The best part of a vacation for many people is the opportunity to step out of a comfort zone and explore new horizons. For the adventurous diner, there exists a subset of unique dining opportunities that are off the beaten path and sure to please the pallet. Whether you aim to impress your date or create lasting memories with your family, one of the following Park City restaurants is sure to suit your needs.

If your trip encompasses a Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday during ski season, a great place to start is Deer Valley’s Fireside Dining, based out of Empire Canyon Lodge. This popular event features four courses served out of four different stone fireplaces, all of which invoke flavors from the European Alps. Start with exquisite cheeses, antipasto, breads, and condiments before moving on to the middle fireplaces, which offer mouth-watering servings of ribs, veal, chicken, quail, and lamb. Fill in the gaps with Swiss-inspired vegetable dishes, salads, and risotto. And don’t forget to leave room for dessert! The last station includes a fondue bar to cap off the meal. Set against a roaring fire and woodsy décor, Fireside Dining is a memorable experience that you and your family will never forget.

Another Deer Valley classic is the Seafood Buffet, which, like Fireside Dining, operates solely during the ski season. Frequently named one of America’s Top Restaurants, the Seafood Buffet succeeds where most Utah restaurants fail, by providing an endless supply of fresh, high quality seafood to its patrons. Upon arrival, treat yourself to an infinite array of sushi, shellfish, and entrees. Chicken, pasta, and prime rib are available to placate non-seafood lovers, and the homemade desserts are the metaphoric cherry on the cake. Remember to call both Deer Valley establishments for reservations.

If you want to make the most of your experience in the mountains, consider The Viking Yurt. Located mid-mountain at the Canyons ski resort, The Viking Yurt offers a dining event that will stay with you for years to come. The evening commences with a sleigh ride through the crisp mountain air to the Norwegian hut. On some occasions, guests are encouraged to snow shoe or cross-country ski to the hut, working up an appetite for the dinner that awaits them at their destination. The yurt itself is a domed, insulated structure that fits 32 people. The convivial atmosphere is apparent upon entrance, with the piano playing and the glogg warm and ready. After a five-course meal, allow yourself to be swept down the mountain under a starry outdoor sky (and lots of heavy blankets!). This is one of the most unique, enduring dining experiences to be found the world over.

Perhaps The Viking Yurt piqued your interest, but no reservations are available. The Snowed Inn Sleigh Company offers a comparable dining experience on a smaller scale (and for a lower price). The Snowed Inn is situated a few hundred yards up from the Park City Mountain Resort base area, and a horse-drawn sleigh carries patrons to three different seatings per night. Enjoy a hearty meal while the guitarist entertains you, and leave with visions of family, friends, and fun dancing through your mind.

Still looking for that perfect, exclusive dining experience? Take the family to the Western BBQ at Red Pine Lodge. To partake in this rowdy, memorable dinner, escort your loved ones up the Flight of The Canyons gondola to the mid-mountain lodge, and be prepared to be entertained. Wait staff in authentic western gear serve up a buffet of BBQ chicken, ribs, and all the fixings that accompany a BBQ cookout, including a salad and dessert bar. Live country music circulates the lodge throughout the evening, so be aware of potential foot tapping and hand clapping while you dine! The Western BBQ is offered every Saturday night during ski season.

Remember, vacation is a time to make memories and explore places you may never see again. These dining experiences are the perfect opportunity to test these once-in-a-lifetime venues.