Your Winter Wonderland Awaits On This Luxurious Romantic Retreat


Prepare for an exceptional winter experience unlike any other. Enter a world of luxury and romance amidst the snowy landscapes with a retreat to a winter wonderland.

The Deer Valley Difference guarantees an extraordinary getaway—meticulously groomed slopes and top-tier hospitality ensure an unparalleled ski weekend that seamlessly transforms into a memorable romantic escape.

Deer Valley Valentines

Palate cleaner Mariposa Deer Valley Resort Utah

The busiest time for ski resorts, in general, is President’s Day Weekend and the holiday week between Christmas and New Year. For Deer Valley, there’s an additional rush around the Sundance Film Festival, a two-week spectacular in late January. Sundance is a sneaky good time to ski, but the crowded venues get in the way of romance.

Valentine’s Day falls in the sweet spot between Sundance and President’s Day. You’ll find short lift lines and available reservations at Deer Valley’s distinctive dining experiences. Since Deer Valley is scaled to accommodate guests comfortably during the busiest times, you’ll find it particularly welcoming and romantic during Valentine’s Day week.

Day 1 – Arrival

The Lodges at Deer Valley Resort Utah- Complimentary car service
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

The base altitude of Deer Valley is 6,570 feet, which means it could be dumping snow on any given winter day. Instead of renting a car and fussing with parking, you can stay in a Deer Valley Property and take advantage of the resort shuttles and complimentary on-demand Deer Valley Direct car service.

If the weather is clear, you can Uber up the mountain or book a 4WD van shuttle if it’s not. However, on the way back to the airport, you should consider utilizing a shuttle service because it’s hard to pick up an Uber at Deer Valley.

Another arrival tip is that Deer Valley has a free ski-valet service on the mountain. You can pick up your rental skis in the afternoon without waiting in line and drop them at the valet for the following day.

Arrival Day Adventures

Snowshoe walkers running in powder snow with beautiful sunrise light.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

With gear rental and lift ticket costs, you’ll want to ski on ski days. Planning a half-day adventure on your arrival day is the perfect way to balance costs while enjoying this winter wonderland.

If you get in early enough, All Seasons Adventures, the preferred year-round activity service at Deer Valley Resort, provides many winter experiences. You can choose from snowshoeing, dog sledding, cross-country skiing, and more. If your time is limited, take an adventurous snowshoe trek before dinner at the Empire Lodge

Fireside Dining

Cheese melting by fire at Fireside Dining at Empire Canyon Lodge, Deer Valley Utah
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

You’ll see the lights of Park City twinkling behind you as you climb nearly 2000′ up to the Empire Lodge. Every Wednesday through Sunday, the lodge transforms into the Fireside Dining experience, where you can experience the flavors of the European Alps in the mountains of Deer Valley. The alpine-inspired menu includes four courses served around the lodge’s four stone fireplaces.

You open with raclette cheese melting by the fire and charcuterie and close with chocolate fondue. In between is a feast of flavors with uncompromising quality. If you want even more romance, book a horse-drawn sleigh ride, maybe schedule it mid-meal so you have time for your food to settle. Also, there’s a full-service bar with specially selected wine and imported beer to complement the cuisine, but be careful not to drink too much. Hydration is the best way to adjust to elevation.

First Day of Skiing

Intermediate Ski lesson learning to use edges at Deer Valley Resort via Deer Valley Resort
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.

Deer Valley is a skier’s paradise. In addition to everything else they do well, their adult group ski lessons are capped at four participants. I taught skiing for 20 years, and I recommend that everybody takes a class at the start of the season. I also suggest that the lesson comes from someone other than your significant other. The “Griswold” situation is real.

After your lessons, it’s time to explore the mountain. Deer Valley has 25 chair lifts, most of which are connected by green and blue runs. That means this is one of the few resorts in the world where an entry-level skiing couple can tour the mountain on greens. When it’s time for a break, there are plenty of options, from cozy mid-mountain snack cabins to gourmet made-to-order lunches.

Dinner at The Mariposa

The Mariposa in Silver Lake Lodge, Deer Valley Utah
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.

The Mariposa is rated #1 in the Zagat Restaurant Guide. It transforms the rustic charm of mid-mountain Silverlake Lodge with a steakhouse and extensive wine selection. Mariposa showcases Utah’s culinary offerings with dishes featuring locally sourced game meats and fresh, seasonal ingredients.

On extraordinary occasions like Valentine’s Day, Mariposa offers multi-course preset diners that elevate romance to a new height. Reservations are always recommended, and you’ll be well served booking these special nights far in advance.

Second Day of Skiing

Woman spring skiing Deer Valley via Deer Valley Resort
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.

Now that your body remembers how to ski, it’s time to explore the mountains. A unique Deer Valley perk is the complimentary mountain host tours. Friendly guides introduce intermediate and expert skiers to their favorite routes, including backcountry routes where you’ll discover caches of off-piste powder.

Day two is also an excellent time to practice those skills you learned during your lessons on immaculately groomed slopes. You should also make it over to the Lady Morgan Express. It’s the most remote lift on the mountain, where you’ll be rewarded with pristine runs, even late into the day.

Apres-Ski

Après ski at Deer Valley Resort via Deer Valley Resort
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.

This long weekend getaway assumes two days of skiing, which means you’re ready to celebrate with a romantic après ski experience. You can start with champagne and caviar at the Veuve Clicquot Après Ski Lounge by Montage Deer Valley Hotel. Maybe return your skis and enjoy the views from the Fresh Tracks oversized deck, or take the funicular to St Regis’ The Vintage Room with its 30-foot wooden bar. There’s also a new option for 2023. The second level of Royal Street Café transforms into a 21+ apres-ski bar called Royal Street Café + Bar.

Dinner at Cast & Cut | Seafood Dining

cold new zealand mussels, seafood buffet
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

Speaking of new things for the 2023/24 season… Deer Valley’s legendary seafood buffet returns to Cast & Cut. Anchor your evening with a bounty catch of sustainably sourced seafood. Dive into an ocean of flavors, from succulent shrimp to paella and pasta. Since your skis are up, this is a perfect night to compliment your catch with the extensive wine and beverage selection.

Final Frivolities

Young couple in hot spring. Couple relaxing in spa resort.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

Time is running out on your Deer Valley Romantic getaway. It’s time for one last hurrah. For some, that might be heading into downtown Park City for a celebratory bar crawl. (shout out to complimentary ride share!) For others, it’s a quiet evening back at the lodge with your love, enjoying a soak in the hot tub.

Discerning guests who are looking for curated experience, convenience, guaranteed access, and VIP concierge services might want to try the new Deer Valley Premier program. Or for a fulling pampered paring, add in white glove ski butlers service. As long as you’re still smitten and having fun, there’s no wrong way to cap off a long weekend full of fun, indulgence, sophistication, and romance like you’ll only find at Deer Valley!

Read More From Coleman Concierge:

Front view Deer Valley Resort via Deer Valley Resort
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resorts.

There are ski mountains, and then there are ski resorts, and of those, only a few ski resorts bring about nearly universal expressions of joy and satisfaction like Deer Valley. In a nutshell, that is the “Deer Valley Difference.” Read on for our Concierge review from the parking lot in the morning to your pillow at night; we show you why Deer Valley is rated among the top ski resorts for customer experience.

The Deer Valley Difference – A Concierge Review of Deer Valley Ski Resort

Three Extraordinary Wintertime Park City Dining Experiences

Melted cheese and charcuterie at Fireside Dining Deer Valley
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.

Discover three unforgettable winter dining experiences in Park City, Utah! From Tupelo’s Southern-inspired dishes to The Mariposa’s elegant tasting menus and Fireside Dining’s Alpine-inspired feasts, explore culinary delights in this charming mining town.

Three Extraordinary Wintertime Park City Dining Experiences

Skiing Deer Valley Resort – Finding the Best Terrain for Every Skier

Bluebird powder skiing at Deer Valley at Deer Valley Resort via Deer Valley Resort
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.

Deer Valley Resort sprawls across 6 mountains with 103 runs serviced by 21 lifts, so there’s something for everyone…except snowboarders. With so much terrain, where to ski first or if your group has different skier abilities? Never fear, read on to learn how to find the best skiing at Deer Valley for any ski level.

Skiing Deer Valley Resort – Finding the Best Terrain for Every Skier

The Only 25 Tips You Need for Traveling as a Couple

Young couple can't find way in town. Traveling as a couple, frustrated woman screaming on her boyfriend
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos.

Everybody talks about the romance of traveling as a couple. The reality is, sometimes you’re lucky to escape with your life and/or relationship intact! We fell in love… deeply in love… We both knew we had found our person on a backpacking trip to the Grand Canyon between Jenn’s total knee replacement surgeries.

We figure, if we made it through that and not only got married but started a travel blog together, we might know a thing or two about traveling as a couple. When we wrote out our best tricks and tips for couples’ travel, it was quite a list! Stay tuned to learn easy things you can do to make the most of your adventures together.

The Only 25 Tips You Need for Traveling as a Couple

 

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