An Olympic Skier’s Guide to Park City with Shannon Bahrke Happe
For the top slopeside stays and the coolest après haunts, check out our insider’s guide to the best ski and snowboarding resorts in Utah.
A two-time Olympic medalist, freestyle skier Shannon Bahrke Happe won silver in moguls in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics and bronze in Vancouver in 2010. Now a successful speaker and a Ski Champion at Deer Valley Resort, she knows the best places in Park City for dining, wining and – of course – downhill skiing. In between blasts on the black runs, we sat down with the decorated Olympian to get the inside track on the best slaloms, ski-rental shops and snow-dusted wine cellars…
Deer Valley Resort
Resort
Stein Eriksen Lodge Deer Valley
Spa Hotel, Hotel, Apartment, Luxury
“This high-end hotel is named after one of the all-time greatest skiers. It’s got a bit of a rustic feel to it, with lots of wood – I call it mountain-chic. But it has the best ski-in, ski-out experience in Park City, and the ski valets really know what they’re doing. You get a good sense from them what’s happening on the hill before you even set out. The brunch, which you can only have if you’re staying, is another reason to book. The maple bacon is famous.”
The Viking Yurt
Restaurant, American, Vegetarian
Montage Deer Valley
Spa Hotel, Hotel, Luxury
“If you’re really a skier, this hotel has the best location in Park City. It’s the highest on the mountain, so after it snows you can step out and get to the powder first. You don’t have to fight for the lifts, like the people staying at the bottom of the mountain. There’s a bowling alley and pool overlooking the peaks, too. And just like other Montage hotels – there are several in the US – everything about the place just feels luxurious.”
Gorsuch
Store
“If you’re looking for the best-of-the-best ski equipment, Gorsuch on Main Street sells the highest-end stuff, from goggles to jackets. But I also love using Skis on the Run, which is a delivery service. They don’t have a physical location, but you select what you want on their website, tell them your level and they will make recommendations. Traffic is not always lovable in Park City, so it’s much easier ordering from there, rather than getting my little kids in and out of the car to go to the ski shop.”
Old Town Cellars
Bar, Wine
“This Main Street bar says it’s the official location of après ski. And it’s certainly a great space to drink wine. They even make their own. It’s a great low-key place to go after a hard day’s skiing, where you can just have a charcuterie board, relax and appreciate the photography on the walls – you won’t find anyone dancing on the tables. It’s close to everything, so you can go shopping afterwards. Or to another bar – like No Name Saloon, which does get a bit wild. I’ve definitely danced on the tables there before.”
Woodward Park City
Sports Center
“My children are young, and when I want to take them skiing I head to Woodward, about a 20-25 minute drive from downtown. It’s not just skiing; they have sledding, too, and lots of indoor activities, so little ones won’t get bored. You can stick around to watch some of the best athletes in the world as they train here – or just head off to nearby Dolly’s Bookstore, which has an excellent kids’ section and delicious hot chocolates.”
Five5eeds
Restaurant, American
“Want a breakfast or lunch spot that’s off the tourist trail? Locals love Five5eeds. It has a real farm-to-table feel and a fun atmosphere where people chat with one another; it’s a place to connect the community together. My favorite dish is the poke bowl, but they do amazing avocado and toast and coffee, too. It’s especially good in winter, because it’s off Main Street, which gets quite busy, and you can get in and out easily.”
Washington School House
Boutique Hotel, Hotel, Luxury
“If you want a stay in a location that lets you really take advantage of Park City’s nightlife, Washington School House is it. You can do your après-ski right there, and then restaurant and bar-hop all along Main Street afterwards – say, to Grappa, an Italian restaurant which has melt-in-your-mouth gnocchi. The hotel is really small, too, so the service is top-notch. And it’s either a walk or a super-short shuttle ride to the skiing.”
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