For some people, a heavenly visit to Park City includes nothing more than daytime spa visits, afternoon cocktail hours and a night on the town. Park City is great at all of those things.
But think as far as the pendulum could swing away from that vacation. Park City and the surrounding areas excel at those things, too. We’re talking about the heart-racing, thrill-inducing stuff of real consequence that the most adventurous types consider fun. For this list, we’ll focus on those adventurous activities in the Park City area and suggest a guide or two for support.
Park City Area Activities for Adventurers
1. Ziplining
Enjoy a thrilling zipline ride at speeds up to 45 MPH while taking in the scenery — along with a few butterflies in your stomach. Epic ziplining options in Park City include Park City Mountain Resort and the Olympic Park.
2. Bobsled
If you’re looking to get in on a little Olympic glory, look no further than the home of the 2002 Olympic Bobsled track, which was also home to the skeleton and luge events. Hop on with a professional pilot and reach speeds up to 60 MPH in the summer months.
3. Windsurfing
Utah certainly gets its fair share of wind, so any sport with the word in its name must be suitable. Windsurfing is a sport that essentially combines surfing and sailing using a sail while standing on a board. According to Windsurf Utah, three of the four best beginner spots for windsurfing are in the Wasatch Back, including two locations on the Jordanelle Reservoir and one on Deer Creek.
4. Downhill Mountain Biking
For lift-served downhill trails, you can’t beat Deer Valley Resort. Three chairlifts and four flow trails, along with dozens of miles of cross-country trails, make for an unforgettable experience.
5. Inflatable Kayaking
If you’re looking for a whitewater adventure in the Park City area, we recommend inflatable kayaking on the Weber River. This half-day experience is a little more exciting in a kayak or SUP compared to a guided raft. There are many outfitters in Park City but check out All Seasons Adventures for one of the longest-running operations in town.
6. Rock Climbing
Ascend some amazing walls with your own strength (with a skilled guide on belay, of course). Rock climbing is most readily available in the Uinta National Forest as well as in the Cottonwood Canyons. There are several guides such as White Pine Touring to help you reach new heights.
7. Backcountry & Heli-Skiing
If you’re looking for an epic heli-skiing adventure in the Wasatch, look no further than Powderbird, the only outfitter permitted to helicopter on Forest Service land. They have a variety of packages. If you’re looking to do some backcountry skiing in the Wasatch, consider hiring an experienced guide who has the experience and knowledge of our terrain and snowpack, which changes hourly. I also recommend taking an avalanche course through the Utah Avalanche Center and always checking the daily forecast before heading out.
8. Super Trampolines
What better way to perfect your latest trick than on a super tramp? With ten U.S. locations, we are very fortunate to have a Woodward hub right in Park City to practice our skills on and off the ground.
9. Mountaineering
For the true alpinist and thrill-seeker, mountaineering is the call. This sport often combines climbing, skiing and traversing over mountains to reach peaks. Check out a course from Utah Mountain Adventures.
10. Skateparks
For those looking for concrete bowls, halfpipes and rails on their boards, Park City has several immediate and nearby options. Check out skate parks in Park City’s City Park, Trailside Park, Woodward Park City or Wasatch County Skate Park in Heber and the Oakley Skate Park.
11. Extreme Tubing
Another great offering from the Utah Olympic Park, Extreme Tubing lets you soar just like a nordic skier but on a tube. You’ll reach speeds of up to 50 MPH and land safely into the training pool.
12. Ice Fishing
This might not be extreme to some, but the idea of being out on a lake that is sometimes as thin as six inches frozen is terrifying to me. At the same time, it does sound exciting to be out there and be a part of the thrill of fishing in the winter. Sipping a hot drink in the tent doesn’t sound too bad. Many of the Park City fly fishing guides provide this service in the winter.
13. Ice Climbing
Speaking of ice, this looks like a truly thrilling adventure. There are a few ice climbing spots within a short drive from Park City, including Provo Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Guided ice climbing companies like Red River Adventures are certified and have a variety of tours available to keep you safe.
14. Snowmobiling
If you have the need for speed, check out one of Park City’s snowmobile tours. You’ll love everything from the snow in your face to the epic views. This is such a fun way to get out and explore the Wasatch.
15. Paragliding
If you have any level of interest in paragliding, you may have heard of Point of the Mountain Flight Park in Draper. It has consistent weather patterns and has become a world-renowned spot for all kinds of air-based sports like hang gliding and paragliding. Flying on your own takes many hours and skills, but even first-timers can get airborne with a tandem flight. There are several companies out there to help in your endeavor: Wasatch Hang Gliding, Point of the Mountain Paragliding and Utah Paragliding.
What types of activities are on your Utah adventure bucket list? Whether it’s a white-knuckle activity like the ones above or a day of shopping in Old Town, I hope you enjoy your time here.