Spacious Condos Steps from Skiing and Mountain Recreation

In the early 20th century, skiing in Park City, Utah, wasn't just done for fun: Silver miners skied from worksite to worksite. Telephone-line repairman Emmett “Bud” Wright did his job while swooshing around the slopes on handmade, mismatched wooden skis. Today, a statue of Wright stands tall on historic Main Street, and he's still clutching those makeshift skis, immortalized in bronze. The Silver King Hotel was named for the largest of the old Park City silver mines; it tips its hat to the city's past with rustic mining tools accenting the lobby decor.

Today, Park City has blossomed from a mining village into a world-class ski destination and playground for outdoor pursuits in all seasons; the gorgeous landscape is just steps from the doors of the Silver King Hotel. Beyond the living-room windows of certain condos at the hotel, you can see ski trails snaking their way skyward. The Silver King sits among the lively lodges and private homes huddled at the base of the Park City Mountain Resort.

Silver King Hotel's studio condominiums are individually decorated; they're lined with framed family portraits hanging above the mantle and rustic bric-a-brac set upon end tables. One-bedroom condos are more spacious, with 800 square feet to sprawl out in and two full bathrooms. All rooms feature a full kitchen, wood-burning fireplace, and double-wide jetted bathtubs.

Park City, Utah: Historical Mining Town Turned Ski Mecca

Park City has humble roots as a mining town nestled in the Wasatch Range east of Salt Lake City—but in the past 30-odd years, the town has blossomed into an international skiing destination. That’s largely due to Park City Mountain Resort, a venue for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games halfpipe and alpine giant-slalom events. Each winter, the mountain is blanketed with an average of 365 inches of snow, which means plenty of fresh powder across 100-plus ski runs and three terrain parks. In the warmer months, you can weave through groves of trees on miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails. The Alpine Coaster, open year round, hurtles down the mountain at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

Back in town, Park City's former saloons and boarding houses have given way to more than 100 independent boutiques, 30 art galleries, and 50 restaurants along historical Main Street. For about 10 days each January, Park City glams it up Hollywood style as the host of the Sundance Film Festival. When Sundance isn’t in town, you can catch a play, concert, or comedy show at the circa-1929 Egyptian Theatre. The discovery of King Tut’s tomb in the early ’20s launched a nationwide fascination with ancient Egypt, and hundreds of Egyptian-revival theaters were built across the country. Today, Park City’s carefully preserved theater is one of only six of its kind remaining in the United States.

Located on the main drag, the 12,000-square-foot Park City Museum chronicles the town’s history with artifacts and interactive exhibits. In the eerie museum basement, you can check out the former territorial jail—nicknamed “the dungeon” for its dim lighting, stone walls, and rusted leg irons. In the space between cells, Wanted posters showcase the outlaws, murderers, and thieves who passed through the subterranean slammer.

Love to travel? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for travel tips, inspiration, and photos from around the world.