FROM LEFT: Deer Valley Resort; Park City comes alive during the Sundance Film Festival; Stein Eriksen Lodge
Just 30 miles from Salt Lake City, Park City, Utah, is one of the country’s most picturesque towns. And with the constellation of stars descending every January for the Sundance Film Festival, the place sure looks a lot like LA—on ice!
WHERE TO EAT
Fireside Dining (435-645-6632; deervalley.com) at Empire Canyon Lodge brings a taste of the Alps to Utah—wind your way past multiple fireplaces for a four-course European-style meal (think buttery potato rösti and decadent fondue), followed by a sleigh ride. If you have a hard time choosing between sushi and burgers, order sashimi and sweet potato fries at Blind Dog Grill & Sushi Bar (435-655-0800; blinddoggrill.com). One kitchen whips up all-American comfort foods, while the other makes sushi. For a quick and kid-friendly refueling spot, stop by Main Street Pizza & Noodle (435-645-8878; mainstreetpizzanoodle.com).
ON-MOUNTAIN
The country’s top-ranked Deer Valley Resort (435-649-1000; deervalley.com) is skiing only—so leave the snowboards at home; the mountain is particularly renowned for its 930 acres of glade skiing. Advanced skiers can test their skills at Bald Eagle Mountain, which hosted three 2002 Winter Olympic runs. Over at Park City Mountain Resort (435-649-8111; pcski.com), 15 lifts serve 108 trails and more than 3,300 acres. Thanks to the prime location, you can ski straight down to Main Street’s quaint shops and eateries, then take the Town Lift back up the mountain. Serious boarders head straight for the Eagle Superpipe—at more than 500 feet in length and with 22-foot-high walls, it’s one of the world’s biggest. About 10 minutes away from the heart of town is The Canyons Resort (435-649-5400; thecanyons.com) —Utah’s biggest ski resort. Its 3,700 acres offer skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, dog sledding and even romantic sleigh rides! Approximately 40 minutes from Park City is Alta (801-359-1078; alta.com), a purist’s dream with 2,200 acres of ski-only terrain and a whopping 500 inches (on average) of powder each season.
WHERE TO STAY
The St. Regis Deer Crest Resort (435-940-5700; stregis.com) debuts this season in the form of a luxe mountain lodge. The 181 rooms feature cozy down comforters, fireplaces and scrumptious Remède bath products. If you want to be close to the action come Sundance, consider snagging a cottage at Hotel Park City (435-200-2000; hotelparkcity.com), where you can unwind in a hot tub on your balcony. Located mid-mountain at Deer Valley, the five-star, fivediamond Stein Eriksen Lodge (435-649-3700; steinlodge.com) draws repeat snow-seekers thanks to its superlative staff and stunning mountain views.
WHAT TO DO
After an activity-heavy day, relax and treat yourself to a martini at the ski-in/ ski-out lounge at The St. Regis. One of the poshest après-ski scenes in the area is at the newly rechristened Edgar’s Beers & Spirits Lounge at Deer Valley (435-649-1000; deervalley.com). For more of a club vibe, partiers descend on HarryO’s (435-655-7579, harryos-pc.com) for its pool tables and go-go dancers.
And aside from the legendary Sundance Film Festival (festival.sundance.org) every January, which brings incredible movies and a horde of A-listers to town, Park City is host to many other cultural events. The last Friday of every month check out the Park City Gallery Stroll (parkcitygalleryassociation.com), when all the galleries host a social opening on Main Street complete with drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
