The Waldorf Astoria Park City is one of Park City’s newer resorts and the first mountain resort from this iconic hotel brand. With 175 guestrooms and suites, Waldorf lives up to its famous name. Park City is home to the Wasatch Mountain Range and the largest resort in the United States, Park City Mountain Resort, as well as Deer Valley Resort.

The hotel is gorgeous, inside and out, managing to be both luxurious and rustic at the same time. The exterior is comprised of hewn wood and stone, and trimmed with Baccarat Crystal chandeliers. Cozy fire pits are conveniently scattered around the property. Inside, the lobby has a vaulted ceiling and massive 300-year-old imported fireplace, with polished dark wood and comfortable conversation areas.

Park City is a huge draw for families who love to ski as it offers some of the world’s best powder skiing with more than 4,000 acres of ski terrain, and families love that it is conveniently located just 30 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport. The resort is situated at the base of Canyons Village and is just steps away from the dedicated gondola. When not on the slopes, your family will enjoy exploring Park City’s small, Victorian downtown area. Colorful Main Street features shops, restaurants, a small museum and 64 Victorian buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historical Places.

The guestrooms and suites at Waldorf are beautifully appointed with fabrics, furnishings and woods that were handpicked to decorate the resort. Special accents include designer carpets, Viking appliances, custom-designed furniture and Travertine tile. Each accommodation includes a flat screen television in the bedroom and bathroom, a gas fireplace and signature Waldorf Astoria bedding. Most rooms also feature a balcony.

Guestrooms
The not-so-basic guestroom, in addition to all of the above, has a king or two queen beds, a mini-sink and mini-refrigerator. The deluxe guestroom includes a kitchenette with two burners, a small refrigerator and a microwave.

Suites
One-bedroom suites have a spacious living area for relaxing and entertaining, a master bedroom with a king-size bed, and a deluxe master bath with an over-sized, jetted tub and European shower. A sofa bed in the living room, a second bathroom, a stacked washer and dryer, and a dining area with table and chairs complete the suite. Two-, three- and four-bedroom suites are also available, with a corresponding number of added bathrooms.

Waldorf, and its location at the base of Canyons Village, offers two very different experiences depending upon whether you visit in the winter or summer. Although you may think of Park City as a ski vacation destination, visiting Park City in the summer is just as popular. During the ski season, plan to spend at least two or three days on the mountain.

Skiing at the Canyons
Park City has its own ski school with a wide array of lesson types, and the Waldorf makes it so easy to get your family onto the mountain. The newly remodeled Empire Room is a spacious ski-prep and boot storage room where your family can don ski gear and enjoy hot cider or house-made hot cocoa before you simply step onto a "people mover" that takes you swiftly to the private gondola to Canyons Village. Ski valets are on hand to assist with gear and gondola loading.

Ski and Snowboard School
Once at Canyons Village, the Ski and Snowboard School is ready to instruct skiers from ages two and up. Half-day, full-day, group and private lessons are all available. Specialty clinics include women's only groups, steep-skiing camp, terrain park instruction and pure powder.

For the youngest skiers, ages 2 to 3, their day at the slopes is the perfect combination of indoor playtime and a one-hour private ski lesson. (Basic childcare, without ski instruction, is also available for little ones from 6 weeks to 6 years.) Children ages 4 to 6 must be completely toilet trained and willing to participate in skiing. Release forms can be downloaded and completed prior to arrival -- and trust us -- this is a huge help.

Canyons Club
Canyons Club in the Canyons Village, offers the younger set a fun place to hang out, play video and board games, watch television and make craft projects.

Rental Equipment
Lastly, a wide variety of rental equipment is readily available including sport skis, performance skis, snowboards, boots and helmets. To make the rental process even easier, Waldorf offers an in-room fitting service for guests. The fee for this service may well be worth the expense. And if you are wondering whether it is easier to rent ski equipment at home and bring it along, we highly recommend renting at the mountain. This way, if there is a malfunction or ill-fitting piece of equipment, it will be simple to remedy the problem.

Sleigh Rides
Scenic 30-minute sleigh rides through Willow Draw conclude with complimentary non-alcoholic drinks at Red Tail Grill or you can choose to add on a dinner at The Farm. The Farm is a recent dining addition to Canyons Village and features an innovative menu with locally sourced ingredients from farms and artisans within 200 miles of Park City.

Canyons' Zip Tour
Flying is the best way to describe this super-fast, adrenaline-pumping zips lining experience! This tour spans two separate cables and will have riders traveling at speeds as fast as 45 miles per hour. Riders can control their own speed to enjoy the tree top tour. Launching and landing take place on a knoll that is just a short walk from the Red Pine Lodge.

Snowshoeing
Take a two- or three-hour snowshoeing excursion around the area, day or night, exploring the mountain and ending with a meal at the Lookout Cabin. Evening snowshoers are supplied with headlamps.

Scenic Gondola Ride
A scenic gondola ride is perfect for the non-skier or the skier who is taking a day off. Jump on the gondola and join skiers on the mountain for lunch.

Dog Sledding and Hot-Air Ballooning
Other very popular year-round activities include dog sledding and hot-air ballooning. Dog sledding is a terrific family activity that requires no specific skills at all. Children love spending time with the dogs (who really love to pull the sleds) and the ride is smooth, fast paced and beautiful. The Park City Balloon Adventures company offers private balloon rides that last about an hour and conclude with a champagne (or sparkling cider) celebration. The Concierge at the Waldorf can make arrangements for a day of dog sledding with the Pawsatch Snow Dogs or hot-air ballooning with Park City Balloon Adventures.

Summer Favorites
Summertime presents a very different vision of Park City, with its own array of family activities. The zip line tour and gondola rides mentioned above are available year-round. Additional activities include mountain biking, miniature golf, 18-hole golf, pedal boating, trout fishing, hiking trails and more.

Powder
Powder offers indoor private dining and additional outdoor seasonal dining with views of the pool and scenic outdoor courtyard. The experience is convivial and relaxed with casual dining and spirits. Powder is the ideal location to gather for apres ski beverages with unique fresh and flavorful menu offerings for the entire family. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served from a menu that emphasizes fresh, locally sourced ingredients with changing seasonal offerings. The location and the hours of operation (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) are very convenient. Recent updates to Powder have made it more family-friendly, and a children's menu is available.

The Pool at Waldorf Astoria Park City
Ideal for lounging poolside, Scoop Sweets & Grill offers ice cream, sorbet, gelato, BBQ items, and a full bar. Situated at the Alpine pool and open during summer months, offering whirlpools, fire pits and VIP cabanas.

Room Service
Room service is always great, but another easy dining option for families at Waldorf is to take advantage of the gourmet kitchens in every suite. These kitchens are exceptional with Viking appliances, granite countertops, and cabinets and drawers stocked with dishware, cooking utensils and flatware.

Groceries
There are a number of grocery stores in Park City where you can pick up your own groceries, or you can employ the services of The Grocery Girls. At The Grocery Girls' web site, Park City visitors can create a list of requested food stuffs, including baby supplies, liquor and personal items, and the "girls" will do the shopping and deliver the food, stocking your vacation kitchen.

All About the Extras
The altitude of Park City is an important consideration for parents. Remember to take it easy with children on the first day or so -- travel over time zones combined with the altitude and different sleeping arrangements can make for some very cranky kids. Carry snacks and water and don't forget that you may need to take breaks.

Welcome Gifts
Children are welcomed to the Waldorf with gift bags containing small presents such as puzzles, coloring books and markers.

Resort Fee
A daily resort fee covers unlimited local calls, Wi-Fi access, the fitness center, coffee and tea, a dedicated shuttle and nightly turn-down service.

The Art of Smart Timing
Park City is a four-season resort destination, but pricing and availability will vary with the time of your trip. The peak season is from December to March with especially busy times at Christmas and during the Sundance Film Festival in January. April to November is considered the "shoulder season," with reduced hotel rates and great deals at restaurants.

Spring in Park City is quite enjoyable as the weather is perfect for spring skiing -- never too warm or too cold. Spring skiing is ideal for families with young children who are learning to ski; learning to maneuver on skis is tough enough for kids without also having to deal with the colder temperatures in winter months.

Getting There
The Waldorf is located in the Canyons Village and is only 30 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport, making Park City one of the most accessible ski destinations in North America.

Getting Around
Transfer from the airport to the resort is readily available in the form of rental cars, shuttles, taxis or private luxury transportation.

For Mom and Dad
If parents would like to carve out some time for themselves, the Waldorf's concierge can arrange for babysitting. Alone-time might be enjoyed at the 16,000-square-foot Waldorf Astoria Spa with a couples massage or with a dinner experience that is incredibly unique to Park City at The Viking Yurt. The Viking Yurt is located at an 8,000-foot elevation in an authentic yurt. The number of dinner guests is limited to 40 and the restaurant is reached only by sleigh ride. If time permits, this is an experience not to be missed.