Heber Valley Life

Tag: homestead resort

  • Keeping Tradition Alive

    Keeping Tradition Alive

    You might have already visited and loved the new Milk House at the Homestead Resort but in case you haven’t, allow me to describe it to you.

    The Homestead Resort has been a unique and beloved property in Utah since it opened in 1891 as a hotel and saloon built by Swiss immigrants Simon and Maria Schneitter. Fast forward to today and fans of the resort will be delighted to learn that the new owners have already begun an upgraded vision to the entire property while still maintaining the nostalgic, original feel of the family-friendly resort. Almost every building will receive a full-scale renovation. If you’ve visited recently, you will have noticed the beautiful changes already.

    The Milk House is one of the oldest buildings at the Homestead and, it too, has received a much-needed renovation and has been transformed into a bright, open space. Built in the 1800s, the building was originally used to store dairy products. Over time, with the introduction of modern conveniences, it no longer needed to be used for storage and eventually was converted to be used as one of the resort’s hotel rooms. Today, it has been transformed once again. The new owners decided to keep to the true heritage of the space and return it to its original roots of being a dairy, so to speak.

    The Homestead’s Milk House combines the best of the dessert world: a coffee shop and an ice cream parlor.

    Open every day from 9:00 am-7:00 pm, the Milk House features goodies like specialty coffees and drinks, in-house pastries, their famous fresh resort fudge, and something that they are extra excited about — continuously-churned, fresh ice cream. What makes freshly churned ice cream so delicious? Its light and fluffy texture — it’s so smooth and creamy! It might be the best ice cream you will ever taste. There are always six flavors to choose from but they rotate them seasonally so there’s always something new. We spoke with Ashlyn, our barista, and she suggested we try the strawberry ice cream. We loved her recommendation. You can choose toppings or not, whatever you decide, it will be delicious. In case you’re in a hurry — they offer tubs of ice cream to go!

    And don’t forget the fudge! There are the classic flavors but the most popular are the dark chocolate caramel sea salt and the coconut delight. I love that the tradition of making this incredible fudge in-house has remained an important and constant practice. Long-time ‘Homestead fudge’ lovers are pretty happy about it too.

    One thing that I personally appreciate about the Milk House is all the seating available. I also love the beautiful bright open space and the comfortable atmosphere. In the warmer seasons, you can sit outside and admire the beautiful views of the updated lawn, event areas, and the building itself.

    The new vibes of the property give off “someone loved this treasured property enough to bring it back to life.” The renovations show so much thought, planning, and effort to keep the resort around for another 132+ years.

    Ashlyn shared that people from all over have been hearing about the new dairy and have loved making the drive to Midway to check it out. Anyone can stop in; you don’t have to be staying at the resort in order to enjoy the scrumptious treats found at the Milk House.

    If you haven’t visited yet, I encourage you to go for a little drive to the Homestead’s Milk House. You might just discover a new favorite spot and maybe even a connection to the past, present, and future. I’ll see you there, save some strawberry ice cream for me!

  • Breakfast With Santa @ Homestead Resort

    During this holiday season, Homestead is welcoming guests and community members to The Sunroom and Milk House at Homestead for dining and pictures with Santa. The Sunroom and Milk House are first-come, first-served open seating. Be sure to also check out the new dining globes at Homestead.

  • Golf in the Wasatch

    Golf in the Wasatch

    Once again, it’s that time of year. The remnants of the black snow are melting leaving odds and ends of buried treasures, or bits of trash on the curbs. The birds chirp a little louder in the mornings. And blades of grass are popping up along the fairways. It’s Spring. It’s golf. It’s time.

    “Golf…is the infallible test. The man who can go into a patch of rough alone, with the knowledge that only God is watching him, and play his ball where it lies, is the man who will serve you faithfully and well”. – P.G.Wodehouse

    Perhaps you were lucky enough to spend the winter with John Paupore, the Director of Golf at Red Ledges. While Red Ledges is a private course, the winter indoor school he runs is open to everyone. The school offers both group and private instruction, and a variety of clinic programs. During the colder months you can stay warm and enjoy the scenery while you practice your shots inside; hitting balls through two garage doors that are open to the snow-covered course.

    John, a golfer since his dad put a putter in his hands at the age of seven, is feeling the opening day magic start to build. While a day on the course in spring is particularly weather-dependent, John has a smile in his voice as he talks about the start of a new season as a “rebirth of everything.” February is when everyone starts to get ready for it all to begin again. He is ready.

    There will be a concern about carts this Spring. As sanitation and safety have come to the top of everyone’s list, the four golf courses in the Heber Valley — Red Ledges, Soldier Hollow, Wasatch State Park Golf Course, and The Homestead — have all adopted special procedures to ensure golfers are comfortable.

    Chris Stover, the golf pro at Wasatch Park, knows golfers are concerned about COVID. He emphasizes Wasatch is in compliance with all state guidelines. He believes “going down the rabbit hole” to revamp his business model during last year’s pandemic season has paid off for both patrons and staff. Masks are on when in the building but not mandatory on the course. Carts are washed and sanitized; tee times are spread out to allow golfers to be at safe distances while waiting to tee off.

    Spring brings a new crop of golfers to the Heber Valley courses. While there are always familiar returning golfers, Chris Newson, pro at Soldier Hollow, thinks he will see more golfers this season as everyone has spent the winter cooped up. While the courses in Wasatch County regularly see destination-oriented golfers and those coming from Salt Lake City, Chris anticipates welcoming a new crop of golfers looking to escape the indoors. Work will be starting soon to get both the Gold and Silver courses at Soldier Hollow in shape. For those unfamiliar with the courses; Soldier Hollows Gold Course is a mountain course with significant elevation change throughout the course and within each hole. The Silver Course is a more open, parkland-style course with shorter and wider fairways, and an amazing view of Mount Timpanogos.

    Not only is spring a time to work on your swing, but it is also a time to see old friends and do a little of everyone’s favorite winter sport “bench golfing”. Spring fever ramps up as the PGA Tour starts, and once the winter weather breaks it is full speed ahead.

    Soldier Hollow is a public State-run facility and follows all guidelines and mandates issued by the State for a safe and fun environment. While 2020 was a year in flux, Chris is confident that his teams are well-prepared to meet the new season.

    The start of the golfing season provides a wonderful opportunity to go shopping for: new shirts, new clubs, new shoes and of course a new golf hat. Mike Jurca, head golf pro at The Homestead, is looking forward to the pro shop, cart barn, and locker rooms, receiving a face-lift in the near future. New ownership in the last 15 months has committed to setting The Homestead apart from other public courses. Their goal is to create a high-end experience at a reasonable price for the public course golfer as well as provide a high-end resort experience for guests.

    Even though the weather is hit and miss, Mike says the phone starts ringing towards the latter part of winter. Golfers are looking for opening dates or trying to secure that first tee time before the spring green has sprung.

    How do those greens stay so beautiful? While many of us are still on the ski slopes, the golf courses are getting ready for a spring opening. The main ingredient is not the grass seed. It is the fertilizer and, of course, Mother Nature’s contribution — water. Lots of water. Should everything turn brown, they can always paint. Yes, paint. Many golf courses use paint to deliver better fairway playing conditions while avoiding overseeding and reducing their consumption of water, fertilizer, fuel, and other resources.

    “As you walk down the fairway of life, you must stop and smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.” – Ben Hogan

    You don’t have to go to the Masters in Augusta, GA to smell the roses or view one of the greatest landscaping gifts we’ve ever been given. Each year the majesty and natural landscape of Wasatch County becomes a mecca, drawing thousands of golfers from around the world — this is their place of choice.

    Golf is a game of integrity. And bonding. Friendships made on the green have lasted for decades and lifelong golfing partners have been created on every course. Business deals are solidified. And special bonds between family members are formed.

    It’s Spring. It’s golf. It’s time.

    Time to reconnect and renew. Time to take a lesson. Time to get out on the fairways, take off that mask, and shout “I love this game!”

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