This post is sponsored by the lovely Park City Chamber of Commerce/Convention & Visitors Bureau. Thanks to our seriously awesome new friends there who showed us a fun time in Park City and helped us break out of the bloggy computer rut to be true outdoor winter adventurers!
Friends! Today is Friday.
Last day of the week.
Day before Valentine’s Day.
Bjork’s 29th birthday <– for real! Part-eee!
How are we feeling about all of that?
Since Friday is my most forever favorite day of the week, I’m making today Vacation Pictures Day. I ♡ VACATION PICTURES. And so do you, I think. I’m not even making this up that there have been a handful of readers over the last year or so that must have gotten the hint (somehow, I mean, gosh, how would that happen?) that I love vacation pictures, so they went so far as to directly email me attachments of their own vacation pictures — while currently on vacation. WHAT IS MY LIFE. This is so weird and cool and I’m so glad we can love vacation pictures together.
And I promise I won’t say “vacation pictures” anymore times in this post.
First order of business: I got glasses! All that computer work, yaknow?
And then I wore them on the plane on the way to beautiful Park City, Utah.
So the SparkNotes version of our trip was that we spent five days in Park City skiing at three of the most beautiful ski resorts in all the land. I know this because of my extensive skiing experience, most of which took place between ages 10-12.
Kidding sort of.
Park City is a historic little mining town in the mountains of Utah that has been transformed over the years to become a sort of mecca for winter sports enthusiasts. Or just outdoor enthusiasts in general, because I hear summers in Park City are the bomb dot com. PS. SUN! WARMTH! COME BACK TO US!
There are three world-class ski resorts with a combined total of more than 400 ski and snowboard runs all within a 15 minute drive of each other in the Park City area. And all three resorts are just a 30 minute drive from Salt Lake City, which happens to be within a 2 hour direct flight from Minneapolis. Boom. Snap. That’s the kind of travel efficiency we like.
Neither Bjork or I had skied for, like, a while (that’s being a tad generous), but after hearing for so long about the glory of this little mountain ski town, we could not pass up the opportunity to travel, work remotely, and experience the famed Park City and all it has to offer for outdoor winter sports enthusiasts.
Mostly what I was looking forward to on this trip, if I’m being honest, was the food.
Park City is known for its growing culinary scene of which we took great pride in supporting each day through mass orders of waffles, eggs benedict, and all the coffees.
We ate at a handful of ski resort and non-ski-resort restaurants, and obviously I am going to list them out at the bottom of this post for you along with exactly what I ordered (and what Bjork ordered), because I can’t not.
This is how we work, you and me.
Even though the food was really what captured my heart in the beginning, the skiing ended up surprising both of us.
Meaning: we loved it. WE LOVED IT!
It probably helped that we really looked the part. Very cool, very ski-bum, very natural…
….ehhh, well, there are other pictures.
It might have been more like we scraped together ski outfits made of mismatched pieces of outdoor winter gear from my parents and siblings the night before we left, and it might have been more like we were (THANK GOODNESS) escorted around each of the mountains by a guide slash coach slash orange-jacket-wearing rescuer on skis.
But I think there’s a hint of cool in there somewhere.
To be honest, I was a little hesitant about basically having anyone even WATCH me ski, much less guide me or coach me or rescue me, but our guided ski tours with these fantastic mountain hosts were absolutely out of this world. The hosts took us to all the best views, showed us where we were in relation to the other parks, pointed out which mountain tops we had already been on and where we were going, and most importantly always led us back to the green runs.
The tours were the highlight of the trip for both of us. There is just SO much to see on these mountains.
I mean, gosh. UTAH?! Who even knew.
The Trip Details
For more information on any and all of this, you can either 1) email me because I love to talk about vacations almost as much as I love looking at vacation pictures, or 2) check out Park City’s website which is your one-stop shop for info on this adorable little ski town.
Where We Stayed:
The Lodges at Deer Valley: beautiful, comfortable, great breakfasts, perfect location.
Where We Ate:
Fireside Dining at Empire Canyon Lodge: There is no ordering here – it’s just a mass attack of eating all the pots of food placed throughout the restaurant in front of fireplaces, including blocks of cheese that just melt off onto plates which you then eat FOREAL.
Snow Park Lodge: I got eggs benedict, Bjork got the best waffle with banana butter and I was jealous.
Royal Street Cafe: I got the turkey chili, Bjork got the burger, we both demolished the crab towel appetizer.
The Brass Tag: We jointly polished off the homemade chips with chimicurri sauce, I got a curry chorizo and shrimp skillet with roasted brussels sprouts, Bjork got the grilled mahi mahi with roasted vegetables.
Legends Cafe at Park City Mountain Resort: I got a chicken sandwich with fries, Bjork got the bison chili, and we tried so hard to share an ahi tuna wonton nacho appetizer which ended in a fist fight. Just kidding – it ended with me eating everything.
Sammy’s Bistro: I got the grilled romaine salad and the grilled fish tacos with mango salsa, Bjork got the lettuce wraps (two thumbs up) and the steak with mushroom sauce. I’m seriously getting full just writing these all out again.
The Farm: I got the roasted cauliflower soup and the beet and kale salad because I was feeling trendy, Bjork got the bison burger with fries of which I ate exactly zero. <– Lies.
Reefs: Where to start? Hummus. Tahini. Falafel. Pita Bread. Cardamom Tea. Jerusalem Artichoke Soup. I got the macadamia crusted monkfish and scallops, Bjork got a steak of some sort. BOTH SO GOOD.
Eating Establishment: I got the eggs benedict because I’m trapped in a cycle, and Bjork got the multigrain waffles.
Atticus Coffee: I rounded out my trip with a mango spinach smoothie, Bjork sipped on a chai latte + espresso.
Where We Skied:
Deer Valley Ski Resort
Park City Mountain Resort
Canyons Ski Resort
And that was our trip! God bless Utah.
Anybody ever been to Park City? Let’s talk.
So glad you had fun in Park City. We live in SLC and next time you come to Utah you will have to stay in SLC. They have some truly amazing places to eat here. Utah is truly beautiful with the mountains to Southern Utah where Canyonlands, Arches, etc are located. If you have never seen them it is a must. Love your blog and everything I have made so far.
So crazy. We were there the same time you were! Great photos!
Glad you enjoyed your time in Park City! Deer Valley is our favorite! Next time you are in Utah we have to meet up! xo
Yes indeed! We were waving at you from the mountains. 🙂
Oh I love skiing! We got married 5 years ago in Chamonix, France and managed to get back for a few days for our anniversary this January – it was just as lovely as I remembered! https://www.thankfifi.com/2015/02/chamonix-in-sweaty-betty/ Would love to ski in the US one day too though – those wide runs look idyllic (and all that cheeeeese!).x
Thankfifi
How sweet! I would love to go there someday… like, someday as in leaving tonight…
Wow! What a great vacation. I feel like I just went on a ski trip myself. I love, love, loved the ski photos with the beautiful snow. We live near Atlanta where we might get 1 or 2 days of snow, if we’re lucky. So just seeing the white stuff is exciting to me. Looks like y’all had so much fun! I love the idea of skiing and the pretty scenery but I wish I actually loved to do it. It’s a bit too scary for me. I’m such a chicken! It’s been about 17 years since I tried it last. But I have attempted to ski in Switzerland, Colorado, Vermont and Austria. Thanks for sharing!!!
Wow – those are incredible ski destinations!
We’re headed to Park City – wait for it – TOMORROW! What on earth is that amazing cheese plate fire thing? Because I absolutely must go there!
Oh have so much fun! That is at Fireside – it’s at the top of the mountain, near the Montage resort.
Such gorgeous photos! Hope to visit Utah one day–probably not to ski though. But to sit in front of a fire place at a mountain lodge…you know, while sipping hot cocoa. The life.
Happy Birthday to Bjork! And, love your glasses. I am so in need of new ones–I blame the computer too.
You two are such an inspiration. I continue to nudge my husband to read your guys’ income reports because, well, he’s nerdy like Bjork. 😉
Thanks girl! Sipping hot cocoa in front of a fire: yes!
Well first, why did the pictures have to end?! I could look at vacay pics for-EVER. I went to SLC back in June and we went to Park City for a day – I wish we could’ve stayed longer, it was so neat! We went up in the chairlifts and did alpine slides and went to Olympic Park.. so much fun. I wrote a post about it (although my pics are nowhere near like yours!) —> http://theyoopergirl.com/2014/08/utah-part-2-university-of-utah-park-city-and-bridal-veil-falls/
I can’t wait to go back to Utah – preferably in the winter so I can ski in the beautiful mountains!
So fun! Thanks for sharing!
thanks so much sharing your vacation pictures. They are beautiful and what a nice looking couple you are!!! 🙂 I live in Michigan so we certainly have the snow but not the ambiance you have in these photos. Especially, NOT the fireplace. 🙂
Possibly my favorite place in the world. We visit park city every couple of months and it may or may not be where we spent our honeymoon. Just sayin’ 😉
aw, how fun! love hearing that Tiffany!
So, I sometimes frequent a blog called Call Me Fudge on Blogspot, where Sarah posts mostly recipes, but once in a while pictures of her life. And guess what, she lives in Park City, Utah. I was so hoping when I saw the title of your post that you two might have run into each other! Give her blog a look. It’s cute. (And yes, maple bacon cupcakes are a thing.)
No way! Too funny! I will look her up!
Happy birthday, Bjork! We’re bday buddies 🙂 And we’re getting ready to celebrate with a little getaway of our own… hello sand and sunshine!
Happy Birthday to you too Alley!
As a local I just have to say you took amazing photos! I love it here, and like others have said all the other Utah seasons are just as spectacular. Fun to see PC through a visitors eyes….now I have to find those cheese plates!
Thanks Tiffany! Appreciate that!
Utah Native!! Park City is fantastic, and so stinking fun to visit. A great little town, but we are so much more than the glitz of Park City. You’ve got to try the National Parks Utah is home to. Absolutely amazing!! And the local, secret ski resort is Snowbasin in Huntsville!!! Amazing, and during the week you own the mountain. AND—the food at the top of the mountain at the Needles Lodge is just lovely! I don’t know, maybe it’s the views and the crackling fire, and the loveliness of the lodge and the thought that you’re the luckiest person alive at the moment and the Lord loves you! 🙂 Next time you come, come in April and hit Zions and Capital Reef NP’s. And you could always come join the fam in Lake Powell in the summer! You’d love it!
So fun! we’ll have to come back for all this awesomeness!
Looks like a blast! We went skiing last year for on Valentine’s day (it’s our anniversary-I know, someone should have talked me out of picking it as a wedding date) but it was only in the pocono mountains in PA. Utah looks so much more fantastic. It’s now on my list of “places I must go.”
And P.S. Your glasses look fabulous 🙂
Thanks Tracey! Appreciate that – I am really enjoying them (mostly because now I can see things like letters and faces…)
I love Park City! I’ll be flying there from Australia in less than 2 weeks for a ski/snowboard trip with my boyfriend. Thanks for the breakdown of the restaurants you tried!
No way! have a great time!
The first time I skied in Park City was when I was in high school (40+ decades ago, YIKES), and it’s gorgeous! My husband was a slalom/Gs racer in high school and college (that’s how we met when we were in high school), and we have tried to get out West to ski every winter. But, I can’t recommend to you enough visiting during the summer. There are no words to describe the beauty of those mountains at that time of year. Alex and I have been known to hike from morning to late afternoon, you just can’t tear us off of those trails. My husband and son love to mountain bike, and I just pray that they end the day without a concussion or broken bones.
It looks like you had an amazing time! Lucky you!!!
Seriously! we have to go back. HAVE TO.
40+ decades? Wow you look great for 400. Not a day over 350. ;),
LOL!!! Sometimes I feel like I’m that old! Four decades, I’m not a vampire. Thanks for catching that. 🙂
I live in Utah! Love when bloggers come here and are smacked in the face with our beautiful mountains. You should come back in the Summertime and camp or hike, our mountains are so amazing. We get dry heat so the mountains feel incredible in Summertime. Seriously… come! It’s been a crazy winter though, usually we are 30 degrees colder than this everyday, and we have way more snow. I’ve been to Park City many a time where the driveways had 4 foot walls of snow at least on each side. And the valleys in SLC everyone had 6 inches or more of snow on the ground. It’s been in the 50’s and 60’s all winter this year. It’s so weird.
I know! It felt like summer to us! 🙂 We didn’t mind…
Looks amazing. I have never skied in Utah. Must put that on my list to visit but it’s an awful long way to fly from London.
I have never been there before but I am feeling so inspired! It looks absolutely amazing! It’s nice to know that you can go as a novice and still have a good time. 🙂
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
for sure! We hadn’t skiied for a loooong time and we still had a blast. 🙂 Most of the mountains have a handful of blue and green runs for people like us!
I can’t handel this! We are originally from SLC and relocated to Mpls last year and are missing those mountains!! PC is beautiful is winter and equally captivating in summer. Glad you enjoyed yourselves!
I’m so jealous! My sister and her family live there, and I’ve been dying for a ski vacation. You probably passed them somewhere in the Canyons resort, they are there almost every day!
Absolutely gorgeous photos! I want to visit even more now. Most importantly, what brand are your glasses!? I la-la-love them!
How pretty! I love skiing and omg, sharing time…I used to be on the Wisconsin Junior Downhill Ski Team…embarrassing, I know! I’ve been to Colorado a few times, but never Utah….um, looks like I’ve been missing out, your entire trips looks so amazing. Happy Birthday to Bjork!
Um, not embarrassing. 🙂 SUPERCOOL!
Okay, so one, happy birthday to Bjork! Two, love your new glasses…so cute! Three, that kitchen pictured was just stunning. And finally, thank you for all the gorgeous vacation pictures!! I love ALL your posts!! Your sweet personality, love of life and honesty just shines through your writing and I think it would be totally beyond awesome if I ever got a chance to meet you guys! 😉 But, crazy-fan-stuff aside ( 😛 ), I am definitely the type of person who would be clamoring for you to tell everything you had to eat and where. I would very likely then go and browse what online menus were available, because I am weird like that and love any way of experiencing food, even if it’s just through my imagination. So I just reveled in all the beautiful food pictures, the complete Lindsay-and-Bjork-vacation-menu-with-reviews ( 😛 ) and the vicarious enjoyment of all the yumminess. Thank you for all the pictures and sharing your amazing vacation with us!
Hahaha – best comment ever! Thank you so much Hannah!