Skiing is undoubtedly one of the biggest draws to visiting or living in Park City. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, the city truly comes alive in the winter. Owning a ski-in, ski-out home is often considered the pinnacle of living in Park City, especially if you love to hit the slopes.
However, buying a ski-in, ski-out property in Park City is more complicated than just picking a mountain and putting an offer down. There are a lot of considerations to be made before you can enjoy skiing from your front door.
From choosing the right neighborhood that checks all the boxes you are looking for, to making sure the property has everything you could need or want, to taking care of the logistical elements of buying a home solely for its recreational purposes, there’s a lot of thought that goes into it.
Keep reading for everything you need to know about buying a ski-in, ski-out home in Park City.
Best Park City and Deer Valley Neighborhoods for Ski-In, Ski-Out
The bottom line is that there are about 6 major neighborhoods that are ideal for ski-in, ski-out opportunities. Amid these neighborhoods, you’ll find smaller pocket communities, but the big 6 are still the primary areas people refer to when they think about buying a ski-in, ski-out home.
They are:
The Colony at White Pine Canyon
This luxury gated community is situated in Canyons Village as part of the Park City Mountain Resort. If you’re looking for luxurious, exclusive living with ski-in, ski-out access, look no further! This award-winning development has 274 homes on about 4,600 acres of land, providing privacy, space, and opulence.
Thanks to the large properties, privacy, and exclusivity, homes in The Colony are highly sought-after. This neighborhood is often considered to be one of the premier ski-in, ski-out communities, not just in Park City, but in all of North America. Its proximity to Canyons Village also makes it easy to access shopping, dining, and other recreational amenities.
Old Town
Also considered to be the “hub” of Park City, Old Town is historic and bustling, just mere moments from Park City Mountain Resort. The neighborhood is dynamic and vibrant, home to many historic buildings and beautiful sights. You’ll never run out of places to shop or eat because Old Town is home to amazing restaurants and boutiques.
Real estate in Old Town is also diverse with a mix of small century homes and ski-in, ski-out condos lining the slopes of Park City Mountain Resort. If ski-in, ski-out is what you’re looking for, properties along Woodside Avenue deliver. With great access to the slopes and stunning views of Park City, Old Town is a top choice for many skiers.
Get to know Old Town and see the latest listings right here.
Lower Deer Valley
Known as one of the most conveniently-located neighborhoods, Lower Deer Valley is situated at the base of Deer Valley just next to Snow Park Lodge. It’s about one mile from the charm and history of Old Town.
In addition to its pristine ski-in, ski-out condos, homeowners in Lower Deer Valley can enjoy year-round activities from their doorstep with beautiful vistas, and community events happening all year long.
The conveniences don’t end there, Lower Deer Valley has access to the Deer Valley Skier Shuttle, as well as proximity to the Silver Lake Express Chairlift, which just a short walk from most of the homes. Although Deer Valley is known for its luxury lifestyle, Lower Deer Valley is known for value. On average, prices here are slightly lower than other ski-in, ski-out communities.
Learn more about Lower Deer Valley and see the latest homes for sale in this neighborhood right here.
Upper Deer Valley
Extending from Silver Lake Village, Upper Deer Valley goes all the way to the top of the Park City ridgeline. With amazing views, wonderful restaurants, and fantastic shops, Upper Deer Valley is a popular choice for many ski enthusiasts.
The area has exceptional luxury homes and condos, plenty of them with direct ski access. Neighborhoods like the Stein Eriksen Residences, Bald Eagle, and Evergreen are popular among families. In addition to having easy access to other resorts in the area, Upper Deer Valley is home to McHenry’s Ski Beach, an iconic apres spot much loved by locals.
Discover Upper Deer Valley and see the latest listings in the area right here.
Deer Crest
If you’re looking for a luxurious gated community with privacy and natural surroundings, Deer Crest should move to the top of your list. This stunning private gated community overlooks the Jordanelle Reservoir and offers exceptional access to Deer Valley Resort.
Deer Crest is home to some of the most impressive properties in the area including the St. Regis Resort, luxury condos, and spectacular private homesites. The area is respectful of its protected open space and each home is uniquely designed to capture the essence of the area, with fantastic ski access and panoramic mountain views.
Skiing is not the only activity available for residents of Deer Crest, homeowners here have access to extensive trails and beautiful land perfect for snowshoeing in the winter or mountain biking in the summer!
Explore Deer Crest and see the most recent properties for sale here.
Empire Pass
This iconic Park City neighborhood is highly sought after. Located about halfway up Flagstaff Mountain, the Village at Empire Pass has direct lift access and an extensive history of preserving the surrounding nature. Located at the base of the Silver Strike Express, Empire Pass residents can enjoy easy ski-in, ski-out access to Deer Valley Resort.
It’s rustic luxury is widely appealing, making condos in The Village at Empire Pass highly desirable among buyers. With its ski access, beautiful homes, and exceptional amenities, Empire Pass residents also enjoy membership to the Talisker Club at Talisker Tower, another great spot for an apres and what many would call “the hub” of the community.
Get more information about Empire Pass and check out the latest listings here.
Looking for more information on Park City neighborhoods? Read these blogs next:
- Real Estate Rewind: A Look Back at Park City’s Most Prestigious Neighborhoods
- Why Park City is the Best Mountain Town to Live In
- Best Park City Neighborhoods for Permanent Relocators
What Are You Looking For?
Whether you’re buying a recreational property or a family home, it’s important to consider your unique needs. Buying a ski-in, ski-out property is no different. However, the considerations you need to make might be a little more niche.
Here are a few things to think about when buying a ski-in, ski-out property in Park City
Condo Vs. House
Each neighborhood will have a different vibe, and depending on the unique location, you might see some areas with more condos while others have more single-family homes. When deciding on buying a ski-in, ski-out condo vs. house, consider the following:
- How much space do you need?
- What is your budget?
- Do you want to avoid home maintenance?
- How much privacy do you need?
Condos are often less work but are located within closer proximity to other units. Depending on your unique lifestyle, family, and financial means, you might choose one over the other, which will determine the neighborhood you look in.
Should You Build New on a Lot?
Are you thinking about building a custom home? For many people, building a unique ski-in, ski-out home is a life dream. However, in Park City, it could present a challenge. Park City is a rare town where development can be difficult. With so much beautiful nature in the area, city planners do everything they can to preserve the terrain.
As a result, many neighborhoods feature extensive swaths of “protected” land that cannot be developed. Additionally, building permits in the city can sometimes present a challenge since many neighborhoods have rules about construction to preserve the local ambiance and views.
Are You Planning to Rent?
As a vacation destination, many homes in Park City and Deer Valley are secondary properties. Many of them are also used as vacation rentals. However, there are rules in Park City about the specific areas where zoning permits rentals. In fact, the ability to rent a property in Park City could come down to the unique condo building rules.
While there is a handy map showing rental zoning in Park City here, it’s always best to work with a professional on your buying journey to make sure you have all your bases covered if you’re thinking about buying a home for rental purposes.
Learn more about buying a home in Park City with these posts:
- Reasons to Buy a Luxury Condo in Park City
- Benefits of Owning a Vacation Property in Park City
- Is it Better to Buy or Rent in Park City?
Do You Want a Gated Community?
If exclusivity and privacy are important values to you, you should absolutely consider a Park City gated community. These neighborhoods provide unparalleled security for residents who need it. There are other benefits to living in a gated community too. In many cases, residents of Park City’s gated communities get exclusive access to amenities, including private ski runs, golf courses, club memberships, and more.
Elevation Matters
While price points and type of property are common considerations anywhere you buy a home, elevation is something unique to Park City. As a mountain town, our climate is impacted by elevation. Park City sits at about 7,000 feet above sea level, but our highest mountain peek is about 10,000 feet above sea level. Within those 3,000 feet, you may experience varying climates throughout the year.
If you want to experience a wider range of seasons, it would be best to stay closer to town. On the other hand, if the idea of snow in June makes you giddy with excitement, feel free to move higher up the mountain!
Are you ready for ski season? Read our blog about preparing for ski season in Park City right here.
Things to Consider
Once you’ve determined your unique needs and specified your favorite neighborhoods, you should be good to go, right? Not so fast. Buying a ski-in, ski-out home comes with a few more unique considerations.
These are not necessarily challenges of buying a ski-in, ski-out home, however, they are things you need to think about before making your purchase.
Can You Get Insurance?
As we’ve said on our blog a few times, property insurance can be a challenge to obtain. In addition to the higher property values and environmental considerations, insurance for a ski-in, ski-out property adds another level of complexity due to the risk of you or your guests injuring themselves while skiing.
It’s not something that we always want to think about, but it’s an important factor to stay safe during ski season.
What are the Ownership Costs?
Depending on the type of ski-in, ski-out property you opt for, there may be ownership costs you weren’t prepared for. For example, if you live in a condo, you may have to pay HOA fees. Heating, electricity, snow removal, etc., are also some costs that you should be aware of when buying a home in Park City, not just the ski-in, ski-out properties.
Learn more about Park City HOAs right here.
When Will it Snow?
If you dream of skiing out your front door, you may or may not have thought about the one thing that could cramp your style. We can’t control the weather and there’s no guarantee that there will be enough snow on the ground to ski before the holiday season.
With that said, we are blessed by the invention of snow machines, however, that only brings up another consideration when buying a ski-in, ski-out home: Is the property close to a snow machine? In seasons where we get a lot of snow, you might not even know it’s there. But if the snow machine is running constantly, you may hear it from your home if it’s too close.
Another thing to consider is the precise location of the ski trail. In some cases, it might not be completely clear from the start, and it would be quite a surprise to find out that the ski trail directly intersects your property if you weren’t expecting it.
What’s Under All That Snow?
If you’re buying a ski-in, ski-out property during the winter, you should also consider what the property looks like when the snow is melted. What’s under the snow?
For many sellers, winter is a great time to sell a Park City property because it allows us to highlight the incredible amenities and overall ambiance, but it could present a challenge for buyers when it comes to learning what the property looks like in the summer. If possible, find out if there are photos available of the home in other seasons and do your due diligence to ensure the snow isn’t hiding any major flaws.
When is the Best Time to Buy a Ski-In, Ski-Out Property in Park City?
This comes down to the age-old question of real estate in Park City. Is it better to buy a home in the summer or the winter? The answer: it depends.
Read our blog about the pros and cons of selling in summer vs. winter right here.
The reality is that the best time to buy a ski-in, ski-out property in Park City is when you are ready.
At the End of the Day, Trust a Professional
Here at CMFH, we have helped countless homeowners find their dream ski-in, ski-out property. In any situation, when you are buying a property for a specific use in a unique market, your best option is to work with an experienced team who knows the area, knows the market, and can help you find the right property for your needs.
Curious about cultivating a ski-in, ski-out lifestyle in Park City? Get in touch with us today, call us directly at 435-647-8035 or email info@cmfhparkcity.com.
