Head to where the locals go and get an authentic Park City experience
Park City has it all. Incredible skiing and snowboarding, a thriving Historic Main Street filled with après options, great shopping, an international airport only 35 minutes up the road and best of all, excellent Australian style coffee. Like any cool ski town, just follow the locals to find the good stuff, from the powder stashes to the best cocktails, coffee, bargains and more.
The locals here know the best way to start the day is to visit Ritual Chocolate for an early morning barista style coffee or homemade hot chocolate. Ask for a cortado and get a double shot in a cute short glass. If you’re short on time, then just grab a Campos coffee at Park City Mountain Village before you click into your skis.
Not into coffee? Need a green juice to get you started? You’ll find Fairweather organic store opposite Ritual Chocolate. They squeeze the organic fruit and veggies to order so you know you’re getting the freshest around. Grab and go or sit and sip.
Breakfast is a no brainer. Try Aussie owned Harvest on Park Avenue for plates piled high with worthy greens, fluffy eggs, avocado and acai. Or, try Five5eeds (also Aussie owned) for hearty baked skillet goodness, smashed avo and an on-point menu.
On a powder day, join the locals in the smaller line at the under the radar Silver Star chair at Park City Mountain, to get first tracks, every time, as you follow the lift openings up to Jupiter Bowl. Just don’t tell anyone.
If you’re in Deer Valley, then the X Files and Ontario Bowl both serve up the best powder tree skiing for days. Once you are finished, why not enjoy a fresh bowl of Vietnamese Pho at Silver Lake Lodge while you relax.
Speaking of lunch, Riverhorse Provisions on Historic Main Street have hearty poutine (hot chips, cheese curd and gravy). Davanza’s is a locals favourite with its easy ski to Main Street access from Park City Mountain, for slices of pizza, burgers and tacos. And if you’re down near Kimball Junction way, then Vessel Kitchen has got you covered for super tasty, super healthy, super-fast cuisine options.
After your post lunch ski, you might need some midafternoon liquid sustenance, so ski down into the Après Yurt next to the Montage Deer Valley for bubbles by a stove top fire, surrounded by royale interiors, then take the kids to the pool deck for some mouthwatering free s’mores. From Park City Mountain, ski straight to High West, the world’s only ski-in distillery, and settle in around the outdoor fire barrels or inside near the copper stills.
All après roads will eventually lead to No Name Saloon on Historic Main Street, just remember to look up to the ceiling for an eclectic plethora of bizarre ‘decorations’. If you like your cocktails served in a more civilized setting, then the bar at Handle restaurant has your name on it. Do not leave without trying the buffalo cauliflower and fried chicken. If you do leave then go to Firewood, and enjoy cuisine cooked by fire and ask for a seat opposite the kitchen.
We have not forgotten shopping. Never. Dedicate a few hours visiting Outlets Park City for all your favourite brands such as Nike, Adidas, Vans, Calvin Klein, Under Armour, and many more at discounted prices. Short on time? Just head to TJ Maxx at Kimball Junction and rummage.
Vintage, retro and old-world lovers need to know about The Exchange on Bonanza Drive. It’s in a car park behind Fairweather organics and is filled with the best kind of cowboy boots, hand bags, accessories and trinkets from yester year.
We haven’t even mentioned the St Bernese lobby dog called George at Park City Peaks hotel, the burgers at Stein Eriksen Lodge, the adventure films at the Park City Library, or even the bao buns at Boneyard Saloon. There is just so much to see and do in Park City, Utah, one visit won’t be enough.
