Best Park City. Each year, the editors and writers at Salt Lake magazine scour the state for the best of, well, everything. We eat the food, shop at the shops, drink the beer, go to the shows, to guide you to the Best of the Beehive. It’s hard work, we know. You’re welcome. Check back each week for another dose of the Best of the Beehive. Or just buy the magazine already to get it over with.—Eds.
Best Bean: Pink Elephant Columbia Huila
Parkites suffer no shortage of locally-roasted caffeinated beverages, but Pink Elephant’s Colombia Huila is beyond compare. The husband-wife team of Mitch and Kelley Baker created a roast that’ll transport your taste buds to the foggy coffee shops of the Pacific Northwest. Stop by Pink Elephant’s über-hip Main Street shop to try out all their varieties or pick some up to brew yourself at Whole Foods. 509 Main St., Park City, pinkelephantcoffee.com
Best Way to Meet Your Monthly Culture Needs: Last Friday Gallery Stroll
Park City has established itself as an art destination, but with so many galleries lining Main Street, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Last Friday Gallery Stroll, hosted by Park City Gallery Association on the final Friday of each month, is free of charge, highlights special exhibits and artists and is a wonderful introduction to the myriad styles, mediums and settings that make up the town’s art community. parkcitygalleryassociation.com
Best Corporate Conglomerate Ski Pass for the Nomadic Parkite: Ikon Pass
The never-ending arms race to acquire as many ski resorts as possible under a single banner welcomes a new superpower: The Ikon Pass. A shot across the bow of fellow four-letter word Epic Pass, the Ikon offers seven days of skiing locally at Deer Valley, along with seven at Alta/Snowbird, Jackson Hole, Big Sky, Aspen/Snowmass and more, along with unlimited skiing at Steamboat, Squaw Valley, Winter Park and more, all for $899. You’re up, Vail. Ikonpass.com
Most Affordable Fun: Basin Recreation Fieldhouse
The best thing about this 87,000 square foot athletic center (other than the friendly staff) is the price. For seven bucks you get access to a splash pad, indoor turf field, batting cages, cardio machines, weight rooms, golf simulator, a two-lane running track, a four-lane lap pool and a hot tub. 1388 Center Drive, 435-655-0999, basinrecreation.org
Best Rotating Taps: Red Rock Brewing
In an age where brewers engage in an endless battle to out-hop their competitors, creative restraint is invigorating. Red Rock Brewing breaks the mold with their assortment of beers eschewing the usual microbrew clichés. The Special Bitter is an inspiringly smooth throwback ale worthy of your attention, especially when paired with the halibut fish and chips. 1640 W. Redstone Center Drive, Park City, 435-575-0295, redrockbrewing.com
Best Creative Social Lubricant: The Paint Mixer
Those among us who need a bit of coaxing and perhaps a touch of liquid courage to unleash our inner van Gogh will find a willing partner in The Paint Mixer. The studio aims to help people let loose and create, free from judgment. The 21+ classes partner with local brewers and distillers including RoHa, Proper and High West to help unleash the inspiration while putting brush to canvas. 738 Main Street, Park City, 435-604-0820, thepaintmixer.com
Best Way to Trade Corporatism for the Slopes: Inspired Summit Adventures
Want to avoid the rat race altogether when your head out to ski? Hook up with the guides at Inspired Summit Adventures for unparalleled solitude in the Uintas—home to Utah’s tallest peaks. The Park City-based duo of Shaun Raskin and Weston Deutschlander have an exclusive permit to lead you into the Uinta’s vast expanses with no traffic, no people and no tracks leaving you to enjoy private, custom tours and ski mountaineering courses. Inspiredsummit.com
Best Sporting Club to Join: Park City Curling Club
Aerials, halfpipe and skeleton are too risky. Nordic skiing and speed skating are too exhausting. How about a sport that appears suited to an in-competition beverage and Olympic heroes who look an awful lot like the rest of us? The Park City Curling Club has “Learn to Curl” events and regular league play to help us channel our inner John Schuster and be the athletes we were meant to be. 600 Gillmor Way, Park City, parkcitycurlingclub.com
Best Locally Made, Locally Played Film: Hereditary
Hereditary makes good on Park City’s cinematic potential. The film was produced locally at Park City Film Studios, premiered locally during Sundance, and had scenes filmed throughout town—including exterior shots of a home you can gawk at from the Iron Mountain side of the Timberline Chairlift at Park City Resort. On top of that, it’s a great horror film starring Toni Collette that signals Park City is ready for the big screen. A24films.com/films/hereditary
Best Restaurant For Varied Palates: Twisted Fern
Getting strict vegetarians, devout carnivores and opportunistic omnivores to agree on a restaurant can be like convincing Sharks and Jets to share west side real estate. Chef Adam Ross’s menu features a seasonal, vegetable-forward menu that will suit any dietary inclination with dishes stretching from an old-world vegan ratatouille to the open-faced Shorty Melt with braised short rib, apple-bacon sauerkraut and a fried egg. That’s what we call “range.” 1300 Snow Creek Drive, Park City, 435-731-8238, twistedfern.com
Best Way to Bring Tiki to the Mountain: St. Regis Whiskey Passion Fruit Fizz
A house made passion fruit compote sharpened by whiskey refreshes without becoming cloyingly sweet, presenting a new future for tropically-themed cocktails once limited to the realm of cliche. Ideally, you’ll find a seat on the patio. You won’t even miss the palm trees. Don’t forget to ask for the rosemary and olive oil popcorn. 2300 Deer Valley Drive East, 435-940-5700, stregisdeervalley.com
Best Way to Start Your Week: Yoga at Silver Star Ski and Sport
Nurture your mind and body with early morning yoga on the Silver Star Plaza, hosted by Silver Star Ski and Sport. These people know how to live life right. Mondays at 7:30 a.m. 1825 Three Kings Drive, 435-645-7827, silverstarskiandsport.com
Best Al Fresco Dining: DV Grocery Cafe
It’s not one of the most dramatic al fresco dining venues, but a casual meal on the balcony patio overlooking the lake is a rare scene spot to enjoy baked goods, soups, sandwiches and entrees prepared with Deer Valley’s signature excellence. Try the chicken curry wrap, wagyu beef skewers or shrimp tacos. Music on Sundays. 1375 Deer Valley Drive, 435-615-2400, deervalley.com
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