Returning to Stein Eriksen Lodge, Deer Valley: A Recent Winter Adventure.

Stein Eriksen Lodge and Residences outline the which means of legacy, as it’s named for Stein Eriksen himself, who lived a few years within the coronary heart of Deer Valley, Utah, on the lodge named after him. This Lodge is three miles north from Park City, whose altitude lies between 6570 and 9570 ft. The Stein Erikson Lodge lies within the center, at 8100 ft. We landed there may be probably the most related winter — when it comes to constant snowfall– since recorded time there. 500 plus inches, and after we have been there, nonetheless falling.

Doug Burke – Stein Eriksen Lodge

The suite the place we resided was distinctive, as there have been two fireplaces, an outside sizzling tub, within the grasp rest room a big soaking bathtub, and bathe, as effectively close to the bed room and lounge was a full kitchen. Our transportation, with gleaming silver Lincoln Navigators took us from place to position, then upon our return, we went in our foyer, and felt once more the heat of woodburning fireplaces, the scent of leather-based chairs, mingled with bowls of contemporary Gala and Winesap apples, with pitchers of sizzling chocolate not far-off.

Stein Eriksen Lodge

Resting on deep leather-based foyer chairs, we additionally observed the visitors this resort attracted: multi-generational, from probably the most devoted, resolute, snowboarding adults to households with little skiers — all effectively attended to, as not solely is the lodge ski-in, ski-out, however has ski butlers, ski concierges, and ski guides to assist visitors from probably the most inexperienced to probably the most surefooted — taking place and across– from downhill to cross country– with entry to heli-skiing and snowmobiling.

Stein Eriksen Lodge

The resort was based by Stein Erikson himself, an individual born in Oslo, Norway — and little doubt at all times felt the needful communion with snow and the nice outdoor. He is understood for profitable a number of Olympic gold for Men’s Giant slalom, Eriksen was the primary male alpine ski racer from outdoors the Alps to win an Olympic gold medal. He additionally gained three gold medals on the 1954 World Championships in Åre, Sweden.[4] Other accomplishments embody being credited with devising “aerials”, a freestyle snowboarding occasion, and serving to revolutionize the world of alpine snowboarding within the United States. For his Olympic medals, Eriksen earned the Holmenkollen Medal in 1952. And his resort has additionally gained a number of awards: the World’s Best Ski Hotel and Utah’s solely Forbes Five-Star lodge and spa, a number of years working.

Stein Eriksen, snowboarding in his 80’s – Stein Eriksen Lodge

We have been gratified, a number of years in the past, to fulfill Mr. Eriksen when he was in his 80’s, on the Trophy Case — exhibiting all his trophies and medals contained in the Lodge. not for an interview, however simply to fulfill this man — who was in higher form in his 80’s than we are going to ever be in our 80’s. Or 50’s. It was mentioned that he skied daily he may, till he handed peacefully, just a few years in the past, at 88. What he left was a residing resort legacy, one that’s now a four-season vacation spot that mixes all dimensions of Winter sports activities, however in Spring and Summer, a lot exercise abides as effectively: mountain mountaineering, mountain biking, open air music festivals and golf.

Sleigh Riding at Stein Eriksen

When we have been there, with the five hundred inches of snow, we knew: for many who ski, it was paradise discovered. For those that snowmobiled, it was the expertise of a lifetime.

Snowmobiling with the Wasatch Back mountains in background.

On at some point in late afternoon, we accepted an invite by Summit Meadow Adventures, about ½ hour from Stein Eriksen, to go on their hardy Ski-Doos, far into the snowfields of Wasatch Back mountain vary. The Wasatch Back is a area within the northern Rocky Mountains that features Park City, Deer Valley, and different cities the place snow tubing, snowboarding, and snowboarding is wintertime de rigueur. This space is true white wilderness, with crisp white snow un-jutted, away from ski or animal tracks. We went deep into snow territory, watching a lot of the Wasatch Back peaks turn into silver, as ice have been forming as a result of it was getting hotter that afternoon. We understood but once more, as we noticed the virgin panorama, the which means, not often felt, of winter serenity, replete with needful silence and style.

Jim Fairchild – Stein Eriksen Lodge

But then got here dinner in an AlpenGlobe. These distinctive, clear domes provide a climate-controlled and absolutely enclosed environment with a panoramic Deer Valley view. When we have been there, we noticed sleigh rides drawn by horses. Our hostess mentioned a lot of the time, these have been ordered when gents would suggest to his supposed within the sleigh. Romantic past perception as we sat within the AlpenGlobe, observing. And after all, consuming.

The meals served within the AlpenGlobe was from the Troll Hallen menu — the menu was NOT created by Norwegian trolls, however from a number of govt cooks. The meals at Stein Eriksen was at all times substantial, partly as a result of when snowboarding, or snowmobiling, and even mountaineering, the meals you eat should enable power to climb and stroll and ski and snowmobile. So, at Troll Hallen, and one in every of their main eating venues, Glitretind, named after the second highest mountain in Norway, the delicacies is substantial and scrumptious.

Chateaux at Deer Valley

The Chateaux at Deer Valley

Stein Eriksen Black Spruce Luxury Home

But there have been different choices in residing, eating, and experiencing Winter, as we realized that the Stein Erikson Lodge and suites is only one a part of the Stein Erikson life expertise. There are many luxurious choices — the Stein Eriksen residences, the Chateaux at Deer Valley in addition to the Stein Collection of Luxury Homes, with rents starting from $6,000 to $20,000 per evening. All have been created to fill the wants of visitor winter and summer time luxurious lives, with experiences that can outline legacy –as they are going to be memorable for a number of generations– 24-hour concierge, non-public cooks, meal supply, transportation, itinerary planning, and no matter else one must make the visitor correlation between luxurious and legacy.

After leaving Stein Eriksen, vivid recollections stay, as they at all times do after a terrific Winter expertise. But what outmoded all the nice meals, the snowmobiling on the Wasatch Back, and snowboarding and in deep powder, touching the huge icicles glazed by the winter solar, we got here to be taught and really feel for the primary time, that Winter could be as festive, and it may be fearsome. We bathed within the pleasure of this ambivalence, realizing we may spend many future Winters right here, studying climate in skyclouds above, whereas being touched by the shimmering snow beneath.

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