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The Lodge at Blue Sky
A mountaintop resort above Park City, Utah features whiskey tastings, equine experiences and more Views of the Wasatch mountains set a dreamy tone for a visit to The Lodge at Blue Sky …
A mountaintop resort above Park City, Utah features whiskey tastings, equine experiences and more
The Lodge at Blue Sky
A mountaintop resort above Park City, Utah features whiskey tastings, equine experiences and more
Views of the Wasatch mountains set a dreamy tone for a visit to The Lodge at Blue Sky in Wanship, Utah. Take them up on their offer of a 4-wheel tour of the area with adorable spaniel-in-residence Wesson leading the way, sharing a breathtaking overview of the 3,500 acre family owned property. Driving by High West Distillery, Gracie’s Farm and the horse arenas, the first impression inspires butterflies of anticipation. Opened in 2019, owners Mike and Barb Phillips envisioned a destination with 46 guest accommodations that blend harmoniously into the rugged landscape, bringing together the plush comforts of a luxury resort with distinctive seasonal experiences.
“What Mike and I are doing is trying to go beyond a resort,” says Barb. “I am involved in almost every aspect of the hotel, the ranch, and the experiences. We want it to have a lot more meaning behind what we do.” 
The couple also founded The Saving Gracie Equine Healing Foundation, with a mission of bringing neglected and surrendered animals to their farm at Blue Sky where they can provide sanctuary and medical care. Their goal is to help one horse at a time by giving them refuge and recovery. These horses are given optimum care with no expectation to become working horses. 
Guests can sign up to participate in an equine physical therapy session. On a recent chilly morning Honey, a blond mare,, was brought into the arena for a treatment. After being instructed on how to carefully brush her, apply red light pads, and help stretch her neck, it was time for her to slowly walk an obstacle course that helps restore muscle movement and stamina. Phillips says, smiling, “Look how happy she looks! She is loving all this extra attention that she is getting.” 
Outside the arena the beautiful landscape beckons. Winter experiences at Blue Sky include skiing and heli-skiing, snowboarding and snow shoeing. Of course you can just sit at one of the many picturesque windows from the lodge and guest rooms, enjoying the view, relaxing with a book and a beverage. In warmer months the focus is on fishing, beekeeping, hiking, biking, rock climbing, sporting clays, archery and horseback riding. Gracie’s Farm grows produce for the resort during the warm months and opens their farmstand with locally made artisanal foods and artisan crafts. 
The culinary offerings at Yuta, their onsite restaurant and bar feature the panoramic views. The Lodge at Blue Sky has an ongoing relationship with three Michelin star restaurant SingleThread and they debuted their cinematic dining experience ThroughLine there.
A dram of whiskey feels like the perfect pairing to all of these sporting and equine adventures. The resort’s many whiskey offerings extend way beyond the bottle collection at Yuta. The seasonal mountaintop Speyside Yurt hosts a dinner and cocktail menu inspired by and featuring The Macallan in an ideal site for stargazing. The Macallan Hot Toddy School can be booked at the Yuta Bar paired with light bites or up at the yurt. The bartender’s toddy recipes feature classics—everything from turmeric and lavender, honey syrup and lemon to toddies made with fresh ginger and maple syrup, or topped with a spiced apple cider infused with pink peppercorn, fennel, cinnamon, star anise, and clove.
For an immersive whiskey adventure, High West Distillery is a seven minute walk from the hotel’s lobby. Tour Utah’s first legally licensed whisky distillery since 1870 when it opened in 2006. The tasting room features the High West 101 flight or the High West Reserve flight of bourbon and rye. Lunch, dinner, drams and cocktails are also served in The Saloon Restaurant.
For a surprisingly luxurious wellness experience, The Edge Spa at The Lodge at Blue Sky features five serene treatment rooms with sweeping views over Alexander Creek. The High West Whiskey Rubdown begins with a dram to sip, while enjoying a foot soak with whiskey, salt and sage. The relaxing massage that follows, with multiple hot towel compressions, evokes a dreamlike state that engages all of the senses. 
For the magnitude of the landscape and the plentiful number of options for how to plan an itinerary at The Lodge at Blue Sky, it’s the small details that stand out. The signature cocktail at The Bar at Yuta is affectionately named The Horse Thief; it was crafted for Barb Phillips by bartender Kerri Poggi with High West Campfire Whiskey, reposado Tequila, Green Chartreuse, lime, ginger syrup, and blackberries. The proceeds from this cocktail are donated to the Saving Gracie Foundation, serving as a reminder of the Phillips family’s commitment to hospitality and their passion to honor the land and animals who live there.
