Happy Thursday, friends!
Today, I have PART TWO of our trip to Park City over Christmas break. If you missed yesterday’s post, PART ONE, you might want to catch that before reading today’s.
Don’t forget, I’ll do a Q&A post next week, so if you have any questions about skiing with the family, traveling to Park City, etc, please leave them in the comment section below, and I’ll try to get them all addressed in that post.
Also, we have many more trips scheduled for 2022, so if you just have generic “travel post ideas” for me, I welcome those too!
Okay, now on to today’s scheduled content…the last half of our trip to Park City, Utah 🙂 .
Today’s post kicks off with a cold and kind of crazy New Year’s Eve morning as we welcomed DAY FIVE of our vacation…
…Kensington, Madeley and I were supposed to have skied today (K’s third day, the third and final day for Mades and me), but due to the weather, some avalanche action on the mountain, closed lifts, delayed starts and a bit of chaos, after waiting in the lift line over an hour, we decided to simplify our lives and only Andrew, Smith and Ashby went on the mountain. Kensington, Mades and I had an unexpected morning off the slopes…which we didn’t mind 🙂 .
Meanwhile, these two (and Smith!) didn’t mind waiting and taking the blues (too much for Mades and me). They had an epic day of skiing (once they finally got on the mountain!).
The three of us played in the snow (oh boy, we played in a lot of snow!), grabbed a cozy lunch and enjoyed the afternoon.
That evening, we all cleaned up and headed back to Prime to ring in the New Year!
DAY SIX:
Since we stayed up to watch the ball drop (um, we stayed up to the wee hours of 10:00 PM…thank you mountain time), we took it easy the next morning and the girls slept in while the boys…
…kicked off their first day in 2022 on the slopes! Since Andrew and Smith both have Epic passes (due to how much they board each year), it’s super easy for them to board whenever they please. They just get on the lift and go! No waiting in lines for lift passes for these two,
After some morning boarding…
…we all met up at 501 for a New Year’s Day lunch!
After lunch, we headed back to our favorite little Park City bookstore…
…and then, stopped by some other festive and fun shops too…
We all grabbed yummy New Year’s Day cookies…
…and some coffee before…
…heading back to the mountain to skate! This was the coldest day we were there (and we were there on some snowy, cold days!). I thought for sure I had hypothermia after watching the kids skate. Geez, it was cold!
These four though didn’t seem to mind one bit!
After we cleaned up (and warmed up), we enjoyed one of our favorite dinners at…
…River Horse 🙂 .
DAY SEVEN was our final full day in Park City! We had always planned that this would be the day that Andrew took the three big kids up on the mountain while Mades and I chilled out. But first though…
…we played a lot of cards 🙂 .
Smith William Shull LOVES to snowboard! He absolutely cannot get enough of it!
Big morning views…
…then they met us for lunch before heading out again.
Mades and I went back to the bookstore, made snow angels, built a snowman…we had a TON of fun.
My parents gave her a Polaroid camera for Christmas, so she took a ton of pictures too!
Meanwhile…
…Andrew was living his best life with his three oldest kids. Next year, we’re hoping family ski day includes Mades and me too. We just need one of us to get significantly better…and I’m not talking about Madeley…sigh.
After everyone came back in from skiing, we watched the Cowboys/Cardinals game…
…while my mini me read a travel book. She LOVES a travel book!
Then, we all cleaned up and headed off for our final dinner in Park City.
That’s a wrap Park City! We sure do love you and will see you next year!
Whew! I hope you have all the happy vibes for this sweet little town too!
Don’t forget to drop your questions below!
If you missed PART ONE, head over and check that post out too!
I’ll see you all back here tomorrow, friends! xx
Elspeth says
What a fun time and a fun trip!! Thanks so much for sharing!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Erika Slaughter says
What a getaway!! Love Park City! Glad you guys had a great time!
Bonnie says
Any issues with the altitude?
Mix and Match Mama says
No, Park City isn’t super high. We have had issues in Colorado before but never here.
Amber says
Thanks for your posts! How did you pick Park City and do you go anywhere else to board/ski?
Maurie Tarpley says
Do you have any tips to avoid altitude symptoms? Headed to Colorado in a couple of months.
Jessica Tribbett says
I live in Denver and get altitude sickness when I’m in the mountains, as does my family when they come visit. Drink TONS of water in advance and keep it up. Get a hydration additive for your water – we like Drip Drop the best but there’s others (Liquid IV) and drink 1 or 2 of those as soon as you land. Drink several throughout each day. If you drink alcohol keep it 1:1 with a glass of water with hydration additive. Take ibuprofen if you feel the beginnings of a headache, don’t let it get too far or it’s harder to get rid of. Pace yourself and if you know you have problems with altitude try to give yourself a day to acclimate before rigorous activity.
Jenny N says
My daughter got altitude sickness when she was younger when we went skiing. I always took Meclizine with us and that saved us. It is over the counter. A couple of days before you leave starting drinking tons of water and keep doing it the whole time you are on your trip. Take ibuprofen at the first sign of a headache. My daughter started throwing up within a couple of hours of being in the mountains. I crushed up one of the meclizine pills and gave it to her with water and we never had another problem. I just gave it to her every morning before we left to ski. She eventually outgrew it.
Lindsay says
Looks like soooooo much fun! Love these posts. Happy New Year, Shull fam! I’ve seen at other resorts (Telluride – from another blogger this week) that you can get a condo like right on the slopes so you can just step off and go skiing or watch your kids and hubby without having to leave the condo. Does Park City have that option? I saw on your last post where y’all wanted to stay more in town this year. Asking because I have littles. So probably next year I’ll have one little ready to ski for sure, but my second will probably ski some but need many breaks, and then my third won’t ski at all because she’ll be one. So I’ll need lots of flexibility and easiness for breaks but also options for other activities like y’all did 😉
Lauren says
Love your travel posts! What mountain did you ski/board at in Park City? My family skis the east but would love to take them out west one day 🙂
Brooke says
You need one of you to get better! I’m laughing with you, not at you. My family loves to ski. Me, not so much! One of us may have had to be carried down the mountain on one of those sleds that ski patrol pulls because they had a meltdown & panicked. Haha!
Katie says
I laughed so hard yesterday about you falling down and crying because I have done that myself. I finally realized I’m not made to ski and just hang out. Looks like such a fun trip!
Lindsey Pannell says
Do you all stay in a ski in/ski out and if so which one?
Seunghye Huggins says
How far in advance to you plan for the Park City trip?
Rosanna says
We love Park City and have gone multiple times. We usually rent a house on the Canyons side. Noticed that you said you were in a condo. What condos do you like to stay in, and why do you prefer a condo over a house? Wondering if we need to make the switch to a condo.
Amanda says
Looks like an amazing trip. We are heading out there next week. Did you have any problem proving vaccination status? I am reading it is required for ski school and entering restaurants. Also what about masks?
Mix and Match Mama says
I can’t speak for all Epic mountain spots, but Park City had it down to a science and made it really easy. We registered the kids in advance, followed all of the protocol, kept everything we needed to be on the mountain on us, etc. They really made it so simple!
Tasha says
Suggestion for future travel posts: I would love if you posted pictures of the food from the restaurants you go to! When I plan trips I always look at blog posts for places people went to eat and am more inclined to go there if I see what some of the food looks like!
Lisa says
I cannot ski to save my life. My husband grew up in MA and was a ski instructor & raced through high school. He tried to teach me to ski…let’s just say it ended with me crying my eyes out after I took my skis off and carried them down the mountain. Never again!! ?
Camille says
Love reading your trip recaps!
Planning a trip to Park City later this year 🙂
What kind of lift passes did you all have since you went so many times during the week?
Do you have more budget friendly restaurant suggestions?
Did you have dinner reservations every night? Did you plan this because of the size of your group?
What are the best non-skiing/boarding things you recommend doing?
Thanks!
Katherine Heath says
We are hoping to go skiing for the first time in December and I am wondering:
1. How young can you start kids in ski school? My youngest will be 4.5 at the time of our trip. Is that too young?
2. Do you guys rent a car while you are there or stay somewhere that is close to a ski shuttle to get you easily to the mountain or what?
3. Is there snow tubing pretty much everywhere? My kids REALLY want to snow tube as well as ski.
Thanks for recapping your trip! Super helpful info!
Meg says
My kids started at 2…we live in Utah :-). There are several tubing areas around PC.
Stephanie says
If you’re going to Park City, they have a phenomenal ski school for kids. My youngest daughter started at barely 4. They are so great with the kids! It’s the best ! A great tubing location about 25 min away is Soldier Hollow in Midway. The cross country events for the 2002 Olympics were held here. You can Uber there easily. I am from and live in Utah. Happy skiing ⛷!
Jennifer says
Happy New Year’s! Shay, I’m kind of sensing that cold, snowy ski trips aren’t your favorite. ? I love it when I don’t have to be out in it. We live in Colorado & I’ve been skiing once. I do love going & letting everyone else ski while I take in the views from inside with a fireplace & hot drink ?
Shirley Short says
Hi! I could really use some help with picking our luggage. We need a variety… carry on’s, a medium bag and a super large one for that every once in a while that you need one. Any suggestions or tips on what to look for?
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh gosh, I really wish I had a brand that I just swore by, but as you can see from the very first pic in Part One, we have a random assortment of luggage bought and collected over the years. We like all of them, but I don’t think we LOVE any of them!
Susy says
Rick Steves is great!
I’m a Lonely Planet gal, mixed with a little Afar; Top Ten books and The Telegraph Travel.
Kristi says
Do you rent a car?? How is driving through the snow? Does your place have a drier for wet ski clothes?
Catherine says
Shay, I loved your trip! My question, is do you think a trip to Park City would still be fun without skiing/snowboarding? We would love to tube, ice skate, enjoy possible snow since we are from the south. What are your thoughts? Thanks!
Meg says
Utah girl here…there is a lot to do 🙂 Shopping, tubing, ice skating, restaurants, snow shoeing/hiking, playing in the snow, parks, sleigh rides, fishing, museums, theatre 😉
Sara nelson says
Utah here too- I live South of PC in Heber City. Heber and Midway have a ton to offer- Midway has super amazing ice castles, a crater to swim in, cool restaurants. Summers are amazing in PC area- I’d go then if you don’t ski!
Stefany Beal says
Our family of 5 has done Park City in winter and didn’t ski. LOVED it!!!! We tubed, skated, rode the coaster, went to the Olympic Park, etc.
Tiffany says
How many times/years did your kids do ski school before they went down the mountain with y’all? Taking my 4 kids over spring break and 2 of them normally pick up on things quickly so curious if after 2/3 days of ski school they would be able to go down with us.
Mix and Match Mama says
Hmmmm…I’m trying to think. I think they each did a year of only ski school before we ever did that. The good news is that in ski school, they’re constantly going down greens on the mountain, so they’re familiar with the runs and know what to do by the time we do it as a fam.
Jenn says
You guys should try out the tubing park over at Woodward Park the next time you’re in Park City. My kids (similar ages as yours) absolutely loved it over there!
Libby says
This TX girl likes snow for about a day or 2. LOL! When do you think y’all will want to move on to another skiing destination? I have a hard time repeating destinations after 2-3 yrs.
Carly says
If you want to get significantly better with ski/snowboard its going to take more than once a year and just a few hours for a couple days skiing especially if it’s not something you have done from early on or that you naturally are comfortable with learning. What would help is some individual 1 on 1 intense lessons for multiple days, followed by a lot of time on the mountain. Then a really great help with other times of the year in Texas is you can go water skiing, wake boarding, lots of ice skating all will help with balance and control and make snow easier to handle. My kids have been on the ice, ski’s from age 3. Then later at 6 snowboards, water skis, wake boards, etc. All really help make you better on snow and learning to control the body. Just some random ideas if you want to keep up with the skill set of the family, plus it makes you a lot safer to avoid injury if you know what your body is doing on the side of a mountain. Love the post from Park City, it’s beautiful family ski area!
KK says
Thanks for sharing about your trip! Cool to see Kensington’s love for books as well. As an aside, I love the book posts (like – hoping to hear the new podcast book ASAP- ha), and I loved when Kensington “guest posted” one as well. If she’s up for it again, would love that!
kristen says
I know you love New England.. would you ever go to the Vermont area to ski? Such amazing slopes and resorts!
Mix and Match Mama says
It’s on our bucket list! Totally!
Stewart says
Would recommend Jay Peak Resort- the absolute best East Coast skiing!
Emily says
The picture of Smith @ the top of the mountain takes my breath away! I would enjoy Mades’ schedule a lot more! haha!
Jen says
We just returned from skiing and the thought of going out to dinner every night after a day on the slopes is a lot. Do any of the kids just or adults just want to do take out and cuddle by fire?
Mix and Match Mama says
No, I think we’re all excited to get back, have a snack, clean up and go somewhere yummy for dinner. We’re kind of all on a “high” from being active and on the mountain.
Heather says
Girl, I so admire your desire/intention to improve your ski skills. What a good sport you are! Growing up in Minnesota, I went skiing fairly often, but even so I never went beyond the blues (and, honestly, only did the blues because of peer pressure). In adulthood I am so much more aware of what can go wrong and feel like my skiing days are over (I also had an injury on the slopes that I won’t tell you about because I don’t want to deter you from trying it again if you want!) I’ll be the chalet bunny reading all day instead!
Constance says
I’m so glad to hear I’m not the only one bad aT skiing ? my teacher wanted to give up on me hahaha because he kept saying how surprised he was I didn’t want to give up lol!
Carly says
Random question, I’m going to Nantucket for a long weekend for the first time ever this summer. What are you MUST GO TO dinner spots? I went through all your posts and wrote them all down but now I don’t know which ones to choose!
Mix and Match Mama says
Awwwwwww! Brant Point Grill is my fave 🙂 !
Melinda says
General Travel Question: We are planning a trip to Hawaii this summer and our 5 year old and 3 year old will be joining us. What has worked best for your family regarding carry on luggage for your kids? Is it better for our kids to have a roller suitcase, or a backpack, or both? We also plan on checking bags as well. Not sure if it makes a difference, but we plan on breaking up the flight there, with an overnight stay in LA.
Mix and Match Mama says
Since your kids are younger, and I would check your bags (however many you need) to keep your hands free during your time at the airport/on the flight. I don’t think your kids need their own suitcases though. Mix in everyone’s things and pack what you need in as many bags as you need (you might only need 2 or 3 for all four of you!).
Cindy says
Split up clothes for each family member in different suitcases in the event any of your luggage gets lost. Take a carry on with change of clothes for kids (accidents, spills, etc happen) take a backpack with toys, books, coloring, iPad etc to entertain kids on plane or for airport delays) suggest putting what you need for your overnight in LA in one suitcase, so you don’t have to open all of them.
Cristin says
What “Travel Book” was Kensington reading?
Mix and Match Mama says
One by Rick Steves! I love him 🙂 .
Erin Haynes says
Question: I know you said you have skis, but do you have a rec on where to rent from in Park City? We are staying at Lift Lodge and want something easy and convenient. Thanks!!
Sheaffer Sims says
I’m sitting in my house, in a sweatshirt and joggers and slippers under a blanket AND I’M COLD. I bet you were FUH-REEZING! I can’t imagine how cold you were!!! Still, the scenery is beautiful and it looks like a great trip!
Charlene Cunningham says
What an awesome family trip!
Paula Witherspoon Morton says
Wow! I wish I was a ski person, so I feel your pain..lol I love the diary of your trips, such wonderful places to see and visit! I do miss seeing what you guys ate at the different restaurants. Could you please post more pictures of that? It doesn’t have to be every place, but I love to cook, and enjoy restaurants too, so I love to see the pics of food from other places. In my other life, I am a restaurant owner! 🙂 Happy New Year to you and yours. I love your blog.
Lorelei Boyett says
We’re doing a cruise on the East coast next September, any must sees or tips for that part of the country?
Lauri Wertz says
We were in Park City the same week, for the first time. We usually spend this week in Steamboat, CO, so a new spot for us this year. I’m curious about:
1. Where did you stay (ie downtown, mountain, etc)?
2. Compared to other years, did the crowd seem larger and the lift lines seem longer this year?
3. How do you handle transportation in Park City – rental car, PC transit, etc? We stayed farther out and had a huge struggle with parking and PC transit system.
Thank you!
Carly says
Try exploring Keystone, CO. Stay in the River Run Village. No need for transportation, can walk or ski to the slopes from condo. LOTS of family friendly/kid stuff. Known for #1 for families. Altitude/mountain slopes are much better than Park City which is at only 7,000. Keystone (10,000) and it’s neighbor Breckenridge only a 30 min stunning drive from Keystone. Breckenridge is one of the prettiest ski city in CO and a real mountain experience compared to Park City. Only 1 1/2 hrs drive from Denver(+ traffic times) and a better choice than Steamboat and Park City for mountains.
Rebecca Carney says
I just love these vacation posts!!! Thank you for sharing these special family moments and gorgeous destinations with us!! Love your blog & Shull family! So happy that you all had a very Happy & healthy New Year together ringing in 2022!! Ashby is sooo adorable in the picture with Andrew on the ski lift- she is definitely a hero in my book and so brave!! Thanks again, you are just the place I know to come when I need a pick me up 🙂
Lonnie says
My hubby and I are traveling (sans kids) to Park City next month! Would love to get any date night recommendations from you in the Q+A post.
Kelley Davies says
What condo did y’all stay in? Hoping to do a
Park city trip next winter!
Sherri says
Hi Shay, I was wondering if we need a lift ticket to go up to the Snow Pea Bunny Hill by the Red Pine Lodge and also if we need it to do the ice skating? I don’t plan on going up very high so I’m hoping to stay in those 2 areas. Also, what are some snow play areas for the littles without going on the lifts?
polly pover says
Does COVID affect your travel plans?
Mix and Match Mama says
Of course! I think it affects all travel plans in some way right now.
Jill says
Since you love New England, your family should check out the ski resorts in and around Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. They are lovely! I live in New Brunswick Canada so they are some of the closest big mountains we have (although covid has stopped us from visiting in recent years).
Just another thing to add to the love of the east coast!!
Rachel Kazmier says
Has K watched Kara and Nate before? If she loves travel like we do, she will love them. My son and I have watched every video. It’s on YouTube, kid friendly, and super fun. Start at the first video on work your way through the 100 countries they have visited!
Anytime you need another mama to ski with and if you’re ever in Colorado let me know. I blew my ACL at Jackson Hole last year and this year I ski like a granny. No more blacks for me!
Lisa L. says
What city did you fly to and how did you get to your condo? Also, do you know what activities they have in the summer?
Serena W. says
Have you all ever been to Canada to ski/snowboard? My husband and I just got back from Lake Louise and Banff and it was AMAZING!!! It was also VERY cold!!! We used the hotel shuttle to take us to the ski resort so you could easily stay at the hotel and enjoy the spa while everyone else heads to the slopes! It was an amazing trip! We stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise.
Happy New Year to you and thank you for being such a bright light throughout the year!
Mix and Match Mama says
Andrew has but I haven’t! He tells us all the time that Canada has been his very favorite spot for skiing/boarding!
Kacy M says
That pic of the girls playing cards with their stuffed animals is too cute!! I used to haul my plushies everywhere with me and include them in anything I did ??? happy new year!
Kelly Bonner says
Is there only specific days/times Madeley can ski, or just because of her age was it easier to plan for just a few times?
Mix and Match Mama says
She went to all day ski school (9-3:30) twice. She was signed up to go three days but due to the closures, she could only go twice. That was plenty for her at this age!
Jenny Terrell says
How do you dress kiddos for dinner? Head to toe. Waterproof shoes? Snow shoes? Switch from ski jacket. Taking 5 year olds skiing first time at spring break. Mama needs some help!
shauna says
Did you ski and stay at Park City or Deer Valley? We are going next New Years to Deer valley with kids looking for beat place to stay.
Also what crossbody bag do you use when you where in Parker City?