Park City, Utah is consistently named one of America’s greatest ski towns, and it’s easy to see why. It’s tucked right into the middle of a massive paradise that’s devoted to winter sports, with some of the most consistent dry powder of anyplace on Earth. It’s tremendously convenient, just a short drive away from Salt Lake City’s bustling airport. And this historic mining community has preserved its rustic charm even as tawny Hollywood celebrities have made it a famous destination.

Deer Valley Resort has been on the SKI BUMS wish list for many many years; it’s one of those places that wows at every level. The same can be said of nearby Alta, and these two resorts share something else in common: a skiers-only policy. While we invite snowboarders to a special vacation to Oregon in March, our skiers are invited to Park City to enjoy three days of some of the best skiing to be found anywhere.

Space on this trip is very limited, and it is now SOLD OUT.

Members may add their name to our Wait List >
Wednesday February 17 to Sunday February 21
3 -- Thursday through Saturday
Downtown Park City, Utah
Recommended for all skill levels of skiers
$1299 per person
We reserve the right to cancel, reschedule, or make changes in the trip itinerary as a result of weather or safety considerations or as otherwise deemed necessary or advisable. If your trip is cancelled or rescheduled due to weather, snow, or mountain conditions, or circumstances beyond our control, you will receive a full credit for a future trip. All trip credits may be applied to any trip in the SKI BUMS future. There is no expiration date.

SKI BUMS is not responsible for the cost of any additional expenses that you may incur as a result of trip rescheduling or cancellation (airline ticketing fees, etc.).

To use a credit for a future deposit or payment, please
contact us directly.
Policy as of January 2nd, 2016: all those who sign up after January 2 may cancel their reservation within 7 days of signing up and receive a full refund. After this point, there are no refunds.

In order to obtain our bulk group discounts, we must agree to a very strict cancellation policy. It's the nature of group travel. Think of your SKI BUMS booking as you would an airline reservation; even we find someone to take your place,
the cancellation fees still apply.

If you buy travel insurance, you can still receive a refund for a cancelled SKI BUMS trip.

To cancel your SKI BUMS trip, click here >
Buy travel insurance. We cannot stress this enough.

A travel insurer can provide a refund even when SKI BUMS cannot. In the circumstance that you need to cancel your trip because of work or health reasons, you should purchase travel insurance within 30 days of your initial trip deposit.

Even if you purchase travel insurance after this date, some coverage is much better than no coverage at all. Our cancellation policy is strict, and after cancellation fees kick in, a travel insurer may be your only chance for a full refund.

There are many travel insurers, and policies are very affordable. We especially recommend
travelinsured.com, and suggest you add the sports package to cover skiing & snowboarding activity.
$1299 USD per person for double occupancy ($1199 if you pay in full at sign up)

— or —

$1799 USD per person, for single occupancy ($1699 if you pay in full at sign up)
$500 deposit due at sign up | Sign up for the trip >

--
if you like, you may pay in full at signup and save $100 on the trip price.

Balance due 14 days after signup |
To pay your balance online, click here >

These are the dates for those who sign up today. Pricing and payment dates may change for those who sign up at a later date, if space remains. Late payments are subject to a 5% late-payment fee. It is up to you to submit your payments on time. You may always pay early.
You may pay with any major credit card, cash or check.

We use PayPal to process online credit card payments. PayPal is the internet's most trusted online payment portal, and you do not need to be a PayPal member to submit a payment.

If you would ever like to use PayPal to send a manual payment (from a smartphone, for example), our account address is: payments (at) ski-bums.org.


PayPal mobile apps: iPhone / iPad / iPod TouchAndroid

Your trip includes a 2-out-of-3 day lift ticket for Deer Valley and a 1 day ticket for Alta.

If you would like, you may upgrade your single-day ticket for Alta to also include
Snowbird Resort, which adjoins Alta (the two onnect at the top). This upgrade is processed on arrival at the Alta ticket window; you’ll simply pay at that time for the upgrade (about $33 USD).

If you or your travel partner
do not ski or snowboard -- or you've already got a lift pass / season pass — we can remove the lift tickets from our package; contact us to make arrangements.
About a month before we travel, all participants will submit a Travel Portfolio, where we'll collect your flight information, dietary restrictions, roommate requests, emergency contact info, skill level, and other pertinent details. We'll email everyone and post the link here when it's time to submit it.
SKI BUMS designs our season for all levels of skiers and snowboarders, but we make specific recommendations for each trip. On ALL SKI BUMS trips, we begin by dividing into skill level groups so you can identify those who enjoy the same terrain that you do.

See how our groups work >

We recommend this trip for all levels of skiers. Unfortunately, snowboarders are not permitted at Deer Valley and Alta. (boarders, see our trip to Mt. Bachelor!)

Have a look at the trail maps below; although there is relatively little beginner terrain at Alta, the beginner areas and ski school at Deer Valley are some of the very best. We don’t expect many beginners to join this trip, however — if any — so feel free to bring a friend to take some classes with you and enjoy the fun!

Intermediate skiers will be thoroughly challenged here; if you have fun on ‘blue’ runs in the American Rockies, you’ll have fun here, too. Alta is considerably more challenging than Deer Valley, but after two days of riding the groomers at Deer Valley, you’ll love the way that Alta gets your heart pumping. If you’re hoping to take your first trip to the West, you may want to consider our trip to Big Sky — one of the best resorts for first-time Western skiers & riders.

Advanced and expert skiers will be in paradise here. If you’ve never skied these two destinations, you absolutely must. (Truth be told, they’re some of the few resorts in the USA that are rightfully considered real musts). The in-bounds terrain includes massive bowls, exciting tree runs, super long and steep groomers, mellow groomers, bump runs, and terrain parks. The real experts will find the challenging areas of Alta and Deer Valley to be exhilarating.

If you would like to discuss whether you and / or your travel partner will enjoy the terrain here,
please contact us before signing up.
Air transportation is not included. Read these recommendations closely before buying airfare.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the best airport for those who are traveling to Park City. It’s only about a 40 minute drive from the airport to downtown Park City… which is one reason why Utah is one of the most convenient and accessible ski areas on the planet!

PLANNING YOUR AIR TRAVEL

HEAD'S UP: You'll want to be smart and cautious about buying your airfare, so you can take advantage of the limited ground transfer options and optimize your arrival and departure days. Historically, the best time to purchase airfare for this travel period is in October or November. Prices tend to go up just after Thanksgiving, and the Sunday return flights tend to fill up the quickest.

Wednesday, February 17
We suggest that you plan to land in SLC no later than 5 PM local time.

Sunday, February 21
We suggest that you plan to depart SLC after 11 AM local time. It really depends on how early you’d like to wake up and get to the airport.

NOTE: If you’d like to add an additional day of skiing on Wednesday or Sunday, you’ll need to purchase your own ticket at the resort; SKI BUMS cannot add additional days for you.

Connect with the other BUMS on Facebook if you'd like to coordinate travel with others.
Transfers from the airports to our hotel are not included. You should budget about $90 USD for a round-trip transfer from SLC to Park City.

TRANSFER SHUTTLES | One of most well known and easy to locate transfers is All Resorts Express, which operates every day from a convenient check-in desk at the Salt Lake City airport, located just next to baggage claim. You’ll be responsible for booking your own transfer. Reservations are required at least 48 hours in advance.

IMPORTANT: Make an online reservation with All Resorts Express >

RENTAL CARS | Although we won’t need cars in Park City, if you’d prefer to rent a car, you might enjoy the added freedom of exploring the area — but be forewarned. Ironically, the one thing that is most difficult to do in Park City is park. We’re not kidding. There’s a serious shortage of parking places. Be prepared to pay extra for inconvenient, overcrowded parking lots throughout your stay.
For many, Park City, Utah was officially “on the map” after it hosted many events during the the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. For others, it became known thanks to that annual event when celebrities walk shoulder-to-shoulder in their most stylish winter garb for the Sundance Film Festival. But skiers have cherished this town for many decades, even as the ski resorts in the surrounding canyons continue to evolve and expand.

Park City is home to
Deer Valley Resort, which was named the #1 Overall Ski Resort in North America four years in a row by the readers of Ski Magazine, and topped the list again in 2015. When you mention Deer Valley to any seasoned shredder, a string of adjectives quickly follows. Posh. Charming. Gorgeous. Luxurious. There’s no denying that the lodge and hospitality staff of Deer Valley hold themselves to a higher standard — you’ll pick up on it immediately. But first-time visitors are often surprised to see that the terrain is equally impressive. With a flawless lift system design, jaw-dropping vistas and impeccable grooming, by all accounts, the skiing here is an absolute pleasure.

Alta, on the other hand, has an entirely different vibe. Although it’s not exactly bare bones, there’s no doubt that its guests are far too busy skiing to worry about how posh the lodges are. Alta is where you’ll find some of world’s most exciting and interesting terrain, blanketed by some of North America’s highest average snowfall. Alta is for purists, and once you ski this mountain, you’ll understand why it remains the favorite resort of many of the world’s most passionate skiers. Forbes and Z Rankings place it #2 on their best lists. Powderhounds places it in the top-spot.
SKI BUMS anticipates what you'll need to know, and when you'll need to know it. We email valuable pre-trip information to all our participants, in numbered Info Packs. You'll need to receive them and read them closely, so it's crucial that you've provided an email address to us that you check regularly. Gmail users: you need to take extra steps to see our emails.

Click here to view instructions >

The vast majority of our important trip info is located right here on this page.
Bookmark it!
Who's coming on the trip? Find out by joining our special SKI BUMS Park City Facebook Group. Whether you're simply curious about signing up or you're already on board, everyone's welcome to join this Facebook group. Feel free to invite friends, too -- it's a cool way to begin learning names of the skiers and boarders who you'll meet when we're in Canada! if you decide not to join us, we'll remove you from the group before the trip begins.

In advance of the trip, the BUMS use this group to share travel plans and coordinate meet ups for ground transfers. During and after the trip, they share pics and messages with one another. You'll see posts like "who's on the 1 PM flight through Minneapolis?” and "who's up for fresh tracks tomorrow?"

Request to join the Park City Facebook group >
Of course, weather is impossible to predict, but SKI BUMS plans our trips with an eye on weather history. Snowfall in Utah is reliable from December through early April. Historically, mid-February is absolute peak season. Average high temps on the mountain typically range from the teens to the upper twenties. Big snow storms are common through all of February; there's a very good chance of fresh powder snow storms during our visit. Read more here >
Our rooms are guaranteed after 3 PM on Wednesday the 17th. When you arrive, you'll simply check in at the hotel as your normally would. You’ll simply put down a credit card for any incidental charges.
Our trip officially begins with a meet & greet at 8:00 PM. This is your opportunity to meet your trip leaders, connect with your fellow BUMS, and hear cool details about what the trip has in store. We’ll have free snacks and appetizers on hand, but try to eat dinner beforehand if you can.
This trip has a minimum of 20 participants. If we fail to meet our minimum number of registered participants by 60 days before the trip, the trip may be cancelled. In that event, those who have signed up for the trip will receive a full refund. Update, January 16: we have met our minimum.
+ Four night stay at the rustic chic and stylish Marriott Park City
+ A prepaid delicious group dinner and final night party on Saturday night
+ Two day lift ticket for Deer Valley, one day lift ticket for Alta
+ Daily breakfast buffet
+ Private charter shuttle between our hotel and Alta
+ Welcome reception
+ A daily itinerary of guided activities, terrain recommendations and and hosted events
+ Up-to-the-minute trip updates, delivered to your mobile phone
+ Trip organization, guidance and assistance from two SKI BUMS professional trip leaders
+ Air transportation
+ Airport ground transfers
+ Ski equipment rental
+ Lunches, three dinners, alcoholic drinks
+ Travel insurance
(very highly recommended)
+ Wednesday, February 17: Fly to Salt Lake City, transfer to Park City

+ Thursday February 18 / Friday 19: ski Deer Valley | Saturday 20: ski Alta

+ Sun February 21: Return home

SKI BUMS does not coordinate or assist with travel extensions. If you’d like to arrive earlier or depart later than these dates, you’ll need to contact the hotel and make a separate booking. You’ll pay the hotel directly. You may request to remain in the same room as our stay.
Our trip leaders design an itinerary that highlights the best of the area, with up-to-the-minute reports that you'll receive on your mobile device (see below). View a sample itinerary >

The on-mountain adventure begins bright and early on Thursday. We divide into skill level groups that help you identify the other skiers who enjoy the same terrain that you do, and then we divide and conquer the mountain!
Learn about our skill level groups. >

In general, you'll spend most of the day in a smallish group of four or five skiers -- but that's up to you. The BUMS are a social crowd, so it's always easy to find others to join in the fun.

You and your group will set your own pace, and it's common to mix it up with a few different groups throughout the week. As the trip progresses, you can explore more terrain or spend some time relaxing at the hotel. This is your vacation, so you're always free to break away and do your own thing.

We meet as a group for lunches and après-ski. And for two of our evenings, we'll dine together in some of the area’s best restaurants. Other nights will be 'free nights’ for you to spend however you wish.

Prepare to bond; by the trip’s end, it'll be hard to believe that we've only spent five days together!
On the mountain: you should arrive at SLC with all your skiing apparel. SKI BUMS requires our trip participants to wear helmets while skiing & riding. See our helpful guide, How to Dress for the Mountain, for suggestions. Park City has ample gear & apparel shops, but prices will be a bit elevated, so pack wisely.

Off the mountain: all our events are casual dress. As you can pretty easily see, the BUMS are a casual, laid-back crowd; we aren't flashy. Be yourself, and be comfortable -- just as you would on any skiing / snowboarding trip.

A few vital packing tips:

+
Pack your skiing and snowboarding apparel in your carry on bag. Delayed luggage can arrive three days late; you won't want to have to buy all new stuff to make it onto the mountain.
+ Be sure to pack
winter wear shoes with a good tread; expect snowy, icy streets.
+ Don't forget
sunscreen for the high-altitude UV exposure, and a swimsuit for the hotel's pool!

Read our helpful tips on how to pack your gear for a skiing / snowboarding trip >
SKI BUMS detailed trip itineraries are designed to be viewed on any smart phone. Additionally, our trip leaders send up-to-the-minute alerts that you'll receive on your phone via SMS text messaging. It allows us to keep you in the loop and make smart adjustments based on the weather.

To learn more,
please see the valuable tips on our Communication page >
We limit the number of participants for all SKI BUMS trips. This trip is now SOLD OUT.

All registered SKI BUMS members are invited to add their name to our wait list — there’s no obligation. We receive cancellations for every trip, and when a new opening becomes available, we will contact our members by phone and email in the order that you’ve added your name to our list. To add your name, be sure you’ve got a current SKI BUMS membership. Membership is free.

Sign up or renew your membership >

IMPORTANT NOTE: we do not permit skiers and snowboarders to arrange their own lodging and join our events without setting up a Custom Trip and pre-paying for our guided events and group meals. Custom Trip spaces are very limited.

Contact us here to request a Custom Trip >
We are happy to arrange roommates for you. If you’ve already got a roommate now, you can indicate so on the signup form. You can request a room with one bed or two.

If you don’t have a roommate lined up yet, that’s fine too! About half our participants ask us to provide a roommate for them. When signing up, you’ll simply indicate that you’d like a double occupancy. Later, we’ll ask a few easy questions about your preferences (if you prefer someone of your same age group or gender, for example), then match you accordingly with one of the BUMS.

We take those specific roommate requests about a month before the trip; we know that between now and then, you may have a friend decide to come — or you may hit it off with one of the trip participants at a SKI BUMS
local event.

If you prefer your own room, you may select a single occupancy. We collect the single occupancy supplement when you sign up (View "Pricing & Payment" below). Please note: there are only a small number of single occupancy slots available. Single occupancies tend to sell out very quickly.
We’re very happy to be returning to the Marriott Park City, which proudly hosted the SKI BUMS a few seasons ago. It’s recently completed a multimillion dollar renovation, and combines chic urban style with a rustic ski lodge flair that's uniquely Park City. It’s a comfortable, well-appointed hotel with an indoor pool, free high-speed internet, a fitness center and a delicious daily breakfast. It’s located in downtown Park City, which makes it easy to enjoy all the charms of one of America’s coolest historic ski towns.

Take note: there are three different Marriott hotels in Park City. Ours is located in the Prospector Square area. The shops and restaurants of Main Street are about a five minute drive away.
While in Park City, we’ll rely on the very convenient free public buses which run between our hotel, downtown Park City, and each of the local ski resorts. That’s how we’ll get to and from Deer Valley. For our day at Alta, we’ve got our own private charter shuttle which will take us to the resort — this shuttle’s cost is included in the trip. In addition to the public buses, Park City’s got private taxis to help you get around town.

Learn about the Park City Transit Bus (they’ve got a smartphone app!) >
To view the trail maps, click the images below, or here: Deer Valley trail map | Alta trail map
SKI BUMS recommends that you take at least one lesson each season, no matter what your skill level is. Deer Valley is an ideal spot to take one, and Thursday is probably the best day for it. SKI BUMS will be coordinating group and private lessons for our participants on this trip. If you’d like to discuss lesson plans with other BUMS, post a message in our Park City Facebook group.
About half of our participants will rent skis. We encourage you to arrive at our hotel with enough time to shop around and pick up gear that suits you. The Park City area has many rental shops. We’ll help steer you toward the good ones. (NOTE: our third day of skiing is at Alta; if you’ve rented from the base of Deer Valley, you’ll bump into some logistical hiccups). We’ll have smart recommendations for everyone with all our itinerary specifics in mind.
If you're new to the group or haven't joined us in a long time, click here to see how things work >
Want to see the SKI BUMS around the world who love the mountains as much as you do? When you post on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, use the hashtag #skibums!
Tell your friends about our adventure in Park City!
We've got lots of inside advice for those who are taking their first SKI BUMS trip. We invite you to view our invaluable trip tips, and take a moment to learn all about our professional trip leaders.
The town of Park City is one of the major draws here; located just 40 minutes from SLC’s airport, Travel & Leisure named it one of America’s very best ski towns. It’s cool and fun.

There are six major ski resorts near Park City; it’s truly got a wealth of options.
View this map to get a sense of the lay of the land. Alta is a little more than an hour away from our hotel, and Deer Valley is about a ten minute drive. See “Getting around,” below to learn more.
We love you. We really do. But unfortunately, Deer Valley and Alta don’t see you the way we do; they’re two of the three resorts in the USA which don’t permit snowboarding. For our 2016 season, we’ve designed our Park City trip with skiers in mind… and an exciting trip to Mt. Bachelor that’s designed just for you.
Daily delicious breakfasts are included, with a hot buffet to warm up your mornings. Lunches are up to you; we'll meet as a group each day for lunch. Deer Valley’s famous for their food! At Alta, we’ll have a group lunch reservation at the beautiful Collins Grill. In the evenings, we'll have dinner reservations on Thursday and Saturday at some of the area’s very best restaurants. Our final evening meal is a multi-course gourmet dinner (which we’ll be announcing more about very soon; we’ve got some incredible surprises in store). This delicious meal is included in the trip price, and it’s a perfect way to celebrate the end of an incredible getaway!