As editors at our sister publication Salt Lake magazine have done for decades,PCLife editors have selected the stars in five categories (below). Readers had the chance to weigh in, too—see the final tally of their votes in our Best of Park City: Readers’ Choice.
Disagree with our picks? Let us know at editor@ParkCityLifeMag.com to continue the discussion.
Family Fun
Best frozen yogurt (seriously)
Owners Joseph and Sue Anne Kim are always ready with a smile and love to snap photos of patrons for their digital photo screen. Nestled in The Market at Park City, Yodipity is accessible from numerous bike paths. (Use it as a stopping point after biking from McPolin Farm or City Park.) Deck out your favorite flavor with more than 50 toppings running the gamut from fresh lychee to mini gummy bears. Closed Sundays. 1500 Snow Creek Drive.
435-655-2777
Best concert series for families
Pack a picnic and your favorite blanket for these free uber family-friendly mid-week concerts. Kids dance in front of the stage or toss Frisbees on the lawn while adults catch up and enjoy a meal al fresco. Rain or shine, Wednesday nights through August at Deer Valley’s Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. 2250 Deer Valley Drive, 6–8 p.m. Leave your dogs at home!
Best weekend activity (without snow)
Photo courtesy of Park Silly Sunday Market
It’s the perfect lazy Park City summer Sunday morning: heading over to thePark Silly Sunday Market (bike, bus, or walk from City Park), noshing at booths of gourmet and specialty treats ranging from Bloody Mary’s to Maine lobster rolls while perusing an eclectic bazaar of art, jewelry, and clothing. Group yoga classes, art yards, fencing, hula hooping, dancing, music, fire breathing, metalsmithing and unicycling are just a few of the rubberneck worthy activities going on. Sundays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., June 7–Sept. 20 on Lower Main Street.
Best family outing
Thrill-seekers will love Park City Mountain Resort’s Alpine Slide, Alpine Coaster, and ZipRider, while tamer folk can take in a scenic lift ride or round of mini golf. Treat the littles to a ride on the merry-go-round, airplanes or mini train in the Little Miner’s Amusement Park. Snack shack and frozen treats on site. 435-649-8111, parkcitymountain.com
Best new family sport
Get the best of both worlds on the water in the mountains. Park City Standup Paddling does it all, from tours along the Jordanelle Reservoir or Weber River to classes, clinics, SUP yoga and fitness. Summer rentals available daily include board, paddle and PFD. Don’t forget sunscreen! 801-558-9878
Best place to score a birthday present
Stuffed to the ceiling with the latest and greatest from Schleich, Playmobil, and Lego, this amazing toy store stocks everything from an eye-popping array of nostalgic candy to catapult-wielding elephants and vintage toys like the Slinky. Purchase a velvet pouch of J.W. Allen & Sons nickels (wooden $5 tokens redeemed in store) for that extra special birthday boy or girl and let them pick their own gift. 1675 Redstone Center Dr., 435-575-8697
Shopping & Services
Best path to tranquility
Jump-start your body’s ability to heal itself with Chinese herbal medicine, auricular acupressure and acupuncture and electro-mineral lamps at Dr. Ding Hai Chinese Health Clinic and Herbal Store. Dr. Ding Hai’s four principles of healing employ deep breathing, eliminating negative energy, rinsing with warm water and foot soaking. 1910 Prospector Ave., 435-513-3749
Best place to find the perfect pair
Well-stocked with the latest styles from Frye, Ugg, Jeffrey Campbell, Seychelles and Hunter, Mary Jane’s specializes in helping their customers find the right fit and look. An added bonus: MJ’s also houses a great selection of women’s apparel and accessories. 613 Main St., 435-645-7463
Best beauty fix
Splendor Beauty Emporium provides the luxury feel of a personal shopping experience without the hassle of a cosmetic counter. With brands like Lalicious, Philosophy, Laura Mercier, Dermologica, Smashbox, Lavanila, Colorescience and more, it opens up a world of possibilities, or provides a great gift for a lucky friend. 1635 W. Redstone Center Dr., 435-575-1800
Best source for wearable art
Designer Ron S. Butkovich of RSB Designs draws from art and nature to craft unconventional, organic pieces, primarily using the techniques of lost wax and fabrication. These handcrafted pieces, derived from precious metals and stones, are mini sculptures. 1101 Park Ave., 435-649-4700
Best self-indulgent haircut
With a contemporary woven tile interior and a sanctuary-like “wash room” (complete with soft lighting, subdued music and a scalp or shoulder massage), a trip to Lunatic Fringe feels like an escape. Complimentary snacks and beverages and iPad minis loaded with 100+ magazines makes waiting under the drier feel like a staycation. 4343 UT-224, #202, 435-658-0298
Best beauty feast
Nourish your body with organic juices and vegan or gluten-free baked treats, sandwiches, soups and salads at Park City’s only locally owned community market and café. Fairweather Natural Foods offers a variety of local and organic produce, whole food vitamins, herbal remedies and holistic skin care products, for beauty inside and out. 1270 Iron Horse Dr., 435-649-4561
Best spa treatment
Release stress and tension, restore energy, and strengthen concentration with a rejuvenating Bindi Beauty Treatment at Waldorf Astoria Spa. The warm herb exfoliation combined with a Dasha Oil massage and finished with a cocoon wrap allows the body to detoxify and stimulates circulation. Float, rather than walk, back into regular life. $230 for 75 minutes. 2100 Frostwood Dr., 435-647-5555
Best style advice
Vanessa Di Palma Wright at Farasha Boutique, photo by Adam Finkle
Visit the showroom at Farasha Boutique for the latest unique designers scouted from the U.S. and around the globe, then consult with owner Vanessa Di Palma Wright for personalized services, such as wardrobe editing and revamping, styling and full production photoshoots. 605 Main St.,435-649-3123
Get Outdoors
Best spectator event
The FIS World Cup Moguls at Deer Valley Resort, photo courtesy of Deer Valley
The FIS Freestyle World Cup comes to Deer Valley Resort each winter, bringing with it world-class athletes and an all-world party atmosphere. The World Cup is full of great events, but nothing brings those aforementioned things together like the Dual Moguls finals. Top skiers battle it out under the lights on the imposing mogul course down Champion ski run while a well–lubricated swarm of locals and visitors goes bananas for big air and bigger spills.
Best non-skiing winter thrill
Sometimes you just need to hear the distinctive roar of a two-stroke engine and let loose through the mountains. Thousand Peaks Snowmobile Adventuresdelivers incredibly consistent snow thanks to its high-elevation terrain accessed on 60,000 acres of Utah’s largest private ranch. With that much real estate, brand new snow machines each season and easy access from Park City, there’s a pristine backcountry experience for riders of all levels. 900 Weber Canyon Rd., Oakley, 888-304-7669
Best tune for your skis
It’s a pretty safe bet that the folks trusted to tune skis for elite alpine racers can handle the boards upon which the rest of us struggle to french fry down the groomers. Jan’s Rennstall and Wintersteiger technicians are the best in the business, whether you’re looking for a precise edge bevel or simply trying to fill a core shot after some ill-advised early season tree skiing. Jans Mountain Outfitter, 1600 Park Avenue, 435-649-1833
Best fly fishing expertise
Nothing’s more reassuring than a Gone Fishin’ sign on the door of your local fly fishing shop. It’s not as though you’ll frequently turn up to a vacant building at Trout Bum 2, but you can take stock in the fact that the employees you don’t see in the store are out on the river. When they are in the shop, Trout Bum 2’s experts are armed with firsthand knowledge of what’s happening on the river, so they can point you in the right direction and help put the right fly on the end of your line. 4343 Highway 224, 435-658-1166
Best indoor fix for the outdoors
Let’s face it: Not every day is sunny, warm and beautiful. But thanks to The Mine Bouldering Gym, that doesn’t mean you’ll be left out in the cold. Parkites can now get their fix for adventure and get a decent workout even when a monsoon blows through town. The Mine’s 4,000-plus square feet of climbing walls have routes of all difficulty levels, and yoga classes give you the opportunity to stay active even when your fingers need a rest. 1680 Ute Blvd., 435-655-6463
Best so-called bike race
Park City’s new IMBA gold status makes it, seriously, one of the best places to bike in the country. But don’t take that too seriously. Consider Tour des Sudsmountain bike race. With over 2,700 feet of climbing, it takes some serious legs and lungs to complete. But the race, which will be held on Sept. 20 this year, is less about fighting lactic acid buildup than it is about wearing crazy costumes, riding bikes and getting weird on the trails with a great group of people.
Best bike tune-up
When your bicycle starts making noises like a Soviet-era tank, it’s time for a little more TLC than just a dab of chain grease. Storm Cycles is relatively new in town, but their mechanics have been around the block (and a finicky rear derailleur) more than a few times. They’ll have your bike running smooth in no time. 1680 Ute Blvd., 435-200-9120
Arts & Entertainment
Best Sundance venue
When the hullabaloo of Sundance descends on Park City, hype swamps everything, from which artsy film is most obscure to which celebrity wore the most ridiculous fur coat. Sometimes you just need something authentic. The Egyptian Theatre is a beacon amid the Main Street madness. The classic marquee out front signals that this isn’t merely some basement viewing room. Even if the film is a flop, the Egyptian is always a hit. 328 Main St., 435-649-9371
Best art for every aficionado
Perfect for families and the more casual art fans among us, Park City Kimball Arts Festival is something everyone can enjoy regardless of how many art history classes you slept through. Proving that art doesn’t need to be intimidating and exclusive, festival-goers can watch live music on multiple stages or stop into one of several beer gardens for a refreshment while perusing world-class art representing myriad genres up and down Main Street.
Best Main Street music
It doesn’t matter if you’re a bluegrass fiend, a hip-hop aficionado, an electronic enthusiast, a reggae zealot or a country devotee; there’s one place in Park City you should be keeping tabs on to catch your favorite acts. Park City Liveconsistently books the top talent in town, and the venue holds just the right number of people for lively yet intimate performances. 427 Main St., 435-649-9123
Best locals film experience
The Sundance Film Festival’s wild popularity and ever-widening global footprint means it’s harder than ever to get access to the movies people want to see, but the Sundance Institute doesn’t leave Parkites hanging in the warmer months. The Stars Under the Stars film screenings at City Park are free, family-friendly opportunities to view some outstanding independent films. This summer’s slate includes Racing Extinction on July 10 and Being Evel on Aug. 14.
Best après ski experience
Photo courtesy of The Corner Store
Après shouldn’t be conflated with highfalutin’ surroundings and convoluted cocktail recipes. The Corner Store Pub & Grill does away with pretentious trappings and excels at the things that matter most: food, beverages and atmosphere. Grab a cheap brew and a basket of waffle fries before checking out the free music on the patio in the springtime. It’s also the place ski patrollers gather after work on Fridays. Is that enough cred for you? 1325 Lowell Ave., Park City, 435-645-8666
Best live music with your meal
The Viking Yurt sits at 8,000 feet on the slopes of Park City Mountain Resort, making it an unlikely candidate for an evening of entertainment. Folks need to board a snow cat to get up there, but those who make the trek up for dinner are treated to live performances on a baby grand piano every night of the week. While you can’t just wander in off Main Street, live music, gourmet cuisine and an improbable location mean The Viking Yurt serves up the finest sonic accoutrements. 435-615-9878
Food & Dining
Best java with a view
Hugo Coffee’s nitrogen-infused cold brew, photo by Adam Finkle
Hugo Coffee’s nitrogen-infused cold brew isn’t some drab mug of used motor oil. The cold brew is served from a tap in a beer mug, and the drinking experience it delivers is shockingly reminiscent of a Guinness. Add in Hugo’s panoramic view of the Olympic Park and surrounding hills and you’ve got a superlative cup of joe. 1794 Olympic Pkwy., 435-655-5015
Best take out
At Windy Ridge Cafe, choose from meatloaf, farfalle primavera, roasted turkey or grilled salmon with salad, bread, veggies and mashed potato sides. Set a nice table and spoon into your own dishes or serve à la carte. Portions are sized for four, but can squeeze five for kids. Allow 20 minutes. Pick-up after 5 p.m. $27.1250 Iron Horse Dr., 435-647-0880
Best sushi roll
Sushi Blue chef Adam Compton’s homage to time spent in Lima draws from the Peruvian tiradito, a dish of raw fish in spicy sauce that reflects the influence of Japanese immigrants on Peruvian cuisine. A cousin to ceviche, tiradito is sliced, not chopped, and washed in lime juice rather than marinated. This lively roll offers refreshing layers of salmon, jalapeño, avocado, and cilantro topped with kanpachi, kiwi salsa and tajin spice. 571 W. Redstone Drive, 435-575-4272
Best DIY dining
Shabu Shabu House offers a hands-on experience that puts the fun back in dining. Gather around a table inset with individual cook pots and create your own Japanese hot pot from a selection of Kobe beef, shrimp, chicken, fish balls, veggies and sauces. Bonus: The meal isn’t finished until your server adds a hearty portion of Udon noodles to your well-seasoned broth. 1612 Ute Blvd., 435-658-9829
Best slopeside drink
There is something vaguely Bond-esque about ascending in the glass and leather funicular at St. Regis Deer Valley (or better yet, schussing in) to the ultra swanky bar at the St. Regis. Soothe fatigued muscles and wind-burned cheeks with the Ginger Margarita, a refreshing blend of sweet and spicy. 2300 Deer Valley Dr., 435-940-5700. Ski in via Deer Valley’s Carpenter Chair.
Best secret gourmet lunch
A trip to the hospital usually means you’re having a bad day, but Chef Jason Kieffer is changing that. The Silver King Café in the Park City Medical Center serves up gourmet cuisine at reasonable prices. “We change the menu every day to keep things fresh for guests who come in repeatedly throughout the week,” says Kieffer. “I love coming up with new dishes, and it seems to keep everybody in the community happy.” It’s our pick for lunch, but the Café does breakfast and dinner, too. 900 Round Valley Dr., 435-658-7000
Click here for our Best of Park City: Readers’ Choice
WEB EXTRA: What did we miss in our Best of Park City? Let us know onFacebook for a chance to win $50 to the Egyptian Theatre. Click here for details.
Back>>>Read more stories from Park City Life’s July/August 2015 issue.
