Silver Strike Lodge

There’s something about a Park City ski lodge that inspires romance — cozy fireplaces, stunning scenery and après ski with a fine wine on the balcony or a relaxing dip in the hot tub. Aside from skiing, Park City offers endless options for romantic adventures, from fairy tale horse-drawn sleigh rides to hot air balloon soirees, complete with a champagne toast. If you’re planning a romantic ski vacation, consider these ideas for lodging, dining, relaxing and exploring:

Romantic Ski Lodges

Silver Strike Lodge (Deer Valley Resort) – This ski-in/ski-out lodge sits in the stunning mid-mountain setting of Empire Pass at Deer Valley Resort, featuring breathaking views and exceptional access to the slopes. Each condo features a gas fireplace, private balcony, luxurious master suite, spacious bath with jetted tub, hardwood floors and a gourmet kitchen. Couples also enjoy tub access, a state-of-the-art fitness center and relaxing lounge. Main Street Park City is less than three miles away.     

Black Bear Lodge (Deer Valley Resort) – This rustic mountain lodge is located within walking distance of the slopes at Deer Valley Resort’s Silver Lake Village. Each condo features a private outdoor hot tub, gourmet kitchen, cozy fireplaces and beautiful views.

Silver Star at Park City (Park City Mountain Resort) - Nestled mid-mountain at Park City Mountain Resort, this collection of condos, townhomes and cottages features private outdoor hot tubs, a heated swimming pool, flat-screen TVs, gas fireplaces and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Juniper Landing (Canyons Resort) - These luxurious townhomes lie within walking distance of the Frostwood Gondola at Canyons Resort. Each condo features a private outdoor hot tub, floor-to-ceiling French doors, beautiful views and large flat-screen TVs.

Services for Two

When you reserve your ski vacation through Resorts West, you receive daily housekeeping, complimentary car service based on availability and comprehensive concierge service. Your concierge can arrange a number of services for two:

Couple’s Massage – Enjoy a relaxing spa experience in the comfort of your suite with En’ Suite Spa services. Choose from hot stone treatments, deep tissue massage or a unique massage designed just for your needs.

Private Chef - You’ll have the best seat in the house when you design the perfect evening for two in your own dining room, complete with your favorite foods and a bottle of your favorite wine. 

Snowshoe Picnic – Test your stamina while enjoying stunning backcountry scnery that is only accessible on foot. Guided snowshoe tours longer than 2 hours include a backcountry picnic.

Recommended Park City Restaurants

These restaurants offer quiet tables for two in an intimate setting. Your concierge can make reservations for you:

Wahso - Light and healthy Asian fare with a French influence, Wahso features roomy screened booths for privacy and comfort

Grappa - Considered the  pinnacle of Italian cuisine in Park City, this quaint fine dining restaurant features private dining areas and a warm atmosphere

Fireside Dining - This unique experience features four fireplaces at Deer Valley Resort’s Empire Lodge, each with a unique alpine course. Try Swiss style raclette at one before moving on to roasted leg of lamb or a simmering venison stew.

The Farm - Canyons Resort’s newest hot spot offers a welcoming lounge, extensive wine list and beautiful views of the resort. With a focus on locally sourced ingredients, the menu is unique to Park City.

 To start planning your romantic Park City vacation, call 1-877-773-1117 or e-mail reservations@resortswest.com

Mountain Glade Home at Deer Valley Resort sits on a private ski run in Deer Crest

You don’t need to get first chair to enjoy first tracks. Armed with the right accommodations and a few locals’ secrets, you can ski fresh powder before the crowds hit, even if you sleep in a little.

The key to first dibs on fresh powder is staying mid-mountain at a ski-in/ski-out home. From your back door you can ski right onto the mountain, so you’re already taking turns while others are riding the chairlift. Mid-mountain accommodations are also two chairlifts from the base, so you can get a few runs in before most skiers can catch up. The Empire Pass area and the gated community of Deer Crest at are the best areas for fresh tracks at Deer Valley. The intermediate Fairview and Silver Hill runs in the Deer Crest area are often less skied that other parts of the mountain, leaving powder for guests who find them. Orion and Supreme from the Empire Express lift offer good pockets of powder to intermediate skiers as well.

At Canyons Resort, the spacious homes off Peak 5 run offer pristine powder and luxury accommodations perfect for multiple families or groups of friends. Each ski-in/ski-out home features more than 10,000 square feet of living space, a theater room, hot tub, game room, fitness room and at least 6 bedrooms. Park City Mountain Resort offers ski-in/ski-out accommodations at the mid-mountain Silver Star at Park City community, giving guests first tracks to the popular King Con area.

Recommended Lodging for President’s Weekend:

5 Northside (Ski Utah Home) - Empire Pass at Deer Valley Resort

3111 Deer Crest (Mountain Glade) – Deer Crest at Deer Valley Resort

Alpine Sanctuary – Canyons Resort

Peak 72 Home – Canyons Resort

Silver Star at Park City – Park City Mountain Resort

Can you spot the Grand Lodge?

The sprinkle of snow that began Thursday night in Park City became a full-blown storm by the next day, leaving 36 inches of fresh powder for skiers by Sunday afternoon and another 5 inches before Tuesday morning. Deer Valley Resort, which had opened all 21 of its lifts by last week thanks to heroic snowmaking efforts, has now opened 93 of its 100 runs. Park City Mountain Resort has opened 103 runs, and Canyons Resort has opened 117.

Skiers at all three resorts enjoyed knee-high powder over the weekend and can look forward to more snow-filled days throughout this week. The forecast calls for steady snow through Wednesday with scattered snow showers on Friday.

To start planning your day in the powder, call 1-8777-773-1117 or e-mail reservations@resortswest.com!

The FIS Visa Freestyle International World Cup will return to Deer Valley Resort this February with the world’s best aerialists and mogule experts, a live outdoor concert and fireworks. Robert Randolph and the Family Band will kick off the international celebration on Feb. 1 with a public concert on Main Street.

Schedule:

Wednesday, February  1

7 – 9 p.m.  Robert  Randolph & The Family Band, Lower Main Street

9 p.m.   Fireworks

Thursday, February 2:

4 p.m. – 5 p.m.  Ladies’ Mogul Qualifications, Champion run at Deer Valley Resort

5:50 – 7:15 p.m. Men’s Mogul Qualifications, Champion

6 – 9 p.m. VIP Tent Open

8 – 8:55 p.m. Men’s and Ladies’ Mogul Finals , Champion

8:55 – 9:10 p.m. Awards, Finish Area

9:10 p.m. Fireworks

Friday, February 3

1:05 – 1:50 p.m. Ladies’ Aerial Qualifications, White Owl at Deer Valley Resort

4 – 5 p.m. Men’s Aerial Qualifications, White Owl

6:30 – 9:30 p.m. VIP Tent Open

7:45 – 9:25 p.m. Showcase, White Owl

9:30 – 9:40 p.m. Awards

9:40 p.m. Fireworks

Saturday, February 4

3 – 4 p.m. Ladies’ Dual Mogul Qualifications, Champion run at Deer Valley Resort

4:50 – 6:15 p.m. Men’s Dual Mogul Qualifications, Champion

6 – 9 p.m. VIP Tent Open

7 – 9 p.m. Men’s and Ladies’ Mogul Finals, Champion

9 – 9:15 p.m. Awards, Finish Area

9:15 p.m. Fireworks

Recommended Lodging:

21 Bellevue – Ski-in/ski-out close to events in Deer Valley.

Black Bear Lodge – Walk to slopes at Silver Lake Village in Deer Valley.

816 Woodside – Georgeous, newly constructed home one block from Main Street.

For more lodging options, call 1-877-773-1117 or e-mail reservations@resortswest.com.

Skiers and riders at Park City Mountain Resort enjoy the sun before the flurries. An inch fell on Monday.

The National Weather Service predicts a snowy Sundance Film Festival for Park City, with 12 to 17 inches expected to fall by the weekend. The fresh snow enhances season-long snowmaking efforts of Park City’s three resorts, led by Deer Valley Resort with all 21 chairlifts in operation. More than 170 total runs have opened to date with a variety of terrain, from beginner slopes to double-black-diamond bowls. See what’s in store for Park City this week:

To start planning your Park City ski vacation, call 1-877-773-1117 or e-mail reservations@resortswest.com to speak with a local ski enthusiast who can help you find the perfect accommodations, whether you need a 2-bedroom condo for you and your family or a 5-bedroom home for a group of friends.    

Private vacation homes offer more than just space, privacy, gourmet kitchens and private outdoor hot tubs. Here are five extra advantages to staying in a private ski home for your Park City vacation:

Ski Access – Many homes sit directly on the slope, offering unparalleled access to the run, not just the chairlift, for true ski-in/ski-out access.

(True) Private Instruction - Deer Valley Resort’s private ski instructors can meet guests directly at a ski-in/ski-out  home, eliminating the need to ski or drive to the base. Resorts West’s Deer Valley ski homes sit on green or mild blue runs perfect for building beginner confidence.

Ticket Access – Deer Valley Resort offers ticket windows at Silver Lake and Empire Pass for easy access. Guests of Resorts West can also request ticket delivery.

Après Ski – When you have a private outdoor hot tub, spacious deck and concierge service to stock your gourmet kitchen full of your favorite post-ski snacks and spirits, the need to venture “out” for après ski suddenly vanishes.

Home Amenities - When planning your ski vacation, the advantages of a washer and dryer or separate family room for the kids don’t immediately come to mind. But after four days of skiing, the chance to dry your ski gear and wash the spaghetti sauce out of the kids’ clothes can be a live saver. An even bigger life saver? The option to send the kids to the play room with the flat-screen TV.

Featured private ski homes in Deer Valley:

King’s Estate – Deer Crest | 21 Bellevue Home | Ski Utah Home 

Find the perfect ski home for you by calling 1-877-773-1117 or e-mailing reservations@resortswest.com.

Best Sundance Film Festival Lodging

Best Condo Location: Silver Star at Park City – This community of condos, townhomes and cottages is also home to the year-round Sundance Institute headquarters. Complimentary bus service takes you to theater locations and Main Street, located less than a mile away. These luxury condos feature private outdoor hot tubs, gourmet kitchens and open living spaces.

Best Private Home Location: 953 Empire Ave. – A two minute walk from Main Street, this stunning 4-bedroom is in the heart of the action. High ceilings, modern decor, LCD TVs in each bedroom and two gas fireplaces add comfort to convenience. 

Best Value: Black Bear Lodge - Located just two miles from Main Street, the Black Bear Lodge offers 2- to 4-bedroom accommodations at great value.  Complimentary shuttle service based on availability and the gratis city bus service make it easy to get around town.

Best for Groups: Mountain Glade - This 9,000 square-foot Deer Valley home sleeps 17 guests with 6 bedrooms and 9 separate beds. Skiers in the group will love ski-in/ski-out access, and movie buffs will delight in the stadium-seat theater. Amenities include a pool table, lounge with wet bar, X-box, sauna and hot tub. This home is a 10-minute drive to Main Street Park City.

Best for Skiers: 6 Bellemont – Nestled directly on Deer Valley’s Silver Dollar ski run, this 6-bedroom home offers unparalleled access to the slopes, with the base of Deer Valley one ski run away. Main Street Park City is less than three miles away and accessible with complimentary shuttle service, based on availability. This home also features a heated two-car garage.

Ultimate Luxury: “Peak 72″ - This 15,000 square foot home is the pinnacle of luxury in Park City. Nestled on a private, wooded lot ina gated community, this home features 7 bedrooms, heated decks, a large-screen theater room, pool table and private outdoor hot tub.

For more information about these and other available properties during Sundance, please call 1-877-773-1117 or e-mail reservations@resortswest.com.

5 Films to See at Sundance 2012:

2 Days in New York - Marion (Julie Delpy) and Mingus (Chris Rock) live cozily with their cat and two young children. When Marion’s family unceremoniously descends upon them for a visit, it initiates two unforgettable days that will test Marion and Mingus’s relationship.

About Face -  An uncensored look at many of the biggest names in modeling, About Face reveals the stories behind the magazine covers displaying these multicultural pioneers.

Arbitrage - Arbitrage depends on a person’s ability to determine the true value of any given market. It’s a talent that has made billionaire hedge fund magnate Robert Miller (Richard Gere) the very portrait of success in American business. But on the eve of his sixtieth birthday, Miller finds himself desperately trying to sell his trading empire to a major bank before the extent of his fraud is discovered. 

Chasing Ice -  When National Geographic asked James Balog to do a cover story on glaciers, it became the most well-read piece in the magazine during the last five years. But for Balog, that story marked the beginning of a much larger and longer-term project that would reach epic proportions.

Ethel -  Intimate, humorous conversations and never-before-seen images from the family troves of Robert and Ethel Kennedy uncover an enthralling story of a vivacious, authentic heroine in Ethel Kennedy.