As one of the world’s premier skiing destinations, Park City had its first ski lift installed in 1946. Combined with what many call “the Greatest Snow On Earth,” Park City has two major ski resorts in the Deer Valley area. While ski season generally lasts from November through April, there is plenty to do outdoors year-round in Park City. Hiking and mountain biking are two of the more popular activities, which Deer Valley Resort and Park City both cater to. And as it turns out, aside from California, more visitors come to Park City from New York than anywhere else in the U.S.
When the opportunity came to travel to Park City, Utah — thanks in large part to the support of the promotional teams of Deer Valley Resort, UGG, NordicTrack, Montage Deer Valley, Marmot, High West, iFit, CeraVe, Clif Bar, Hearth & Hill, Smith, Swiftwick, the St. Regis Deer Valley and the Stein Eriksen Lodge — I jumped at the chance. 35 minutes by car from Salt Lake City International Airport (a hub of Delta Airlines, with direct flights to New York, London, Paris and Amsterdam), Park City’s population is well under 10,000 residents. However, the Sundance Film Festival alone regularly brings tens of thousands of people into the city. Forbes Traveler Magazine has it voted as one of the 20 “prettiest towns,” also voting it one of its “16 Top Destinations.”
In February 2020, I had the pleasure of staying a few nights at the Stein Eriksen Lodge. Four prestigious entities within the Lodge’s parent company, the Stein Collection, have been named Forbes Travel Guide Star award-winners. Both The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge and the Lodge once again earned the prestigious Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award in 2019, making the property the only Forbes Five-Star hotel and spa in the state of Utah. Additionally, The Chateaux Deer Valley and Glitretind Restaurant at Stein Eriksen Lodge have again garnered the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award.
I had the pleasure of doing Q&A with the Stein Collection’s CEO Russ Olsen about the past, present and future of the Stein Eriksen Lodge and its parent company. More on Olsen and the Stein Collection properties can be found online at www.steinlodge.com.
How would you describe the Stein Eriksen Lodge to someone who has not yet visited?
Russ Olsen: Identified worldwide as a preeminent luxury ski hotel, Stein Eriksen Lodge is an authentic European resort offering an elegant blend of contemporary sophistication and nostalgic grace. Inspired by the Olympic legend Stein Eriksen, and his Norwegian heritage, this lodge was the first luxury property in Park City and is Utah’s only Forbes Five-Star hotel and spa. Guests experience the best ski-in/ski-out access, award-winning dining, indulgent spa treatments, and entertaining après, making our lodge a premier year-round resort. Here, you are sure to experience only the finest.
The Stein Eriksen Lodge has won a lot of awards and honors. Is there one that makes you most proud?
Russ Olsen: We are honored to maintain the distinguished status of “United States’ Best Ski Hotel” by World Ski Awards for the fifth time in six years. In addition to being Utah’s only Forbes Five-Star hotel and spa, we’ve earned this esteemed recognition in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2019 from votes by our guests and industry peers.
Do you have a favorite on-site amenity?
Russ Olsen: We are most famous for our skilled Ski Valet service and onsite Ski Locker Room amenity. With the recent $14 million renovation completion at the Lodge, we’ve created a luxury one-stop-shop for our winter guests whereby they can secure ski rentals, Deer Valley lift tickets, get help with their ski gear, and enjoy a signature Stein coffee blend and house made pastry, while our Ski Valet team carries their equipment and preps it on the snow for their departure onto the trails.
This same top-tier service is provided when our lodging guests return for a break or retire from the slopes for the day. Our experienced Ski Valet team awaits their return to greet them with a smile and help carry gear back to their ski locker for storage and prep for the next day. Stein’s is known for this service as we are the legendary luxury property of Park City and Deer Valley, and we were the first to offer this service to our guests — something the competition stills tries to replicate to this day.
My personal favorite amenity is the Champions Club. What inspired that area to be put together?
Russ Olsen: The new 3,500 square foot Champions Club entertainment center and game room was a unique vision from our owners who wanted us to continue growing the onsite amenities while also appealing to multi-generational families traveling together. This space, which is adjacent to the new second outdoor pool and Champions Plaza, provides the perfect landing place for adults and kids alike to visit, relax, and enjoy quality time together while dining on casual pub cuisine, roasting s’mores at the fire pits, or joining together for a rowdy game of 4-person air hockey.
On the food end, do you have a favorite item on the menu of the Glitretind?
Russ Olsen: Our Skier’s Buffet wouldn’t be complete without our famous Wild Game Chili being offered. Featuring three different types of wild game, this hearty chili serves up a unique blend of flavors and aromas that many guests look forward to each winter season. The Skier’s Buffet is served 11:30 AM to 2:45 PM Monday through Saturday throughout the entire winter season. The extensive spread includes two soups, five different salads, fresh seafood, a diverse fruit platter, three or four cheeses, five hot entrée selections, a live carving station, two live action stations, and a long dessert island showcasing up to 20 different house made sweet offerings. The menu changes each day, but the Wild Game Chili is a daily staple on the Skier’s Buffet.
Is there a best time of year to visit the Stein Eriksen Lodge?
Russ Olsen: Stein Eriksen Lodge is truly a year-round destination. Our location is prime for adventure seekers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those looking to have a more leisure stay. If it’s skiing you’re after, we offer the best ski-in/ski-out location. For summertime activities, you can’t beat the Deer Valley hiking and mountain biking trails just off the Lodge decks. Spring brings a feeling of renewal as the mountains wake up from winter, and it creates a more quiet opportunity to visit. Fall peaks with radiant colors that fill the hillside. All four seasons offer something different for every guest to enjoy.
What is coming up for the Stein Eriksen Lodge in 2020?
Russ Olsen: We are planning for an upcoming refresh of the Mountain Lodge later this spring, after the winter season comes to a close. This will include enhanced lighting fixtures and new paint, furniture, carpet, and window treatments. This is only expected to impact the center walkway and pass-through area. More newsworthy might be the recent launch of our new Luxury Homes by Stein Collection entity. If of interest, more information on this can be found here: www.steincollection.com/luxuryhomes.html.
When not busy at the Stein Eriksen Lodge, what are some of your favorite other spots in-town?
Historic Main Street offers lots to do for locals and visitors alike. I enjoy strolling up and down Main Street while window shopping. I always like to recommend a visit to Utah Olympic Park, especially for the thrill seeking guests. The UOP offers lots of activities in both winter and summer seasons, plus has an excellent museum where you can learn about the Olympic legacy of our town. If guests have an interest in exploring additional scenic areas near Park City, I always love a drive into the Uinta mountains. It’s a short 30 minutes — or less — to be in the pristine wilderness driving through the mountains and stopping at a numerous lakes and hiking trails. I love getting up there and exploring in my free time.
Finally, Russ, any last words for the kids?
Russ Olsen: At Stein Eriksen Lodge, we create perfect, legendary experiences for our guests. Nestled in the heart of the world-class Deer Valley Resort, our opulent property offers an iconic destinations that is second to none. Our welcoming staff will greet you with warm, personalized hospitality as you escape the ordinary and embrace the extraordinary moments that are simply waiting to be discovered. And for those who seek the best, there’s only Stein.
