For years Salt Lake locals and visitors have enjoyed Red Rock BrewPub and Restaurant in downtown Salt Lake City located on 200 West and about 200 South. It’s generally hopping during the lunch hour and evenings can mean waiting for a table, especially when large conventions are in town. Just over two years ago with the build out of the Redstone Center in the Kimball Junction area just outside of Park City, Red Rock made a great decision to open a second location to take advantage of the local and resort vacation scene.

I’ve easily eaten there a dozen times or more. Despite maintaining a steady stream of patrons, it’s pretty rare that I’ve had to wait for a table during lunch or evening hours. During the summer sitting on the patio is a great call to enjoy the sun with views of The Canyons Resort and plenty of people watching to be had.

Their burgers and sandwiches are great but I seem to migrate towards some sort of oven roasted pizza. Be sure to check the specials board for a creative pizza offering.

The truth of the matter is you can’t go all day skiing without getting some food in you, unless of course you’re into starvation. But the term “on mountain dining” can mean a whole slew of things to a whole slew of people.

In my younger years “on mountain dining” meant a PB&J in my pocket with a handful of snow for hydration. Later on it meant chili-cheese fries or a huge plate of nachos shared among a group of college buddies. While I can often be found eating a PROBAR while riding the lifts I rarely pass up an opportunity to enjoy an on mountain meal with friends or family.

One of my favorite places and likely one of the most scenic spots among all of Utah’s ski resorts is the Lookout Cabin at The Canyons Resort. Lookout, as it’s name implies, offers some fantastic views in all directions. Perched atop Lookout Peak its deck commands a southern view and on warm sunny days a very nice place to enjoy a meal with unbeatable vistas.

–photo credit Alfred Millikan Jr.

Years ago I remember popping into the old Watson Shelter at Alta to grab a drink and to allow a buddy to de-fog his goggles. It was a low key ramshackle of a place but the vibe was pure and the feeling one of a true skiers hang out. Indeed, it was a shelter, not a lodge.

So when Alta determined that they’d tear down (they burned it, actually) the old Watson’s and rebuild it they had a lot to consider given the history of Watson’s. But it seems that the only thing remaining from the old to the new is the name. Everything else is improved, including the views.

Moving the location of the shelter just 50 yards to the east gives Watson’s Shelter a commanding view of Mount Superior and the peaks of the central Wasatch Mountains. On a sunny day, this Europeanesque view is unmatched in Utah as a place to relax, have a meal and enjoy the company or quite serenity of the mountains.

The Food

The prices at the Watson Shelter are roughly the same as the other offerings at Alta but the views can’t be beat. There are two options at Watson Shelter; the first is the Collins Grill which is sit down restaurant style. The menu for the Collins Grill can be found online. They have daily specials in addition to the menu.

The other option at Watson Shelter is the cafeteria style which despite the visual “cafeteria” may create the food is good by any standard. I had the Baldy Burger which is one of the biggest burgers I’ve ever eaten. Think everything on it, everything. Add to that a bucket of fries which can easily be split between a few people and you’re set. Two Baldy Burgers and a med bucket of fries set me back $21. While not cheap like McDonald’s it’s worth the stop.