A Family Fairy Tale at the St. Regis Deer Valley

Once upon a time there was a family who loved to ski. They planned a trip to Deer Valley, Utah, for the middle of December and were very excited. But the ski god Ullr had other plans. He sent the storms away and brought in warm winds so there was very little snow. 

But the family had booked their vacation at the Castle St. Regis Deer Valley where good King Edward would not let Ullr spoil their fun. King Edward entertained the family with his noble knights and court jesters. He called on his castle cooks to prepare a feast, and he teamed with King of Deer Valley to have their magicians make it winter on the mountain.

As a family, you want every vacation to be magic and your kids to have memories for a lifetime. Unfortunately the weather is something no one can control. And in spite of the warmest early December in memory, our ski trip was a success.

Indeed, the St. Regis does seem like a castle. Perched atop a ridge overlooking the base of Deer Valley, you access it via a tram car that seems to glide up the side of the mountain. The hotel has all the luxuries and amenities one expects from the St. Regis brand, but it is the General Manager, Edward, that made our stay special.

Our trip coincided with the 5th anniversary of the hotel and while there were some special events, it was the little things that made the difference. Their children’s program manager created a great vibe so that our kids did not want to leave their pack of new-found friends. The pleasant welcome each morning from the ski valets was a great start to the ski day, and you had the feeling that every staff member would go out of their way to help.


(Breakfast with a champion, three-time Olympian Fuzz Feddersen)

The St. Regis has an exclusive Ski Ambassador program where you can ski with actual Olympians (the noble knights), including current athletes. I was able to ski with Fuzz Feddersen, a three-time Olympian and member of the Ski Hall of Fame, while Joyce and the kids took some turns with Emily Cook, another three-time Olympian. We believe that family travel is about creating memories, and skiing with (and learning from) these amazing athletes is an unforgettable family experience.

During our stay, the hotel hosted a Flying Ace trampoline show with Fuzz Feddersen and some of his friends (the Court Jesters), including Sochi Olympian and current World Cup Aerialist Mac Bohonnon. Before the show we were able to mingle with Mac, and more athletes including Jillian Vogtli, yet another Olympic skier. The show was jaw-dropping to say the least.

The dining at the St. Regis is considered by many to be the best of any hotel at Deer Valley. Not a surprise considering the J&G Grill Park City was developed by famed restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The Executive Chef, Richard Samaniego, could be “castle cook” for any king in the world. And before dinner, a fun ritual is the evening champagne sabering, where the Sommelier uncorks a bottle of champagne with an actual saber. 

There are plenty of other dining options, from the restaurants of Park City to other fine choices at nearby Deer Valley properties. We went to brand new Brass Tag at the Lodges at Deer Valley, a 5 minute stroll from the St. Regis. This hideaway was a great cozy/casual après-ski family dinner spot. Comfortable is the theme, not formal. The kids menu had the sure-to-please classics like cheeseburgers and chicken fingers, and the main menu had options ranging from the Brass Tag Burger to Tandoori Quail. The fresh baked pretzel appetizers were a huge hit with everyone.

With the kids entertained and snow conditions marginal, we were pleased to be able to sample Spa Remede. I went for a traditional massage, which was excellent (resort massages can be hit or miss). Joyce took advantage of the spa’s unique Bear Dance treatment, a unique mix of clay treatment, hot stone body work, aroma therapy and massage.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ypLkIjFVnM

While I mentioned the snow was marginal, I must commend the crew at Deer Valley Resort for working their magic on the slopes. We skied throughout the first two days at Deer Valley and there was enough snow to keep us entertained and engaged for the better part of each day. The third day we headed over to Park City Mountain, a five minute shuttle ride away for a change of pace. I hadn’t skied Park City Mountain in a few decades and the day left me wanting more. As Park City Mountain hosts many World Cup races, their crews were equally adept at making the most of what the weather served up. As my 13 year old son said “Hey, this is like a really good ski day in Vermont”.

It is important to note, that Deer Valley is one of the few resorts in the Country that does not allow snowboards on their slopes. If you or your kids are into that, Park City Mountain is your choice and the St. Regis shuttle makes the quick trip hassle free.

When booking a ski trip, weather can often be the determining factor to a great trip. And the whims of Ullr vary so much from year to year, it’s impossible to plan a trip months out and know if you made the right choice. Picking the right hotel and resort can make all the difference and we can’t say enough about the St. Regis Deer Valley and Good King Edward and his team.