Marriott's MountainSide at Park City

Polished and contemporary, the ski-in/ski-out Marriott’s MountainSide definitely feels more condo-in-the-city than cabin-in-the-woods. The soaring two-story lobby with its (also soaring) two-story fireplace overlooks the ski area and gives non-skiers/snowboarders a great place to hang out with a book or tablet. (Starbucks coffee available at the MarketPlace Express.) Tucked at the base of Wasatch Mountain, it’s adjacent to Park City Mountain Resort, which has an ice rink, restaurants and ski service. Cave in after about every 23rd request from the kids to stop at the heated outdoor pool and hot tub, and make a mental note to come back later and gather around the fire pits on the deck just above. Whether it’s the energy bars or the mountain air, if you’re feeling superhero-esque, hit the fitness center before or after your mountain adventures. And if the teens in your crew are suddenly too cool for puzzles and board games, there’s an onsite lounge just for them (open May through October) with a full-size Tamiya Race Track and arcade games.

Modern one- and two-bedroom villas are more refined than rugged, with sleek furnishings and stylish black gas fireplace in place of the more typical log furniture and stone hearth – all set against the spectacular backdrop of Wasatch Mountain. Full kitchens call for full morning meals – not that sad excuse for breakfast you typically grab on your way out the door at home. Once everyone’s appropriately bundled (and overheating under all those layers), head outside, grab your equipment and hit the PayDay Lift. See if you can go all day, making the last chair up to the top for a nice long run down. When you finally make it back to your villa, flip on the gas fireplace and set out a mini hot cocoa bar for the kids, with marshmallows and whipped cream, plus crushed peppermint and chocolate curls if you’re feeling fancy. If you’re rethinking that semi-ambitious dinner you had planned, scrap it and pick up grab-and-go from the MarketPlace. Or make it even easier with this pro tip: local restaurants deliver.

Park City’s delightful Victorian downtown is a must-browse. Hop the free shuttle and get off wherever you like, checking out the shops, stopping for specialty coffee drinks and perusing menus for later in the week. Nearby dinner-out options abound, from Japanese at The Flying Sumo to Mexican at Baja Cantina – or head for historic Main Street for Prime Steakhouse and Piano Bar (reservations are a must). The downtown’s always lively, but if you want to venture further afield, visit the Instagram-worthy mountain town of Kamas, surrounded by pristine national forest. And take the incredibly gorgeous 56-mile Mirror Lake Scenic Byway (so scenic, it’s in the name). Also nearby, you’ll find Jordanelle State Park, perfect for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Sports buffs will want to see the Utah Olympic Park, and golfers can be at either Park City Golf Club or Park Meadow Country Club in a matter of minutes.