The Ultimate Family Ski Holiday: Christmas at Deer Valley’s Stein Eriksen Lodge

If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Ski Moms, it’s that they like to plan ahead. Recently, I’ve seen an uptick in questions about Christmas ski holidays. While I can’t look into a crystal ball to predict where the early-season snow will be best, I can tell you about a spot where you can create incredible holiday memories in a sublime mountain setting—the Stein Eriksen Lodge at Deer Valley.

Holiday Planning 

I’ve been a fan of Deer Valley since the early days of my ski career. I’m not going to wax poetic about why I love the terrain so much (you can head [here] to find out more); instead, I want to focus on a particular type of fun to be had at Deer Valley—holiday fun.

Last year, my family of four decided to forgo traditional gifting and a home-based holiday in favor of a trip to Utah. To be honest, it was a gift to myself after a hectic year. I was eager to cut myself some slack. I know other working moms can relate to the pressure of creating the picture-perfect holiday (damn you, Hallmark Channel). And while I did put up a tree and send cards, I really kept my merry-making low key. I decided the professionals at the Stein Lodge in Deer Valley were going to make the magic happen for our family.

I hatched my plan around this time last summer (rooms sell out early at the Stein Lodge), and we rented a two-bedroom apartment at The Stein Lodge (TSL) for the days leading up to Christmas. Bottom line: it was worth every penny (except for the Christmas Day dinner—but we’ll get to that).

The Stein Lodge History and Present

TSL was a bit of a vanity project for Stein Eriksen, an Olympic gold medalist from Norway. Purportedly, he was a skier full of charisma, and his timing was impeccable. As skiing was entering its glam phase, he tapped into that energy, and in 1982, TSL opened as one of the first luxury condominium hotels in the United States.

The Stein is a slope-side property nestled in the heart of Deer Valley. It has 179 rooms, including singles, doubles, and suites. Park City offers a lot of luxury accommodations, but the combination of ski history, TSL’s commitment to preserving that history, and its dedication to luxury make it my personal favorite.

A Day in the Life

When we arrived for our Christmas holiday, the snow report was well below average (spoiler alert–we did get fresh snow during our stay). But once we stepped inside the lobby and took in all the holiday decorations, I knew we’d find the holiday spirit—even without endless powder.

After check-in, we meandered through the property to our luxury suite (room 105 1-2). We were thrilled with the mountain view, private hot tub, and enormous living space. The suite included three full bathrooms, a spacious main bedroom with a jacuzzi tub, and an incredible living room complete with a wood-burning fireplace and a Murphy bed (perfect for families larger than four). The room also had a full-size washer and dryer—and an enormous mudroom. It truly checked all the boxes.

The rhythm of our days was divine. My husband and I would wake early, grab a tea in the room, then head to the gym to stretch. From there, we’d pick up coffee at First Tracks Cafe and return to the suite for breakfast with the girls. We ordered groceries via Instacart (note: you’ll need to pick them up at the front desk—they don’t deliver to your room) and made a few quick, healthy breakfasts ourselves. We wanted to eat well and get out early to catch first tracks on the Sterling Express chairlift—right outside our door.

We’d click into our skis (which the ski valets had placed on the slope) and head to the lift. We did laps on Birdseye and Nabob, or took Homeward Bound to the gentle glades before venturing over to the world-famous Stein’s Black Diamond run and nearby peaks. We skied all morning, and as the slopes became more crowded and our secret stashes less private, we’d head back to the resort. (Tip: To get back to the lodge easily, take the Viking lift—otherwise, you’ll end up climbing the hill from Sterling Lake Lodge.)

The fire steward arrived promptly to light the fireplace and make our room cozy. Afternoons were a mix of spa time, hot tub sessions, reading by the fire, or heading into Park City to shop. Sometimes we returned to the slopes for a few final runs before lift closure—or simply continued enjoying the après scene.

Christmas Magic at The Stein Lodge

We were absolutely immersed in the Christmas spirit. The decorations at TSL are unmatched. I even cajoled my girls into a photo session by the spectacular gingerbread display. Each year, the back-of-house team at Stein’s creates a cookie masterpiece; during our visit, it was a hot air balloon. The balloon was over twelve feet tall and nearly six feet across at the top. The gingerbread display was inspired by an original Stein Eriksen Lodge hot air balloon that flew over Park City many years ago. It took more than 80 hours mixing, baking and decorating over 120 pounds of gingerbread—with more than 80 pounds of icing and over two and half pounds of cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg! It was more than a cookie, it was also a treasure hunt. The bakers had hidden a heart, a half dozen dinosaurs, a tree, a bell, a spooky ghost, five tiny reindeer and more.

If you need even more holiday spirit, there are nightly activities for younger kids—from holiday-themed movie nights to meet-and-greets with Santa.

For adult-style fun, I highly recommend the spa. (Insider tip: if you’re staying elsewhere, you can still use the pool and hotel grounds with a spa treatment booking.) Santa came a bit early for us—we had massages booked for the whole family on Christmas Eve. [Find out more about the spa here.]

Dining at the Stein

Breakfast: First Tracks Cafe offers espresso drinks (they use local Mill Creek Coffee) and house-made pastries. We made breakfast in our suite most mornings, but in-season, breakfast is also available in the main hotel.

Lunch: Glitretind Restaurant serves a sublime Skier’s Buffet (reservations recommended), featuring everything from sushi and poke bowls to fresh salads and a decadent dessert station. It’s a splurge worth pairing with a big ski day. Otherwise, Deer Valley boasts many excellent on-mountain dining options. [Check out this dining guide here.]

Dinner: The Glitretind Restaurant’s holiday dinner was wildly expensive—and, frankly, not worth it. The service was rushed and felt completely out of character for TSL. In retrospect, we should’ve booked the Fireside Dinner for Christmas Eve. While the restaurant was lovely and we made the best of it, we won’t be repeating that experience.

Beyond Deer Valley, I highly recommend Courcevel Club in Park City (201 Heber Ave, Park City, UT 84060; reservations are a must)). We had a fantastic meal there during our stay.

Après: While our fancy Christmas Eve dinner was a bust, TSL absolutely shines when it comes to après. If you can swing it, reserve one of the outdoor Stein Alpenglobes. These heated domes sit on the deck overlooking the slopes—perfect for catching a sunset or warming up in style during a snowstorm. You can order off the menu and enjoy full service. If the globes are fully booked, no worries—head to the Troll Hallen Lounge. It’s first-come, first-seated and has an excellent vibe.

Planning Details

In the Ski Moms community, I’m often asked whether a car rental is necessary. Most families prefer not to drive—and at TSL, you absolutely don’t need a car. We had a mishap with our rental (Sixt had sold out despite our reservation), and we ended up carless. It turned out to be a blessing. TSL offers a free resort shuttle service that’s prompt and incredibly convenient for getting around Park City and Deer Valley. It’s app-based: once downloaded, you simply alert them when you need a ride. Our wait times ranged from 5–20 minutes. The shuttles varied from shared vans to private SUVs, with service into downtown Park City.

In addition to dining, TSL has a number of boutiques on property. You could easily outfit yourself for a stylish ski day or grab last-minute gifts. I also highly recommend working with Ski Butlers for gear rentals.

One last note: We did have a problem with the concierge before our visit. When I booked the trip last summer, I reached out to secure our favorite dining experiences. I was told it was too early and to check back. I did check back in the fall, and clearly spelled out my preferences via text and email. They were “confirmed” over the phone, and I didn’t think about it again—until a few weeks before our trip.

When I tried to add the reservations to our itinerary, I realized I didn’t have the exact times. I contacted the concierge team, and they had no record of my requests—nor did they have availability. Turns out, the person I’d worked with over the summer had been let go. This wasn’t a press trip, but I did play the influence card. Don’t judge me.

I shared all our correspondence (thankfully I’d kept notes and screenshots), and the concierge team sprang into action. I don’t know how they pulled it off, but we secured all our preferred reservations. My advice: triple-confirm your dining plans and keep a record of whom you speak with. Once on property, the concierge staff was warm, helpful, and eager to solve problems.

Final Notes

All in all, the trip was stress-free, delightfully unstructured, and the perfect antidote to a busy year. The resort’s coziness fostered real connection and relaxation. I actually finished a book—and we played countless games of spades. It was that rare ski vacation where I came home rested. I was ready to book again for the following year—but, alas, I was already too late. Everything was booked.

So for now, I’ll savor the memories of Christmas past and start dreaming up our next holiday ski adventure. Book your trip here.

More Deer Valley

To complement your article on spending Christmas at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, here are three relevant Momtrends articles to include at the bottom for readers seeking more information:

1. Deer Valley: The Ultimate Luxury Ski Resort for Families
   This comprehensive guide covers everything from booking tips to dining recommendations, making it an excellent resource for families planning a ski holiday in Deer Valley. Mom Trends
2. Favorite Deer Valley Dining Experiences
   Explore a curated list of dining options in Deer Valley, from casual bites to fine dining, perfect for readers interested in culinary experiences during their stay. Mom Trends
3. Plan a Day at the Stein Eriksen Spa at Deer Valley
   For those looking to unwind, this article offers insights into the spa services available at Stein Eriksen Lodge, enhancing the relaxation aspect of their holiday. Mom Trends

Including these links will provide your readers with valuable information to enhance their Deer Valley experience.

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