Hiring 4x4 from SLC to drive to Park city

Hi,

We need to hire a 4x4 / AWD to drive up from SLC to Park city however none of the hire companies will guarantee one only a small / mid or luxury SUV ?? If anybodies got any advice or pointers it's would be greatly appreciated !! Ideally looking to hire with Alamo .....

Many thanks
Susie :)

Most rental SUVs will be AWD in the States. I have often rented a car at the airport, and driven up to Park City. I've never needed four wheel drive. Once in a blue moon, you would need snow chains, but that's very rare. As an alternative, shuttles to PC are about $40 per person, and there is a great free bus service between ski areas and around the town.

Found this thread for you http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g57097-i800-k3151419-Rental_cars_chains-Park_City_Utah.html

None of the SUVs we have rented have been awd, which has led to us getting stuck on many beaches but this was in Florida so maybe the need to rent them out isn't so great there !! Lol

We ideally need a car as we are self catering for 12 days and we like to have the freedom to explore !

I think we will just chance it would you recommend a small or mid size SUV ??

Thanks for your help :-)

I would hire a mid size car, squeeze everything in for the drive to your accommodation. Most locals will be driving cars, nor SUVs. Best deals for lift tickets would be REI, or Costco in SLC, maybe liftopia online. It's fifty bucks for a Costco membership, but you might save a lot more than that with the discount lift ticket packs for the three ski areas in PC. Best grocery shopping is Smiths, or Whole Foods Market in Kimbal Junction. There an outlet mall there to which can be a good place to buy ski clothes, also a TJMaxx. The Liqueur store in Kimbal Jtn might be cheaper too. If your flight gets in early, there are times where you can ski free for the rest of the day. See the PC Chamber of Commerce web page.

Make a few turns for me, I won't be going this year.

thank you so much for your reply :-) can you recommend any good places to eat in both the day and evening ??

Many thanks
Susie

Also ........ if we hire a mid size car, whats the deal if it snows whilst we are trying to get up the mountain ???? do they provide chains etc ..... sorry to pick your brains the hire companies arent very forthcoming with information !!

Susie

There's a section of freeway going up, where in the middle of a really big storm, you might need chains. It's so rare, that many people don't carry chains; they wait it out. You shouldn't need chains getting around PC.

Deer Valley resort has exceptionally good food at reasonable prices, day and evening. There's a cafe at the base of PCMR resort that does an all you can eat breakfast. Restaurants in PC are generally a little pricey, but not terrible.

You don't need a 4x4 there. It is a four lane divided freeway all the way from the airport to Park City.

Around SLC, you may need one to get to Alta/ Snowbird after a big dump (more because of the rules than because you need one)