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P H OTO G R A P H Y C O U R T E S Y O F A B B E Y M A U R I C E , S T E I N C O L L E C T I O N , M O N T A G E D E E R V A L L E Y , C H R I S P E A R S O N / S K I U TA H , AND PA R K C I T Y C H A M B E R / B U R E A U .
The Chateaux Deer Valley is nestled in the mountains above Park City, an old mining town.
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i’m always impressed by how many north Texans like to ski. Growing up near several ski resorts in Michigan, my friends and I were clicking our boots into bindings and schussing down the hills from an early age. Despite not having such opportunities in Dallas, people here love to head west and hit the slopes. One destination that’s quickly growing in popularity is Park City, Utah, just a quick 40-minute drive from Salt Lake City. The weather was perfect when my future daughter-in-law and I visited Deer Valley in the Wasatch Range, where the winter season runs from December through early April. It had been a while since I last skied; still, I didn’t anticipate that my legs would feel like noodles afterward. We stayed at The Chateaux Deer Valley, part of the Stein Collection, which also owns the adjacent Stein Eriksen Lodge. Inspired by the Olympic legend and his Norwegian heritage, it has the feel of an elegant European ski lodge. Fortunately, it also has a Forbes Five-Star spa, and healing massages got us ready for more outdoor fun. Next up was Woodward Park City, home to Utah’s longest snow-tubing runs. Bouncing down the hills at high speeds had me giggling like a 12-year-old.
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In between all of the sporty stuff, make time to visit Park City’s Historic Main Street. The former silver mining town offers a bevy of quaint shops and top-notch restaurants. Among them is the award-winning Riverhorse on Main, where the eclectic menu frequently changes. The ahi tuna tartare is a must-try, as is the wild game trio (elk, buffalo, and venison). And, depending on your poison, try a wine tasting at Old Town Cellars or a whiskey tasting at High West Distillery’s saloon. Wining and dining opportunities abound at the Stein Collection properties, too. The popular Golden Hirsch is known for its contemporary Alpine fare and cheese or chocolate fondues. On one memorable evening, we enjoyed a sleigh ride after the lifts had shut down for the night. It was meditative to take in the stunning beauty of the mountains and the stillness of the evening, broken only by the muted clop-clop of the horse’s hooves on the snow and the jingle of the sleigh bells. Dinner at the four-star Glitretind that evening was served in one of its Alpenglobes. Of the many appealing options on the menu, we chose Wild Mushroom Agnolotti, followed by Maine Sea Scallops and a filet of Double R Ranch Beef; everything was delicious. As our gold leaf-topped sticky toffee pudding arrived, right on cue, fluffy snowflakes began gracefully falling from the sky—a final touch to a truly magical evening. Another resort that’s highly recommended is Montage Deer Valley, with its in-room WINTER SUNSET Park City, which fireplaces and ultra-luxurious hosted the 2002 spa. (The Masterpiece Facial Winter Olympics, is known for its will not disappoint.) At Apex, outstanding skiing. on the resort’s lower level, you can create your own surf-andturf with a seafood platter of crab, oysters, and tuna poke to start, followed by an elk steak entrée. Seafood lovers should also spring for a meal at Yama Sushi; try the nachos (crab, tuna, avocado, wakame, and tare sushi on black truffle wontons), the chef’s nigiri selection, and Wasatch roll.
T R AV E L T I P S
Park City’s ‘Casual Swank’ Charmaine Tang and her family were regulars at Vail and Beaver Creek before a friend recommended Park City. It was a revelation. The ability to get in more skiing on weekend trips, the laid-back culture, and natural beauty made her an instant fan. “The skiing is great, and it’s just stunningly gorgeous,” says Tang, senior client strategiest at BNY Mellon Wealth Management. It’s a mining town with an Old West feel that blends luxury and comfort; my husband calls it ‘casual swank.’” Tang and her family typically stay in the private Talisker Club. “My kids become different people,” Tang says. “They epitomize Gen Z, and in Park City, they’re able to center and get away from digital and just relax.”
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