Stein Eriksen Lodge: A Rocky Mountain Classic Where Sunday Brunch Astounds

An Arrival Circle Fit for an Olympian at Stein Eriksen Lodge

Since I moved to the Rockies nearly ten years ago, I’ve been cultivating a short list of renowned resorts that I’ve wanted to discover. (Anyone that reads this blog with any frequency knows that I love fine hotels and more importantly, the ambiance they create.) Let me see. There’s The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Sonnenalp in Vail and Sundance and Stein Eriksen Lodge in Utah. These are what I consider to be the crème de la crème of the old, established Rocky Mountain resorts and by the time I post this story, I will have experienced all of them. (Feel free to let me know if I’m missing any from this grouping! Yes, I know there are some great lodges in Montana and Wyoming, but I’ll save them for another day.)

There’s a reason these establishments have been world-renowned for decades. Actually at each, you can count many reasons, the biggest one perhaps being that it’s easy to create memories at these properties, unique moments that remain with you forever thanks to the overall feel of the resort. Details such as fresh flowers, hand-carved furnishings, a saloon with a creaky wooden floor and the uniforms sported by the people that work there also help to transport you to a different place.

Stein Lobby

Sunday Brunch Salad Spread at the Stein

At the Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, Utah, I delighted in their well-appointed accommodations as much as in their many Scandinavian influences that characterize the resort, the namesake of the famed slalom skier from Norway. From painted wood cabinetry to immense landscapes of the Norwegian countryside, most everywhere you turn there’s a hint of the Old World that to me, accentuates the alpine feel of the Rockies exceedingly well.

In many cases, there’s a standout moment at a resort that truly makes it unforgettable. I toured the Stein Eriksen’s award-winning spa which looked especially heartwarming, resplendent in earth tones and an understated, elegant decor. I never made it there, however, having opted to soak in the hot tub of my own private quarters instead. My hunny and I did thankfully decide to stay for Sunday brunch before heading out on our long drive back to Colorado, a decision that I’m sure we’ll always be grateful we made since here many wonderful memories were formed.

Omelette Station

As we sat on the deck soaking up the freshness and warmth of a fine spring day in the Rockies, we traded stories about the most memorable Sunday brunches we had ever enjoyed. The list was fairly short for both of us and from now on, we’re certain that Sunday brunch at the Stein Eriksen Lodge will rank as number one.

Named after the second highest mountain in Norway, Glitretind, the signature restaurant of the Stein, puts on a spread fit for royalty, or at least the most discriminating travelers and foodies around. Each week the chefs serve up a feast of appetizers, main dishes and desserts comprised of the finest ingredients, many sourced from local purveyors. From a seafood raw bar to succulent sirloin tips and eggs benedict to crème brulé topped with wild berries, the Glitretind’s buffet features exquisite food presented in a glorious manner. Here the emphasis is as much on quality as quantity. No wonder it is such a beloved weekly event for the resort.

The Sunday Brunch Dessert Table at Stein Eriksen Lodge

Glitretind Deck Where We Brunched

The Cozy Glitretind Interior in Winter

As I discovered recently, spring offers a sense of privacy and solitude that’s not always present during ski season. I imagine it’s the same for summer and fall. For me, experiencing a big-name resort outside of its busiest season offers one of the greatest privileges of all:  quiet luxury and sometimes the feeling that in certain corners, you have the whole place to yourself.

For a lovely romantic getaway, book a stay at the Stein Eriksen Lodge and be sure to stay for their Sunday brunch. It makes every get-together all the more special, even if you’re just brunching à deux.

Steve & Me Strolling at the Stein Just After Brunch a Couple of Weeks Ago Before the Leaves Began to Pop

Summer activities at Deer Valley include mountain biking and hiking. Just a short drive or shuttle ride away, Park City offers lots of great shopping, dining and culture. Check out their events calendar for more information.

A Park City Must:  The Egyptian Theatre

Most of the old mining towns in the West boast a historic theater or opera house that remain the talk of the town. Park City is no exception and I was thrilled to take in a show at their magnificently restored Egyptian Theatre, a landmark venue on Main Street dating back to the 1920s, adorned with hieroglyphics, scarabs, leaf motifs and a gold mine of other Egyptian symbols that woo everyone that enters. Over a hundred Egyptian Theatres were erected during this period which coincides with the discovery of King Tutankhamen’s tomb.  Only a handful remain today restored to their original splendiferous glory and surely this one must be among the finest.

Read The Penrose Room:  Colorado’s Pièce de Résistance for a peek into the world of The Broadmoor’s haute culinary scene. My story Romantic Getaway in the Heart of Utah’s Ski Country features Deer Valley, Park City, The Canyons and the above mentioned Sundance Resort. And keep in mind that Snowbird is less than an hour away from Deer Valley and the Stein; I report on this terrific ski area in Spring Skiing in Snowbird.