Four days in Utah, with mountain adventures, memorable meals, and plenty to do without skiing.
You don’t have to ski to love Park City. We spent a long weekend in Utah in February without ever putting on a pair of skis, and between snowmobiling, horseback riding, exploring the mountains, and a few really good meals, we had no trouble filling our days.
We also happened to visit during an unusually warm stretch of February weather, with temperatures reaching nearly 60 degrees. Not exactly what you’d expect from a winter weekend in Utah, but we weren’t complaining.
Here’s how we spent four days in and around Park City, including the stops I’d absolutely make again.
Day One — Salt Lake City, Antelope Island & Park City
We flew into Salt Lake City, picked up a Jeep Wrangler at the airport, and made our first stop at Central 9th Market.
If there’s one thing you take from this itinerary, let it be the breakfast sandwich on their homemade salted focaccia. It is so good. The focaccia alone is worth stopping for, and I’d happily make the detour again on our next visit.
From there, we drove out to Antelope Island State Park, an island in the Great Salt Lake that feels worlds away from the city.
It was incredibly quiet when we visited. We drove around the island, spotted bison, and stopped to take in the mountain views stretching across the lake. The landscape was unlike anything else we saw that weekend, and I’m so glad we made time for it.
Afterward, we headed toward Park City and settled into our Airbnb.
Day Two — Snowmobiling & Main Street
One of the things I was most looking forward to was snowmobiling, and it didn’t disappoint.
We booked an excursion with Park City Peaks, which gave us a completely different way to experience the mountains. For anyone visiting Park City who doesn’t ski, this is such a fun way to get outside and enjoy the winter landscape.
We also made time to explore Historic Main Street, with its shops, restaurants, and mountain-town atmosphere. Even without skiing, there’s something fun about being in a town where everyone seems to be coming and going from the slopes.
Day Three — Horseback Riding, High West & Deer Valley
If I could recommend only one activity from our entire weekend, it would be horseback riding with Rocky Mountain Outfitters.
We rode through deep snow as the horses made their way up the mountainside, eventually reaching panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains. It was unbelievably beautiful. There was something about being up there on horseback, surrounded by snow and open landscape, that made the whole experience feel especially memorable.
I’ve done a lot of things while traveling, but this is one I’ll never forget.
We also stopped at High West Saloon, which ended up being one of our favorite places to eat in Park City. We grabbed seats at the bar, watched a Rutgers basketball game, and had an incredible meal. On our way out, they were serving hot apple cider to go, which we happily took with us for the walk home.
It’s exactly the kind of place I’d go back to.
Another highlight of the weekend was visiting Deer Valley. We took the funicular up the mountain for lunch, where we could watch skiers coming and going between runs. Even though we weren’t skiing ourselves, it was a fun way to experience that part of Park City.
Day Four — One Last Look Around
Before heading back toward Salt Lake City for our flight, we took a drive around Utah Olympic Park, home to facilities from the 2002 Winter Olympics.
It was an easy stop to work into our departure day and a nice way to see another side of Park City’s mountain-sports history.
Then it was time to head back to the airport.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
You don’t need to ski to enjoy Park City. That was the biggest takeaway from our weekend. Between horseback riding, snowmobiling, restaurants, and simply spending time in the mountains, there was more than enough to fill four days.
I’d recommend renting a car. We rented a Jeep Wrangler and loved having the flexibility to explore beyond Park City. It made visiting Antelope Island and getting to our excursions much easier. Winter road conditions can be very different from the unusually warm weather we experienced, so it’s worth checking road and tire requirements before you go.
Make reservations for your activities. Horseback riding and snowmobiling were two of the best parts of the trip, and I’d plan around those experiences rather than leaving them to chance.
Don’t expect 60-degree weather in February. We got incredibly lucky with the sunshine and warmth. If you’re planning a winter trip, pack and plan for much colder conditions.
We came to Park City knowing we wouldn’t be skiing, but left feeling like we’d barely scratched the surface. Four days was a great introduction, and we’d absolutely return.
And when we do, Central 9th Market will be our first stop again.
