Montage Deer Valley

Montage Resorts made its name with a pair of Southern California originals, in Laguna Beach and Beverly Hills, and on the face of it, it seems surprising that they chose the ski town of Park City, Utah for their third act, the ski-in, ski-out Montage Deer Valley. But aside from a few technical details — a ski shop replaces surfing lessons, that sort of thing — hospitality is hospitality, whether it’s on the beach or halfway up a mountain.

With a little over 200 rooms it’s not small. But the ski-hotel experience can benefit greatly from the comforts and infrastructure that come with a larger-scale hotel. Here there’s room for five restaurants, a truly capacious spa complex complete with a generous fitness center and an indoor lap pool, and even a bowling alley. After all, at least in winter, you’re not just preparing to be snowed in, you’re actively hoping it will happen — and if you do feel stir crazy, Main Street Park City is just a few minutes away.

As for the accommodations, they’re large and luxurious, at minimum, and somewhat more than that when you splash out into suites and residences. They’re all perhaps a bit conservative in their visual style, but in a polished sort of way, with a minimum of alpine kitsch. And they’re faultless in terms of comfort, with gas fireplaces and marble baths standard from bottom to top. After a day on the mountain, you’ll need every little pleasure you can get.