Slopeside Dining: Eat-in, Ski-out
Photography: Courtesy of The Canyons
There are those who would have you think that in order to enjoy a top-notch, sit-down, wine-imbued, slopeside ski resort meal you need to fly to the Alps. Not so. A visit to any one of Park City’s three award-winning resorts will satisfy even the most finicky foodie’s hopes for delicious ski-in/ski-out fare.
After a blistering run down Deer Valley Resort’s Bald Mountain, ski right up to Royal Street Café for a monstrously good Mojito to sip alongside Royal Street’s sassy shrimp and lobster “Margarita,” served with papaya salsa, guacamole, and tortilla strips. A terrific selection of wines by the glass or bottle means you find the perfect pairing for Royal Street dishes with ease, whether you lean toward a chipotle BBQ burger, house-smoked pulled pork sandwich or the great grilled tuna tacos with mango-avocado salsa.
Slightly more off the beaten path at Deer Valley is La Pasch, where a left at the intersection of Success and Last Chance ski runs leads right to the deck of this Swiss-themed restaurant and lounge. A variety of imported beers and an eclectic wine list somehow all point in the direction of La Pasch’s outstanding fondue. The live music daily is just icing on the cake.
Halfway down the Homerun trail at Park City Mountain Resort, you’ll discover a European style yurt and coffee house: The Five-Way Café. Soak up the sun in a lounge chair or linger by the fire inside while enjoying primo panini sandwiches, custom salads, a soup bar and fresh baked goods. And over at the base of the Bonanza chairlift, you can get your lips around a hot bowl of the Summit House’s bodacious buffalo chili. Or just enjoy the stunning scenic views while you sip your favorite beverage on the Summit House’s huge heated deck.
The Canyons Resort aims to thrill. And what could be more thrilling than a gourmet lunch at The Canyons’ Lookout Cabin, with its breathtaking 9,000-foot-high views and fine food and wine to match? An extensive wine list and full-service bar are the perfect accompaniments to a diverse menu that features dishes ranging from grilled Utah trout and Kobe beef burgers to a spectacular seared Ahi roll. Service at Lookout Cabin is second to none, but be forewarned: Those in the know never show up without a reservation. And since it’s open until 4:00 p.m., Lookout Cabin is the perfect place to reload for that final run down the mountain.
The locals all know that the way to avoid the lunchtime crowds at The Canyons’ Red Pine Lodge is to head up to Sun Peak, just above the base of the Sun Peak Express chairlift. At Sun Peak, you’ll find hearty rustic fare like roasted chicken, pork tenderloin and prime rib, as well as crowd pleasers such as soups, sandwiches and burgers. Try not to get too comfortable, though. The spacious lodge at Sun Peak is so inviting you might just curl up by the fire and forget all about skiing!
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