As a family of skiing travel writers, we visit lots of ski resorts. Each has something special and I find myself falling in love with the unique characteristics of almost every resort we visit. Every mountain has something special and no mountain is perfect.
But at the Canyons, I feel like Goldilocks. The mountain is not too big and not too small. The accommodations are not too luxurious and not too basic. The mountain is family-friendly, but not too kid-focused. The base area has a vibrant feel (especially during the free concerts on Saturdays), but remains intimate. The historic town of Park City is a short drive away, but not right on top of you.
In short, the Canyons is just right.
The perfect size with plenty of mountain to explore, but with a layout that never feels overwhelming. In fact, a day can be spent following the sun from one side of the mountain to the other. Start your day on the Orange Bubble Express - a heated, covered chairlift with an impossible-to-miss bright orange cover. Several warm up runs off to the skiers' right will get you to the middle of the mountain where the more-experienced skiers can jump on the 9990 lift to access Canyons more advanced terrain.
Surprisingly, The Canyons is the largest ski resort in Utah in terms of skiable acres. Yet somehow the mountain feels more intimate. On one fine powder day, I was able to enjoy a few inches of fresh snow over a blue run, while Macaroni Dad snaked through the woods in snow up to his knees. Then, we'd meet half way down and do it again and again. All while the kids were enjoying the world class ski school.
Lunch early or late at Cloud Dine -- the food is fantastic but it can get pretty busy mid-day and finish your day with long steep cruisers off of the Dreamscape and Dreamcatcher lifts. There's also the expansive Red Pine Lodge at mid-mountain which is everything you'd expect from a mid-mountain restaurant. Sun Lodge is a third choice, far to skiers' left on the mountain, it can be respite on busy days. And if fine dining is more your cup of tea, try Lookout Cabin for table service a meal that's a notch or two above what you'd expect to find on the slopes.
While there are many places to stay, from an uber-luxurious Waldorf, to a variety of condos, the Grand Summit at the base is ideal for families. It has all the key ingredients: location right by the lift, large rooms suitable for families most with beautiful mountain views, the all-important apres ski pool and early morning coffee in the lobby. But one of my favorite features of the Grand Summit for families is the on-site day care. Accepting babies as young as six weeks and going up through six years, this bright, clean daycare facility is located in the Grand Summit. As a guest of the Grand Summit, there is no packing up that baby or taking her outside. No schlepping her along with your skies, boots, helmet and diaper bag. The child care is merely an elevator ride away.
Two years ago, Vail Resorts took over management of Canyons and this year, Canyons Resort, along with Park City joins the Epic Pass, which provides you with unlimited ski days at any and all Vail Resorts for $749 (adults) and $389 (kids). More restricted and less expensive passes are also available.
