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Winter Wonderland at Deer Valley, Utah

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

When I was growing up, my parents — my dad especially — LOVED to ski. We didn’t get to go every year, but they planned and saved up, and the trips we did get to take were extremely special and meaningful. My dad taught me to ski at a fairly early age, and I always felt very fortunate that this was something we were able to do together. Being from Alabama, not too many people skied — it hardly ever even snows there! — so I definitely felt special that we were able to do something so “exotic” and unique. :)

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UtahFlying over frozen Utah Lake.

Whatever we did, my parents worked hard and saved and always made travel a priority for us. My favorite, most cherished memories growing up are all our fun road trips we took. My dad loved to drive, and we went all over — from way out west to Wyoming for a church mission trip, an educational road trip up north to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and Williamsburg, Virginia, or all the way to the southern tip of Florida for sun and fun.

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

My parents always made sure I was loaded up with plenty of books to read for the ride and disposable cameras for taking lots of pictures. I have always loved taking pictures. :) I still have the scrapbook I made when I was in 7th grade of our snorkeling trip to the Florida Keys.

deer-valley-skiing-park-city-utah-snomobiling-5

My parents still do so much for us now. I’m so lucky to have them. They are so generous to us with their time and skills. My dad built an amazing scrapbook room for me, and after we moved to our new house they gave up many of their weekends to help us with home projects, installations, and remodeling that otherwise we would’ve had to hire someone to do, even though they are in the midst of building their own house, with their own hands. And of course, they always take such good care of Miley and Howie for us when we are traveling. :)

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

Last week Deer Valley invited us to come back and ski with them for the second year in a row. We were beyond shocked and thrilled. It was truly a honor to be able to take my parents skiing again as a “thank you” for all they do for us. Thank you Deer Valley for making that possible.

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UtahPhoto via Stephanie

Kevin had a project going on at work, so this year I brought along a friend and fellow food blogger, Stephanie from PlainChicken.com. If you haven’t been to Plain Chicken yet, Stephanie’s blog is an amazing resource for quick, easy, and delicious dinner recipes made with simple ingredients that can be found at any grocery store. No hunting all over town for complicated ingredients! Most of her recipes feature ingredients that are pantry and fridge staples anyway, so you’re likely to already have the ingredients on hand, making them perfect for no-fuss, crowd-pleasing, everyone-can-agree-on weeknight dinners. Plus Stephanie grew up in Auburn too, just like me! And her parents still live there, just like mine. :) She also took that awesome first photo of this post. :)

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

After we went to Deer Valley last year, my dad said he was never going anywhere else again. And I can totally understand why. It would definitely be hard to go back to any other ski resort after you’ve experienced Deer Valley!

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, UtahPhoto via Stephanie

First of all, Utah has The Greatest Snow On Earth. :) But when I think of Deer Valley, the number one thing I think of is service, service, service. They treat you like absolute royalty from the moment you step on the property. They strive to exceed their guests’ expectations on every front. I have honestly never experienced anything like it anywhere else. Let me tell you, it’s hard to go back to the harsh world of airline travel after a few days of being treated like the Queen at Deer Valley, lol!

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

Their unique approach is working, too. Deer Valley was recently named United States’ Best Ski Resort by the World Ski Awards — also known as “the Oscars of the travel industry.” They are also consistently ranked #1 in guest service for ski resorts in North America by the readers of SKI Magazine. The “Deer Valley Difference” is service, attention to detail, first-class amenities, luxury accommodations, and award-winning cuisine.

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

They have thought of everything — even right down to providing easy-to-grab tissues when you’re in line for the chair lift. I always need a tissue when my nose is cold! They are just so detail-oriented like that.

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

One of my favorite features of Deer Valley is their ski valet service, which I’ve never encountered anywhere else. Basically, you never have to touch your skis at Deer Valley. When you’re ready to ski in the morning, the ski valets help you on with your boots, then lay out your skis and poles for you, so all you have to do is step in your skis and ski off. They’re even right there to help you get in your skis.

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

When you’re done for the day, they come out and help you take your skis and boots off, and they bring it all in for you. You can leave all your equipment — boots, poles, helmet, gloves, etc — in your locker so you don’t have to cart it back and forth to your room every night.

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

That is such a huge, huge thing for me. Carrying long skis, pointy poles, and clunky boots — plus a million other little things required for playing in the snow — is awkward and unwieldy! But you can rest easy knowing all your stuff is taken care of by the ski valets. Your equipment is locked up and guarded, so you never have to worry about it.

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

I would seriously come in from a day of skiing, and before I knew it, my boots and skis were being whisked off, and my warm, comfy Uggs were being slipped onto my tired feet before I even knew what was happening. I was seriously asking myself, “Is this real life??!”

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

Even though I’ve been skiing a long time, I always like to start the trip with a ski lesson on the first morning. Deer Valley has excellent teachers! And no matter what your ability level is — whether you’ve never, ever been before, like Stephanie, or are kind of intermediate-beginner like me and my mom, or you’re more advanced like my dad — there’s always something new to learn to improve your technique. I love Deer Valley’s Max 4 classes. We all took one first thing on Monday morning.

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

With a maximum of four students per group, these classes offer the comfort of a small-group setting with a more personal and one-on-one experience with the instructor than a larger class. When you arrive at the lesson area, skiers are grouped by age, ability, and comfort level, so no matter what your age or ability, you can fit in and benefit from a lesson. Don’t worry, if you’re an adult they won’t put you in a class with 6 year olds, lol! :) And if you need more attention, they’ll call another instructor over to make sure you’re getting the assistance you need. It’s all about service at Deer Valley!

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

That’s me, flying down the moguls after my lesson! ;) Not.

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

However, I was able to make it to the top of Empire Mountain, the highest peak at Deer Valley, which only has Intermediate and Advanced slopes down. I took this picture at the top for you. ;)

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

Another cool thing we got to see — The 2014 U.S. team heading for Sochi was competing in the Freestyle Ski World Cup Event at Deer Valley while we were there — on very the same runs used during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

We got to see lots of jumping, twisting, flying, and skiers catching LOTS of air… and sometimes snow. :)

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

Isn’t this place like right out of a fairytale??!

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

One afternoon we had the shuttle at our hotel take us down into Park City for some fun and touristy shopping. Main Street Park City is such a fun little street! Lots of restaurants and fun souvenir shops. One of the houses even has this fun ski fence!

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

Another afternoon we went on a SNOWMOBILING ADVENTURE!! :) We were speed demons! ;)

Winter Vacation: Skiing and Snowmobiling at Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah

We drove all over on our two-hour guided tour through 7,000 acres of private land on a ranch in the Wasatch Mountains. Lots of fun! We even saw moose tracks. I wish we’d seen a moose! :)

***

I have so much more to share, but I think I’ll pause here and save the rest for another day. I have pictures of where we stayed, s’mores, hot chocolate, sunrises and sunsets, and the food. The FOOD!!! :) Can’t wait to share more. :)

Thanks so much for looking!

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13 Responses
  1. TidyMom

    I think I’m seeing a ski trip to Deer Valley with my girls! They’ve never been skiing, and I haven’t been in over 25 years! looks like the perfect spot to go!

  2. Lynnie

    So glad to hear you loved deer valley. I lived in SLC for 7 years and cannot wait to (hopefully) move back.

    Very jealous of your having been there recently!

  3. Holly Waterfall

    Your photos are just stunning. My parents used to have a place up at Deer Valley, and its just gorgeous up there! Looks like you had a blast!

  4. Lynne

    Looks like you had a ton of fun! It was so funny when I saw the shot of Stephanie and thought (before I read her name): she looks so darn familiar. I follow her blog also! Looking forward to part 2!

  5. Stephanie @ Plain Chicken

    SO much fun! Loved seeing the view from where I couldn’t ski. Can’t wait to see the rest of your photos!

  6. Susan

    I’m not a skier, but I’d love to visit Deer Valley one day!! There are so many other things to do that I know I’d never be bored and would have a ton of fun. I can’t wait for the next installment.

  7. Robin

    I am lucky enough to live just 25 minutes from Park City and Deer Valley. I am so glad you enjoyed your trip to enjoy the greatest snow on earth!

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Meet Kevin & Amanda

Kevin and Amanda

We love to travel and to eat! Here we share our favorite quick and easy recipes, plus travel tips and guides for our favorite places around the world. If you have any questions about what camera I use or how I edit my photos, check out my photography tutorials.

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