Insider Secrets
Check out answers to many of
the frequently asked questions (FAQ's) about the Park City/
Deer Valley area that we receive by
clicking here.
Learn great "Insider Secrets" for...
- Deer Valley is famous for its short lift lines, but in the
morning things can get slightly backed up as everyone enters
the resort. If you’d like to save some time, stay in the
far right lane when getting on the main lifts next to Snow
Park in the morning. You’ll wind up on the Silverlake
Express lift which whisks you directly to Silver Lake.
What lift line?
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Remember to
make a ski reservation at
Deer Valley during the December
holidays and President’s holiday week.
It’s completely free, and they usually do sell out.
Reservations can be made by calling Deer Valley Central
Reservations prior to your ski day at 800-558-3337 or
435-649-1000 or by e-mail at
cenres@deervalley.com.
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Every morning, remember to pick up
Deer Valley’s daily conditions pamphlet which lists the
weather forecast, all events occurring that day on the
mountain, the condition of every trail including which were
groomed during the night, and the groomer’s favorites.
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Have Deer Valley’s Mountain Hosts give
you a complimentary skiing tour of the resort. From the
base of the Carpenter lift at the Snow Park Lodge expert
skiers leave at 9:30am, intermediate skiers leave at 10 am.
From Silver Lake Ski Storage, both expert and intermediate
skiers leave on their tours at 1:30pm.
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If you are at
all religious (or even spiritual), there is something
at Deer Valley Resort you do not want to miss! Very
informal services are held on the mountain in a tiny little
cabin that you can only get to on skis! Deer Valley
Resort hosts a non-denominational service on Sundays
(usually around 2 pm) and a Jewish Shabbat Service on
Fridays (usually around 3 pm). Both services are held in
the Sunset Cabin. Deer Valley Resort posts the exact time on
their daily list of activities on those days. It's a very
cool (no pun intended) experience. Again, even if you don't
usually "practice" your religion, it's something you don't
want to miss. You will meet people from all over the
US and world!
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Demo the
latest high-performance Rossignol ski equipment -- for free.
Just ski-into The
Rossignol High Performance Test Center, located adjacent to
the ski-check at the Empire Canyon Lodge. Another great Deer
Valley perk!
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If you’re a double blue skier who
wants a black diamond story to tell, try Stein’s Way. An
absolutely gorgeous trail that brings you right down towards
the lake. Beautiful.
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Speaking of Stein Eriksen, he won both
gold and silver medals at the 1952 Olympics -- and he
is now Deer Valley’s spokesperson. Currently in his mid 70’s,
he is still the prettiest skier you will ever see.
Meet Stein Eriksen every Friday morning as he sets the time on
the race course above the Silver Lake Lodge. Bring a
camera and have your picture taken with him after his run. He
could not possibly be nicer.
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Another great photo opportunity. Deer
Valley’s professional photographers will meet you and your
party anywhere on the mountain for that great family or group
shot. Without a commitment, or sitting fee. Make a
reservation, and remember to ask about the different natural
backdrops they can recommend. Non-skiers can even join you
for photos in the amazing aspen groves or using the mountain
peaks as a backdrop. See the proofs later and decide what, if
anything, you want.
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Not on the map, but definitely part of
the scene, The Beach is the place to meet on those
beautiful “blue sky” sunny days. Located right next to
Silver Lake Lodge. Bring suntan lotion, but not comfortable
reclining chairs – they’re provided.
After you get
bored skiing the over 120 expert trails in the Park City area,
we have 3 great alternatives for you.
-
Visit as many
as five different resorts in a single day, all by skis.
Hit the back country routes with a guide on the Ski Utah
Interconnect Tour for a day you’ll remember. For a different
twist, try…
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Snow Cat
Skiing. Make your own tracks all day long, without ever
seeing a lift. A Snow Cat, with a 12 person heated
cabin, will bring you repeatedly up the mountain faces, and
off you go. If that’s still not enough for you, try…
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Heli Skiing.
This zenith of the off-resort experience requires great
skill, and a positive mental attitude. If you have both,
board a helicopter, and skip the trip to the Bugaboos.
It’s Warren Miller time.
There’s quite a bit to do in Park City
besides downhill skiing. Snowmobiling, cross country
skiing, hot air ballooning, winter fly fishing (up to 10 lb.
fish!), and ice skating are all great activities, but not
really true secrets.
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This is our
perfect non-skier day: Start with an early breakfast
at Morning Ray’s. Then, have the kind folks at The
Norwegian Outdoor Exploration Center pick you up for a two to
six hour snowshoeing trip in the gorgeous
Uinta mountains.
Have a late
lunch upon your return followed by a massage,
a jacuzzi, a long hot shower,
and a fireside dinner.
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Inuit interests? Swap out
the snowshoeing for dog sledding at one of 2 other outfitters.
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If staying in town, meet your skiing
friends for lunch at La Pasch in Silver Lake, or Zoom
in Park City. It’s the “après without the ski”. An easy walk
from anywhere in Silver Lake or the historic district,
respectively.
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At the Utah Olympic Park
you can watch others launch off the 18 and 38
meter jumps – or you can do it yourself,
after a lesson (that’s not skiing formally– it’s jumping).
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There is wonderful shopping
along Main Street. A leisurely shopping pace
and stroll up and down Main Street will take half a day.
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There's great outlet shopping
at the
Factory Stores of Park City located by Kimball Junction
(just off of I-80). It's about 10 minutes from downtown Park
City. You'll find
stores from Coach, Gap, Bose, Dansk, Nike, Banana Republic,
Eddie Bauer, and more than
60 other shops.
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While on the mountain, ski or board over
to watch the incredible talent at the Eagle Superpipe,
where the X generation adds the “X”. This is where the U.S.A.
swept the medals at the 2002 Olympics. How hard core is it?
Well, the PayDay Halfpipe has a 12 foot wall - and it’s for
beginners and intermediates. This is for experts – you can
imagine.
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While your camera’s out swing over to
King's Crown Park, which offers extreme features including
more than 12 rails, various jumps, and other challenges.
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Park City offers spectacular local bus
service, and it’s free - of course. Put your skis or bike
on the rack at one of almost 100 stops, and off you go. The
buses run every 15 to 30 minutes depending on the route 6:30
am to 1:30 am in the winter and 7:30 am to 11 pm in the
summer. This incredibly comprehensive system coves all of
Park City, Deer Valley, and The Canyons, while traveling all
the all the way out to the shopping of the Kimball junction
outlet malls.
Breakfast
Deer Valley
isn’t ranked number one in North America year after year for
both Service and Food without quite a bit of innovation and
quality. Here’s a great one, and the perfect start to your
day.
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Ski-out
of your Silver Lake home promptly at
8:00 am to the Snow Park Lodge. There, read the local or
national newspapers provided while sipping on an espresso or
cappuccino. Enjoy made-to-order entrees such as eggs
benedict, omelets or Belgian waffles,
the almost secret buffet, or the super oatmeal with fresh
fruit while you anticipate another great day.
Leave at 8:55am, and still catch the first lift of the day
at 9:00 am. Wow. Restaurant opens at 8, lifts at 9.
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Additionally,
there is a wonderful Sunday Brunch buffet at the
Stein
Eriksen Lodge. It's a little pricey, but has great
views and super food.
Lunch
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Stein
Eriksen Lodge’s buffet lunch is also great,
and famous.
-
But we greatly prefer skiing into La
Pasch and having their spectacular fondue. On a sunny
day, ask for an outside table where you can see almost
forever. Located at the
crossroads of Success and Last Chance trails, it’s the
ladies’ absolute favorite. Plus, they take reservations, so
call ahead from the lift for a table! Save their number right
now in your cell phone under Fondue, and you’ll be all
set when the moment arrives:
435.649.8300. Bon
Appetite.
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If eating at Deer Valley resort, all
their food is great, but their Turkey Chili, salad bar, and
hand carved turkey and roast beef deserve special mention.
Like a wedding without the ceremony. Also, try eating lunch
at Empire Canyon Lodge or Snow Park Lodge and skip any crowds
at Silver Lake.
Dinner
-
Please remember
that during peak periods in the winter (weekends, Christmas,
New Year's, Sundance Film Festival in mid January, and
Presidents' Week), a dinner reservation is highly
recommended (if not required) to get into the restaurants
listed below). They are all outstanding...
-
So many to choose from… Our favorite
on top of the hill is
Deer Valley
Resort's own Mariposa
at Silver Lake Village. Zagat
calls it very simply the best in the state.
Ask for a table near the fireplace, and try the lamb carpaccio
if it’s on special.
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Every Thursday
night is a new treat, called Fireside Dining, at the
Empire Canyon Lodge.
Three courses are served right from the fireplaces.
Cuisine includes warm raclette cheese, cured Italian and Swiss
meats, freshly baked baguettes and ciabatta bread, beef
bourguignon, and 2 stews. Desert includes chocolate and
caramel fondues with fresh and dried fruits, cinnamon pound
cake and almond biscotti for dipping. Add a horse-drawn
sleigh ride -- available at the lodge, or make arrangements to
snowshoe or cross-country ski to dinner.
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Lastly, every
Monday through Saturday is
Deer Valley’s famous Seafood Buffet.
Listed as one of "America's Top Restaurants" by Zagat
the Seafood Buffet serves an incredible variety of fresh
seafood, grilled fowl, pasta and prime rib, plus spectacular
desserts.
Breakfast
Simple. The
best is definitely Morning Ray's (at the top of Main
Street in Park City). If you have been there before, please
note that they moved in Fall 2003 across the street from their
old location. Super food, plus fresh orange juice and
memorable coffee.
Lunch
Our favorite is skiing into the base
of the Town Lift, leaving your skis on the side of the
Caledonian, and walking across the street to Robert
Redford’s Zoom, on
Main Street.
Ask for a table by the fireplace, and enjoy their great
food.
Dinner
-
Please remember
that during peak periods in the winter (weekends, Christmas,
New Year's, Sundance Film Festival in mid January, and
Presidents' Week), a dinner reservation is highly
recommended (if not required) to get into the restaurants
listed below). They are all outstanding...
-
In the historic district our
favorite is
Wahso
(Asian fusion – ask for a private booth) though many
prefer its Northern Italian sister restaurant
Grappa
. Chimayo, the third sister, offers
southwestern cuisine, while the excellent Riverhorse Café
never disappoints.
-
Taste of
Saigon is the best “inexpensive food”
in town, offering excellent
Vietnamese cuisine -- even meeting the high standards of
our San Francisco and New York guests. Look for their very
frequent 2 for 1 coupon in This Week in
Park City guide. Split
a soup bowl as an appetizer then use the coupon for 2
entrees. It will be a long time before you have a better $15
meal. BYOB.
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Yip, Yip, hooray - it’s
always a treat to dine at the Blind Dog (in the
Prospector Square area of Park City). This comfortable
restaurant and sushi bar is a hardcore foodie hangout.
Its irreverent, humorous menu counter-points
palate-exciting food. In addition to incredibly fresh
fish, a civilized glass of port, or apres dinner liqueur
make good dogs of all of us. BDG's sushi, loaded and
rolled Tokyo style, is California-Japanese. Many
Park City locals and visitors alike rate the Blind Dog
as the best sushi in town. Locals eat, drink and
laugh, making it a happening, hopping place.
Waiter-geologist Katie caps your evening with smooth
service that should be bottled and sold like BDG's
custom wine bottle pepper mills. From starters to
sweets, chef-owner Penny Kinsey sets a super standard.
Don't forget to try the meat loaf or macaroni and
cheese. They'll both be the most money you've ever
paid for these dishes and you won't be disappointed!
For a comprehensive listing of Deer
Valley/Park City restaurants, please see the
Park City Visitor's Bureau Restaurant Guide.
If you purchase wine in Utah (it must
have a Utah state tax stamp) any restaurant will
serve it to you, even if they have
their own wine list. They almost always (in our experience)
waive the corking fee in hopes of a nice gratuity, which seems
to works very nicely for everyone. A wonderful way to enjoy a
great wine at one third the normal cost. One of the best wine
selections in the entire state is in Park City, at
Prospector Square on
Sidewinder Drive. Open
until 8pm every day except Sundays allows for the after skiing
before dining wine shopping.
One delightful thing to do is buy a wonderful platter or
two for dinner at home, then use what’s left over the next day
for snacks. Park City has two great places to get imaginative
and ethnic platters made. The first is Windy Ridge Cafe &
Market (owned by the same people as the renowned Wahso,
Grappa, and Chimayo -- see above). The second is the much
more informal, but delicious Leger's.
As the Park City locals like to say,
“the only thing better in the winter is the skiing.” In a
town with more than 150 miles of hiking and biking trails, 40
outdoor concerts and incredible alfresco dining, it’s not hard
to believe. Some of our favorites are below.
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Driving down Guardsman’s Pass and
back. Alpine scenery that will not be soon forgotten, and it
only takes one hour roundtrip. Time very well spent.
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The Park City Mountain Resort offers the
steepest Ziprider in the world. In only 60 seconds you
will shoot almost half a mile, while simultaneously dropping
500 feet. All that at speeds approaching 50 miles per hour.
Oh by the way, you’re 110 feet off the ground.
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Utah Olympic Park. For those of you who
always wanted to jump out of a plane but cherished life too
much to do so, try this. From the Olympic bobsled starting
line, three passengers and a
certified driver will drop 40 stories in one minute on
the 15-curve, 8/10ths of a mile track. Going 70 miles per
hour at 4 G's you’ll start to know how Tom Cruise felt in
Top Gun. The more sedate in your group can go solo on
the luge or watch the ski jumpers practice, landing in the
pool.
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It’s hard to beat an alpine lake,
and we’ve got a gorgeous one at the Jordanelle. Rent a
personal watercraft, ski boat, fishing boat, or pontoon boat
and make a picnic of it. Very pretty.
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We’ll only eat outside in the summer,
as we never tire of the powder blue sky. The best in Park
City is lunch at the Stein, on their outside deck. Ask if
there’s a local’s special and, only if you remember to
inquire, try the excellent homemade lemonade.
Besides skiing
and boarding there are a couple real kid pleasers in Park
City.
- Right on Main Street is the unassuming Park
City Museum of History & Territorial Jail. The original
territorial jail downstairs is a must-see. Remember, the
dark, tiny cells were state-of-the-art in 1886!
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Sleigh rides
and snowmobile tours are
very popular, particularly when combined with dinner.
Additionally there is Gorgoza
Park which has lift assisted snow tubing, and snowmobiles
for children up to 12. Fun.
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The Heber
Valley Railroad, now operating in its third century,
offers an incredible tour by steam locomotive. Travel
through majestic farmlands, past a beautiful lake, and then
drop into a picture postcard canyon. How pretty is it? Their
trains have been featured in three dozen movies and television
shows.
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For the
children, or the parents? Guardian Angel is a super
in-home babysitting service. We’ve used them since
they were
formed in 1999 for our children, now 5 and 2. And remember,
when you go out for dinner, ask for a table by the fireplace.
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Ski Free the
Day You Arrive.
With over 100 flights arriving before noon from every corner
of the US, and Park City only 30 miles from the airport,
many people ski the day they arrive (try that in
Colorado!). Now, it’s free. Show any of the 3 ski resorts
your boarding pass from that day and the completed form
from the chamber of commerce.
Click here to fill out the form. Quick START’s the
name of the program. And we like it quite a bit.
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For great coupons and specials,
always check the local newspaper, The Park Record,
published every Wednesday and Saturday. Also nice is a
popular giveaway, This Week in Park City. Both
frequently offer 2 for 1 dining offers, at some of the best
restaurants in town no less.
Check out answers to many of
the frequently asked questions (FAQ's) that we receive by
clicking here.
If we have not answered all
of your questions, please feel free to
contact us!
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