Snowboarders Welcome: Tips for a Successful Boarding Adventure

The doors to Deer Valley Resort are still closed to strapped-in riders, but when the largest resort in the United States is your alternative, your options could be a lot worse. Park City Mountain is a monster-sized playground with quite literally any type of boarding you could want. Trying to hit some huge jumps? Want to explore some untouched tree riding? Are there runs or lifts to avoid as an inexperienced boarder?

Take heed, East Coast riders who learned to snowboard on icy slopes: there are noted differences—the most critical being the need for a powder board if you want to enjoy Utah’s magical powder days. Otherwise, you may find yourself stomping sweaty, soaked, and teary-eyed through knee-deep snow down the mountain because you’ve fallen backwards countless times in failed attempts to keep your board from sinking.
Read on for more “secrets” to make the most of your day on the mountain.

Try to go the Whole Day without Unclipping
Unless you have those fancy boots and bindings that are designed to clip in like skiers, bending over to clip and unclip bindings is probably the biggest con to an otherwise superior sport. There’s nothing worse than riding with a bunch of skiers who are waiting for you to jam those pesky straps into place.

With so much terrain, sticking to a certain zone and the lifts in that area can make it easier to flow throughout the day and limit the amount of unclipping and walking.
Starting on the Park City Mountain Village side is best for beginners, with Crecent Express and Payday lifts providing access to long, green runs to practice. The Canyons Village side is more for the intermediate rider.

Super Condor Express on the Canyons side is one of the less-populated lifts that leads to plenty of fun runs. Upper to Lower Boa is a long, smooth blue for a more casual rider. Looking for tree riding on a powder day? The Condor Woods double blacks have steep, north-facing glades to get your heart pumping. Take the blue Upper Apex Ridge halfway down before turning right onto EZ Street which spits you out on Spider Monkey or Eclipse, both blues that finish at the base of Sun Peak Express.

The proposed site of the 2034 Olympic venue for snowboard/skiing halfpipe and slopestyle events. The proposed site of the 2034 Olympic venue for snowboard/skiing halfpipe and slopestyle events. These are aerial views of the Halfpipe and Pick N’ Shovel runs. 2034venue 2034venue

For the Shaun White Wanna-be
Park City Mountain has six terrain parks, one full-size halfpipe and one mini halfpipe, with options for all levels.

Beginners should head to the Little Kings terrain park just below Jonesy’s off Bonanza Express, accessed on the Mountain Village side. There’s a selection of small and extra small jumps, boxes, rollers, and berm turns to practice form before graduating to larger features.

No longer a “little” king? Graduate to the mountain’s “triple park zone” near the Mountain Village base off First Time and Three Kings lifts. These are medium and large parks with a rail garden, plenty of jumps, and a halfpipe.

Off King Con Express, Pick Axe is another medium park with jumps, rails, and boxes designed for progression. Transitions terrain park, on the Canyons Village side, accommodates beginning to advanced riders with over 50 features.

Remember to respect other riders through these parks and know your limits. Make a plan for each feature, calculating how your speed, approach, and takeoff will affect the maneuver and landing.

Time for a Tune Up
When it comes to getting the most out of the season, a wax and tune up for your board is essential. Waxing gives you smoother turns and a proper edge is key to staying in control and making good turns.

Silver Star Ski & Sport is one of the best boarder-friendly ski shops in Park City, and the staff are great. Their full tune up price is $85 and comes with a base grind, P-Tex, edge sharpen, stone finish, and wax. If you just need a wax, it’s $40. They’re practically on the mountain at the base of the Silver Star lift, so you can get back on the slopes in seconds. While you’re there, make sure to say hi to shop dog, Azalea.