Dinner And 'Ski Dating' At Park City Yurts

By Golden Webb

Geir Vic is a distinguished-looking gentleman with piercing blue eyes and salt-and-pepper hair. A transplant from Norway, he speaks perfect English but his Viking blood shines through in the thick Nordic purr of his voice. He'd make a great character in a James Bond movie, one of those suave Germanic types who dazzle you with their brilliant smiles before they break your neck with a flick of their wrist. On the other hand, he seems perfectly cast to be a backcountry cross-country ski guide and alpine restauranteur. He cuts a dashing figure schussing down snowy forest lanes by starlight, leading groups of giggling, cuddling love-birds to a romantic dining experience in, say, a luxurious Viking dinner yurt.

Happily, this is exactly what he does, right here in Utah, almost every night, at The Canyons ski resort near Park City. He calls his business Park City Yurts and he plans to continue to do it indefinitely-at least, that is, until MI5 or the SAS come calling, and then its back to international espionage.

All kidding aside, Park City Yurts provides a dating and dining event that seems to transport you into a more romantic and mysterious world. Geir and his wife Joy have crafted an experience that combines European blue-blood elegance with ancient Nordic primeval wildness, fine dining in the midst of a deep snowbound forest glittering under a dome of stars.

The adventure begins as you board the gondola. It's about an eight-minute ride up the mountain and, as you soar higher and higher, the lights of Park City begin to wink into view, spreading out far below like a constellation of multi-colored stars. The hum of the gondola as it zooms through the air becomes hypnotic, but the dizzying empty spaces shearing away below keep you plenty alert and wakeful.

What exactly is ski dating, you ask? At their web-site (www.parkcityyurts.com) Joy and Geir explain that ski dating is "a way to get warm, get physical and get to know one another! Ski-dating dates back to those brisk Norwegian winters in the 1800s. A smitten fellow would ask the woman he fancied for a "ski date." She, being stout of heart and solid of thigh, would ponder the proposal, consider her feelings for the strapping fellow and then decide if she was up for the adventure. If she agreed, the handsome couple would meet, greet, and strap on skis-one pair of skis. That's right, ski dating involves one pair of Nordic skis, two people. With a pair of bindings set both fore and aft, a couple glides in tandem. The couple struggles uphill, sails downhill, and discovers how well they work together. Best of all, the occasional gentle tumble on one pair of skis makes for an interesting landing. Untangling takes some communication (and often an explanation or apology). Getting back on your feet requires a little team effort. But it's all done in the best of spirits. The mood is fun, the tandem skiing adventurous and the wanderlust inside all of us is set free.

And that's exactly how it was for us that beautiful Thursday night. Geir was the consummate gentleman, humble and patient and very helpful in assisting the beginners (me) to clip into and out of their Nordic skis.

Then it was off into the woods. Several couples took the bait and chose to go tandem and some were quite successful in their cooperation and synchronicity. The ones that weren't had it just as good, though, as multiple intimate tumbles into soft fluffy power with the opposite sex makes for a successful night in my book.

Soon enough, up through the trees ahead we could see the warm glow of the Viking Dinner Yurt. A yurt is a domed, tent-like structure that dates back over 2,000 years and has been used by aboriginal peoples the world over as an efficient, portable, yet comfortable and homey shelter. Despite its rustic appearance, Geir and Joy's yurt is quite high-tech. Bubble-wrap insulation developed by NASA keeps the warmth in and the seams were electronically welded using radio waves, adding to the roof's strength and durability. Sturdy fir rafters and steel rivets support a cone-shaped top with a domed skylight at its apex. This overhead view and abundant natural light give the yurt an open, airy feel.

By the time we reached the yurt everyone had worked up an appetite and were well-deserving of the five-course meal that awaited. By candlelight our expert chef served up a series of gourmet delicacies fit for Nordic kings: Hot glogg, gravlax and cured meats served on grilled brushette; Wild Mushroom Soup with oyster, shitake and crimini mushrooms; warm Heirloom Tomato Salad with pan flashed spinach, caramelized vidalia onions and applewood basil vinaigrette; flame roasted pork tenderloin with sautéed blue potatoes, balsamic Swiss chard, roasted corn custard and apple-fennel compote; and finally for desert a rum and craisan filled Sacher Torte.

The company I shared at my table was as enjoyable as the delicious food. The yurt experience attracts interesting and spirited participants from all over the country - sometimes from around the world.

Geir said that during the 2002 Olympics he had the pleasure of hosting three private royal parties: "King Harald of Norway came with Stein Eriksen and was featured on TV, the Royal Prince and Princess came with the Norwegian Olympic Sports Federation, and later Princess Marta joined us during the Paralympics Games."

All in all, a very fun night, not only for its uniqueness but for its well-oiled, laid-back progression from one activity to the next. Geir was formerly an executive in a computer software company; this is his first foray into recreational dining, but it seems like he and Joy have been doing it for years. And hopefully they will, as more and more people discover the delights of winter starlight, shaggy fragrant pines, the sibilant hiss of skis on snow, the breath of a significant other on one's neck, the occasional convenient tumble into a soft snowbank, and at the end of it all, warm lights, good food, and friendly company.

Accolades:

The Viking Yurt as number two of ten on Outside Magazine's "Choice Tips on the 'to do' list in Utah."

The Viking Yurt was featured on The Food Channel as their restaurant of choice for Utah in their "Rocky Mountain Christmas " Special.

The chef at the Viking Dinner Yurt was named, "One of the Ten Hottest Chefs in Utah" by Utah Homes and Garden Magazine.

The yurt was named, "Best Place to Ski to Dinner in Utah" by Salt Lake Magazine.