Situated in the mountains surrounded by dramatic soaring peaks, high alpine fields, lush hillsides, and a spring-fed creek, The Lodge at Blue Sky is a new 46-room, contemporary luxury resort located on a 3,500-acre ranch outside of Park City. The new resort will reintroduce guests with the natural environment through organic architecture that mirrors the majesty of the land, authentic Western-inspired adventures, Farm-to-table cuisine driven by Blue Sky’s on-site farm, a cliffside wellness sanctuary for restorative treatments, memorable events in unique spaces throughout the property, and the High West Whiskey Distillery, where guests can learn the distillation process from grain to glass. The newest jewel in the Auberge Resorts Collection portfolio of extraordinary hotels, resorts, residences, and private clubs, The Lodge at Blue Sky is officially open.
“It is with tremendous pride that we open The Lodge at Blue Sky, a new getaway experience that celebrates authentic western adventure with luxurious and architecturally striking, yet warm and approachable guest spaces and boundless outdoor explorations,” said Joe Ogdie, General Manager, The Lodge at Blue Sky. “We are delighted that Auberge Resorts Collection has been welcomed so warmly into the Park City community.”
“The Lodge at Blue Sky will be a destination for quintessential adventure in an extraordinary setting that honors the land and rich heritage of this inspiring destination,” said Craig Reid, Chief Executive Officer, Auberge Resorts Collection. “We are excited to have this partnership with Blue Sky Utah owners Mike and Barb Phillips. Together, we have created a truly distinctive experience with which we are honored to share with guests of Auberge Resorts Collection.”
The Sky Lodge: The Social Heart of The Lodge
Upon arrival at The Lodge at Blue Sky, guests are greeted in the Sky Lodge, which houses a dramatic entryway that frames panoramic valley views of unspoiled land tufted with blue mountain sage. Designed by Salt Lake City-based AJC Architects, with interior designs by Design 360 Unlimited, the Lodge’s graceful indoor-outdoor living spaces utilize elemental materials such as wood, stone, glass, leather, polished concrete, marble and slate, much of it locally sourced. The social heart of The Lodge at Blue Sky is the Sky Lodge, home to the resort’s signature restaurant, Yuta, a convivial bar and lounge, private dining room, wine room, impressive 70-foot-long infinity pool, and an expansive patio for nights under the open sky scattered with stars.
Guest Accommodations Built-In Harmony With The Land
Designed as an ideal retreat for families, friends, and couples, the rooms and suites are filled with natural light thanks to floor-to-vaulted ceiling windows that open onto private outdoor spaces framed by stone walls perfect for private sky-gazing. Roomy floor plans and furniture with a natural color palette intentionally focus on panoramic views that range from the river banks to sloping grass hills and alpine highlands, and feature bathrooms with deep soaking bathtubs and some with private outdoor showers. The Lodge at Blue Sky encompasses 46 guest accommodations in three distinct styles and locations: Sky, Earth, and Creek, the design for each reflecting the unique topographical features of the environs in which they are situated.
Sky Lodge is the resort’s main house, featuring high ceilings, dramatic views of the valley and surrounding mountain peaks, and 19 rooms and suites, including four impressive two floor, two-bedroom Signature Suites with expansive dining and lounging areas. The Earth House, a short walk from the Sky Lodge, appears to naturally grow out of the side of a lush, undulating hill and houses 22 Earth Suites which feature connecting options for families, outdoor fireplaces, canyon views, outdoor showers, and living grass roofs. The Creek Houses comprise five freestanding accommodations situated along the tranquil banks of Alexander Creek in a secluded Aspen grove, and feature indoor fireplaces, 14 foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling glass doors which open in the summer months to transform the suite into an expansive indoor/outdoor space, custom fly rods and hand-selected fly tackle boxes for those that wish to fish from the private banks of the creek. The murmur of the river at night is Mother Nature’s lullaby.
Authentic Western Adventures For Every Age and Every Season
The Lodge at Blue Sky thrives with active experiences for guests, from heli-yoga and full moon hiking to fly fishing and horseback riding on groomed trails. Guests of all levels of experience will enjoy natural “Vaquero-style” horsemanship lessons and meaningful encounters with rescued horses, residents of the on-site Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation, a non-profit founded by Barb Philips dedicated to saving the lives of horses through rescue, sanctuary, medical care, compassion, and respect.
Guests may also experience fly fishing, championship-caliber shooting clays, hiking, biking, outdoor yoga and guided meditation, al fresco art classes, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on property, as well as downhill skiing at nearby Park City Mountain Resort.
The Little Vaquero’s Club invites younger guests to enjoy daily themed excursions tailored to their age group, including horsemanship lessons and riding, wildlife education, fishing, farm days when guests can help tend the 1.5-acre organic farm, pick berries and herbs, interact with horses, cows, chickens, bees and more. Younger guests can also enjoy the ultimate in-room luxury camping experience complete with sleeping teepees.
Through a partnership with helicopter outfitter Powderbird, guests will depart from the property on a 10-minute flight for unforgettable experiences on 200,000 acres of untouched terrain in the Wasatch and Uinta mountain ranges, from winter heli-skiing to summer heli-hiking, heli-fly fishing, heli-mountain biking and mountaintop yoga, and meditation. Heli-weddings are also available for those looking for a breathtaking and unforgettable ceremony.
Resort guests skiing Park City’s award-winning ski runs will be looked after at Blue Sky’s Ski Lounge located in town at the base of the mountain. There, guests will be able to store gear, request tune-ups, warm up with hot drinks and appetizers or have the attendant book a restorative spa treatment for their return to The Lodge via the resort’s fleet of complimentary shuttles.
Dining Inspired by the Land and Tradition
Guests and locals will be delighted by the new dining experience at the resort’s signature restaurant, Yuta, which will offer a modern interpretation of refined Western cuisine utilizing sustainably sourced seasonal heirloom ingredients, some of which will be sourced from Gracie’s Farm, Blue Sky’s on-site organic farm. The restaurant is helmed by James Beard Foundation award-winning Executive Chef Galen Zamarra, who joins the resort from the highly regarded Mas (farmhouse) and Mas (la grillade) restaurants in New York City. Dinner at Yuta will feature signature dishes such as Trout Piscator with watercress mousse, horseradish, and pickled ramps and Clay Pigeons featuring squab baked in clay with hay. Many dishes are prepared on a wood-burning grill that adds a distinctive flavor. The rustic-contemporary dining room includes a patio, with all indoor and outdoor seating arranged to take in views of Lewis Peak.
The name Yuta is inspired by what the Ute Indians called the area and themselves, meaning “mountain top” or “people who live high in the mountains.”
Culinary offerings are matched by the resort’s outstanding selection of wine, local whiskey from High West Distillery and artisanal cocktails.
Gracie’s Farm is a 1.5-acre organic farm run by gardener and farmer Lyndsey Gammon. Using holistic techniques and a no-till method, Gammon “grows the soil” to produces herbs, vegetables and flowers that will be used at Yuta. To extend the short high-altitude growing season, a greenhouse is under development which will feature a rustic table for private dining experiences in which guests have the opportunity to harvest their own produce for use in their own bespoke menu. The farm is open to guests of all ages who are interested in learning more and participating in the farming process.
Adult guests may enjoy High West, the American West’s premier whiskey distillery and Utah’s first distillery since 1870. Experiences include distillery tours to learn about the history of whiskey in the West and how the award-winning spirits are created, educational whiskey tasting and dining at High West’s restaurant, The Refectory, amid outstanding mountain views. The Lodge at Blue Sky and High West are both situated on Blue Sky Utah’s lush ranch land but are operated independently.
Wellness At One With NatureSituated on a dramatic precipice overlooking Alexander Creek, The Edge Spa will offer 7,400 square feet of serene space. This intimate sanctuary features five luxurious treatment rooms with views of the rambling landscape, open-air relaxation pool, a variety of products that utilize nourishing, bloom-to-bottle ingredients, fitness training, and mindful pursuits, including aerial and vinyasa yoga and guided meditation. Pre-treatment rituals include slowing down in the well-appointed relaxation area where the sounds of the creek act as a natural sound machine and detoxifying in the steam room and sauna. Spa services comprise of body and facial treatments using indigenous ingredients, seasonal services and signature offerings such as the detoxifying High West Whiskey Rubdown incorporating whiskey from the distillery.
Meeting and Events Space with a View
For unforgettable weddings, retreats or group gatherings, The Lodge at Blue Sky features more than 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The Arena, the customizable 8,000 square-foot indoor/outdoor signature venue, is located in a welcoming blue barn with hand-laid wood flooring and oversized picture windows. Set against the Wasatch and Uinta mountains, The Terrace is an outdoor patio adjacent to the Arena where guests can enjoy al fresco cooking and grilling lessons or use the flexible space as an interactive food station, as well as a bonfire area for outdoor campfires and s’ mores. Additional venue space includes The Remuda, a 30,000-square-foot covered riding arena that can be transformed into a partially covered event space and The Tavern, formerly an 1800s cabin-turned-Western-saloon that is both intimate and accommodating, perfect for smaller groups and events. The Yurt is located in a high alpine clearing with some of the most dramatic views of the property, and can be used for private lunches and dinners, whiskey tastings, a venue for private yoga or guided meditation, and is the alpine “Après lounge” for guests returning from an invigorating day of heli-skiing.
Yuta’s Private Dining Room and 670-square-foot Wine Room are cozy, chic spaces that offer intimate venues for private dinners, meetings, and cocktail functions.