The lively High West Saloon is both a must-stop for visitors and a favorite of locals. Located below the Town Lift in the center of Old Town, it’s truly a ski-in destination for quality whiskey and inventive mountain cuisine. Overseeing all things drinks-related at the Saloon, the adjacent Nelson Cottage, and the High West Distillery in nearby Wanship, is Steve Walton, the Director of Beverage and Spirits. Walton originally moved to Park City for the snow, but he stuck around for many other reasons. He shares five of his Park City favorites below.
1. Snowboarding at Park City Mountain Resort
“Working at PCMR was the job that brought me to Park City, and I have a real big love for the resort for so many reasons. The most obvious is that it was where I met my wife working on the Bonanza lift, and now we have two daughters who also love the snow. We are on the hill every weekend ripping the magic carpets with my 4-year-old or hitting Little Joneses with my 7-year-old. PCMR is a great family resort with a large diversity of terrain options. You can find nice mellow, beginner runs to cruise with the family. If I’m lucky to get a good powder day to myself, I will head over to Jupiter Lift for some more gnarly terrain.”
2. Mountain biking on Jenni’s Trail to Empire Link
“I was shown this trail by a friend last summer and I could not get enough of it after I rode it once. It’s a super fun one-hour loop from the base of PCMR. You get the calorie burn from the pretty intensive ride up Jenni’s and the thrill of the ride down Empire Link. Round Valley is also a great area to ride, especially with the kids since the trails are mellower. Park City in general has amazing mountain biking and there is something for everyone here for all levels and ages.”
3. Five5eeds
“This little hidden gem is one of the best places for breakfast in town. I usually order the Pulled Pork Benedict with poached eggs and an apple hollandaise sauce, and it is absolutely delicious. As an Englishman living in Park City, I love that they use Vegemite in some the recipes—it’s a little polarizing for some, but I love it. They also have a great lunch menu and breakfast is served all day.”
4. Playing at Woodward Park City
“Growing up as a skateboarder in the ‘80s, Woodward would have been my dream come true as a kid. It’s also a good place for adults who refuse to grow up. It has everything from skateparks to trampolines. If you have an interest in extreme sports or just want to throw yourself around a bit, this is the place for you. It’s great for progression—there are foam pits and air bags to launch into when learning something new, and when you have the trick down you can take it to the hard surface. If you just want to take the kids, you can sit and watch while enjoying a cold beer or glass of wine.”
5. Rockport State Park
“During the summer months, we spend a lot of time at Rockport State Park. We have a paddleboard and an inflatable kayak and we are big fans of being by the water. It’s just a short drive from downtown Park City and a good way to escape the heat of summer. There is a nice sandy area where the kids can play, and we usually take horseshoe and corn hole with us for entertainment. There’s also a small marina where you can grab a bite to eat or rent a variety of watercrafts.”
Leave a Reply