Monday, October 5, 2009

Deer Valley Resort has Fantastic Fine Dining Choices

By Robin Rutecki

The ski resorts in Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, and Colorado have been competing over the last twenty years to create the perfect mountain vacation getaway. The ski vacation is no longer the same experience it was in the 80s when lodgings of mediocre quality were considered the norm.

The previous 10 years has brought continual expansion to western ski resorts. They have expanded their size, quality, and breadth of services. Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah and Vail Resort in Vail, CO have risen to the top of the ski resort show down. Deer Valley Resort has been ranked the #1 Ski Resort in North America by the readers of Ski Magazine in 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Vail Resort held the honor in 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2006.

To earn the #1 place Deer Valley Resort has focused not only on the quality of its skiing, but also on mountain services and the Deer Valley dining experience. Deer Valley does not just serve visitors lunch during the day. At night they convert their lodges into fine restaurants which are arguably a few of the top restaurants in Deer Valley and Park City Utah.

The Mariposa is considered Deer Valleys flagship restaurant serving European continental fare. Fireside Dining provides optional romantic horse drawn sleigh rides before dinner and a unique Swiss alpine menu served beside stone fireplaces. The Seafood Buffet is a well known favorite featuring a wide selection of fresh seafood as well as hearty fare from the grill.

The town of Park City UT has countered by increasing the number of high-end accommodations, fine dining, and shopping options. The expansion over the previous 10 years has been very dramatic with hundreds of new luxury accommodations slowly replacing the more traditional ski resort accommodations.

Because of the recent transition towards a more discerning palate, local restaurants have responded by introducing a rich dining experience worthy of top honors. Distinguished review agencies such as the Michelin Travel Guide, Mobile Travel Guide, and Zagat Restaurant Guide have awarded Deer Valley area restaurants with their highest ratings.

Although there are many fantastic Deer Valley dining options, my favorite choice is the Goldener Hirsch Restaurant which is tucked away in the Austrian inspired Goldener Hirsch Inn. The Stein Eriksen Lodge has arguably one of the finest restaurants in the country with its Glitretind Restaurant. The Glitretind is also famous for its daily Skiers Lunch Buffet during the winter season.

Deer Valley definitely lives up to its #1 North American ski resort ranking. Why not have it all and visit a resort that not only provides the highest experience on mountain, but also the perfect balance of off mountain dining and shopping as well? I certainly recommend taking a closer look at Deer Valley Resort.

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