(pic by Annalise)
A few weeks ago I traveled west for a long weekend in Park City, Utah, and it quickly became one of my favorite short escapes. This was my third visit to Utah, and the combination of nearby mountains, great food, and relaxed mountain towns makes it easy to fall in love with the place.
The trip was a girls’ ski weekend with a group of food bloggers — Annalise, Becky, Megan, Erin, Liz, and Meagan. We planned to ski Deer Valley Resort, eat well, sip wine, and spend uninterrupted time catching up. There were impromptu fashion photos, a cozy condo to return to, and plenty of laughter. It was exactly the kind of recharge a busy life needs.
We arrived on Friday morning and spent a little time in Salt Lake City before heading to the mountains. Even though I’d been to Utah twice before, this was my first chance to explore the city. Becky and Annalise drove us to La Barba Coffee, a charming neighborhood café with great coffee and unexpected treats — churros and an orange-ginger chocolate tea that I still remember fondly. It’s a lovely stop if you’re passing through Salt Lake City.
Lunch was at East Liberty Tap House, where we shared local microbrews, corn dog nuggets, house pickles, and a standout Sloppy Joe lamb burger with fries. It was a perfect pre-mountain meal — satisfying and memorable.
One of my favorite things about Utah is how quickly you can reach the mountains from downtown. In about 30 minutes we were at Deer Valley — checked into The Lodges, collected rental ski gear, and settled into a large, comfortable condo with a fully equipped kitchen and a cozy fireplace.
That evening we dined at Fireside Dining at the base of Empire Canyon. The setting is magical — snowfall falling outside as you enjoy roasted leg of lamb, fresh salads, trout, and a raclette service that’s as fun as it is delicious. After dinner we piled into a sleigh wrapped in blankets for a short ride, which unexpectedly turned into a hilariously bumpy adventure. It was a reminder that part of a great trip is the unexpected moments you’ll still be laughing about days later.
Saturday morning brought fresh snow and perfect ski conditions. A few of us explored Deer Valley’s terrain together and enjoyed long runs through powdery slopes. The mountain offers a mix of terrain and some truly scenic viewpoints; on one run you can see the Jordanelle Reservoir in the distance — a beautiful backdrop for an already great day.
We met up for lunch at Royal Street Café where blueberry mojitos and a warm bowl of turkey chili hit the spot. After a few more runs, the group headed back to the condo to warm up and rest. One of the pleasures of a small retreat like this is the deeper conversations — sharing successes, failures, and encouragement — which makes the time together feel meaningful beyond the activities.
Whole Foods Park City kindly provided a generous spread of cheeses, fruit, chocolates, and hummus for our après-ski, which we enjoyed while lounging by the fire. Before dinner we had a quick photoshoot with our new Tieks flats — the split-sole design was perfect for slipping on after skiing and the bright colors added a fun pop to our photos.
Dinner at Brass Tag, located in The Lodges, included cocktails and a shareable array of small plates: roasted Brussels sprouts, cheese-stuffed naan, chorizo skillet, pork chops, and quail. The chimichurri chips were a favorite and made for a lively, informal meal with the group.
Sunday brought another fresh snowfall and a final full day on the slopes. We explored more runs, took in the views, and finished the day celebrating small victories — especially for anyone getting back on skis after a long break. We returned to the condo hungry and dove into a Whole Foods Park City grilled cheese bar with creative combinations like bacon and brie and white cheddar with pesto.
Later we rode the funicular up to St. Regis for a sunset happy hour — the grapefruit margarita with a ginger-salt rim was a highlight and one I plan to recreate at home. Our farewell dinner took place in downtown Park City at High West, where we sampled burgers, mac & cheese, Brussels sprouts, and steaks while wrapping up a weekend full of food, skiing, and good company.
This getaway was a reminder of how restorative a short trip can be when it combines outdoor adventure, excellent dining, and time with friends. I left Deer Valley with a full belly, a warm heart, and plans to return. Until next time, Utah!
(pic by Annalise)
***A big thanks to Deer Valley for hosting our Girls’ Ski Weekend Getaway and to Whole Foods Park City for the delicious eats. I purchased my Tieks with a gift card. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.***