When my husband “Deke” and I were dating,
the first place he took me for a getaway was Midway, Utah. Deke is a man of distinction favoring
boutique hotels and exceptional service, so why would he take me to rural
Midway? Because Midway has both
exceptional accommodations and country charm.
Not only does Midway offer charm, but
world-class alpine and cross country skiing is just miles away. Soldier
Hollow, where the 2002 Winter Olympics cross country and biathlon events
were held, is actually in Midway; the cross country and biathlon courses are
maintained, and Soldier Hollow is still host to numerous winter competitions. Park
City, famous for its alpine skiing and its legendary Sundance Film
Festival, is nearby and exclusive resort Deer Valley is in close proximity as well. Just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, the ride
easy to Midway, though I recommend using an all-wheel or four-wheel-drive
vehicle during the winter.
With open pastures and picturesque, wooden
fences (the kind in American Western movies), Midway is a delight. So beautiful was my walk with Deke in
December, we hardly noticed the cold until Deke’s hatless ears began to turn
red (Though it was a wonderland, it was still winter! Let Deke’s hatless head serve as a caution—dress
appropriately).
Though I haven’t thought of winter as
particularly cheerful, when the sun sparkled on the sea of snow it was as if
purity itself was magnified. The
beauty does not end after the sun goes down; Ice
Castles, a beautiful array of ice sculptures looking a bit like Superman’s
Fortress of Solitude, is open to the public depending upon the weather
conditions.
The scenic winters evoke something of Switzerland,
and interestingly some of the first settlers of Midway were of Swiss descent sent
there by Mormon leader Brigham Young.
Remnants of Swiss culture still remain including the festival, “Swiss
Days” during the summer, and the resort, Zermatt, which resembles a Swiss
village. Zermatt Resort has a four-star rating on
TripAdvisor, and was awarded a Certificate of Excellence because of its
consistently good reviews. Enjoy this exclusive
vacation home from IVHE.com.
While at a fund-raising event in Salt Lake
City, I met a local celebrity best known for her portrayal of Bat Girl, who, in
the dead of a winter night, was heading up to Zermatt Resort (though she is
most famous for playing Bat Girl, my personal favorite role of this actress is
that of a head—yes, a head!).
While Zermatt Resort is host to celebrity
types willing to brave the dark, winter night for the pleasure of a visit, it
also has a family atmosphere; included on the grounds is a carousel. One of the best things about Zermatt is its free
shuttle service to local ski resorts such as Sundance, Park
City, and Deer Valley.
Deke and I are not skiers, but we enjoyed
Midway all the same. We found that New
Year’s Eve is a lovely time to go; the temperatures may be freezing outside,
but the rich décor and food (you have to give yourself a break with the
eating—it is New Year’s Eve) inside make for warmth, coziness, and well,
romance.
Before New Year’s Eve, Deke and I went for
a ride on the Heber Creeper. The
Heber Creeper, in the Heber Valley where Midway is located, is an old,
restored train which “creeps” through the winter countryside. At Christmas time, it becomes “The North Pole
Express” giving children a thrill.
Whether your tastes run toward the rustic,
sophisticated, athletic, or spa-like, Midway, Utah has it all. I’m convinced
that Deke’s romancing me in Midway had something to do with me marrying
him—perhaps your visit will be a fortuitous.
View IVHE.com luxury
vacation homes in Utah and the surrounding areas.
Thank you to Travel
Blogger Sona Schmidt-Harris.
Midway is a treasure out here in Utah. I got married at Zermatt in 2011. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Carla! I too got married in 2011, but in Salt Lake.
ReplyDelete