Deer Valley is an adventurer’s paradise with limitless outdoor activities at any time of year. I’ve been in both the winter and the summer and am looking forward to my next trip back. In this post, you will find a discussion of the best time of year to visit, how to get there, the top-rated places to stay, and things to do all year round.
The Best Time of Year to Visit Park City: Park City and Deer Valley have become year-round destinations. If you are looking for activities requiring snow, the best time to visit is from December to March. The ski season typically begins mid-November through mid-April, but the season varies depending on the weather and the amount of snowfall. Temperatures during this time can be in the low 30’s during the day and dip into the single digits at night. Park City is particularly busy in January when the snow is good, and people fly in for the Sundance Film Festival. Skiing tends to be better in February when typically there is a good base and continuing snowfall. March to May tends to be the first shoulder season. The summer months (June-August) are generally warmer. The temperature is typically in the 70’s during the day and 50’s at night giving you beautiful summer afternoons for exploring all the town has to offer. The second shoulder season runs from September through November. While September is still warm, by October, the temperatures start to drop, and you might see rain or snow. Based on the wide-ranging temperatures, it is a good idea to pack layers regardless of the time of year you visit.
Getting to Park City/Deer Valley: Deer Valley is located in the Wasatch Mountain Range and is part of Park City, Utah. Park City is about a 35-minute drive from Salt Lake City airport. With more than 800 flights a day, many of which arrive before noon, it’s easy to have a full day of fun before lunch. There are several ways to get to Park City from the airport. You can rent a car, hire a Taxi, Uber or Lyft or arrange for a car service. If you are in town for the weekend, I suggest a rideshare service. The roundtrip cost is generally less than you will spend on renting a car and hotel parking. Not to mention, it is easy to get around Park City without a car.
The Best Places to Stay in Park City/Deer Valley: There are a lot of great hotel options. The three that stand out are the St. Regis in Park City and the Stein Eriksen Lodge and the Montage in Deer Valley. All three are 5-star hotels and conveniently located to the ski slopes, hiking, and mountain biking trails.
Staying in Luxury at the St. Regis:
The St. Regis is a luxurious hotel in Park City. From the moment you arrive, you feel relaxed. The rooms are modern, the views are fantastic, and the service is top-notch. Even though we stayed in Park City in the summer, we opted for a room with a fireplace and a view of the mountains. As a Southern California native, I could not get enough of the tree-lined hillside and forest view. Each morning, we walked out the back of the hotel and had access to multiple hiking and biking trails.
In the early evening, the hotel has s’mores for kids of all ages. The s’mores at the St. Regis come with a twist – they offer peanut butter cups as well as chocolate, making a unique and delectable dessert. The only knock on the hotel is the pool – it’s a little small – but since I didn’t spend much time there it wasn’t an issue for me.
There is a short funicular ride that provides access to the hotel from the base of the mountain.
While some might complain that the funicular can get annoying, I disagree. Riding in the funicular allows you to take in the serene surroundings and offers a peaceful and calming transition to the hotel. The town of Park City is about a five-minute drive and the St. Regis offers hotel guests courtesy transportation to town. The St. Regis also has a full-service spa – Remede Spa. Although we did not get a chance to partake in the relaxing treatments, it was a convenient option.
The Stein Eriksen Lodge is located in Deer Valley and is a five-star mid-mountain resort named after Stein Eriksen, an alpine ski racer and Olympic gold medalist from Norway. The name is fitting given the skiing available just out your front door. The lodge’s décor is reminiscent of a typical ski lodge – but much nicer. The wood beams and wood paneling throughout the main areas create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The Lodge offers 360 degrees views of the mountains and is ski-in /ski-out.
In the summer, you can take a chair lift down to the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater located at the base of the mountain where you can also rent mountain bikes. The Lodge is a short distance to town and shuttles are available for hotel guests. After a day of activity, you could relax at The Spa. https://www.steinlodge.com/spa.html The location combined with the hotel amenities make the Stein Eriksen Lodge a prime option for a discerning traveler. In the summer, after a hike or a mountain bike ride, try the outdoor restaurant. While the food is good, the real star is the unbelievable view of the mountain.
The Montage Deer Valley is a beautiful property surrounded by mountains and conveniently located to ski trails in the winter and hiking and biking trails in the summer. The Montage is a true ski-in / ski-out mountain with access to the Flagstaff ski lift from Compass Sports at Montage Deer Valley. The rooms are spacious and elegant. You can relax on your balcony in the summer (or if you’re brave, in the winter) with a glass of wine and take in the view. The Montage also offers shuttles to town. However, think about sticking around for the gourmet marshmallow s’mores.
The Top-Rated Winter Activities in Park City:
Skiing and Snowboarding: Let’s be honest if you are coming to Park City and Deer Valley in the winter, you are traveling for world-class skiing or snowboarding. The St. Regis is famous for its epic location and its high level of service, including the ski valet. Regardless of your level of experience, there are trails here for everyone. If you are looking to branch out, there are nine world-class ski resorts within an hour of Salt Lake City. I suggest trying Alta and Snowbird.
If you are a skier, you can ski from Alta to Snowbird and back using the people mover that runs straight through the mountain. It’s so much fun and gives you access to both mountains for a day of skiing. Sorry snowboards, Alta is a skier’s only mountain.
Other Fun Winter Activities in the Park City Area: snowmobile riding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, bike riding (snow tires), horse-drawn sleigh, dog sledding, tubing, alpine rides and coasters, Utah Olympic Park and relaxing at a spa.
The Best Park City activities in the Summer Months:
Hiking Deer Valley Resort:
The hiking here is terrific. If you are staying at the St. Regis, the Stein Eriksen Lodge or the Montage, there are hiking trails at the backdoor of each hotel. From the St. Regis, we opted to hike up Deer Crest trail to mid-mountain. From there we continued up the Silver Lake trail where we were able to take in the beautiful views of the Jordanelle reservoir. We pushed on until we reached the top of Bald Mountain. To mix it up, we hiked down Ontario Canyon to Deer Crest but could have gone up and back on Silver Lake trail. It is about 5 miles from the bottom of the Silver Lake trail up and around to the bottom of the Ontario Canyon trail. The trails are mostly well marked and not heavily traveled. The higher we trekked, the fewer the people we saw on the trail. Hiking is one of my favorite outdoor activities. I am in good shape, and this hike was difficult. The climb from mid-mountain to Bald Mountain where the gondola ends is steep. The elevation gain exceeds 2,400 feet, but well worth the effort. Along the way, we passed the Perseverance Ski Trail, which could not be more aptly named.
Regardless of your ability and which hotel you are staying at, Deer Valley Resort offers numerous hiking trails that range from short strolls to long technical hikes. If you are driving to the hike, there is a parking lot at the base of the mountain. You can either pay for a chairlift ride or hike for free. Alternatively, if you are not a hiker or just short on time, for a fee, you can take the gondola to the top of Bald Mountain and back down. For more information on hiking check out the Deer Valley Resort hiking blog or AllTrails
Tips:
- Make sure to grab the Deer Valley Resort trail map before you head out on your hike. These are readily available through your hotel concierge or at the mountain itself.
- Bring a small backpack to keep your water, a light snack such as an apple and nuts for energy, and don’t forget your camera to capture the epic views.
- If you are going to hike to the top of the mountain, plan enough time to get there before the gondola starts running. If you can get there before the gondola does, you will have most of the mountain to yourself. It’s worth getting up a little early. Besides, if you’re too tired to hike down, you can take the gondola down or even a chair lift from mid-mountain to the bottom. The chairlift down is free, but there might be a fee for riding the gondola down the mountain.
Mountain Biking Deer Valley Resort:
Deer Valley Resort offers up to 3,000 feet of elevation change creating a challenging mountain biking park. There was only one beginner run when I tried mountain biking for the first time. As a novice, I had a surprisingly good time. Seeing the mountain on a bike offers a different perspective you don’t get to see hiking. If you’re new to mountain biking, gear up with pads and a helmet. I suggest taking a few practice runs on the trial course to get used to how your bike handles on dips and turns. My brakes were extremely reactive compared to a beach cruiser or a 10-speed bike.
All in all, it was fun to try mountain biking. If you’re an experienced biker, then the mountain is your oyster. The advanced trails offer technical and steep descents, fast curves, and the chance to test your skills.
How to Rock the Deer Valley Summer Concert Series:
Deer Valley Resort’s Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater is home to a summer concert series that includes big bands and the Utah Symphony. This venue is great because it sits on a large open grassy field with the Wasatch Mountains as the backdrop. The lineup is full of great bands every year, and there are multiple concerts a week. Some are even free. The outdoor concert is a great way to relax after a day of activities even if you are not into music.
Part of the fun of the outdoor concert is the time-honored tradition of picnicking. You are permitted to bring a picnic as well as alcohol to the concerts. Head to Main Street to pick your picnic supplies yourself or have a picnic made for you.
Either way, all your picnic needs can be easily satisfied. Check out Dishing Park City for packing the perfect picnic and don’t forget to bring a chair or blanket and mark your spot for an unbelievable night of music.
Storms are known to blow in and out quickly and can be unpredictable. Ideally, you should come prepared with a jacket and an extra layer just in case the storm lasts longer than anticipated.
The Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater is located at the bottom of the St. Regis funicular and the chairlift to the Stein Erikson Lodge. At the time of this post, parking was free at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. You can purchase tickets at the box office at the top of the parking lot.
Park City Summer Activities: golf, horseback riding, hot-air ballooning, the Utah Olympic Park, fly fishing, boating, ATV, stand up paddleboarding, Alpine slide, ropes course, relaxing at a spa and shopping and eating on Main Street.
The Best Places to Eat in Park City:
With so many sophisticated travelers descending into Park City, there are plenty of restaurants fit for any foodie. Given the clientele, the price of dinner is not much different than what you would expect to spend on dinner in a big city. Thankfully, even though the cost of dinner can be a bit pricey, the restaurants deliver on quality and service. If you can, make a dinner reservation or two in advance. If you don’t get around to it, you can try to walk in.
Riverhorse on Main is an upscale restaurant located on historic Main Street. It is consistently written up as one of the best restaurants in town and rightfully so. The food is delicious and creative without being pretentious. The atmosphere is trendy while still holding to its ski-town roots. Riverhorse on Main has a section upstairs that is first come first serve if you cannot get a reservation.
Grappa, an Italian restaurant, is distinctly different from Riverhorse on Main. Grappa offers a more casual fine dining experience. Depending on the time of year, I recommend sitting on the patio. The twinkle lights create a romantic setting while you dine on wonderful homey Italian food. Both my husband and I enjoyed Grappa which is amazing because we have distinctly different palates.
Glitretind Restaurant at the Stein Eriksen Lodge sits mid-mountain, and if you are lucky enough to score a seat on the patio during the summer, you will never want to leave. The views are phenomenal. During the lunch hour, Glitretind is casual. I ate there in my hiking clothes and did not feel out of place. Dinner might be a different story. The food was interesting and creative. Although if I’m honest, even if the food wasn’t great, I’d come back to relax on the patio with a cocktail and take in the view.
No Name Saloon & Grill is popular for a drink and a burger. While you are there, try the buffalo burger and a pint of beer. While it says it in the name, I want to make it clear that this is a no-frills establishment. It is the complete opposite of Grappa and Riverhorse on Main. Here, the décor and sometimes the guests are unique and eclectic. If you like a good dive bar, which I do, then you found the right place.
Five5eeds is located just off Main Street. The hotcakes are amazing, and the smoothie bowl is a beautiful and delicious creation. To drink, try the smooth mint tea. For those keeping a gluten-free or vegan diet, Five5seeds has you covered.
Java Cow Café & Bakery: After dinner stroll along Main Street and stop into Java Cow Café & Bakery for dessert. There is often a line of people waiting to taste their delicious homemade ice cream. There are a lot of other sweet treats to choose from here, but I’d stick with the ice cream. It’s too good to pass up.
For an in-depth review of other noteworthy restaurants, check out Female Foodie Restaurant reviews, the Park City restaurant guide or the write up on Eater Park City
Have Fun!