Great topic! I've been to both during skiing season (once at Sunrise, many times at Valdoro), so I'll give it a shot:
ski-in/ski-out
Sunrise: Short walk across the street to a 2-man slow lift that brings you up a bit and then can access a major base. Can ski back to within 10 feet of the ski valet door of the resort
Valdoro: No, but there is a shuttle that runs constantly and it is only a 1-2 min ride.
Ski lockers/valet?
Sunrise: Small ski valet room to put your boots on, etc., but if I remember correctly they do not store equipment
Valdoro: Nice valet to store both boots and skis (did this change a bit last year?). Also, a full ski shop just off the lobby where you can rent skis, snowboard, buy supplies, clothing.
free shuttles to slopes and or town, frequency
Sunrise: Shuttles to town (did not use, so no experience)
Valdoro: Shuttle available from early morning to late night (some times are dedicated to shuttling to slope only). Free (tips appreciated). They will pick up and drop off almost anywhere in the town.
Accessibility to airport options?
Sunrise: Easy 1 hour drive from SLC
Valdoro: 2 hour drive, much higher elevation and can be bad driving conditions. During weekends, drive can turn into 4+ hours with traffic.
Hot tubs and pools. sufficient space for apres ski? or Full of kids or drunk adults?
Sunrise: Pool with hot tubs in center courtyard. We were there Spring Break and had no issues w/ unruly behavior. Never crowded.
Valdoro: 2 hot tubs on the balcony (access through fitness center). Across the street is a nice, newly-built pool/hot tub complex with a building for locker rooms that is shared between Valdoro and a couple of condos. Mellow clientele, never had an issue, never crowded. Note: all 2BR Plus units have a private deck w/ an outdoor hot tub for each unit.
Room size
Sunrise: The Plus and Premier units are HUGE. We had a 1BR Premier That had two full baths, huge walk-in closets, a full kitchen w/ large island, table that could seat 8, vaulted ceilings, very large living room. Another time in summer we had a standard 2BR and it was larger than many Hilton 2BRs.
Valdoro: Generally small rooms. Some bedrooms barely have room for the bed(s) and a dresser. Large bathrooms. Smaller kitchens and tables.
Ability to walk to restaurants/town?
Sunrise: Drive or shuttle to Park City. Can walk to ski base area for a few restaurants / shopping.
Valdoro: 1 block walk downhill to downtown Breckenridge. Can easily walk to many restaurants, shopping, etc.
Washer/dryer in studio or 1 bedrooms
Sunrise: W/D in our 1 and 2 BR. Never stayed in studio
Valdoro: No W/D in studio, stacked W/D in all others. Access to common W/D.
Fireplace in studio or 1 bedroom
Sunrise: not sure
Valdoro: Yes, in all units
other considerations?
- For summertime, Sunrise has A/C and Valdoro does not (if you are ok w/ open windows, that is usually not an issue)
- Altitude: Valdoro is at 9700' and more subject to altitude sickness.
- Parking: Sunrise is mandatory valet (no charge except tips), Valdoro has self-park underground heated parking.
- Valdoro has a great little owners lounge (open to all) with TVs, pool table, full-service bar, comfortable seating. Great place for apres ski.
- Utah has some strange liquor laws. Mostly doesn't affect Park City area much, but for example, I couldn't get a larger-sized margarita with my meal -- they limit the size of the drinks they can sell. Happy Hours seem non-existent.
Which do you prefer?
Is "both" acceptable? Valdoro has a smaller, cozy boutique property feel and Sunrise is more of a resort feel. I would have no hesitation staying at either place.
Kurt
