Snow in Park City, Utah: What to Expect and How to Prepare for Snowfall

How Much Snow Does Park City Get Each Year?

Annual Snowfall Averages

Ask any skier who spends winter in Park City, and they’ll tell you the snow totals are big enough to keep spirits high all season.

Long-term numbers from OnTheSnow peg the average snowfall around 286 inches a year, while the mountain’s own stats list an even burlier 355 inches at Park City Mountain Resort, the largest ski area in the U.S.

The 2022-23 season went well beyond “average,” piling up a record 612 inches of fresh snow—the kind of historic dump that fills every secret stash and keeps many skiers talking about “that year” for decades.

Monthly Snowfall Patterns

Snow usually starts sneaking in by late October, but November’s the first month that regularly logs measurable snow depth (about 18").

December, January, and February are the true powder engines, each stacking roughly 60–65 inches.

March stays strong with another 60-plus, and even April squeezes out a respectable 22" before things taper. 

The Best Time to Visit for Snow and Skiing

Peak Powder Months

If you crave waist-deep turns and high-speed laps, late December through early March is your sweet spot.

Daily snow reports frequently headline “latest snow” overnight totals, and Park City snow forecast maps often tease another wave of predicted snowfall moving in every few days.

Mid-winter brings the most reliable snow conditions and the fluffiest snow quality—north-facing upper slopes hold fresh powder longer, while shaded glades keep the terrain soft even on sunny afternoons. 

Shoulder Seasons and Early/Late Snow

Thinking about booking next winter extra early?

November can be hit or miss—sometimes you’ll score recent snowfall and silky groomers; other years, you’ll find firm, almost icy hard-pack until the base builds.

April rides surprise back-to-back storms one week and springlike mountain weather the next.

Conditions change quickly, so keep an eye on the daily forecast and always check the snow before locking in plans.

How Snowfall Impacts Travel and Local Life

Road Conditions and Safety Tips

Storm days look dreamy from the lift, but they can turn U.S.-40 into a white-knuckle commute.

Utah’s Traction Law kicks in whenever weather conditions deteriorate—snow tires or chains (traction devices) become mandatory on canyon approaches into town. 

Main arterials like S.R.-224 get plowed first, yet freezing level swings can leave a crusty wind crust on side roads before dawn.

Pro tip: The free ski bus eliminates parking headaches and lets you debate which trail has the softest turns instead of which lot still has spots.

Airport and Transportation Considerations

Salt Lake City International is only a 40-minute hop away, and their round-the-clock snow-removal crew is legendary for keeping runways clear during even the gnarliest blizzards. 

Flight delays still pop up on rare megastorms, so build a buffer or grab the Canyon Express shuttle if a weather report looks dicey.

Local Events and Winter Activities

January brings the Sundance Film Festival - picture many skiers swapping helmets for beanies, then rushing from slope to screening. 

Beyond ski and snowboard, you’ve got snowshoe tours through aspen groves, horse-drawn sleigh rides under starry skies, or gloriously lazy spa afternoons when your legs give out.

All that snowfall fuels a winter buzz that keeps restaurants humming and homeowners eyeing homes for sale in Park City just to stay a little longer.

Tips for Enjoying Park City During Snow Season

What to Pack for a Snowy Visit

Layer up. A breathable shell blocks spindrift on the chair while mid-weights fend off the freezing dawn.

Waterproof gloves, a balaclava for those upper slopes in the shade, and extra socks for après keep you smiling when the snow and weather combo turns rowdy.

Navigating the Town in Winter Weather

Historic Main Street looks postcard-cute, blanketed in fresh snowfall, but black-ice patches lurk by curbs.

Use the free transit, snag a spot in the China Bridge garage, or hop that high-speed Quicksilver Gondola between the two base villages—it’s basically public transport with a killer view.

When in doubt, the official ski parking updates drop each morning alongside the ski report.

Making the Most of the Park City Snow

Sure, carving fresh powder on Park City Mountain is legendary, but snowy days here offer way more than laps off the lift.

Trade your skis for an inflatable tube at Woodward’s bubly Tubing Park—the high-speed conveyor does the climbing for you, so all you do is grin and go while the snow report logs another flurry of inches. A few steps away, the winter-operating Alpine Coaster rockets through spruce glades at 25 mph, a fun reminder that snow conditions can be just as thrilling seated as they are standing. 

And if you’d rather glide than zoom, the in-town White Pine Nordic Center grooms 20 km of classic and skate tracks where you can check your personal snow depth one kick at a time. 

Feel like cranking the adrenaline? Climb into a real World-Cup bobsled at Utah Olympic Park and pull up to 5 G’s on the same ice that hosted 2002 Olympians—arguably the wildest way to experience mountain weather when the forecast shouts “freezing.” 

Prefer throttle over gravity? Guided snowmobile outfits like Summit Meadows Adventures race across 20,000 private acres of powder fields, while Bear Ridge Adventures lets huskies do the hauling on dog-sled tours that weave through aspen groves blanketed in fresh snow. 

Of course, not every blizzard screams “full send.”

Slip on snowshoes for a quiet wander behind McPolin Barn, dip into the Kimball Art Center’s exhibits when the wind crust stiffens the trails, or soak sore quads at one of the plush spas dotting Old Town—conditions may change outside, but steam rooms stay toasty. When flakes turn postcard-pretty, Main Street’s galleries and indie shops feel like strolling a snow globe, especially once the lights twinkle off the drifts.

Snowy Day Eats in Park City

And you’ll need fuel. Start with an Aussie-style flat white at Five5eeds or the literary-vibed Atticus Coffee & Teahouse, then grab a pour-over at Pink Elephant Coffee Roasters if you’re chasing that next-run caffeine hit.

Après, clink whiskey glasses at ski-in/ski-out High West Saloon before settling into dinner—maybe seasonal small plates at Handle or a splurge-worthy elk chop at Riverhorse on Main, both local favorites that taste even better after a day buried in Utah snow.

The Bottom Line

Park City’s powder reputation isn’t hype; it’s hard depth in the woods, rolling groomers on every slope, and lift-served adventure from gentle greens to hike-to steeps.

Whether you’re hunting fresh powder before breakfast, dialing in off-piste conditions on secret trees, or just craving the view from that last trail home, keep an eye on the Park City snow forecast, respect the mountain weather, and you’ll nail your perfect trip—no matter how much snow Mother Nature decides to drop.

FAQs About Snowfall in Park City, UT

When was the last snowfall date this season?

Storms blow through regularly, but the Park City snow report posts the daily forecast and stamps the last snowfall date right at the top. Ski Utah

How much snow should I expect at higher elevation?

Base village sits around 6,800 ft, but lifts climb to 10,026 ft. Up high, you’ll routinely see deeper drifts—often double the snow depth you measured in town.

Where can I find official Utah snow report numbers?

The statewide aggregator at Ski Utah updates snow data, snow forecasts, and resort-by-resort ski conditions every morning. Ski Utah

Does Park City weather stay stormy or turn sunny?

Bluebird breaks pop up between fronts—Utah’s famed desert climate means fast clearing behind each system, so you’ll rip powder in the morning and bask on a patio by afternoon.