Deer Valley: Park City’s upscale resort community
A perfect day in Deer Valley according to a local
Summer 2023
Written By: Evie Carrick | Images: Courtesy Deer Valley Resort and Eric Schramm
Deer Valley is best known for its snow-covered hills and award-winning ski runs, but in the summer, the resort transforms into a mecca for lift-served downhill mountain biking, outdoor live music and hiking. It is a paradise for people who want to get out in the mountains, while enjoying the comforts of five-star lodging and innovative eats.
Deer Valley sits just south of downtown Park City and tends to be a bit quieter than its neighbor to the north. But that said, there’s no shortage of things to do — from paddleboard yoga and horseback rides to scenic chairlift rides with views of the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains. In addition to outdoor activities, the community has a wealth of shopping and dining — including a few standout patio spots.
To help plan out your Deer Valley adventure, we asked Kaylin Richardson for some local recommendations. Kaylin has lived in Park City for 11 years and is a former Olympic ski racer.
ABOUT
Name: Kaylin Richardson
Work: A former American Alpine ski racer and two-time Olympian who now works with Deer Valley’s “Ski With a Champion” program (she also wrote the film “Mistletoe Mixup” and is working on the sequel)
Park City History: Originally from Minnesota, but has lived in Park City full time since 2012
FOOD
I start my day early at the Deer Valley Café. Everything is phenomenal and fresh. I order the vanilla latte and whatever the daily special is with a side of their maple bacon. Then, I take my breakfast out onto their deck to take in the glow on the mountains.
For lunch, I head to the Champions Club at Stein Eriksen Lodge. The restaurant is a big arcade with air hockey, skee-ball, Pac-Man and more — and all the games are complimentary. The food is delicious.
Silver Lake Lodge is my favorite place to hang toward the end of the day. It’s the center of activity for mountain bikers enjoying the flow track and I take in the glory of Bald Mountain as I sip a mug of Athletic Brewing’s Upside Dawn Golden Ale. Don’t knock non-alcoholic beer until you try this. It sincerely is my favorite beer — the great taste I want, and nothing else.
When I am feeling nostalgic for my days racing the World Cup in Europe, I look no further than The Goldener Hirsch Restaurant. Dinner here is like stepping into Austria. The fondue is classic perfection and a bite of their Wiener schnitzel is a taste of the Alps in the Wasatch. I take a friend (or five) to polish off this decadent meal.
FUN
Deer Valley makes the Wasatch accessible like no one else. I love cross-country mountain biking. Among the 70 miles of mountain bike trails at Deer Valley, a number of them are single track.
During the summer, Twilight Tuesdays are a lovely time to get on the trails — Deer Valley extends lift-serviced mountain biking until 8 p.m.
The outdoors at Deer Valley are not just for the ultra-active though. When my parents were visiting, I was able to take my disabled father on the scenic chairlift ride from Snow Park Lodge to the top of Bald Mountain to take in the gorgeous views. It meant so much to him to be able to get up to that elevation and take in the staggering sights — and needless to say, it meant the world for me to be able to share that with him.
SHOP
Perusing the shops at the Silver Lake Base Area is always fun and Cole Sport always has something I covet!
