Ski Park City: Advanced & Expert Terrain - The Local’s Guide to Going Big

If you’re looking for mellow groomers or bunny hills, this ain’t the blog for you.

But if you came to ski Park City because you heard the ski resort's terrain slaps—because you want to earn your turns, crush bowls, drop chutes, and find the stashes locals don’t post about—then welcome. You’re in the right place.

Park City Mountain Resort is home to some seriously underrated expert terrain, especially when you know where to look. As the largest ski resort in the US, it offers an expansive playground for advanced skiers. Whether you’re hunting for untouched lines after a storm, exploring new terrain, or pushing your limits on chalky steeps, here’s your locals-only breakdown of where to send it and how to get geared up.

Introduction to Park City

Welcome to Park City, Utah—where mountain adventure meets vibrant town energy. Just a quick 32-mile drive from Salt Lake City, Park City is the ultimate playground for anyone who loves the outdoors. Home to 2 world-class ski resorts—Park City Mountain and Deer Valley, this town is all about big terrain, endless options, and year-round stoke. With over 9,300 skiable acres, Park City Mountain is the largest ski resort in the United States, offering everything from mellow cruisers to legendary terrain parks and steep, technical lines. When the snow melts, the adventure doesn’t stop—Park City transforms into a mecca for mountain biking, hiking, and exploring more than 400 miles of scenic trails. Whether you’re here to chase powder, send it in the park, or rack up summer miles on your bike, Park City’s got the terrain, the vibe, and the access to keep you coming back for more.

First Things First: Rent or Bring the Right Setup

If you’re planning to ski like you mean it, leave the rental shop clunkers to the tourists. Aloha Ski & Snowboard Rentals offers a Gold Package for advanced and expert skiers—hand-selected, freshly tuned, high-performance gear from top brands like Volkl, Rossignol, Nordica, Blizzard, and more.

The Gold Package = Your Quiver for the Day

• Precision skis with race edges for steep groomers
• All-mountain beasts for chopped-up bowls
• Fat powder skis for storm days in Jupiter Bowl
• Expert boards for edge hold on big lines or float in deep snow

For advanced skiers planning multiple days on the mountain, purchasing a season pass or Epic Pass can offer significant value and access to top Utah resorts. Be sure to secure your lift tickets in advance to guarantee slope access and take advantage of the best rates.

Your gear shouldn’t hold you back and the Gold Package gear doesn’t.

Best Advanced Terrain: Park City Base Side

McConkey’s Bowl

• Access: McConkey’s Express
• Why ride it: Named after the legend Shane McConkey’s dad, this bowl delivers. Big drops, natural hits, and wide open pitches with views that make you slow down—if only for a second.
• Local line: Drop in skier’s right for wide open carving, or dive left into the trees when it's dumping. On bluebird days, the skiing is unreal.

Jupiter Bowl

• Access: Take Jupiter access off of Pioneer lift. follow the cat track access to the bottom of Jupiter lift
• Why it slaps: This is the crown jewel for powder hounds and big mountain riders. It’s hike-to terrain with legit steeps and tons of options for natural airs, glades, and chutes.
  Top Lines:
• Portuguese Gap – A tight chute that opens into a pow field
• Scott’s Bowl – Wide open face skiing at its finest
• Pinecone Ridge – For those who don’t mind bootpacking for bragging rights
• Snowboarder tip: The hike is totally worth it, but be ready to traverse if you’re dropping into the side bowls. Jupiter Bowl offers lift accessed snowboarding, making it a favorite for both skiing and snowboarding on varied terrain.

Silverlode and Thaynes Zone

• Hidden gems: Runs like Dynamite and Silver Queen are perfect when the top of Jupiter is wind-blown or tracked. These trails stay chalky and are steeper than they look.
• Tree runs to know:
  • Motherlode Meadows – Lower angle but deep and sneaky fun
  • Seldom Trees – Tighter lines for confident skiers who know how to keep it moving

Best Advanced Terrain: Canyons Side

Don’t sleep on Canyons. The Canyons Village base area serves as a main access point for skiers and snowboarders, featuring modern infrastructure and new lifts that connect it with the rest of Park City Mountain Resort. The Red Pine Gondola is a key lift here, providing access to a wide range of terrain on the Canyons side. This side of the resort feels like its own mountain (because it kind of is), and it’s loaded with spicy terrain if you know where to sniff it out. For those seeking convenience, there is a variety of lodging and hotel options available near the Canyons Village base area, offering easy access to the slopes and amenities.

9990 Bowl

• Access: 9990 Express
• Big line energy: Drop in off the backside into Dutch Draw or Square Top, which are technically sidecountry—so know before you go and bring avy gear if you’re going out of bounds.
• Inbound burner: Devil’s Fiddle is one of the steepest runs in Park City. It’s usually bumped out and rarely groomed, but if you like thigh burn and speed control, this is the one.

Peak 5 & Dreamcatcher

• Best on a storm day: Trees everywhere, fewer crowds, and plenty of pockets where snow stacks up and stays soft. Hit Pine Draw or Desert Sam for short, spicy tree runs with sneaky deep turns.
• Bonus: These areas are where you can usually find leftovers a day or two after a dump. Everyone else is waiting in line for Jupiter while you’re scoring faceshots.

Tips for Advanced Skiing in Park City

1. Storm chasing? Hit Jupiter and 9990 early. They get tracked fast.
2. Groomer days? Rip Tycoon and Parley’s Park on edge-holding skis from the Gold Package. Just don’t forget to check your speed—Ski Patrol definitely will.
3. Hike-to terrain? Bring water, an extra layer, and the legs to back it up. The goods are worth the climb.
4. Looking for sidecountry? You’re on your own out there. Know the snowpack, bring your beacon/shovel/probe, and an experienced buddy.
5. Track your runs. Keep a list of which trails you’ve skied to make sure you experience all the advanced terrain and don’t miss any hidden gems.

Our resort team is always available to assist guests with any questions or advice about advanced terrain, ensuring you get the most out of your visit.

Why Rippers Choose the Gold Package

Let’s be real—when you’re riding expert terrain, the wrong gear will ruin your day. That’s why locals and experienced visitors trust Aloha’s Gold Package rentals.

• Choose from the season’s best skis and boards
• Perfectly waxed and tuned for that day’s conditions
• Get expert advice from our shop crew (yes, we ski and ride too)—or visit us in person for personalized recommendations
• Swap gear if the weather shifts—go from groomer rippers to pow sticks mid-trip

Book your rentals early to secure the best rates and ensure you get the gear you want.

Ski rentals in Park City, Utah aren’t just for beginners. If you want to ski Park City like a local, start by riding what the locals ride.

Final Word

Skiing Park City isn’t just about the size of the mountain—it’s about knowing where to go, when to go, and having the gear to match your ambition. Park City Mountain Resort is located in a prime spot for access to world-class skiing, making it easy to get on the slopes quickly. As the largest resort in the US, Park City offers extensive terrain, countless trails, and family-friendly activities. Whether you’re chasing steep lines under McConkey’s, diving into the trees at Dreamcatcher, or sending cliffs off the Jupiter ridgeline, this mountain has what you’re looking for. Discover new lines and hidden stashes every time you visit.

So if you’re ready to go big, leave the rentals-to-get-you-by behind and grab the Gold Package from Aloha Ski & Snowboard Rentals. You focus on the lines—we’ll handle the gear.

Ready to Send It?

Reserve your Gold Package gear online and pick it up at any Aloha Ski & Snowboard Rentals location in Park City or Canyons. We’ll get you on the hill fast—and looking like you’ve been skiing here for years.