The Ultimate Guide to Park City Mountain Village Parking

If you're planning a ski trip to Park City Mountain Village, one of the first things you’ll need to figure out is where to park. With thousands of skiers and snowboarders hitting the slopes each day, finding a good parking spot can be as tricky as navigating a double black diamond, especially during peak season.

Whether you’re wondering about free parking, paid options, or Park City Mountain Village parking reservations, this guide has everything you need to make your trip hassle-free and stress-free.

1. Free Parking at Park City Mountain Village – What You Need to Know

If you’re looking to avoid parking fees, there are a few free parking options near Park City Mountain Village, but they fill up quickly, especially on weekends and powder days. Planning ahead is key if you want to snag a free spot and avoid the hassle of circling for parking.

Where to Find Free Parking

Park City High School Lot (Weekends & Holidays Only)

• Location: About 5 minutes from Park City Mountain Resort.
• How it works: Free parking available only on weekends and holidays.
• Transportation: Free shuttle service runs regularly between the lot and the resort base.
• Best for: Skiers who don’t mind a quick shuttle ride in exchange for free parking.

Canyons Village Cabriolet Lot

• Location: Near Canyons Village (part of Park City Mountain Resort).
• How it works: Free parking available daily, with access to the Cabriolet lift that takes you to the resort base.
• Best for: Visitors who don’t mind starting their ski day with a scenic gondola ride.

Richardson Flat Park-and-Ride Lot

• Location: A few miles outside of Park City, with a free shuttle service to the resort.
• How it works: Ideal for out-of-town visitors looking to park for free and avoid traffic congestion at the base.
• Best for: Skiers arriving later in the morning who don’t want to search for limited free parking at the closer lots.

2. Paid Parking at Park City Mountain Village – Is It Worth It?

For skiers who want a guaranteed spot with minimal walking, paid parking at Park City Mountain Village is a solid option. While prices vary based on demand, it’s often worth the cost to skip the stress of hunting for free parking, especially during peak season.

Where to Find Paid Parking

📍 Mountain Village Base Area Parking Lot

• Cost: Starts at $25 on weekdays, $40 on weekends and holidays.
• Location: The closest parking option to the ski lifts.
• Best for: Families, groups, and skiers with heavy gear who want to be steps away from the slopes.

📍 First-Time Lot

• Cost: $20-$40/day (varies by demand).
• Location: A short walk to the Payday and Crescent lifts.
• Best for: Skiers who want quick lift access without the higher price of premium parking.

📍 Silver King Lot (Covered Parking Garage)

• Cost: $40/day on weekends and peak days.
• Location: Closest covered parking option to the base.
• Best for: Those who want to keep their car snow-free and dry while skiing.

3. Do You Need a Parking Reservation at Park City Mountain Village?

Yes, if you’re planning to park at the Mountain Village Base Lot on weekends or holidays, a parking reservation is required to manage congestion and improve skier access.

How to Make a Park City Mountain Village Parking Reservation

When You Need a Reservation:

• Reservations are required on weekends & holidays from December through mid-April.
• No reservation is needed Monday–Friday, except during peak holiday periods.

Steps to Book Your Parking Spot:

1. Go to the Park City Mountain Resort website or download the Park City Parking App.
2. Select your preferred date and time, reservations open at 8 AM, two days before your ski day.
3. Pre-pay online (prices range from $25–$40/day) to confirm your reservation.
4. Arrive on time and scan your digital confirmation at the parking entrance.

4. Skip the Parking Hassle: Alternative Ways to Get to the Slopes

If you’d rather avoid parking fees or struggle to find a spot, Park City offers several easy transportation options to get you to the mountain stress-free.

Best Alternatives to Driving & Parking

Park City Transit (FREE)

• The city’s free bus system runs every 10–15 minutes with routes connecting hotels, Main Street, parking lots, and Mountain Village.
• Best for: Visitors staying in town who want to avoid parking altogether.

Richardson Flat Park-and-Ride Shuttle (FREE)

• A free park-and-ride lot just outside of town with shuttle service directly to the resort.
• Best for: Those arriving from outside Park City who want to park for free and skip the traffic.

Canyons Village Cabriolet (FREE)

• Park for free at Canyons Village and take the Cabriolet lift up to ski-access areas.
• Best for: Those who don’t mind a short scenic ride before hitting the slopes.

Rideshare (Uber/Lyft)

• A convenient way to get dropped off right at the base without worrying about parking.
• Best for: Small groups who prefer direct access and want to split costs.

5. Parking Tips & Tricks to Make Your Ski Day Easier

1. Arrive Early or Late to Avoid Crowds – If you're aiming for free or budget-friendly parking, it's crucial to time your arrival. Get there before 8 AM on weekends or powder days to secure a free or close-in spot. If you prefer a relaxed morning, wait until after 2 PM, when many morning skiers start leaving, opening up spaces.
2. Carpool & Save on Parking Fees – Traveling with a group? Vehicles with 4+ passengers may qualify for free or discounted parking at designated lots. Check the Park City Parking App or website to see where carpool incentives apply.
3. Reserve Your Parking Spot in Advance – If you're skiing on a weekend or holiday, don’t assume you'll find a last-minute spot. Reservations open 48 hours in advance, and premium parking fills up quickly. Book early to avoid last-minute stress and guaranteed access to the closest lots.
4. Use the Drop-Off Zone for Convenience – Have kids, heavy gear, or first-time skiers in your group? Save time and effort by dropping passengers off at the base lodge before parking. This way, they can get ready while you find parking, reducing the hassle of carrying gear long distances.
5. Leverage Free Park & Ride Options – If you’d rather skip the parking challenge altogether, Park City offers free park-and-ride options:
6. Richardson Flat Park-and-Ride: Free parking with shuttle service directly to the resort.
7. Canyons Village Cabriolet: Park for free and take a scenic gondola ride to the lifts.
8. Park City Transit: A completely free city bus system with stops at all major lodging areas and Park City Mountain Village.

Final Thoughts: Where Should You Park at Park City Mountain Village?

Choosing the right parking spot depends on your budget, convenience, and arrival time.

• Need the most convenient parking? Reserve a spot in the Mountain Village Base Lot ($25-$40/day).
• Looking to save money? Park for free at Richardson Flat and take the shuttle.
• Want covered parking? The Silver King Garage keeps your car warm and dry.
• Don’t want to park at all? Use Park City’s free transit system to get dropped off near the lifts.

No matter how you plan to arrive, checking parking availability, booking reservations, and arriving early will save you time and hassle.

For more Park City Mountain Village travel tips and ski trip planning, ParkCityDestinations has you covered. See you on the slopes!