Park City & Deer Valley Travel Guide
Story Updated February 2, 2021.
Park City, Utah is easily one of the idyllic mountain towns in the US — its snowcapped mountains and charming ski resorts are straight from a fairytale. Combined with nearby Deer Valley, Park City effortlessly combines luxury with comfort all while showing some major respect to the great outdoors. Surrounded by breathtaking views and natural beauty, this city has accommodations, activities, and restaurants that match the effortlessly chic attitude of the town. Read on to see some of my recommendations of where to stay, eat, drink, and of course — ski.
To Ski.
Park City Mountain: The ultimate Park City ski destination is undoubtedly Park City Mountain. Ski the legendary slopes or even hop a ride on their mountain coaster.
Canyon Village at Park City: One of the largest ski resorts in Utah, the sprawling ground at The Canyons is a skiers dream come true — snowboarders and snowmobile riders will love it too. Great for summer or winter, this resort always has something going on.
Deer Valley Resort: With everything from mountain biking to snowmobiling, skiing is only one of the many activities you can fall in love with at Deer Valley Mountain. Book your ski lessons with an Olympic athlete for a special treat!
Alta: I did not ski here, but I heard the mountain has incredible terrains. If you’re looking for a chic lunch with a glass of champagne… this is not your place. This mountain is all skiing, all the time.
Brighton: Went here for night skiing! It was a fun adventure an hour outside of Park City. The mountain is full of “snow-bros”. lol
EPIC Pass: Order a year in advanced to get advantage of a season pass. If you plan to ski 5+ days through out the season, it pays off. The Epic Pass not only gets you access to Park City, The Canyons— but so many other properties which are part of Vail: Telluride, Vail, Whistler, Mount Snow, Stowe, Breckenridge, Sun Valley, Snow Basic and more!
IKON Pass: Ikon pass gets your access to Deer Valley. This pass is a lot more expensive than the Epic Pass (which makes sense because everything at Deer Valley is so pricey, lol). There are different price tiers of passes that you can get for the season which will unlock a certain # of days at DV.
To Eat:
350 Main: With a focus on local cuisine, 350 Main delivers a menu of regional favorites that leave you begging for more. It has an upscale vibe that’s perfect for an intimate dinner to get out of the cold.
501 on Main: Amazing cocktails, incredible lobster bisque soup… great food! Grabbed a bite post-skiing and was over the moon.
Boneyard Saloon: Low key off the beaten path sports bra with an incredible bar menu. Same owners as No Name Saloon and Butchers. Loved it here!
Burgers and Bourbon: After a long day on the slopes, fewer things sound more appetizing than a hearty meal and glass of good bourbon. Burgers and Bourbon delivers both in a surprisingly chic environment.
Butchers Chop House: A fun steakhouse vibe. Ask to sit in the Yurt or book an Alpenglobe! Same owners as No Name Saloon and Boneyard.
Chimayo: Featuring a cozy fireplace, this upscale dining destination serves up contemporary Southwestern fare in Southern Utah. The food here is creative and the vibe is warm and inviting, making it ideal for those cold wintry days.
Courchevel Bistro: A new restaurant in Old Town- that is one of my new favorites! We ate here 3+ times this past trip. Don’t miss out on ordering the French Onion Dip and the Baked Brie. This baked brie was one of the best of all time.
Goldener Hirsch Restaurant: Tucked away in a cottage-like inn, the Goldener Hirsch is quintessential Park City. Grab your comfiest sweater and come by for a glass of wine or a classic cocktail.
Firewood: Firewood centers its menu rustic ingredients and wood-fired flavors — in fact, the whole menu is cooked over a wood-burning fire. Needless to say, the food is filling, comforting, and mouthwateringly good.
five5eeds: Closest thing to a NYC breakfast and coffee spot. This place is not to be missed!
High West: Go for the drinks… put your name down to sit inside to enjoy the food. It was truly an incredible experience.
Grappa: Known for panoramic views, Grappa is a well-known Italian eatery that is steeped in Park City history. While this restaurant is a tad overrated, it’s worth it for the views and adorable decor.
Riverhorse: Nominated for an array of awards, this trendy restaurant is a crowd favorite. Ask to sit in the main room where they play live music. The musicians are great and the food is outstanding — an absolute must-try!
Yuki Yama Sushi: Sushi may not seem like your Utah go-to, but Yuki Yama does not disappoint. Choose to sit in their lively dining room or their traditional tatami room for a more peaceful vibe. Either way, the sushi is fresh and the noodles are super tasty!
Handle: Serving modern small plates with locally sourced ingredients, Handle is one of the trendiest spots in Park City. Come here for dinner and some of their fun cocktails!
Brasserie7452 at the St. Regis: The perfect après spot with the most incredible menu and even better views. Tuna Tartar, Escargot, Truffle Pizza, Bloody Marys… and so much more.
RIME Seafood & Raw Bar: Incredible views perched at the top of the Jordanelle ski run and the Mountaineer Express Lift at Deer Valley Resort, RIME is ski-in/ski-out and also accessible by foot via the Jordanelle Gondola. Great food and an amazing lunch spot to stop for a mid-ski day lobster roll.
Stein Eriksen: Go for après- they have live music! And trust me, order the Chocolate Fondue!
Sushi Blue: Never went, but heard great things. Low key sushi- not in the Main Park City town.
Tekila Mexican Grill: Ordered in the Shrimp Fajitas one night— and they did not disappoint!
To Drink.
St. Regis Hotel Deer Valley: Not only is their buffet rib-sticking and hearty but the St. Regis also serves up a mean Bloody Mary — and don’t forget to stop by their champagne sabering. If you’ve never seen a champagne bottle sliced open, this is the place to do it. Come for the food, order a few strong cocktails, and stay for the show.
The Après Lounge by Veuve Cliquot: Veuve Cliquot pays tribute to the beloved après ski tradition with a cozy champagne yurt outside of the Montage Hotel. You can’t miss the adorable yellow tent at the base of the mountain!
High West Saloon: This rustic distillery has some of the best whiskey made right here in Park City. Schedule a tour of the distillery or grab your friends for a stiff drink in their snuggly saloon.
Fletcher’s: Known for their cocktails, Fletcher’s is a super cool underground bar in the heart of Park City. Sip on their signature drinks or get a dirty martini with bleu cheese olives — one of the best I’ve ever had!
No Name Saloon: With no name and no-frills, this red brick saloon gets straight to business. Order a beer and their world-famous bison burger for a meal that is sure to please your whole crew.
Old Town Cellars: A wine bar that merges the art and culture of professional wine making with the mountain town lifestyle of Park City, Utah. All wines come from their Private Label Winery which is located in the Heart of Park City, Utah
Pig Pen Saloon: After a long day of skiing, stop by Pig Pen Saloon at the base of Park City Mountain. Don’t miss out on the Smokey S’More Hot Cocktail.
To Stay.
Airbnb: If you’re traveling with a group or on a budget, grabbing an Airbnb in Park City is a great option. If you plan ahead you can get an entire gorgeous house all to yourself for a fraction of the hefty resort prices. We loved our Airbnb stay when we rented a Condo right near Town Lift.
Avant Stays: We stayed at Blackstone via Avant Stays. We saved a lot of money booking direct (vs via Airbnb). Conveniently located at the base of Park City’s Canyon Mountains (right near the Cabriolet Lift)- this is a perfect spot for an extended stay. Note: if you stay here, I do recommend getting a car so you can easily travel into Old Town, Kimball Junction and to Deer Valley.
Waldorf Astoria Park City: I’ve stayed here myself and absolutely fell in love. Their ski butler service will heat up your boots and a golf cart awaited our arrival to take us straight to the chair lift. To top it off, the heated pool was a ton of fun after a long day of skiing.
Montage Deer Valley: Nestled in an evergreen forest on a hillside, the Montage does Park City the right way. Its idyllic setting and luxury details make for an ultra-comfy stay.
St. Regis Deer Valley: At the St. Regis Hotel, ski on/ski off reaches all new heights. With a legendary bloody mary (don’t miss this), gorgeous views, an almost obsessive attention to every detail, complimentary s’mores (nightly), champagne sabering, a lust worthy pool… this spot has everything you need.
Stein Eriksen Lodge: Luxury at it’s finest. Come here to have a luxe experience from room directly to slopes. This elevated yet traditional (and old school) looking ski-lodge is a staple for a reason. It can be a bit stuffy but the high-end elements make the stay worth it.
Washington School House: Built as one of the three original schoolhouses in Park City, this intimate lodging is rich with history brimming with charm. With only a handful of chic and thoughtful rooms available, this hotel is in high demand.
To Shop.
Banhof Sport: Classic Ski shop on Main Street.
CAKE: Lovely boutique in Old Town Park City with a mix of clean beauty products and fashion.
Gorsuch: The shopping in Park City is chic and fun but my favorite boutique is by far Gorsuch. Featuring high-end apparel and all the ski essentials, get your credit card handy and get ready to do some serious shopping. Beware of some steep prices!
Indigo Highway: Venture off to Indigo Highway at Kimball Junction for a store that has mix of affordable clothing (pieces from $50-$150), incredible scents, accessories and more. The decor in this store simply spoke to me… <3 And a major plus, the owners and staff are all extremely nice!
Park City Pro-Tips
Altitude Sickness: If you experience altitude sickness, ask your doctor to give you medicine beforehand. I personally got very light headed and saw dots while skiing so be sure to plan ahead!
Rentals: If you’re heading to Park City/Deer Valley for longer than a month- I suggest buying used skis at Switchback Sports. You can buy skis for $200- and at the end of your stay, just bring them back and they’ll re-sell them for you! This beats the price of daily rentals.
Town Lift: If staying in an Airbnb- I enjoy walking or driving (based on location) to Town Lift to start my day from that chairlift! I also really enjoyed staying in close proximity to Main Street and Town Lift.