Winter Preparedness Guide for Summit County Residents and Visitors
Summit County agencies urge residents and visitors to use transit, plan for peak ski days, and monitor road and health alerts as winter conditions take hold. Practical steps on travel, public safety, county services, and emergency preparedness can reduce risk and ensure equitable access to essential services.
As winter weather intensifies across Summit County, local authorities are urging practical preparation for travel, public health, and household emergencies. Ski resorts and transit providers anticipate busy weekends and holiday periods, roads may face temporary closures and chain requirements, and public safety agencies are increasing patrols in key activity corridors. Knowing which agencies to monitor and which services are available can reduce disruption for residents and visitors in Park City, Kamas, Coalville, Oakley, and Henefer.
Ski area arrivals will be busiest on weekends and holidays, and resorts publish peak day calendars to help travelers time their visits. Expect reduced parking at Park City Mountain and Deer Valley during peak times, and consider Park City free transit, High Valley Transit, county and regional transit options, and resort shuttle services to avoid congestion. Transit access is an equity issue, so using free and regional services helps those without private vehicles reach work, medical appointments, and essential services.
Winter driving requires advance preparation. Carry chains or traction devices when requested, and monitor UDOT and Summit County road alerts for seasonal closures and chain requirements. Drivers should be aware of intermittent emergency closures and the presence of snowplows on mountain passes, and plan extra travel time. These measures protect motorists and first responders and reduce traffic incidents that can strain emergency medical and fire services.
Public safety and health agencies are active throughout the season. The Summit County Sheriff and local police publish holiday and winter safety guidance and increase patrols in Old Town and ski area corridors during high traffic periods. The Summit County Health Department posts current advisories including vaccination recommendations and wastewater surveillance updates to track community disease trends. These public health tools inform policy and community behavior, and staying current helps protect older adults, people with chronic illness, and other vulnerable populations.
County services remain available for administrative and community needs. The Summit County Courthouse in Coalville handles county services and meeting agendas. Kimball Junction and Kamas libraries offer local programming, while Park City Recreation and Basin Recreation post parks and recreation notices. For utilities and emergencies sign up for local alerts through Summit County systems, keep an emergency kit for outages, and follow instructions from Park City Fire and North Summit Fire districts.
Preparation reduces harm and preserves access to essential services across the county. Residents and visitors who use available transit, monitor official alerts, and follow public health guidance help keep the community safer and more resilient this winter.
