Park City Mountain Mixer: A Cocktail Adventure

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Park City, Utah, is a year-round luxury adventure playground. Skiing and mountain biking are the typical adventures but I was there for a different high-energy reason – the Mountain Mixer cocktail showdown.

This is a great destination for a group, with high-end restaurants, a spa and hiking added to the mix.

Why You Should Visit Park City in Summer

Sip your way through Park City’s Mountain Mixer cocktail competition, featuring 10 finalists and creative drinks.
Pair the cocktail adventure with wine tasting, bourbon-paired dining and other food-focused experiences.
Get outdoors with hiking and mountain views in Deer Valley, then unwind with a spa visit.
Make it a group getaway with a spacious suite, private hot tub and plenty of options for dining and relaxation.

Editor’s note: The writer was hosted.

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Mountain Mixer Cocktail Competition

A clear plastic cup filled with an iced drink, garnished with a powdered orange slice, sits on a white surface outdoors. — Hive Mind, one of the finalists at the Mountain Mixer. Photo credit: Judy Antell

Property: Silver Lake Lodge at Deer Valley | Address: 7600 Royal St, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 649-1000 | Hours: Event runs 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Mountain Mixer, held outside at Silver Lake Lodge, Deer Valley, featured the 10 local cocktail finalists. They were recreated onsite for both judges and curious cocktail nerds; each finalist told the story behind his or her creation, then served it to the judges. And at the bar, a phalanx of extremely busy bartenders served attendees.

You don’t need to arrive at 5 when the event begins. But note that lines for the bar grow longer as the event progresses.

The Magic: Watching local mixologists share the inspiration behind their unique craft drinks
What We Loved Best: The vibrant outdoor atmosphere set against Deer Valley’s mountain slopes

A bright green drink in a plastic cup, garnished with a leaf, rests on the arm of a white Adirondack chair with a grassy lawn in the background. — A fun colorful cocktail at Mountain Mixer, the Coco Verde featured coconut rum, coconut milk and pandan. Photo credit: Judy Antell

SheBuysTravel Tip: If you want to sample all the cocktails, share with friends and just take sips. Think wine tasting (without the spit buckets).

Custom Cellar Wine Tasting

A close-up view of a wine glass filled with white wine, sitting on a table with visible wine bottles underneath and a charcuterie board in the blurred background. — Wine tasting (with cheese, fruit and meat board) in the wine cellar at Stein Eriksen Lodge. Photo credit: Judy Antell

Property: Glitretind Restaurant at Stein Eriksen Lodge | Address: 7700 Stein Way, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 645-6455 | Hours: Daily 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM

The day I arrived in Park City, it was 100 degrees! Luckily, my first stop was a custom wine tasting in the wine cellar at the Glitretind Restaurant at Stein Eriksen Lodge, where our group stayed.

We sampled six delicious wines along with excellent cheeses. The sommelier, Jaime Porras, educated us on how to identify, taste and savor the different wines.

The Magic: Escaping the summer heat into a chilly, atmospheric 58-degree subterranean cellar
What We Loved Best: The sommelier made the tasting fun, keeping us guessing about the types of wines

SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring a light sweater into the cellar to stay comfortable during the tasting.

Bourbon Pairings at The Nelson Cottage

A gourmet plated dish of seared protein served with artichoke hearts, capers, a yellow sauce, and red garnish dots on a wide, textured white bowl. — Veggie option on the testing menu at The Nelson Cottage by High West. Photo credit: Judy Antell

Property: The Nelson Cottage by High West | Address: 651 Park Ave, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 649-8300 | Hours: Dinner seatings Thursday – Sunday

The Nelson Cottage by High West has two seatings nightly, a five-course meal with bourbon and wine pairings. You can choose your own adventure – no alcohol, wine, beer or cocktails.

The chef had vegetarian options that paired equally well; for example, hearts of palm subbed in for sea bass, but had the same smooth corn sauce with capers.

The Magic: A multi-course culinary journey built specifically around local craft whiskey
What We Loved Best: Thoughtful vegetarian options like grilled maitake mushrooms replacing pork chops with equal meatiness
Must-Try Recommendation: Opt for the signature brown spirit pairings to match High West’s expertise

Working off the Meals: Hit the Trails

A person wearing a hat, sunglasses, and light-colored hiking attire stands on a dirt trail with trekking poles, surrounded by grassy fields, trees, and mountain views in the background. — Scenic overlook at Deer Valley (ignore the dirt path). Photo credit: Judy Antell

In summer, Deer Valley’s ski runs become hiking or mountain biking trails. Since I had a cast on my hand, hiking was my default option.

What We Loved Best: Complimentary hiking poles waiting right at the base of the mountain
Must-Try Recommendation: Grab a trail map so you avoid walking onto designated mountain biking paths

SheBuysTravel Tip: Hike UP the mountain and ride the scenic chairlift down. Hiking up is much easier on the knees. [Of course, you can hike both ways and not spring for a lift ticket].

Make Your Own Gin at Alpine Distilling

A woman wearing a striped shirt and a green apron works behind a counter at Alpine Distilling, surrounded by distillery equipment and a sign on the wall — Sara Sergent, owner and Master Distiller of Alpine Distilling, making the magic happen. Photo credit: Judy Antell

Property: Alpine Distilling Social Aid & Pleasure Club | Address: 364 Main St, Park City, UT 84060 | Phone: (435) 200-9537 | Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Right in downtown Park City, the hands-on gin-making experience at Alpine Distilling included sniffing and tasting the botanicals before choosing your custom blend.

The gin-making takes place at the distillery’s bar, Park City Social Aid & Pleasure Club. Next time I need to sample some of Alpine’s liqueurs and whiskeys used in the bar’s craft cocktails.

The Magic: Creating your own personalized spirit recipe guided by owner and Master Distiller Sara Sergent
What We Loved Best: In-depth sensory evaluation of botanicals before blending
Must-Try Recommendation: Craft a bottle as a unique gift for someone back home

SheBuysTravel Tip: Always pack a sheet or two of bubble wrap in your suitcase for safely bringing home liquid or other delicate souvenirs.

Where to Stay for a Girlfriend Getaway

A hotel bedroom featuring a large bed with white linens and patterned throw pillows, a painting on the wall, an armchair by a balcony door, and a stone fireplace. — My room at the Stein Eriksen Lodge had a premium king-sized bed, gas fireplace (plus wood-burning fireplace in the living room) and a deck with a hot tub. Photo credit: Judy Antell

Stein Eriksen Lodge has huge suites with three bedrooms, a full kitchen, living room, dining room and deck with a private hot tub. I stayed in the center suite, which had two bathrooms, and a kitchen with breakfast bar, living room, dining area and deck.

The other bedrooms (with bathrooms, of course) can be rented on their own, but as one grand suite, the set-up is ideal for a group.

A spacious living and dining area with a sofa, coffee table, stone fireplace, and a dining table with chairs next to a large bay window. — My suite had plenty of room for a party, or for relaxing. Photo credit: Judy Antell

The bathroom in my bedroom had a walk-in shower, stand-alone tub, double sink, Molton Brown products, robe and slippers.

The Magic: Private outdoor hot tubs overlooking mountain pines right on your personal deck
What We Loved Best: Nightly turndown service including chocolates with robe and slippers laid out on the bed
Must-Try Recommendation: Rent a connected multi-room grand suite so your group can gather comfortably

SheBuysTravel Tip: Consider Chateaux Deer Valley across the street for access to spa, pools and restaurants at a lower price point.

Mountain Wellness at The Spa

A person wearing a purple and grey sun hat sits in a white Adirondack chair on a rocky overlook, looking out at a scenic view of a large body of water and distant mountains. — Relaxing BEFORE the spa, overlooking Deer Valley. Photo credit: Judy Antell

No girlfriend getaway would be complete without a spa visit. The Spa at Stein Eriksen Lodge, which is also open to day visitors, has indoor and outdoor hot tubs and cold plunge pools, reflecting the hotel’s Norwegian heritage.

I had an excellent massage (the masseuse avoided the cast on my right arm) but had to skip the pools (the cast couldn’t get wet). I also found out that a sauna is not the place to go when you have pins in your hand – the pins heated up very quickly and I felt like I was being roasted on a spit. Next time!

The spa also has daily yoga or stretch classes.

The Magic: Authentic Norwegian hydrotherapy pools nestled in an alpine mountain setting
What We Loved Best: Masseuses thoughtfully tailoring treatments around personal physical injuries like my cast
Must-Try Recommendation: Start your morning with a guided group stretch class before hitting trails

SheBuysTravel Tip: Bring your reusable water bottle everywhere you go. The altitude is no joke. And you will want to drink plenty of water at the Mountain Mixer.

An açaí bowl served in a light-colored bowl, topped with sliced kiwi, fresh raspberries, almonds, coconut flakes, and granola. — Start the day with the Glitretind Restaurant with a healthy açaí bowl, topped with homemade granola. Photo credit: Judy Antell

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates for the Park City Mountain Mixer getaway?

The 2026 event was held on August 22. The 2027 dates have yet to be announced. Arrive at least two days before the annual August event to give yourself time to adjust to the altitude (over 8,200 feet) and jet lag.

Where should you stay for the Mountain Mixer?

Stein Eriksen Lodge has luxury suites; at a lower price point, Chateaux Deer Valley, part of the same property, gives you access to the spa, pools and restaurants.

Is there food at Mountain Mixer?

Food trucks are open. If you want to stay to hear the announcement of the winners, plan a late dinner.

SheBuysTravel writers have been where you’re going. We share our ground-truth experience to save you time, money and energy, making your trips easier. Been There. Bought That. Since 2006.