Park City, Utah

 
 

Location, location location: Salt Lake City is only a 1.5 hour flight from the Bay Area and Park City is a mere 30 minutes away from Salt Lake’s airport.  Even in winter, road closures are NOT common, arguably making it easier to get to than Tahoe! For most of those living on the West Coast of the U.S. it’s not much farther - consider it as you plan your year-round get-away!

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Stay

Stay at the Waldorf Astoria Park City, the only luxury hotel with slope-side access to Park City Mountain, the largest ski resort in the U.S., which holders of the "Epic Pass" (a ski/snowboard pass) can take full advantage of.  The moment I set foot on property, I was overtaken by the hotel’s beautiful upscale, yet rustic décor, which extends to its 160 guest rooms and residences, embodying what can only be described as “alpine chic.”

For the ultimate luxury, I can't recommend the hotel spa enough.  It won the award for Best Hotel Spa in North America last year and for good reason -  besides providing a wonderful ambiance, the treatments are superb.

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Spring/Summer/Fall Fun

  • Horseback Ride @ Sundance Stables down a forest trail into a canyon surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains ending at the breathtaking Stewart Falls;

  • Fly-Fish @ Provo River by slipping on some waders and casting your flies;

  • Adrenaline junkies can visit Utah’s Olympic Park, where they can extreme tube, extreme zip-line, and ride in the comet bobsled.  If "extreme" isn't your ideal way to spend an afternoon, the Olympic Museum in the main pavilion has artifacts and exhibits that paint a great picture of the history of winter sports, the Olympics and Salt Lake City's experience hosting the Games in 2002.

  • Take a guided bike tour from Deer Valley Mountain down into Park City, stopping along the way to learn about the silver mining and farming that drew early settlers to the area.

  • Foodies should know that on Main Street in Park City’s Historic Downtown, sample everything from delicious Asian-fusion cuisine at Shabu to all-American fare at the only ski-in/out distillery in the world, High West Distillery.

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Winter Fun

For those wanting to ski or snowboard the 7,300 acre Park City Mountain (and I don't blame them!), the Waldorf has a ski valet, which can help them get fitted for gear, store their equipment and get it to the Frostwood Gondola (which is within walking distance of the hotel), so as not to waste any time getting on the snow.  And once you come off the mountain, the ski valets have hot chocolate and cider waiting for you back at the ski room après ski.