, and espresso will reinvigorate your whole family for the remainder of the day.

Hunt Slonem, “5th Dimension,” oil, 44″ x 66″

The Natural History Museum of Utah

Are your kids a fan of dinosaurs? Ancient World History? Archaeology and Geology? The Natural History Museum of Utah has it all. Just down the mountain on the other side of Parley’s Canyon in Salt Lake City is one of the most interesting and interactive museum’s around. In addition to their vast exhibitions and demonstrations, they also offer a 2-hour STEM and STEAM-based kids’ programs that will inspire their imagination and curiosity. The Museum is open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm (with the exception of Wednesdays to which they remain open until 9pm). Tickets for adults are available for under $20 and children 2 and under are admitted free of charge. Ticket availability is limited so we encourage you to plan this fun, educational trip at least one day in advance.

Fred Calleri, “Four Seasons,” oil, 24″ x 30″

Utah Olympic Park

Located just minutes outside of downtown Park City is the world famous Utah Olympic Park. Just over 20 years ago, the park was the host for some of the biggest events at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Winter Games. If your family’s ever dreamed of being on a bobsled team, you can actually experience it first-hand at the Utah Olympic Park. For you and your older kids, aged 16+, you can experience an exhilarating bobsled ride of your own, available December 21st – April 8th this year.

The Utah Olympic Park hosts a myriad of warm-weather activities as well that are perfect for the entire family, including a ski-jump zip line experience, deep water soloing (rock climbing over a deep swimming pool), and ski and snowboard freestyle pool lessons.

Also located at the Utah Olympic Park is the Alf Engen Ski Museum, whose mission is to preserve the rich ski history of the Mountain West.

Which of these family-friendly Spring activities is the perfect fit for your next Park City Spring vacation? Save this guide now to consult on your trip or to plan for next year. Plus, follow the links in the captions above to find our favorite kid and family-inspired Gallery MAR works of art.

Written by Veronica Vale