Brimming with world-renowned ski destinations, charming mountain-town vibes, and home of the critically-acclaimed Sundance Film Festival, Park City offers a little something for everyone — including those in search of a profitable rental property.
With activities like skiing, hiking, biking, and dining bringing in over 600,000 annual visitors, Park City is one of Utah’s most sought-after resort towns — presenting a major opportunity for interested buyers.
To help you understand the investment opportunity this vacation rental market presents, we created a free, downloadable vacation rental market analysis. Inside you’ll find:
The findings in this analysis are based on Evolve’s Park City market averages in the last year and provide a general baseline for performance potential. They’re designed to help inform smart decisions when buying a Park City investment property.
Download Our Complete Park City Vacation Rental Investment Analysis
While Park City is most-often known for its winter sports, the area sees two peak occupancy seasons — summer and winter. The powdery slopes of Deer Valley Ski Resort, the snow-capped mountains of Park City Mountain, and the groundbreaking, artistic entertainment of the Sundance Film Festival attract powder-chasers and movie buffs alike during the early winter months of the year.
Once warm-weather rolls around, adventure-chasers enjoy unforgettable excursions in Park City’s refreshing, alpine climate — think hot air-balloon rides, golfing at one of the many idyllic courses, and hiking or biking over 400 miles of trails.
Spring and fall months do tend to see lower occupancy rates, but that doesn’t stop the area from hosting tons of year-round activities that can attract travelers of all interests (leaf peeping, anyone?).
With all that said, it’s important to know the varying upfront costs you might face based on where you ultimately purchase a Park City Airbnb investment. The area currently has a median home value of around $1.5 million. While on the higher end, you can help recoup some of the upfront costs by aligning your timeline to be open for business during the area’s two peak seasons — allowing you to hit the ground running and earn right from the start.
Reaching high levels of success with a Park City investment property depends on a variety of considerations. Keep these important factors in mind when evaluating your purchasing options.
Guests vacationing in Park City tend to come in mid-sized groups of six people or less. According to our real estate experts, five-bedroom properties see the highest number of annual nights booked in the Park City rental market, with one- and two-bedroom homes following closely behind.
One- and two-bedroom rentals also collectively make up just over half of all short-term accommodations in Park City — a win-win for those looking to buy at lower price points while still filling the calendar. Plus, two-bedroom properties were Evolve’s top Park City performers last year.
While larger properties tend to see higher average daily rates, they make up a smaller percentage of available inventory that guests are able to book — and investors are able to purchase — so expect your search to take a little longer.
Since the area boasts two major ski resorts (one of which was voted a top ski resort in America), drool-worthy dining options, and a wide range of family-friendly entertainment, our team says it’s pretty typical for guests to want to stay in close proximity to ski resorts, downtown, or restaurants. So buying a vacation home near one or more of these local draws can increase your potential for more bookings and annual income.
Mountain views are another major draw in the Park City rental market, but it’s even better if you can nab a slope-side location or a property with ski-in/ski-out access. Providing this additional level of luxury and convenience can help make sure getting around town is a stress-free experience for travelers — and it may be what sets your Park City investment property apart from the competition, ultimately making it easier to book more guests at higher rates.
Park City attracts a wide variety of travelers, ranging from couples and solo adventurers to families and small groups of friends. So first and foremost, it’s important to provide all the top amenities that allow for a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.
The two most sought-after amenities in this area are hot tubs and fireplaces — perfect for unwinding after a fun-filled day in the mountains. To make your vacation rental even more attractive to potential guests, our experts suggest adding a sauna or a steam room, offering another unique way for guests to unwind year-round.
Of course, guests are always looking for a special vacation experience that comes with a home-away-from-home feel, so look for properties with modern finishes like granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Once you’ve selected a place, adding rustic cabin decor like antique skis, timber furniture, or overstuffed leather sofas can also add an inviting, cozy touch that really gives your Park City investment property an income-driving edge.
With a stronghold on outdoor adventure and entertainment, Park City’s tourism industry continues to be a huge part of what makes this charming mountain town such a valuable investment opportunity.
To get a closer look at the details around buying a vacation home in this area, download our full Park City Vacation Rental market analysis today.
Inside, you’ll find key insights like:
With this exclusive performance intel on your side, buying a Park City investment property can be as thrilling as swooshing down the area’s world-class slopes.