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Mommy Gearest

Real life. Real reviews.

Black Bear Lodge review (Park City, Utah)

By 154 Comments

Step one: land in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Step two: take in your surroundings (snow-capped mountains? Check. Reminiscent Olympic vibe? Check. Church of Latter Day Saints? Undetected, which is unfortunate because they make the best commercials ever).

Step three: make the winding, 30-minute drive up to the Deer Valley ski resort area and check in at Black Bear Lodge.

And thanks to Resorts West and the fine folks of Park City, I made the Black Bear Lodge home for a few days — the perfect spot to explore local skiing, shopping, restaurants and watering holes.

Black Bear Lodge in Park City, Utah

THE GOOD

Sitting firmly at 7,200′ elevation, midway up the mountain, Black Bear Lodge is right in the heart of the Deer Valley resort. It’s steps from one of the most established rental shops in the state (go out the front doors, turn left, stay on the same side of the road and walk about one minute) and only a few steps more to a chair lift.

You’ll feel nestled into a cozy, little ski village. With lovely views both up and down the windy road that leads you to the Lodge.

The condos here are what I call rustic-luxe. They have that whole cowboy-goes-to-Hollywood-and-buys-a-ROLEX thing happening — which is fitting since this is where Robert Redford’s famous Sundance Film Festival is held each year (Park City, that is; not the Black Bear Lodge itself). It’s not hard to get comfortable in these condos, and the luxury feels relaxed and understated, but it’s definitely high-end.

rustic ski chalets in park city

Each condo has a balcony with a hot tub, which is refilled daily and heated by 4 p.m., ready for all your après needs. If you have a room with a great view, you’ll love tubbing at night with all of Deer Valley’s lights in the distance. It’s ridiculously pretty.

hot tub apres ski in deer valley

(Photo taken by Sam Geer of Avenue PR, minutes before we all jumped in with a glass of wine in-hand.)

Your condo’s also fully equipped with a kitchen and dining room. A full-sized fridge, oven/stove, double sink and enough pots, pans, plates, glassware and cutlery for even the biggest family. OK, maybe not The Duggars or anything, but you get my drift.

Black Bear Lodge beds are very comfortable. And huge. I had a king bed all to myself (glorious!), and it was perched so high that I had to jump up to get into it. There were so many covers that I actually got too warm some nights, which is unusual for me because I’m that girl with perpetually cold feet.

family condos in park city

Each room will also have its own ensuite, and then there was a communal third bathroom in our two-bedroom condo as well. The toiletries provided were nice, too.

I loved the decor. As I mentioned, Black Bear Lodge Deer Valley has a very rustic look and feel. I’m talking horns on the walls, wheat sheaf art, a stone hearth and bedframes made out of actual logs. It’s got high-end, back-country cabin written all over it.

You can bring your ski gear right into the condo and keep it in the front hall. No storage lockers necessary. And I much prefer this — so much more convenient than traipsing a family’s worth of skis and poles to and from a locker.

So. Much. Space. This is definitely one of the biggest condos I’ve stayed in. Between the two bedrooms and living room pullout sofa, you could sleep seven people. Then there are the three bathrooms I mentioned, plus the living room, dining room and kitchen. And two huge balconies. You won’t be tripping over yourselves or be hard-pressed to find space to unpack at Black Bear Lodge. It also means you’ll really be able to relax here. I know I did.

It’s a little thing, but I need to note how good the elevator is. It mostly seemed to open the second I pushed the button or was there in less than a minute otherwise.

There was a beautiful heated outdoor pool not 10 paces from our condo door:

Black Bear Lodge outdoor heated pool

Even the lobby was a nice spot to sit and read a magazine or newspaper, have a coffee and generally just plunk oneself in front of a roaring fire.

THE GAFFE

Get ready to spend. This is not econo-lodging. Black Bear Lodge’s rustic luxe-ness doesn’t come cheap. Your budget will need to handle anywhere from US$800 to $2,300 per night for one of these condos. And while I don’t ordinarily consider price a gaffe just because it’s on the higher-than-average side, I do believe that you should get premium service and experiences for a premium price tag. For an average nightly stay of US$1,500, I would expect a set of robes and slippers in each bathroom along with daily housekeeping. Without robes, it made it much colder trying to get to the pool across the hall or to après with friends on another floor. The absence of daily housekeeping meant beds weren’t made when we came back from skiing nor did we have fresh dishes to use when we wanted to eat in the condo.

The bathrooms could use a design update. But more important is the hot water situation. I was having a shower one day, and not five minutes in, I lost all the hot water. It was sudden, and IT WAS COLD. I stepped out and left it the water running for several more minutes in hope of it being just a fluctuation, but I didn’t get any hot water back. Strangely, I turned on the tap and got hot water immediately.

Black Bear Lodge is not a ski-in and -out property, though it comes close. However, with small kids in tow, you will have to carry all of your gear to the chair lift.

For visitors arriving “after hours,” you need to know that Black Bear Lodge is operated by two property management companies: Wyndham Vacation Rentals and Resorts West. Because it’s not a hotel per se, there isn’t someone at the front desk 24/7. So if you aren’t planning to arrive between, say, 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., be sure you get the check-in details from whomever you’ve booked the condo. Not exactly ideal but if you arrive knowing your check-in will differ slightly, it won’t be as much of a pain.

THE GEARS

4/5

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Comments

  9. I love the cozy vibe of this place! It seems perfect being that it is cozy but also luxurious. And that king bed? Nothing is better than a homey place with a big king sized bed to come “home” to after a long day out in the snow.

    Reply

  10. I love the cozy vibe of this place! It seems perfect being that it is cozy but also luxurious. And that king bed? Nothing is better than a homey place with a big king sized bed to come “home” to after a long day out in the snow.

    Reply

  11. I have never been here but I have been to Jackson Hole in Wyoming and talk about fun! Too bad the exchange rate is a killer right now.

    Reply

  12. I have never been here but I have been to Jackson Hole in Wyoming and talk about fun! Too bad the exchange rate is a killer right now.

    Reply

  21. Good to hear that the condo is huge! It’s a must for a family with a lot of snow equipment. I have yet to stay in a place that has a hot tub on the balcony! I would be in there everyday!

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  22. Good to hear that the condo is huge! It’s a must for a family with a lot of snow equipment. I have yet to stay in a place that has a hot tub on the balcony! I would be in there everyday!

    Reply

  23. The Annual National Sweepstakes Convention was in Salt Lake in 2013. This looks so much more inviting. Looks like I am due to make another trip to Utah!

    Reply

  24. The Annual National Sweepstakes Convention was in Salt Lake in 2013. This looks so much more inviting. Looks like I am due to make another trip to Utah!

    Reply

  27. I wouldn’t visit to go skiiing. It would be just a quiet retreat to regroup and refresh the batteries. Love the cabin, just my style! Ohhhh and the pool, my gosh, I’d be in heaven. Now only to win the lotto -lol-

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  28. I wouldn’t visit to go skiiing. It would be just a quiet retreat to regroup and refresh the batteries. Love the cabin, just my style! Ohhhh and the pool, my gosh, I’d be in heaven. Now only to win the lotto -lol-

    Reply

  29. I am not much of a skier but this sounds lovely! The hot tub on the balcony would be where I situated myself lol 🙂

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  30. I am not much of a skier but this sounds lovely! The hot tub on the balcony would be where I situated myself lol 🙂

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  31. Your pics are great! Those rooms look really nice with the hot tub and the pool not too far away. I agree with you about the cost of the room and what you get for it — it seems like there should have been more amenities included in the price.

    Reply

  32. Your pics are great! Those rooms look really nice with the hot tub and the pool not too far away. I agree with you about the cost of the room and what you get for it — it seems like there should have been more amenities included in the price.

    Reply

  33. Each suite with a balcony and a hot tub! So blissful. Plus they ensure the hot tub is heated by 4pm. I am so there

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  34. Each suite with a balcony and a hot tub! So blissful. Plus they ensure the hot tub is heated by 4pm. I am so there

    Reply

  43. woah that looks so beautiful, I don’t ski but that looks amazing to get away and just take a hike but to sit in that hot tub love it

    Reply

  44. woah that looks so beautiful, I don’t ski but that looks amazing to get away and just take a hike but to sit in that hot tub love it

    Reply

  51. The cost is a bit out of my budget but I would love to stay here if I could. That hot tub with that view! Amazing!

    Reply

  52. The cost is a bit out of my budget but I would love to stay here if I could. That hot tub with that view! Amazing!

    Reply

  87. Wow it is beautiful I have been interested in Utah with its old west ties and gorgeous wild spaces. It must have been a great experience for you and your family! It reminds me a little of Banff Alberta. Working on getting my passport so I can visit the states. Great photos.!

    Reply

  88. Wow it is beautiful I have been interested in Utah with its old west ties and gorgeous wild spaces. It must have been a great experience for you and your family! It reminds me a little of Banff Alberta. Working on getting my passport so I can visit the states. Great photos.!

    Reply

  99. This lodge is the type of accommodations we would enjoy a lot when we travel. However the prices are too far from our budget to allow a visit.

    Reply

  100. This lodge is the type of accommodations we would enjoy a lot when we travel. However the prices are too far from our budget to allow a visit.

    Reply

  103. Woozers, that is expensive. Maybe if I win the lottery. But that place looks amazing!!! Those views. Would love to visit Utah one day.

    Reply

  104. Woozers, that is expensive. Maybe if I win the lottery. But that place looks amazing!!! Those views. Would love to visit Utah one day.

    Reply

  105. wow this looks like an awesome place , i have never went skiing before , but the place is gorgeous 🙂

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  106. wow this looks like an awesome place , i have never went skiing before , but the place is gorgeous 🙂

    Reply

  109. Oh my goodness that looks inviting. I haven’t skied in years but I could easily relax in front of that fireplace. hubby would love to get some skis on!

    Reply

  110. Oh my goodness that looks inviting. I haven’t skied in years but I could easily relax in front of that fireplace. hubby would love to get some skis on!

    Reply

  121. Wow, this place looks lovely, especially that heated pool. It would be perfect after a day of skiing.

    Reply

  122. Wow, this place looks lovely, especially that heated pool. It would be perfect after a day of skiing.

    Reply

  123. I’m really not a winter person, I don’t ski, skate or participate in any other winter sport activities. This is a gorgeous lodge with wonderful amenities but well above what I’d be willing to spend to be there. 🙂

    Reply

  124. I’m really not a winter person, I don’t ski, skate or participate in any other winter sport activities. This is a gorgeous lodge with wonderful amenities but well above what I’d be willing to spend to be there. 🙂

    Reply

  125. I don’t ski, but this place looks amazing..except for the cold water in the shower, that would give you a wake up call..lol

    Reply

  126. I don’t ski, but this place looks amazing..except for the cold water in the shower, that would give you a wake up call..lol

    Reply

  127. Sound like a lovely place to stay although way out of my price range. Maybe someday I’ll win the lottery and be able to check it out.

    Reply

  128. Sound like a lovely place to stay although way out of my price range. Maybe someday I’ll win the lottery and be able to check it out.

    Reply

  131. I am not a winter person but would love to visit in the spring or summer. It looks absolutely beautiful

    Reply

  132. I am not a winter person but would love to visit in the spring or summer. It looks absolutely beautiful

    Reply

  135. I like rustic-luxe! A hot tub on the patio and heated pool? Sounds great! But I agree, I’m limiting my time in the US until we are post-Trump.

    Reply

  136. I like rustic-luxe! A hot tub on the patio and heated pool? Sounds great! But I agree, I’m limiting my time in the US until we are post-Trump.

    Reply

  137. I’d love to visit Utah someday (maybe when Trump is a distant memory…might just stay in Canada until then, LOL).

    Reply

  138. I’d love to visit Utah someday (maybe when Trump is a distant memory…might just stay in Canada until then, LOL).

    Reply

  141. We stayed at a wonderful place in Tofino that each had it’s own hot tub too… LOVE it! There isn’t much better than sitting in wonderful warm water looking out at the pristine snow!

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  142. We stayed at a wonderful place in Tofino that each had it’s own hot tub too… LOVE it! There isn’t much better than sitting in wonderful warm water looking out at the pristine snow!

    Reply

  147. Wow ! This place sounds great ! A little pricey maybe , but i love my own hot tub , i mean that is fantastic , i don’t always want to soak and relax with other guests , and i love it has a pretty view ! The big rooms with the kitchen and dinning area are a perk to ! I hate a small room on vacation , when i am in my room I want to be just as relaxed as the rest of my vacation ! Looks like a great place over all !

    Reply

  148. Wow ! This place sounds great ! A little pricey maybe , but i love my own hot tub , i mean that is fantastic , i don’t always want to soak and relax with other guests , and i love it has a pretty view ! The big rooms with the kitchen and dinning area are a perk to ! I hate a small room on vacation , when i am in my room I want to be just as relaxed as the rest of my vacation ! Looks like a great place over all !

    Reply

  149. Now that’s my kid of place, we stay in one just like it in Banff, AB & Jasper, AB every year, I love the log look and in Banff you can stay in your own cabin or the lodge and it’s a duplicate, more money but worth every penny, way cheaper than the US price a cabin runs at $400 pr night but you have to book a year in advance and a min of 3 nights. This place looks and sounds amazing!

    Reply

  150. Now that’s my kid of place, we stay in one just like it in Banff, AB & Jasper, AB every year, I love the log look and in Banff you can stay in your own cabin or the lodge and it’s a duplicate, more money but worth every penny, way cheaper than the US price a cabin runs at $400 pr night but you have to book a year in advance and a min of 3 nights. This place looks and sounds amazing!

    Reply

  151. holy cow now THAT is a lodge!! I would have no problem staying there and probably wouldn’t wanna leave! looks gorgeous and I love the interior <3 so cozy. I am not an outdoorsey person but would totally get out there at a resort such as this

    Reply

  152. holy cow now THAT is a lodge!! I would have no problem staying there and probably wouldn’t wanna leave! looks gorgeous and I love the interior <3 so cozy. I am not an outdoorsey person but would totally get out there at a resort such as this

    Reply

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