Park City Mountain From Provo: Epic Pass Math for Families

Things to Do September 30, 2026 7 min read ✓ Updated October 12, 2026

Abigail Giordano Senior Writer, Provo.com How we make Provo.com

Park City Mountain is the big resort on the Wasatch Back, and Vail Resorts bills it as the largest ski resort in the United States. From Provo it is about an hour away, and unlike the Cottonwood canyon resorts it is reached on multilane highways rather than a single canyon road. It runs on Vail's Epic Pass, not the Ikon Pass, which makes it the one big Utah mountain where a Utah County family's pass decision works differently. This guide does that math.

The drive

OpenStreetMap routing puts the Mountain Village base, in town, about 45 miles and 60 minutes from downtown Provo, and Canyons Village, on the resort's west side, about 48 miles and 65 minutes, both without traffic. The resort announced November 20, 2026, as its target opening day.

For the town itself, from Main Street to the dining, see Park City From Provo.

The passes

Park City Mountain is on the Epic Pass. Vail put its 2026-27 passes on sale in March at the season's lowest prices, with ages 13 to 30 launching at $869 for the Epic Pass and $649 for the Epic Local. Prices rose over the summer and again after September 7. The mid-August prices, the last Vail published before the September 7 increase, were:

Epic Pass: $1,119 for adults 31 and older, $889 for ages 13 to 30, and $569 for children 5 to 12.
Epic Local Pass: $829 for adults 31 and older, $659 for ages 13 to 30, and $435 for children 5 to 12.
Epic Day Pass: from $47 to $99 a day in August, depending on how many days you buy; by late September a four-day pass covering Park City was $471, or $118 a day.

The 20 percent discount for ages 13 to 30 was new for 2026-27. The Epic Local Pass is the cheaper choice, but it excludes certain peak holiday dates at Park City and Vail's other major resorts; the full Epic Pass has no restricted dates. Early buyers also received ten half-price Epic Friend Tickets; later buyers get five.

The family math

Take a Utah County family of four: two parents over 30 and two children aged 5 to 12. At the mid-August published prices:

Four Epic Local Passes: two at $829 and two at $435 comes to $2,528.
Four full Epic Passes: two at $1,119 and two at $569 comes to $3,376.

The question is how many days you will ski. An adult Epic Local Pass at $829 costs about $104 a day over eight days, $69 a day over 12 days and $55 a day over 15. A family that skis only a handful of days, or only midweek, may do better with Epic Day Passes; a family that skis most weekends, and does not need the holiday dates, is who the Epic Local Pass is built for.

The other half of the decision is the rest of your winter. If your family also wants Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, Solitude or Deer Valley, those are Ikon mountains, and a Park City family ends up choosing between the two pass systems. For the side-by-side, see Ski Passes for Utah Valley Families.

Parking

UDOT says Park City Mountain's 2026-27 parking details will be released closer to the season. Last season's rules were:

Mountain Village: reservations required every day before noon, free for cars with four or more people; otherwise $29 in the surface lots and $50 in the garage.
Canyons Village: no reservations; the garage was $29 until noon, or free all day for carpools of four or more, with limited free parking in the lot next to it.
Park-and-ride: several lots offered free transportation to either base.

Practical notes

Do the day count first. It decides between the Epic Local, the full Epic and day passes.
Watch the holiday dates. The Epic Local Pass excludes certain peak dates at Park City.
Carpool or arrive after noon. Last season, morning fees and reservations did not apply to cars with four or more people.
Check the current pass price. Vail's prices rose after September 7.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Park City Mountain from Provo?

OpenStreetMap routing puts the Mountain Village base about 45 miles and 60 minutes from downtown Provo, and Canyons Village about 48 miles and 65 minutes, both without traffic.

When does Park City Mountain open for 2026-27?

The resort announced November 20, 2026, as its target opening day.

How much is the Epic Pass for 2026-27?

Vail launched 2026-27 passes in March with new 20 percent discounts for ages 13 to 30 ($869 for the Epic Pass and $649 for the Epic Local). By mid-August the published prices were $1,119 (Epic) and $829 (Epic Local) for adults, $889 and $659 for ages 13 to 30, and $569 and $435 for children 5 to 12. Prices rose again after September 7, so check the current price before you buy.

What does a family of four pay for Epic passes?

At the mid-August published prices, two adults 31 and over and two children 5 to 12 paid $2,528 for Epic Local Passes or $3,376 for full Epic Passes. Prices rose again after September 7, so a family buying now pays more.

Do I need a parking reservation at Park City Mountain?

Last season, yes: Mountain Village required reservations every day before noon, free for cars with four or more people and otherwise $29 in the surface lots and $50 in the garage. Canyons Village needed no reservation. UDOT says 2026-27 details will be released closer to the season.

What is the difference between the Epic Pass and the Epic Local Pass?

The Epic Local Pass is cheaper but excludes certain peak holiday dates at Park City and other major Vail resorts. The full Epic Pass has no restricted dates.

Does the Ikon Pass work at Park City Mountain?

No. Park City Mountain runs on Vail's Epic Pass, which makes it the one big Utah resort where an Epic pass, not an Ikon, is the key.

When is parking free at Park City Mountain?

Last season, after noon, or all day for a car with four or more people. Before noon, Mountain Village required a reservation and $29 for the surface lots; the Canyons Village garage was $29 until noon. Check the 2026-27 rules when they are released.

Sources

The facts in this guide were checked against these sources. Hours, fees and rules change, so confirm anything time-sensitive with the source before you go. How we make Provo.com.

Park City Area Recreation, Utah Department of Transportation (Wasatch Back). Checked October 12, 2026.
Is Winter About to Show Off? Vail Resorts Announces 2026/27 Opening Dates, Vail Resorts. Checked October 12, 2026.
Epic Pass Lowers Prices for Gen Z, Vail Resorts. Checked October 12, 2026.
Ski or Ride 4 Days ... for $471 with Epic Day Pass, Vail Resorts. Checked October 12, 2026.
Ski Utah snow report and opening dates, Ski Utah. Checked October 12, 2026.

Abigail Giordano

Senior Writer

Abigail Giordano is a senior writer at Provo.com covering student life, family resources, and community events across Utah Valley. Her writing focuses on making Provo more accessible and navigable for newcomers, students, and families — the practical guides that help people feel at home faster.

Park City Mountain From Utah Valley: The Epic Pass Math for a Utah County Family