Chester and I have only gotten away as just the two of us one time since baby Fielding joined our family 7 months ago, so he surprised me on my birthday with a ski trip set for MLK weekend. In hindsight, I think I’m hooked on the idea of a “Parents Conference” every January to start the year off right! It was just what we needed after the craziness that is a working mom’s life in December. I’ll share a little of our itinerary and my recommendations as well as other tips we got from friends. Working on a tight timeline we didn’t get to cover it all, but the time spent was perfect and we left while we were still having fun, something my mother-in-law always recommends.
Finding a nice home base for a trip to Deer Valley is mostly a challenge in comparing equally outstanding options. We chose to stay at the Montage Deer Valley and it did not disappoint, from exceptional service to beautiful suites. We also considered other great options in the area such as Stein Erickson Lodge, St. Regis, and Goldener Hirsch. This luxury mountain lodge has many suites that are set up to accommodate families with an adjacent room and the capability to close off the hallway door allowing a connection from the suite to the adjoining space. In addition to amazing skiing, there is no shortage of amenities to keep your family entertained including a bowling alley, arcade and my personal favorite the spa. I had no issues making a last minute massage appointment. The indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs are stunning!
Of course, the primary reason you travel to Deer Valley is for the premier ski experience. The Montage made it so easy! Forget schlepping boots and skis around the mountain. They provide all passes and rentals on site, offer lockers for storing your helmet and gear, and each morning they bring your boots and skis. Also, don’t even think about trying to put your ski boots on or off yourself! Not only are you surrounded by the incredible Rocky Mountains, but your experience is elevated by the highly personalized service. Whether it’s the ski-in/ski-out features or the ease of obtaining passes and rentals on-site, the service exceeds all expectations.
Lunch
For an easy lunch, I would recommend checking out the Stein Erickson Lodge. It’s located mid mountain making for an easy ski-in lunch. They have an insane buffet as well as a great a la carte menu and endless cocktail options. Built in the 80s in the style of a true European ski lodge, its interior is warm and charming.
Après
The St. Regis Deer Valley knows how to après! The Moët tent was a fun scene and great ski fashion stalking. With DJs daily and a nice menu of light bites from their raw bar, I found myself quite happy here. The terrace was also nice – with live music, heartier lunch offerings, and beautiful views. It’s accessible ski-in or you can park your skis and ride the Funicular to the top.
The Veuve Clicquot yurt at the Montage is a fun and lively scene. It’s a casually elegant interior with some seating outside. We landed here for a bottle each afternoon after dropping our skis with the staff.
Park City, Utah
A trip to Deer Valley isn’t complete without a venture into downtown Park City with the many shops and fine dining options scattered along Main Street. Park City’s Main Street is a must for exploring boutique shopping. Unfortunately, we didn’t have much time to shop before the stores were closing (thanks to a hearty Après with friends) but I couldn’t miss Gorsuch, a lifestyle boutique recommended by one of my best friends. It was an incredible recommendation on her part with everything you could want. Fanciful ski clothing for women and a dedicated men’s store dotted throughout with fur everything. I was in heaven surrounded by the Yeoward crystal, Ginori china, and killer sterling silver trays. Of course, no shopping trip is complete without drinks at The Spur. We were lucky enough to watch 8 men taking shots of a sugary concoction simultaneously from a massive ski, which was a novel experience but one that didn’t interest me personally.
Dinner
We ventured off Main Street for dinner at Blind Dog Restaurant and Raw Bar and left happy. After dinner, it was only a short Uber ride back up the mountain to get to our resort. We also had the chance to dine at Yama Sushi, which is located inside the Montage. The food here was excellent! They offer traditional Japanese cuisine and if this interests you, I highly recommend you try it out! We had a slew of restaurant recommendations from friends, just didn’t have time to get to all of them so I will list those here: 350 Main, Chimayo, Grappa, and Riverhorse.
Packing List for Deer Valley
These are my must-haves for vacationing in Deer Valley:
- Oars + Alps Wipes
- LARQ Bottle
- Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
- Bric’s Luggage
- Paravel Packing Cubes
- Theragun Mini Therapy Device
Below you will find links to my outfits for each day, ski gear, and other essentials for our trip!
