Park City Mountain Resort

History: It was in the winter of 1963 that Treasure Mountain Ski Area — Park City Mountain Resort's precursor — opened, boasting America's longest gondola, a double chairlift and two J-bar tows. The lifts served 18 miles of skiing terrain and transformed Park City from a silver mining town gone bust to the beginning of the premiere resort it is today. The local newspaper proclaimed the event a "new rich lode — one of recreation — to the storied community of Park City which was the West's mining capital some 65 years ago."

Over the past 40 years, the resort has been building and improving, and today offers 3,300 skiable acres that are accessed by 14 lifts. The resort is also home to the most extensive snowboard facilities within the state. Park City, in fact, hosted the giant slalom and halfpipe events for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The resort was also one of the first in Utah to introduce the new high-speed lifts and was the first to have a six-passenger high-speed lift.

What you probably know: The most popular run for beginners is Homerun, a 3.5-mile trail that leads skiers and riders down to the base from the summit. Assessment is a favorite of many of the resort's guests because of its gentle pitch, perfect for long wide turns. When skiers are looking for a fast, steep-pitched run, they head to Silver Queen. This wide-open slope is perfect for practicing GS turns.

The resort has four six-passenger chairlifts, the most of any resort in the Rocky Mountain region, which has made it possible for visitors to enjoy more slope time.

On beautiful bluebird days, skiers and riders alike follow the sun around the mountain, beginning their day on Bonanza and Pioneer lifts and ending on King Con lift.

PCMR is also the only one of the three resorts in the Park City area offering night skiing.

The resort also has made it possible for skiers to stop and snack almost anywhere on the mountain. Pick up breakfast or enjoy delicious fresh fish for lunch at the base of the Payday lift in the Legacy Cafe. Or enjoy a made-to-order slice of pizza on the deck of the Summit House restaurant at the top of Bonanza lift. For a quick coffee break or excellent sandwich, stop off at Cafe Amante, a beautiful Yurt located on Homerun, which is off of the Bonanza lift.

What you may not know: The resort has nine bowl areas for intermediate and expert skiers looking for short lift lines and incredible terrain. Fresh powder can usually be found on Jupiter peak the day after a storm clears and on Pinecone Ridge for up to two days after a storm. McConkey's Bowl is a favorite for tree skiing and powder seekers after a storm.