We have gone to Park City the last 2 years. We go dec 27- Jan1. Too far imo to drive from Dallas, but SLC is only 45 min drive to Park City. My wife does not ski, so for us, having cool walkable town close to the slopes was a must. We can fly non-stop from MSY-SLC on Delta using points.
Park City has touched all the boxes for us. First year, we stayed across the street from the Park City Mountain base, but it was too noisy at night. The unit we stayed in was older and I suppose that contributed to the noise as the windows were older and the walls paper thin. The nice thing about being so close is my 3 daughters and i walked to the slopes each day. Last year we stayed downtown, off main st. Ideal location, wife dropped us off each day and one day I walked back to the condo, great walk (bought a beer to go and barely finished, b/c we were so close). The walk-ability of downtown Park City is amazing, so many things for my wife to do; shopping, coffee, library etc.. ideal. So many cool shops, she stayed busy and loved it. She ran into a friedn from home (didnt know they were there) and they hung out all day, made the trip for her. We cooked in two nights and ate out two nights. Its pricey, but worth it. We're eating at Ruth's Chris NYE this year, $$$. not looking forward to that bill. Girls will be happy.
The skiing is top notch, i had been to PC on a YoungLife trip in HS, but other than that, I have skied CO a ton. Born and raised up in SoCal (until HS years), so grew skiing Mammoth. To me Park City is on par with Vail in terms of family friendly and plenty of runs for all ski levels. Im 50 now, so didnt really hit the Blacks but the Blues and greens are great. they have a green run (has to be couple miles at least, Homerun) from near the top all the way to the base. Nice long run.
The dining options on the mountain are 2nd to none, plenty of options and we rarely went to the bottom. Adjacent to PC is the Canyons, and makes for a hell of day to do the loop, its really a great way to map out your day to do both Mountains in one day, awesome.
It's cold in Dec, no doubt, but the gear these days neutralizes the cold, we haven't skied a day over 10degrees the last 2 years, but we stayed warm. My only down thing about PC is at about 2pm you lose the sun, and the wind usually whips up and the last 2 hours are a challenge, but that's what the hottub is for.
Park Station Condo is the ideal spot imo to stay if you are looking for economical, but still want location and space. Main St is literally out the back exit and essentially is at the end of main st. Free bus rides and there is a stop outside Park Station. we have a 3 bedroom this year, last year we stayed for $2500 in a 2 br. Two of my girls doubled up, third shared the king master and i took the pull out, but a nice fire and brown water suited me fine. Prices nearly double this year, as they are not letting check-ins, on checkout days, so i suppose they are recouping some lost revenue.