Life isn’t all champagne, chocolates and cheese. But for skiers and luxury lovers, it can be. You can enjoy champagne wishes and raclette dreams galore – and so much more – at Utah’s luxury Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. I’ve schussed and hiked a few luxury ski resorts in my time, but the incredible slope-side food and drink options, especially fireside dining at Deer Valley Resort, were a revelation. Here’s how to toast your best life of luxury at Deer Valley Resort.
Fireside dining at Deer Valley Resort
Before we get into the amazingness that is fireside dining at Deer Valley Resort, a note about why this luxury ski resort is special. Based in Park City, Utah, the popular resort is family-owned, with managers who’ve worked their up the ranks and know each employee by name. In a Park City now dominated by Vail Resort ownership (as is Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia), this is impressive. Deer Valley is one of just two Utah ski resorts, the other being Alta Ski Area, that do not allow snowboarding. It’s skiing only here, and that’s fine with the locals and visitors.
Deer Valley is known for its high-quality grooming, impeccable service, and luxurious amenities. The resort offers a variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels, including groomed cruisers, moguls, and tree skiing. Deer Valley also offers a number of non-skiing activities, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
In the summer, the resort offers hiking and mountain biking trails, as well as events such as music festivals and wine tastings. Located just a short drive from Salt Lake City, Deer Valley is a popular vacation destination for skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.
A life of luxury at Deer Valley Resort
When burning thighs can take no more after tackling a hundred-and-one runs across seven mountains at Deer Valley, it’s time to hit the Après Lounge & Beach Club at Montage Deer Valley.
French champagne house Veuve Clicquot custom-designed the Après Lounge yurt. The Lounge is stocked with plenty of chilled Verve Clicquot Rich, the brand’s newest champagne innovation. Guests can order gourmet nibblies, and enjoy cosy seating near fireplaces. We enjoyed goblets of bubb while lounging on comfortable chalet chic furniture.
The renowned mountain lifestyle home decor brand Gorsuch supplies the luxe furnishings. Their store is located on Main St. in Park City as well as various US mountain resort towns.
Note: Returning to the slopes after a champagne-fueled pitstop requires serious effort and willpower. The Après Lounge is the perfect spot for some adult-only, mid-afternoon champagne pick-me-ups. Bonus, if you’re staying at the Montage Deer Valley, you’re pretty much already home.
The Après Lounge & Beach Club at Montage Deer Valley is open daily 12pm-4pm during the ski season. Must be 21 years of age or older.
Fireside Dining at Deer Valley Resort
It was the smell of melting raclette cheese that undid me. Large, half-moon wheels of golden cheese are set against one of five wood-burning fireplaces in the dining room. Warmed by the fire, the raclette melts slowly into a yellow pool of ambrosia on my plate.
A quick trip to add necessary accompaniments – potatoes, sliced meats, pickled onions and cornichons – and then it’s pure cheese heaven.
It’s rare for me to be rendered tearful and speechless by a dining experience. If you love cheese, Alpine fare and fire-roasted leg of lamb, Fireside Dining at Deer Valley will be worthy of your joyful tears as well.
Located at on the mountain at Empire Canyon Lodge, Fireside Dining features a taste of the European Alps over four courses served by the lodge’s five stone fireplaces. Enjoy warm Swiss raclette cheese, cured meats, salads, specialty entrees, vegetarian choices, fire-roasted leg of lamb, and dessert fondues.
Pace yourself, there are five fireplaces to visit, not including the dessert buffett. If you love raclette as much as I do, you’ll basically hang out over at ‘cheese heaven fireplace’ (my words) all night long.
Remember to pair that melted ambrosia with alcohol or hot tea. Do not drink cold water or pop, it has a negative effect on your body’s absorption of all that cheese. Trust me, I’m Swiss.
Enjoy a sleigh ride
Post-dining, snuggle under blankets for a horse-drawn sleigh ride outside the Lodge. It is truly the perfect ending to a idyllic day of skiing and fireside dining at the top-drawer luxury Deer Valley Resort.
Details: Fireside Dining is available at the Empire Canyon Lodge from Wednesday to Saturday, 5:45 to 9 PM. Reservations are highly recommended.
Pin for Later
Photo Credits: C. Laroye * Disclosure: The Travelling Mom visited Deer Valley courtesy of Ski Utah. As allows, our opinions and cheese-and-bub-loving ways are honest and our own.
Need a place to stay in Park City? Click here to book a stay at an amazing Deer Valley property.
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