Skiers in the know have long touted Utah as having the “Greatest Snow on Earth”; perhaps just one of the reasons Vail Resorts Inc. bought Park City Mountain Resort for $182.5 million last year. They recently completed a $50 million renovation unveiling their Quicksilver Gondola that connects the former Canyons and Park City Mountain Resort, so that Park City Mountain is now the largest ski area in America with 7,300 skiable acres.
If you need further enticement, the readers of SKI magazine rated Deer Valley (a neighboring resort) #1 in first class service, access, on-mountain food, lodging and dining for 2016!
1. The Stein Eriksen Lodge
For the ultimate in gracious service book one of the seven grand suites at The Stein Eriksen Lodge, Park Citys only 5-star, 5-Diamond rated hotel and lodge. Each suite is uniquely decorated but they all feature non-fussy, mountain-chic dcor, full gourmet kitchens, stone-tiled bathrooms with oversize jetted tubs and separate showers generously supplied with Molton Brown of London bath products, marshmallow soft, down-covered beds, stone-hearth fireplaces in the living room and master bedroom, and a private deck with a hot tub–perfect for watching skiers schuss down the slopes as you soak and sip on some bubbly. Check out their new bath menu, where guests select from a variety of aromatherapy bath accroutrements (candles, salt scrubs, moisturizing oils, and body butters) which add to your tubbing pleasure.
Start your day right with a generous buffet breakfast (loved the salmon eggs bennies) at their award-winning Glitretind Restaurant. Afterwards, head downstairs where the adorably friendly ski valets jump to help you put on your boots, tighten your helmet, carry out your skies, grab you some Kleenex or a complimentary cup of cocoa before you slide down the hill to the lift, about a half block away. Skiing doesnt get much more convenient or more pleasurable than this!
When youre done skiing and return home, you can settle in by the fire with a mulled wine at the livelyTroll Hatten Lounge, work out at state-of-the-art fitness center or relax in the full-service spa.
2. Resorts West rentals
If you need room to spread out in style and desire privacy, consider Resorts West where you select from over 150 exclusive luxury homes and condos sprinkled throughout Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley Resort and Canyons Resort.
Your private concierge handles all the details and can seamlessly add on a myriad of convenient services such as a private chef, luggage shipping, grocery shopping, ski rentals, spa treatments, and a personal trainer. For bragging rights ask them to book a ride on the official bobsled track of the 2002 Olympics.
After perusing their portfolio, my first choice is their ski-in ski-out Resorts West Ski Dream Home, perched on top of Little Baldy Peak at 8,000 ft. in Deer Valley. Just a few of the stunning features of this 14,000 square foot, six bedroom, ten bath home include an outdoor heated pool with a cascading waterfall, 4,500 sq. ft. of wrap-around decks to take in the complimentary stunning views, 15 fireplaces (including two exterior fire pits plus a massive 21 stone fireplace in the Great Room) two wine cellars holding over 1,000 bottles, a Chill Room with state-of-the-art DJ booth, 550 gallon aquarium, a movie theatre featuring a 124-inch screen, a fully equipped exercise room and a day spa suite. Everything but a partridge in a pear tree, although Im sure the concierge can arrange it.
*Rents nightly for $16,500/night and requires a 7-night minimum
3.High West Distillery & Saloon
Ever since Utah has relaxed its strict liquor laws, Park City is becoming party central for fun places to eat, drink and hang. Dont miss High West Distillery & Saloon, the world’s only ski-in distillery and gastro-saloon. Their small-batch, artisanal rye whiskeys and oat-based vodkas are made from the finest mountain ingredients which are then distilled in a traditional copper pot. Try light Whisky Lemonade, a warming Bourbon Cowboy Coffee or a whisky flight, which all pair perfectly with the Grillsmith, a hot cinnamon Krispy Kreme Donut topped with vanilla ice cream doused with Whiskey caramel sauce.
4. The Arctic Ice Lounge
The new kid on the block, The Arctic Ice Lounge at the glam Waldorf Astoria is literally too-cool for school. Open only during ski- season this happenin ice bar features amazing ice sculptures including an oversized penguin ice-throne built for two. Grab your honey to keep warm as well as a flute of Moets Ice Imperial Champagne (created to be served over ice) ora Mot cocktail like the Kentucky Fizz, made with local High West Double Rye, bitters and Mot Ice, while nibbling on the ultimate bar food: beluga caviar, oysters and sashimi.
5. Montage Deer Valley Resort
If youre skiing at the Montage Deer Valley Resort, pop into the bright orange pop-up, the uber- lux Clicquot Yurt! Where else can you take a quick ski break, nestle under a fur throw on a comfy sofa in front of the roaring stone fireplace and pop a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, accompanied by upscale munchies?
6. Powder
For an elegant dinner, try Powder at the Waldorf Astoria Park City, where Executive Chef, Ryker Brown is wowing guests with his sophisticated American Mountain cuisine. Brown sources and forages the freshest l ingredients, adds his imaginative twists, which he presents on dramatic stone slabs and wood.Menu standouts include their signature Oysters & Hogwash (a just right, spicy rice-wine vinegar enhancer) a healthy, citrusy mixed grain salad, Crispy Pork Belly sous vide and a Wagyu Beef steak that melts like buttah.
7. Tupelo
Tupelos chef/owner, ex- southerner, Matt Harris, travels the country to search out the finest small-scale and artisanal products, which he then prepares in decidedly unexpected ways. Whether youre dining on fresh Idaho trout, natural Bear Lake lamb, heirloom Sea Island beans, housemade ricotta or the sweetest scallops imaginable, youre in for a tasty experience.
8. Burgers & Bourbon
If youre looking for the ultimate burger, head to Montage Deer Valleys Burgers & Bourbon for the finest gourmet burgers, made from a proprietary blend of the finest farm raised beef. I went all out and ordered the decadent Lux Burger topped with foie gras, truffle cheese, bourbon onions and arugula, which tasted even better than it sounds, particularly with a trio of fries (truffle, rosemary and sweet potato) and sauces on the side. Lest you think Im a total piglet, I held back and only ordered a mini smore shake for dessert!
9. The spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge
The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge, Utah’s only Forbes Five-Star Spa, offers guests the ultimate in pampering and relaxation. There are 16 treatment rooms, spacious relaxation area, a sauna, eucalyptus steam room, and a hot and cold plunge.
You can dart in for a quick Winter White TruffleManicure or sign on for the four-hour Blue Bird Bliss which includes a signature massage, Nordic Experience facial, and an Alpine mani/pedi.
10. Spa Montage Deer Valley
Spa Montage Deer Valley is the perfect place to relax and unwind while taking in the serene mountain views. Shout out to Will, my fab masseur, whose mission was to seek out and destroy every last aching muscle. You could easily spend the day here enjoying the redwood saunas, steam rooms, jetted whirlpools, deluge showers, indoor mosaic lap pool and outdoor pool with sundeck spread at their humongous 35,000 square-foot spa. They also have a top-notch gym filled with state-of-the-art equipment and a full roster of exercise classes.
PS. I have flunked more yoga classes than you can count since I cant bend enough for even a Down Puppy but I have to admit that Kate, our exceedingly patient instructor, had me almost touching the ground!
