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Northern Utah holds some pretty stellar assets if skiing is on your mind. The region boasts some of the U.S.'s best ski resorts outside of Colorado - even rivaling those of Colorado. Names like the Stein Eriksen Lodge, Goldener Hirsch Inn, and Sundance conjure up visions of hot chocolate greeting you in the locker room, cottages lined against gushing springs flowing from the mountains, working fireplaces in the bedrooms, restaurants to rival anything in L.A. or New York City, concierge to enhance your feelings of contentment, and, of course, fantastic, awesome skiing.
In the summertime, these resorts refocus onto summer activities like horseback riding, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and others. You can rough it, return to your room, and head to the first-class spa. That's the life!
Luxurious Lodging and Activities in Northern Utah
Let's talk about Stein Eriksen Lodge, a ski lodge that attains perfection on and off the slopes. On the slopes, it's the fabled Wasatch Mountains, at the Deer Valley Resort, which defines elegance and challenging skiing. Off the slopes, warm cocoa is just the beginning. Wake up to pre-warmed boots, a valet to help you put them on, and a concierge to bring your skis with you to the lift.
For the record, you get similar treatment at Goldener Hirsch, the other ultra-premier accommodation of the region.
Back at Stein Eriksen, consider the top-of-the-line suites: massive stone fireplaces set the mood, oversized jetted tubs help you relax after a hard day's work on the slopes, and then you have a supremely comfortable king-size bed to stretch out in. Prepare a snack in the gourmet kitchen, then chill in front of the satellite television.
Make your way to the spa. The watchword is wellness at this European-modeled wonder. The facilities are flawless - cleanliness and order rule, perhaps mirroring the pristine snow. This spa has it all, from pedicures and deep-tissue massages to healing wraps and honey body polishes. You can also better your body at the state-of-the-art fitness center, or swim laps in the pool. The pool, by the way, is outdoors and heated; meaning you can take a dip even in the cool alpine weather. Just have the concierge standing at the side with your heated towel.
The other Deer Valley Resort lodging that you really ought to get to know in person is the Goldener Hirsch Inn. This wonder serves as an American copy of the Austrian original bearing the same name. It contains just 12 suites and eight rooms, though in such a cozy setting you can be sure that service is tops. Austrian décor characterizes everything from the overhanging roof to the hand-carved furniture. The bathroom's sunken baths and copper sinks complete the scene.
Between Provo and Orem, on the eastern shore of Utah Lake, lies northern Utah's greatest outdoors resort. This is Sundance, Robert Redford's pride and joy, and it's a place where you can ski (of course), hike, ride horses, bike, fly-fish, and more. Moreover it's the site of an art scene, where resident artists offer their best works to resort visitors. Additionally, these artists and others run artistry workshops, where you can develop skills and realize other skills you never knew you had. Painting, drawing, jewelry-making, pottery, photography, and more are offered.
With regards to lodgings, you have your choice between rooms, suites, and cottages. Say you choose one of the mountain suites, which blend in to the mountain surroundings in keeping with Redford's philosophy of the environment; you'll get a fully-supplied kitchen, a modern entertainment center, and a fireplace. The bathroom comes with a steam shower and a jetted tub. Coal black cast iron is found in every room. The suite is designed as a rustic haven, and, as such, the houses are similar in design to the log cabins of yore.
Luxurious Dining in Northern Utah
Naturally, all of the luxurious resorts and inns also host restaurants, high-class treasures in themselves. Sundance, for instance, boasts two fantastic eateries - the Foundry Grill and the Tree Room. The Foundry Grill, replete with stone hearth and apple-wood rotisserie oven, prepares culinary perfections such as wood-grilled rib-eye steak, chicken pot pie, and pistachio-crusted pan-seared red trout. Breakfasts are also top-notch, as they serve meats, eggs, pancakes, hash browns, and more.
The Tree Room is Sundance's other heavyweight. It's a restaurant of thick woods and rugged furnishings. Amongst all this unfinished wood, view the forest-scape from the floor-to-ceiling windows. In one corner of the room a tree continues to grow, its canopy above shielding the roof from the sun's hot rays in the summer. The hearty, healthy meals at this restaurant include masterpieces such as the pan-roasted foie gras with seared ahi tuna, or the wild boar tenderloin with Brussels sprouts and quince, and russet potato gratin.
Back at the Goldener Hirsch you'll find another fantastic restaurant, this one praised by Conde Naste Traveler as one of the top two resort restaurants. A little hard to find through all the greenery, it's a bit more upscale than the usual yuppie fare in Park City, though not too standoffish to deny a yuppie cuisine. You'll also easily taste the Austrian influence. Enjoy the cheese fondue, a combination of Gruyere, Appenzeller, Emmentaler and Vacheran; and dine on the Idaho elk and chestnut spaetzli, or on the wienerschnitzel. Dessert is a medley of strudels, tortes, chocolate fondue, and sorbet. And of course, the wine list is full of European favorites.
Northern Utah's Luxurious Après Ski Scene
A word now about: Park City is famous for its après ski and for its nightlife, on account of the large number of high society bars and pubs gracing its streets. Mother Urban's is a great place to grab an excellent beer and sit back to the sound of the jazz band, which plays several nights a week. Harry O's boasts pool tables, a big-screen television, and a loud scene, while Adolph's is much quieter and features a pianist. If you want theater, the Eccles Center and the Egyptian Theater are both excellent venues.
Northern Utah - it's the scene of culturally-unique Salt Lake City and the Great Salt Lake, and it's also the scene of the great Park City and Sundance ski resorts. Great mountains and slopes, great resorts and inns, great summer activities, great cuisine and après ski - that's why we go on vacation.
Luxury Vacation Ideas in Salt Lake City, Park City, Northern Utah
Luxury-Vacations
The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge
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