MountainSide vs. Summit Watch

[DB-Wis]

I'm looking into using DC points to get a one-bedroom villa at either MountainSide or Summit Watch (in Park City, Utah) during the summer of 2016. I've never been to either property, but I've always had the impression they are more or less the same. I was surprised to see that MountainSide is substantially (20%) more "expensive" (in DC points) than Summit Watch -- 2900 vs. 2450.

Do those of you familiar with the properties believe the "price" differential is warranted, i.e., is staying at MountainSide worth 20% more points than a stay at Summit Watch?

 

[SMB1]

During ski season it is worth it. Although I've never been to Utah in the summer I think I might prefer the downtown area at that time. It's proximity to shops and restaurants and entertainment would be the draw for me. I guess in the summer without all of the ski equipment and heavy clothing I wouldn't find a shuttle ride or the town lift to the ski an inconvenience at all to do some hiking or any of the other activities they have.

 

[Fairwinds]

I agree with SMB1. I have only been during the summer and I think that during that season the proximity to town for an evening stroll/food/drink out weighs the advantages of Mountainside, which would be more of the resort feel at outdoor pool and grills. For us daytime activities usually involved a drive to various trail heads.

 

[LAX Mom]

The pool complex at Mountainside is a big draw for families in the summer. I think Summit Watch is re-doing their pool/fitness area, but I'm not sure when.

If you'll have children with you, it might be worth the extra points for the pool & hot tubs at Mountainside. If it is a adult couple, then Summit Watch is a great location at the end of Main Street.

 

[DB-Wis]

I'm unfamiliar with the layout of the area. Are you saying that Summit Watch is closer/more convenient to the downtown area?

 

[LAX Mom]

I'm unfamiliar with the layout of the area. Are you saying that Summit Watch is closer/more convenient to the downtown area?

Yes

Park City is a small resort town, but many of the shops & restaurants are located on Main Street. Summit Watch is at the bottom of Main Street & very convenient for walking around town.

Mountainside is at the bottom of the Park City Ski Resort. It's a great ski-in/ski-out location. (Summit Watch also has the town lift right off main street that you can use to access the ski mountain.)

You can walk from Mountainside into town, or Park City offers free shuttle buses.

 

[Superchief]

Mountainside is definitely more family oriented in the summer, and can get crowded with large families on weekends. Although it has nicer resort facilities, I would recommend Summit Watch for adult vacations during the summer.

Both are very nice resorts and easily accessible to restaurants, biking and hiking.

 

[PassionForTravel]

Agreed with everything everyone said. If adults Summit Watch if family Mountainside. We stayed at Summit Watch last summer and loved it. Great in town location. The street fair is right outside the door on Sunday. Restaurants are easy walking distance. They also have a great program of day trips, hiking, hot springs crater, etc. We went over to Mountainside to check it out, and it was to noisy for us with to many kids.

Ian

 

[Old Hickory]

I've posted this before. But it's pretty simple. Kids = Mountainside and Adults = Summit Watch.

You'll love Park City in the Summer.

 

[DB-Wis]

... If adults Summit Watch if family Mountainside. We stayed at Summit Watch last summer and loved it. ...
Ian

Thanks to everyone who responded. This trip will be limited to just me and my wife and so Summit Watch may be the better choice for us (and we'd save 450 points!).

Ian, I'm glad to hear you loved your summer visit. I'm curious -- what in particular was it about your trip that you liked (e.g., activities, etc.). My wife is a little dubious about going to Park City in the summer and your positive experience my help me sway her.

My wife seems more interested in Timber Lodge in South Lake Tahoe. I'd appreciate any thoughts any of you have regarding Lake Tahoe versus Park City in the summer.

Thanks,

Dennis

 

[PassionForTravel]

Tahoe is great and we love it there and Tahoe does have a gorgeous lake which Park City doesn't have. If you haven't been to Tahoe I'd probably go there first, but we'd been there a few times. We like to try different areas and we made a two week try out of it, one week in Park City and the second week in Beaver Creek Colorado. Park City is a real ex mining town with a downtown that we found more fun to explore than South Lake Tahoe. Both areas have lots of hiking.

As I mentioned there is a huge street fair/farmers market every Sunday during the summer. The lift is directly across from Summit Watch if you want to ride up to the top of the mountain to do some hiking.

We did a cool hike to a waterfall that was organized by Summit Watch and could get wet if we wanted. Another day the organized activity was to an extinct crater that has hot springs in them. Very clear water about 40 ft deep and 100 degrees that we could swim around in, a little spooky but very cool. Then a really good ice cream shop run by the (I think) Utah State Ag department. A third day we went into Salt Lake to look at the temple, unfortunately the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was on vacation so we couldn't hear them practice. Salt Lake has a really neat Natural History Museum which we went to on our own, just shocked us how good it was.

There are lots of restaurants to try including a brew pub. The only strange thing is that if you order the sampler platter they can only serve a couple of the samples at a time (liquor law). There is also a distillery right in town, rye whisky which we enjoyed seeing.

A very relaxing week.

Ian

 

[Superchief]

We enjoy mountain vacations in summer to get away from the heat and humidity of the Midwest. We've visited Park City several times (now own EOY at Mountainside) and went to Lake Tahoe last year. Although Tahoe is really nice and the lake is beautiful, we actually prefer Park City.

Our travel preferences may be different from yours, since we enjoy the outdoor activities and prefer to avoid crowds. Here are some of my observations:
-There are several national parks and places to visit within an hour of Park City. These tend to be less crowded than Tahoe, and offer a greater variety of hiking options.
-Due to the casinos nearby, Tahoe is more crowded and we found the restaurants to be more expensive and mediocre. Park City has several excellent restaurants, but summer is off season so the prices seem to be more reasonable. Park City primarily attracts visitors who enjoy outdoor and family activities.
-Salt Lake City is less than an hour drive from Park City and offers easy airport access and city activities. We often take the train one-way to SLC to enjoy the spectacular scenery along the Colorado River from Denver. (You can actually continue on the same train overnight to Reno).
-Park City offers free bus service from Mountainside to the city, so transportation is easy and there is no need to find/pay for parking.

One downside of Park City is that wine/ alcohol can only be purchased in state stores, which are closed Sundays and many other 'holidays'. Prices are much higher than in CA and you need to plan ahead.

Both are wonderful summer destinations.

 

[Old Hickory]

I've been to both PC and LT. Both are great destinations for summer activites. PC is easier to get to (if flying).

I'll comment on PC. Some additional things to do:

1. Bonneville Salt Flats in western Utah. It's a long drive but worth it if you've not had that experience. We drove out a few miles onto the salt flats where you could no longer see anything but the distant mountains. It's eerie.

2. Antelope Island north of SLC. It's an island within the great salt lake and like the salt flats it is an odd experience. The island is a state park and it's has some hiking and swimming (yes swimming in the great salt lake). You'll see some wild life like Bison and bighorn sheep.

3. Sundance Resort south of PC. It's the ski resort founded by Robert Redford. They have a lot of their own activites going on but you can find your own trailhead nearby. They might have an outdoor concert during your week.

4. The St. Regis at Deer Valley. Just up the street from Summitt View. Go for cocktails at sundown. Stay for dinner.

The distillery (saloon) in PC is High West and it's a hoot! They make a very good rye whiskey. If you like craft beers then get over to Unita Brewery in SLC (after you visit Temple Square).

 

[DB-Wis]

Thanks for these posts! This is exactly the kind of information I wanted in order to "compare and contrast" Park City and Lake Tahoe.

 

[jpc763]

I am looking at booking an AC into either Summit Watch or Mountainside for mid-November. Given that it is late shoulder season, it could be snowy or dry. We will come in mid week and stay until Sunday. The mountain will not be open for the season yet so no skiing.

The goal of the trip is to go on a college tour of University of Utah and Utah State University.

We will have 3 adults and 3 teens. Reading above, I think that Summit Watch would be the better choice with access to Main Street.

How is parking at each location?

Thanks, John

 

[DB-Wis]

As i mentioned in my original post in this thread, we are considering going to either Mountain Side or Summit Watch in the summer of 2016, using Vacation Club points. I've noticed that the number of points needed for a one week stay at either resort between July 29 to Sept. 22 is less than half of the number of points needed between for a one-week stay between July 8-28. (E.g., you need 2450 points for a one bedroom unit at Summit Watch between July 8-28, but only 1175 points for a one bedroom unit between July 29 and Sept. 22). In short, we could stay for two weeks after July 28 for less points needed for one week between July 8-28. This raises two questions:

(1) Is there something so undesirable about Park City/Utah from late July to late Sept. that would account for the difference? Or is it just a matter of kids going back to school, etc.?

(2) Is there enough to do in the area at that time of year to make a two-week stay worthwhile? It's tempting to turn this into a two-week vacation, but I don't want to be bored to death.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you Park City experts might have.

 

[Fasttr]

As i mentioned in my original post in this thread, we are considering going to either Mountain Side or Summit Watch in the summer of 2016, using Vacation Club points. I've noticed that the number of points needed for a one week stay at either resort between July 29 to Sept. 22 is less than half of the number of points needed between for a one-week stay between July 8-28. (E.g., you need 2450 points for a one bedroom unit at Summit Watch between July 8-28, but only 1175 points for a one bedroom unit between July 29 and Sept. 22). In short, we could stay for two weeks after July 28 for less points needed for one week between July 8-28. This raises two questions:

(1) Is there something so undesirable about Park City/Utah from late July to late Sept. that would account for the difference? Or is it just a matter of kids going back to school, etc.?

(2) Is there enough to do in the area at that time of year to make a two-week stay worthwhile? It's tempting to turn this into a two-week vacation, but I don't want to be bored to death.

I'd appreciate any thoughts you Park City experts might have.

You could make a side trip to any number of National Parks within a half day's drive of the Park City area and spend a few nights (or more) in/near the park to split up your two weeks. http://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/state-national-parks/

I was asking a lot of questions and received some great TUGger guidance in a recent thread about a side trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone while at Summit Watch next summer. Check it out HERE.