Families are spoiled for choice when it comes to outdoor adventures in Park City. Whether your crew is a pack of snow bunnies or budding mountaineers, the Utah resort town offers endless ways to enjoy some fun in the alpine sun all year long.
Follow our guide to find out where to stay, play and indulge in this Rocky Mountain enclave with tots in tow — no matter what the calendar says.
Stay
If you’re searching for laid-back mountain luxury, look no further than Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley. With full kitchens, stone fireplaces and jetted bathtubs, accommodations are well-equipped for cozy family stays.
As tempting as it may be, you won’t want to hole up in your room, though. Treat your tykes to an afternoon at the newly debuted Champions Club. Part of a recent $14 million renovation, the new entertainment venue lets you try your hand at ski ball, air hockey and a wall-sized Pac-Man. When you need to recharge, order from a menu of kid-friendly cuisine (like pepperoni pizza, chicken fingers and burgers) that will appeal to adults, too.
And if the weather cooperates, be sure to spend some time on the Champions Club Plaza. Complete with two firepits and a heated patio, this alfresco retreat provides just the spot for an afternoon iced tea (and, maybe, a chardonnay for mom and dad) or nighttime s’mores.
Play
Whenever you visit, your brood will have plenty to do in Park City.
Of course, the town is famed for its skiing, but you don’t have to be an expert to have a good time on the slopes. With more than 550 instructors on hand during high season (December through April), Deer Valley mountain resort is equipped to teach even the tiniest traveler to cruise its 101 trails. Snowshoeing and sleigh rides are also popular wintertime pursuits.
When the snow thaws, that’s when this alpine destination comes alive with warm-weather adventures like horseback riding, golf and fly fishing. Come summer, mountain biking season (beginning June 14 this year) takes over Deer Valley, where you can tackle more than 90 miles of trails. Sign the whole family up for a private lesson or enroll the kids in a three-hour clinic so they can learn the basics from an expert.
After an afternoon on the mountain, unwind under the sun at Stein Eriksen’s new family-friendly pool. Just steps from the Champions Club and Plaza, this kiddie-focused space offers a waterfall, a Jacuzzi and a heated pool perfect for splashing.
When you need a break, send the group to the new 56-seat Freestyle Theater — where family-friendly films play daily — while you treat yourself to some head-to-toe pampering with an indulgent Eminence facial and Mountain Heeling foot massage at Five-Star The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge.
Dine
All those outdoor adventures require serious fuel, and this mountain town knows how to feed hungry crowds.
For a quick (but no less filling) bite between skiing or biking, head for Silver Lake Lodge’s Royal Street Café. With slope-side access, this casual venue serves up hearty lunch offerings that include fish tacos, massive salads and a protein-packed, five-spice elk chili. A children’s menu provides staples like grilled cheese and spaghetti and meatballs.
During ski season, enjoy an alpine-inspired culinary experience at Fireside Dining, a rustic-chic eatery next to Four-Star Montage Deer Valley. At this unique dining room, you and your crew can savor four courses of flame-roasted fare served from seven roaring fireplaces. Gooey raclette, roasted leg of lamb and rich chocolate (or caramel) fondue are just a few of the delicious delights at this interactive concept.
If you’re looking to explore downtown Park City for dinner, simply hop on Stein Eriksen’s complimentary shuttle for the short five-minute drive down to Main Street. A new addition to this historic boulevard, Tupelo is a Southern-style eatery with a casually elegant atmosphere and, possibly, the city’s best buttermilk biscuits.
While geared toward more grown-up palates (there isn’t a kid’s menu), dishes like Rockhill Creamery cheese fritters and fresh pappardelle with a rotating sauce selection (rabbit bourguignon and elk Bolognese have both graced the menu) will satisfy anyone at the table.
Don’t leave Park City without indulging in a longtime family favorite: Glitretind’s Sunday brunch. Stein Eriksen’s Four-Star restaurant pulls out all the stops each weekend with a sumptuous spread of breakfast fare (made-to-order omelets, waffles and bananas Foster crepes), hearty mains (the lamb T-bone is a must if it’s available), a carving station, charcuterie and a raw bar.
A centerpiece of decadent desserts includes playful confections like banana-peanut butter cupcakes and PB&J blondies that will please children and the young at heart. As if that weren’t enough, jars of nostalgic treats like Swedish fish and M&M’s adorn the tables, too.
