Travel time: 4 hours

With three major ski resorts, Park City is a snow sport paradise, and its über-posh 2,026-acre Deer Valley Resort (deervalley.com) is the favorite of die-hard skiers who want the slopes all to themselves. One of three ski-only resorts in the country, Deer Valley prohibits snowboarding on its obsessively groomed terrain and limits daily lift ticket sales to 7,500 (though it hits that number only at the holidays). That means open trails spanning six peaks, where families with little ones don’t stress about traffic, and even the tricky spots—from curvy, gladed runs to double-black bowls—are shockingly peaceful.

Lift tickets: From $114

While there: From January 22 to February 1, the Sundance Film Festival (sundance.org) descends on Park City. The best way to do it: Go toward the end, when the Hollywood scene has departed, top-notch hotels and restaurants have room, and word is out on the films worth seeing. From January 29 to February 1, hit up Art of Film, a new free series of panel discussions with writers, cinematographers, costumer designers, composers, and more.

Where to stay: The decor of the 12-room Washington School House (from $850, washingtonschoolhouse.com), an 1889 schoolhouse turned boutique hotel in downtown Park City, features antler chandeliers, velvet chairs, and a roaring fireplace—stiff competition for the steamy outdoor rooftop pool surrounded by snow and pines.

Getting there: Fly direct to Salt Lake City in three hours and 20 minutes, then drive 40 minutes to Park City.

Lift ticket prices are per day and based on purchase at least a week in advance.