It’s that time of year again. In Park City, the return of winter means two things: ski season is close by, and it’s time to get your home ready for winter. If you’ve spent more than one winter in Park City, you know exactly what to expect, but if this is your first cold season with us, this guide will help you prepare your home for winter so you don’t experience any unexpected issues later on!

Here’s how to get your home ready for winter in Park City.

What is Winter Usually Like in Park City?

We’re lucky to have a full range of seasons here in Park City. From the sunny warm summers to the gorgeous fall foliage, our diverse climate is a big part of why we love living here.

Winters in Park City are long, typically lasting from November to at least March. It’s not unheard of to still see snow on the mountain well into May!

Winters here are usually overcast and cold, with temperatures hitting anywhere from 14 degrees up to 35 degrees. In terms of snowfall, we can get anywhere from 200-400 inches of snow over the year.

Wondering what it’s really like to live in Park City? Read these posts next to get a local’s perspective:

• Beyond the Slopes: How to Enjoy Park City Living Year-Round
• Deer Valley Vs. Park City: What Homeowners Need to Know
• Things You Didn’t Know About Living in Park City and Deer Valley

How to Prepare Your Home for Winter

Towards the end of the fall, there are a few things you should do outside to get your home safeguarded for the winter. Here’s a roundup of a few areas you should focus on:

The Yard

Mow your grass one final time for the season and remove as many fallen leaves as you can. Keeping up with raking or leaf blowing serves a purpose more than just making your home look good.

On a practical note, removing leaves will help protect your lawn over the winter and into the spring. Letting snow accumulate on a thick carpet of fallen leaves can result in issues with growth in the spring. It could also result in more damage to your lawn from critters.

Tip: When removing leaves, make sure you pay particular attention to any leaves around equipment like your AC.

It’s also a good idea to trim any perennial plants and re-mulch if you can. That way, you’re keeping them protected during their dormant season. If you have any ornamental evergreens, you also might want to consider wrapping them with burlap to protect them from harsh winds and cold temperatures.

Are you planning on selling your home this winter? All the more reason to pay specific attention to these tips! We have more home-selling content you might find helpful right here:

• Is it a Good Idea to Sell My Park City Home in the Winter?
• How Long Does it Take to Sell a Park City Vacation Home?
• How to Find the Best Park City Real Estate Team to Sell Your Vacation Home

The Water Pipes

Freezing cold temperatures can wreak havoc on a home if you aren’t properly prepared. One of the most serious issues that homeowners could face is a burst pipe. This can happen when water in a pipe freezes and then expands. It’s particularly concerning for vacation homeowners who may not live at the property full-time.

Luckily, there are a few things you can to do protect your home. As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Make sure the pipes in your home are insulated effectively. When it comes to the exterior of the property, make sure all faucets are turned off, remove any hoses from exterior spigots, and ensure all the water is drained out.

If your home has a sprinkler system, you should take the necessary steps to winterize it.

What if you live somewhere with a homeowner’s association? Find out more about home maintenance and the pros and cons of HOAs in Park City right here.

The Home Itself

Once your yard is tidied up, you can turn your attention to the home itself. From cleaning the downspouts and gutters to inspecting your chimney and roof for damage, all of these tasks will protect the longevity of your home and ensure you don’t run into any emergencies during the winter months. No one wants to deal with a leaky roof during a snowstorm.

Park City winters are fun and hard on your home, as our very own Jacquelyn Harris Grayson found out last year when getting her roof replaced. See what she learned from the process in this post here.

It’s also a good idea to clean your porch, wash your windows, and store any delicate patio furniture and cushionsexposed to the elements.

Living in Park City is not all home maintenance and work. It’s a lot of fun too! Looking for exciting things to do in Park City this winter? Read these posts next:

• How to Prepare for Ski Season in Park City 
• Where are the Best Aprés Ski Spots in Park City?
• How to Spend the Perfect Day in Park City

Get Ready for Fun

While you check everything off your fall maintenance list, you’re probably also getting ready for ski season. Although homeowners in Park City have great pride in ownership for their properties, the real reason people choose to live here is the recreation.

As such, no one wants to spend precious ski time fixing preventable home problems. Before the snow starts flying, there are a few things you should test and double-check:

• If you’re not hiring a snow removal company, we recommend taking some time to test your snow blower and make sure it’s in tip-top shape. Ensuring your snow removal is sorted for the year will save you lots of heartache when accumulation starts to pick up.
• Do you have a heated driveway or walkway? These features are immensely popular here in Park City, but just like anything else, may require some service over the years. Depending on the type of system you have, there are several ways you can test it and ensure it’s working properly.
• Drain, clean, and service your hot tub. Nothing puts a damper on your aprés ski like a malfunctioning hot tub. Take some time before the temperatures drop to ensure your hot tub is in good working condition. This could include draining it, deep cleaning, and making sure the mechanicals are all working properly. It’s also a good idea to stock up on hot tub chemicals since you’re likely going to be using them more frequently this time of year.
• Although it’s not entirely related to home maintenance, we also recommend getting your snow tires installed early in the season. Mechanics and dealerships get busy in the winter with an influx of people making the swap so if you get your winter tires on nice and early, you might save some hassle later on.

If buying or selling a home in Park City is on your to-do list this winter, we’d love to hear from you! Get in touch today directly by calling 435-647-8035 or emailing us at info@CFHparkcity.com.