The difference between an average ski trip and a phenomenal ski trip is what happens beyond the slopes. You can cruise groomers and snap the perfect chairlift selfie on any mountain, but when you’re shredding it up by day at one of North America’s best après ski towns and doing donuts in a horse-drawn sleigh by night, you’re doing it right.

This February, we invited a squad of nine editors to our Deer Valley Experience to be fully immersed in the culture at and surrounding Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah.

 

Where to Stay:

Our group of travel and lifestyle press were welcomed into their palace for the next four days at the Montage Deer Valley. With a tunnel of beautifully lit evergreens at the hotel’s entrance, mountain views from every room, and a gourmet s’mores bar out back, it’s difficult not to be blown away by the Montage’s grandeur.

Pro-tip: Swing by the Montage lobby around 11am and 3pm to meet the hotel’s fluffy Bernese Mountain Dog mascot, Monty.

 

The Montage even has a ski on/ski off Après Lounge sponsored by Veuve Clicquot!  A yurt turned majestic den, the slope-side lounge was the perfect setting to be welcomed by the Montage team. The endless supply of Veuve Clicquot and truffle oil popcorn didn’t hurt either.

 

What to Do:

With everyone well-rested and decked out in the best new gear (shout out to The North Face, Scott, Native, Krimson Klover and Swiftwick!) it was time to hit the slopes. Skies were blue and trails were groomed, as everyone headed off with Deer Valley’s expert mountain guides and ski instructors.

 

 

Even though the weather did not provide us with any fresh powder during the trip, the Deer Valley Resort is consistently ranked as one of the best when it comes to grooming and trail maintenance. Translation: we were skiing on the good stuff, despite Mother Nature’s lack of cooperation.

 

 

After a day on the slopes, the group stretched their ski legs during a yoga session with Altra (recently dubbed the best running gear of 2018 for men by Men’s Fitness).

 

 

Later that afternoon ski boots were swapped for Uggs as the group made its way into downtown Park City to experience some delicious meals.

 

Where to Eat:

The best part about staying at Deer Valley Resort? There are so many delicious food options right at the resort. Here are some of the hot spots we visited with our group of editors.

• Royal Street Café: Having skied up an appetite, the group rendezvoused at Royal Street Café for lunch. A step above your standard ski lodge lunch (no offense, chicken fingers), Royal Street served up some gourmet offerings including a fresh Dungeness Crab tower, fish tacos dressed with mango-avocado salsa, and award-winning Blueberry Mojitos.

 

 

• Fireside: Fireside lived up to its name as each of the four courses were cooked and served from, you guessed it, a fireplace. Favorites included freshly melted raclette paired with a variety of cured meats and to the end the meal, a fondue station. Oh, and to loop back to those horse-drawn sleighs mentioned earlier, Fireside offers complementary sleigh rides during dinner. Food Network even broadcasted their experience in real-time via Snapchat (screenshots below!).

 

 

• Yama Sushi: For an “eat until you can’t eat no more” option, try a dinner at the Montage’s Yama Sushi, where guests are treated to an array of delicious dishes, paired with a special selection of sake.

Pro-tip:

Step 1: Order the Wagyu Beef Hot Rock.

Step 2: Dip you’re A-5 grade beef in the garlic-soy butter

Step 3: Sear to the temperature of your liking

Step 4: Devour

 

 

• The Brass Tag: For a more low-key dinner option, head to the The Brass Tag. The perfect environment to cap off an experience at the Deer Valley Resort, The Brass Tag offered avocado fries and chocolate chip cookie skillets!

 

 

Brand Experiences at Deer Valley:

Our CBC Deer Valley Experience also included various experiences from brands looking to tap into the Deer Valley lifestyle. We enjoyed an interactive brunch held by Nancy’s Petite Stuffed Bagels, during which editors sipped on mimosas, munched on cream cheese-stuffed mini bagels, and channeled their inner Martha Stewart by building succulent centerpieces.

Side note: Jalapeno stuffed bagels + guacamole = heaven on earth

 

 

Halos and POM Wonderful teamed up and created a local culinary experience at a local favorite restaurant, Riverhorse on Main. The group enjoyed custom dinner and drink menus incorporating Halos and POM Wonderful into the meal like the Durham Ranch Buffalo Short Rib or Macadamia Nut Crusted Alaskan Halibut.

 

 

Sabra even treated our group to a whiskey tasting at High West Distillery followed with a whiskey and snack pairing with the wide variety of Sabra dips and hummus.

Pro-tip: Blended into a cocktail or simply enjoyed neat, High West’s American Prairie bourbon is as smooth as they come.

 

 

We came, we saw, we skied, and we definitely ate our way through Deer Valley. This year’s CBC Deer Valley Experience was one for the books. Don’t believe us? This Men’s Journal article from one our attending editors, Brittany Smith, really says it all.

 

 

Hungry for more? Check out our Instagram and #CBCDeerValley