Whether you’re an avid skier or simply looking for a fun and accessible winter getaway, here are 9 reasons why you need to add Park City, Utah to your travel bucket list.
Believe it or not, one of my favorite winter activities of all time is downhill skiing. My parents put me in lessons starting in elementary school and by middle school I was an active member of the ski club hitting the slopes with my friends each and every Friday night.
Fast forward to today: after living on the east coast for 9 years where skiing looks more like ice skating, two kids and a busy career later, I’m embarrassed to admit that until last week I hadn’t touched a downhill ski in over 15 years! YIKES!
So when the lovely people from Visit Park City and Deer Valley Resort invited me and my sister out to Utah for a ski getaway, I knew it was time to get back on those skis once and for all. The good news? I lived to tell the tale and I’m thrilled to share 9 reasons Park City, Utah should be added to your travel bucket list.
1. Lodges at Deer Valley Resort: Our home away from home, these spacious yet cozy condominium-style accommodations were not only luxurious but extremely peaceful. There wasn’t a single amenity they haven’t thought of to make you feel at home including the full kitchen, 2 1/2 bathrooms and complimentary hot breakfast buffet in the lobby. Of course the fireplace and Sex in the City marathon didn’t hurt either.
2. Private Ski Instruction at Deer Valley Resort: See that beautiful woman in the green in between me and my sister? That is one of the talented ski instructors who helped us feel comfortable and confident on the slopes. Not only did she help me remember all of the basics I learned 25 years ago but she helped me become a better skier in just three hours. I can’t wait to bring my boys back for lessons one day.
3. Specialty Drinks at Royal Street Cafe – Deer Valley Resort: After our ski lesson, we were ready for a warm up and enjoyed lunch at Royal Street Cafe located right on the mountain. Hot chocolate on a stick, Korean bulgogi lettuce wraps, blueberry mojitos, ahi tuna tacos… need I say more?
4. Spa Treatments at Mountain Body Spa: If skiing isn’t your cup of cocoa or you simply need a little pampering, don’t miss the Mountain Body Spa located in downtown Park City near the ski bridge pictured above. The homemade salt scrubs are out of this world and feel amazing after a busy day on the mountain.
5. Chocolate Chip Cookie Skillet at The Brass Tag: Just when I thought our dinner at Deer Valley’s Brass Tag restaurant couldn’t get any better, they presented us with this ooey, gooey chocolate chip cookie skillet. Served in its very own iron skillet with a side of vanilla gelato, life doesn’t get much better.
6. Rosemary Popcorn & 7452 Mary at the St. Regis Bar & Lounge: As it turns out, every St. Regis serves a signature bloody mary. In Park City, the 7452 Mary is named for the altitude and is rimmed with black sea salt to pay tribute to the mining history of the area. As an added bonus, you get to ride the funicular to get to the bar and each cocktail is served with complimentary rosemary popcorn and cashews.
7. Breakfast at Good Karma: A popular spot with the locals, I highly suggest hitting up Good Karma during your visit to Park City. The Indian-Persion fusion cuisine was full of flavor and made with fresh, quality ingredients. I’m still dreaming of the breakfast sausage made with cumin and other fragrant spices.
8. Main Street Shopping in Downtown Park City: There is something so refreshing about a downtown shopping district that isn’t filled with your typical chain shops and restaurants. Lined with boutiques, art galleries, locally owned eateries and more, you can’t miss the shops along Main Street during your stay.
9. The Farm Restaurant at Canyons Resort: Known for its farm to plate cuisine, I was so excited for our meal at The Farm and it did not disappoint. Kale salad, local IPA beer, a killer fried chicken sandwich, trout salad and so much more – every bite was better than the last. Although the best part of this meal had nothing to do with the food – it was all about the good company.
My beautiful friend and local Park City resident, Kelley from Mountain Mama Cooks joined us for lunch and practically skied right in to the mountain-side restaurant with her husband Pete. Also a mom of two young boys, Kelley’s life is so incredibly fascinating and inspiring. I mean, where else can you experience the best ski conditions of the season located in your own backyard while your kids are in school going about their day? Kelley maintains a balanced, active lifestyle and an equally healthy approach to blogging which I so admire. I am so glad the blogging world has brought us together and I hope our paths continue to cross.
Have you visited Park City? What items did I miss on my list? I’d love to hear from you!
Disclosure: Visit Park City and Deer Valley Resort paid for my travel and hosted me while visiting Park City. I was not compensated to write this post and all thoughts are my own.
I haven’t been skiing in years … and these photos are definitely inspiring me to go before springtime totally sets in. That, and the chocolate chip cookie skillet is a pretty good motivator too.
haha that skillet was the bomb!
We didn’t take up skiing until we moved to Italy, so have no experience with any US ski resorts. Park City looks fantastic and hopefully we can put our ski skills to the test in the US one of these days soon.
I would love to try skiing in Italy!! What a magical experience!
So glad you carved out some time that we could see each other and catch up. I love your list and though I’m obviously biased, I think Park City is not only a great place to visit but a pretty sweet place to call home! Hope to see you sooner rather than later! xoxo
I am so grateful for our lunch date Kelley!! You are always a breath of fresh mountain air. <3
I love this post and your photos. I went to Park City last year with a bunch of friends from all over the country and we had a blast. I didn’t downhill ski–it’s been about 15 years for me too–but went snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, plus a morning at the Deer Park spa. Next time I want to do the bobsled ride at Olympic Park.
Isn’t it amazing how many things you can do in Park City without being an avid skier? I was truly blown away.
Park City is the best!! Beautiful pictures!!! I tried skiing last year and it had been a good 20 years…I’ve decided I’ll cheer everyone else on, lol! I’m way too chicken as my older self :)
haha That is too funny Jenny! My sister is in the same boat as you… she gave it a valiant effort but it just wasn’t her thing. I love that you really don’t have to ski when you visit Park City. So much to do!!
Please, please, please wear a helmet when you ski! A terrible collision sent me to shock trauma a few years ago from the PC mountain and the surgeons all agreed that a helmet was what saved my life. I am not an aggressive skier and I was standing still when it happened. But seeing pictures with folks not wearing a helmet on the lift puts me in orbit!
I am so glad that you liked Park City. We have owned a place there for more than 15 years and I still ski every day I can! Thanks for the positive post. You truly picked out some of the great highlights.
OF COURSE I wore a helmet!!!! Don’t you see it in the photos? I would never consider not wearing one! :)
What a great post, Liz! So glad I got the chance to finally meet you in Park City last week. And sounds like we’ll be seeing each other again real soon! Yeah!
It was SO wonderful to finally meet you Liz!!!
So glad you got to experience the PC us locals love, and it snowed just for you! Good Karma is so tasty for breakfast and there’s not much better apres ski than watching the sun set at St. Regis. Come back soon!
You truly live in a magical wonderland Heidi!! I can’t wait to return – it was so peaceful and relaxing. The fresh air, the cold snow, the rosemary popcorn and bloody mary’s…. The best!
Hey girl- I would love to go to Park City!! I have never been skiing, I grew up in Arkansas!! I have been to Colorado but didn’t ski! It just looks so beautiful there! God has made such wonderful things for us to enjoy!! Thank you Jesus!!
That’s the absolute truth! I hope you get there one day!
I have a lot of family in the area and so Park City has always been a favorite travel destination. My husband and I are avid skiers and you simply cannot beat that Utah snow! Great recommendations, thanks for sharing!
You can NOT beat the snow – it was gorgeous!
It looks like you had such a fun trip! Love the pictures!
Thank you my friend! Can’t wait to hang with you this weekend!
I’ve always wanted to go to Deer Valley. In fact, I’ve heard it’s one of the best ski resorts in the US! Anyway looks like you had a fabulous time kicking your feet up. I would love a giant skillet cookie and a massage! See you soon!
It IS one of the best ski resorts in the US! I hope you get out there one day! See you soon friend!
Great list! So happy to had such a great time in Park City. And so fun that we got to spend a little time together too! :)
I’m so glad I got to see you! You live in such a gorgeous state!!
Looks like you had an AMAZING time!! I’ve been to Park City in the summer, but never during the gorgeous winter months! I need to make it out there!
I had been there in the summer too – you must try to go back in the winter. It’s a whole different world! A magical one!
YAY for Park City and Deer Valley. I’m so happy that our paths crossed and that you had such a lovely experience too.
I’m so glad we had extra time together friend!!! xoxo