The buses are free. That’s the first thing to know. Park City Transit has been fare-free since 1975, and High Valley Transit, which covers the rest of Summit County and reaches into Wasatch County, charges nothing either.

Without a car

City buses link Old Town, both resorts, Prospector and Kimball Junction, and a trolley runs the length of Main Street. High Valley Transit’s 10X is the express between Kimball Junction and Old Town. Other routes reach Canyons Village, Kamas and Heber. In the neighborhoods its Micro service works like a shared ride: you request a van in the app and it comes to you, from early morning until late at night.

On ski days the simplest move is often the Richardson Flat park-and-ride, which has 650 spaces and buses to both resorts every 15 minutes during resort hours.

On a powder day or during a big storm, public transportation can be your friend. Give yourself extra time, though. Plenty of other people may have the same idea, and you might need to wait for the next bus. You can get around much of town without driving, but it takes planning, flexibility and a little patience.

In summer the paved paths and the Rail Trail connect most of town, and the county’s e-bike share runs from May.

With a car

Parking is the tax on driving. Main Street and the China Bridge garage are paid, and Old Town has winter overnight restrictions so the plows can work. At Park City Mountain, morning parking at the Mountain Village base requires a paid reservation for most of the season. Deer Valley’s East Village has 1,200 free spaces for day skiers.

For most of the people I work with, the question is less “Do I need a car?” and more “How much will I be in it, and what should I drive in winter?” Think about the roads and driveway you’ll use every day, especially if a home has a steep approach. All-wheel or four-wheel drive is helpful, but good winter tires deserve just as much consideration. When storms roll in, Utah’s traction law can apply on the canyon roads, and UDOT posts the details.

One thing to plan around: dedicated bus lanes are being built on SR-224 between Kimball Junction and Old Town. Construction runs through summer 2028, with a pause each winter.

Where you live decides

Visiting Park City without a car is one thing. Living here year-round is another. In Old Town, Prospector and Canyons Village, the right location can make it easier to walk or take transit for some of your everyday trips. In Jeremy Ranch, Promontory and much of the Jordanelle area, I’d plan on driving more regularly. The exact address matters, along with where you work, shop, ski and spend your time.