Park City Weekend Made Easy: Itinerary Ideas for Deer Valley This Summer

Published July 1, 2023
By Nick and Laura Como

Deer Valley is the perfect place for a long weekend getaway in the mountains of Park City. Here are a few curated itineraries for families, friends, couples, and groups that blend adventure, relaxation, and exploration. Maximize the weekend and create memories together with these tips on things to do, where to stay and eat, and what not to miss.

FAMILIES

Daytime fun. Standup paddleboarding is a fun, family-friendly activity all ages can enjoy. Spend the day at Pebble Beach at Deer Valley, where kids can take SUP laps around the Ponds and hang out on the sandy beach. The peaceful water is boat-free with no waves and a shoreline always within view, making it a friendly place for young paddlers. Lessons, board rentals, and classes are offered from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day throughout the summer.

Late afternoon/evening activities. Sign everyone up for a class with Deer Valley Creative Academy. Activities include a wide variety of interactive discoveries including arts and crafts, cooking, painting workshops, floral arrangements, etc. The planned events vary, so check the calendar and descriptions should the class align with your travel dates and make sense for your children’s ages.

Family meals. Deer Valley Café is conveniently located adjacent to Pebble Beach, making it a great lunch spot. Stay in and take a night off cooking dinner (after all this is a vacation) by ordering a family carry-out meal.

One thing not to miss. For those lucky enough to be visiting the weekend of July 7th, grab tickets for Disney Princess: The Concert. Pack the little one’s costumes so they can dress up for the event!

Lodging options best suited for families. Silver Baron Lodge has family-friendly amenities including an outdoor heated pool with a waterslide, hot tub, and game room. Argent at Empire Pass is Deer Valley’s newest property under management with upscale luxuries and amenities, including a bowling alley. For great access to hiking trails with on-site amenities and a gym, check out Stag Lodge.

COUPLES

Sun up. Enjoy guided horseback rides through Deer Valley’s unforgettable scenery on a tour with Boulder Mountain Ranch. Alternatively, pick up grab-and-go items and gourmet goodies at Deer Valley Café, then take a scenic chairlift ride to the top of the mountain to enjoy a romantic picnic with views for miles.

Sun down. The stage is set at Deer Valley all summer long with national acts bringing live music to Park City. Watch the scenic views from Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater fade into a starry night together to cap a perfect evening in the mountains.

Dine and drink. Concertgoers should order gourmet picnic bags to nosh with that special someone while the opening acts warm things up. For an evening meal at a restaurant, The Brass Tag is a great spot featuring fine Italian cuisine and creative small plates ideal for sharing. Save room for their unique dessert selections!

One thing not to miss. Join Deer Valley as they continue the Taste of Luxury series, with this installment featuring Ryan Arensdorf from Kansas City, from July 13 - 15. Partake in the meet and greet reception, plus dinner and an Old Crow Medicine Show concert, or one of the two intimate, interactive cooking classes to learn a few secrets, sauces, and dishes together.

Romantic places to stay. Lodges at Deer Valley feature smaller units and hotel rooms perfect for two people—conveniently located just a short walk or shuttle ride to Snow Park Lodge. Up the romantic vibe and get a luxurious residence with beautiful mountain views by booking at Empire Residences. Book a stay at Black Diamond Lodge during a concert—residences with a balcony facing the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater offer an experience that may feel like your own private concert.

FRIENDS

Mornings & Afternoons. For a fun-filled day, book a guided fly fishing trip in the morning and go hiking in the afternoon. Up the adrenaline a bit and explore Deer Valley’s singletrack trails on mountain bikes. For newbies and advanced riders alike, sign up for a small group mountain bike clinic or private lessons with a mountain biking coach. Everyone will leave as better riders, plus it takes the pressure off of friends doubling as instructors.

Evenings & Nights. Catch up with friends while enjoying one of the many concerts under the stars with the Deer Valley Concert Series. Looking for a quiet night in? Grab a board game, or hit the hot tubs. No cabin fever here!

Dine and drink. For Saturdays spent on the trails, catch Mountaintop Brews and Tunes featuring live music, beers, and takeaway fare at Snowshoe Tommy’s. The Brass Tag has a full bar and a menu with Italian-inspired entrées, brick-oven pizzas, and fresh salads featuring locally-sourced ingredients.

One thing not to miss. Sip and sample brews from over a dozen Utah breweries at the second annual Deer Valley Mountain Beer Festival, September 16 - 17. This unique beer festival includes scenic chairlift rides, live music, and outdoor dining. Attendees to Park City’s only beer festival will enjoy the opportunity to sample a wide range of beer flavors and styles, including many full-strength selections.

Room to spread out. Rent one of many private homes at Deer Valley, ideal for a group of couples who want private rooms and great spaces to gather together. Trail’s End Lodge features one to four-bedroom condos, spread out over several levels to offer more personal space, and is close to the Silver Lake Express chairlift. For spacious four and five-bedroom townhomes with access to private hot tubs, check out the Lookout residences.

LARGE GROUPS/EXTENDED FAMILIES

Group activities. Go on a whitewater rafting adventure with All Seasons Adventures that everyone in the family will be talking about for years to come. Another activity for larger groups of mixed ages is to spend the day at Pebble Beach at Deer Valley. Rent paddleboards (we recommend calling ahead for more than seven people), hang out on the sandy beach or rent One Wheel electric boards.

Something for everyone. Hiking is a fun way to explore the mountains, get some exercise, and spend quality time together. Self-guided hikes around Deer Valley are easy to organize, and guided historical hikes about the area’s rich mining history are also popular. Call ahead to reserve spots on these historical hikes, which happen once per month during the summer and are limited to 20 people.

Group meals. Royal Street Café is a great place for lunch with plenty of space and a diverse menu. Deer Valley also offers full-service catering which is another option to accommodate large groups.

One thing not to miss. Plan the trip around one of the many summer concerts. It’s a great way to listen to captivating music in a beautiful setting—plus concerts are fun for all ages. General seating offers ample space for large groups to spread out on blankets, and comfy concert chairs are available for rent.

Stay and gather. Rent a private home (many options to choose from), which is an excellent choice for wedding groups and large families. Silver Baron Lodge is a great option if a mix of hotel room-style lodging and multi-bedroom condos is preferred.

WORK GROUPS

Team building options. Deer Valley is an ideal setting for corporate meetings and client outings. Enjoy scenic chairlift rides up the mountain and a guided tour down Deer Valley’s hiking trails. Build confidence and a sense of accomplishment with group mountain biking lessons, which are suited for all skill levels from beginners to advanced riders. Other group activities include concerts, rafting, fly fishing, trap shooting, standup paddleboarding, horseback riding, and more.

Executive retreat idea. Rent the Deer Crest private home for a beautiful escape in a gated community with plenty of large gathering spaces. The location is sure to inspire the creativity needed for planning, improving, and collaborating on how to make the workplace better or prep for the next product launch.

Catered meals. Deer Valley offers full-service catering for groups. Contact group sales for help with planning meals as well as all of the details for upcoming events.

On-mountain venues and conference properties. Deer Valley has two lodging properties that double as places to meet and sleep—Silver Baron Lodge and Lodges at Deer Valley. For larger groups and conferences, on-mountain venues are also available.