"Don’t forget, s’mores on the terrace at 8,” a young staff member called as he left our room at Montage Deer Valley in Park City, Utah. This handsome cutie, (the Montage is full of them), greeted us at the front door of this spectacular property and eased us seamlessly through the check-in process and up to our beautifully appointed room with a balcony overlooking the inspiring view of the forested valley below.
Our approach to Montage Deer Valley was a long, winding drive up from Park City’s center to the very top of Guardsman Pass at 8,300 feet. Spread before us, a huge complex reminiscent of a fabled mountain lodge. Nestled into the jagged stone hills of the Wasatch Mountain Range and looking very at home in its wooded setting, it shimmered golden in the late afternoon sun. Montage or Shangri-La? During our stay, we came to realize that this property and that mythical paradise have a lot in common.
At Montage, whole families can reconnect with multi-generational activities such as billiards, bowling and nostalgic arcade games. Of course, there’s always the divine option of simply retreating to the room and surrendering by the fireplace to the stunning views. At Spa Montage you’ll find an alpine-inspired sanctuary with the ambience of a European wellness retreat. And, if you visit with kids, their many programs are a happy mix of games, crafts, movies and other indoor activities; outdoor activities include snowshoeing, skiing lessons, swimming, hiking and mountain scavenger hunts.
Once settled in we were given an extensive tour of the property – pristine and perfect. Well, this is Montage - sister property to Montage Laguna Beach. Trust me, this brand has perfection down!
The Hills Were Alive We’d come to Park City for its renowned summer music festivals of chamber, classic and pop music at venues throughout the area. These performances are world-class and all within proximity to the city’s luxury lodging, superb restaurants, fun shopping, top art galleries, serene spas and a mountain of outdoor activities. Some of Deer Valley’s concerts this summer include the Utah Symphony on July 16, the Temptations July 17, the music of John Denver on July 24,and the Little River Band on July 30, to name a few. We attended our first concert at Deer Valley’s Snow Park Lodge and, in the tradition of summer concerts all over America, we spread a blanket on the grass along with a few thousand others and proceeded to open our bottle of bubbly. Somehow a blanket-on-grass concert just isn’t the same without wine, cheese and a baguette, right? Thus fortified, a hootenanny good time was had by all.
A memorable evening was spent at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, an exquisite edifice with luminous blue stained-glass windows and a majestic alter-surround that seemed to reach heavenward. The setting was ideal for this concert called Italian Elegance. The Utah Symphony played baroque favorites including Boccherini, Vivaldi and Rossini. A highlight for me was one of my all time favorites: the gorgeous Albinoni Adagio in G Minor whose strains never fail to tug at one’s heartstrings. Tug they did – and it was all good.
Another concert was a double delight as we were able to view the performance while dining at a table at Maxwell’s East Coast Eatery. The food was delicious and the music a tasty blend of Celtic and rock. The last event was a true grand finale: the rousing, cannon-ball firing, stand-up-and-cheer 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky performed by the world-class Utah Symphony. At concert’s end, perhaps we didn’t leave humming this tune, but for certain we all left with wide and happy smiles.
Between the Notes Our interludes, when not concert-going, allowed us to experience some of the other resorts in Park City. We took a scenic lift ride up to the top of the Deer Valley Resort and photographed the entire valley spread out below. Later we visited the Park City Museum with exhibits that trace this city’s silver mining history.
Another day we went to the Park City Mountain Resort and sampled a few of their fabulous rides - thrilling and (for me) kinda heart-stopping. However, as each ride came to an end and once I caught my breath I quickly asked, “Can I go again?”
Canyons Resort is a very large luxury property. Countless outdoor activities, from hiking, mountain biking and even fishing keep you happily occupied in summer. Winter enthusiasts will be glad to know the resort has 4,000 acres of skiable terrain and a welcome addition to freezing your --- off as you sit on a cold metal ski lift: Canyons now offers something called the Orange Bubble Express– enclosed and with heated seats.
A visit to Utah Olympic Park built for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games is a must! The nearly 200 acre venue houses one of only four sliding tracks in North America, six Nordic ski jumps, a Winter Games museum and a multitude of adventure activities including some singularly scary but very safe rides like the Comet Bobsled, the Quicksilver Alpine Slide and an Ultra Zip Line. Don’t miss the Flying Ace All-Stars Freestyle Show with wet-suit-clad Olympians and Olympic hopefuls skiing down ramps and soaring 60 feet in the air as they perform thrilling aerial tricks and then landing in a 750,000 gallon splash pool.
A visit to Utah Olympic Park built for the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games is a must! The nearly 200 acre venue houses one of only four sliding tracks in North America, six Nordic ski jumps, a Winter Games museum and a multitude of adventure activities including some singularly scary but very safe rides like the Comet Bobsled, the Quicksilver Alpine Slide and an Ultra Zip Line. Don’t miss the Flying Ace All-Stars Freestyle Show with wet-suit-clad Olympians and Olympic hopefuls skiing down ramps and soaring 60 feet in the air as they perform thrilling aerial tricks and then landing in a 750,000 gallon splash pool. Montage Spa Lounge
From Silver Mines to Gold Medals
A bandana on a stick marked the discovery of silver in Park City by prospecting soldiers in 1868, fueling a boomtown economy that thrived for nearly a century. From those rowdy beginnings, mining gave way to burgeoning ski resorts in the 1960s. In the 1970s, the arts became the town’s other defining feature. Bodacious boutiques and artsy stuff sprang up as well as seriously good restaurants and a string of spirited watering holes. In today’s Park City, the riches lie above ground and the prospects are looking good!
As Park City is continuing to deal with the impacts of the pandemic, the community is focused on providing a welcoming and safe environment for visitors. Even though Utah has lifted its public health order mandating the use of face masks, it is still important that everyone continue to follow best practices when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19.
For more information on Park City visit www.VisitParkCity.com
