For nearly a quarter of a century, the Viking Yurt on Park City Mountain has showcased Nordic traditions, from sleigh rides to the alpine menu to a rustic atmosphere.
In May, long-time owners Joy and Geir Vik announced their retirement and passed on the business to the Brian and Dena Merrill, and their son Dylan, who had been their friends and colleagues for years.
The Merrills, who moved to Heber City eight years ago, were in the whitewater rafting business, operating a business called Western River Expeditions.
“They reached out to me, asking me if I would advertise their winter job opportunity to our summer employees,” said Brian Merrill. “So I did, and every year since then there have been Western River Expeditions employees who also were employees of the Viking Yurt.”
When the Viks decided to retire and sell the business, the Merrills came to mind, said Brian.
Brian and Dena said they considered every angle. What really sold it for them was the fact that their son, Dylan, had been working there as a server for years, and they’d seen him at work.
Brian remembered that trip to the Yurt well, he said, though their family had dined there many times.
“We were able to go up there when our son was working there, … just seeing him in his element up there, doing his thing — he’s a natural with hospitality,” said Brian. “That also gave us confidence when we started thinking about, is this something we would like to purchase and run? We knew that Dylan had the skills and the personality to really be successful in this industry.”
Dylan, now the general manager, and many of the other long-time staffers are staying with the new ownership, said Brian. That was another deciding factor for the family’s purchase.
“So that has made the transition much easier,” he said.
It’s a good thing, too, said Brian.
“Every year there’s work that needs to be done, just you know, maintenance on the yurt and on the equipment that’s involved in the operation,” said Brian, listing snowmobiles, a snow cat and a custom sleigh.
These machines are part of the magic of the Viking Yurt, which isn’t just a six-course meal, after all, but includes a 32-person sleigh ride up and down the snow-covered mountain.
“The whole experience is fun. Riding up in the sleigh, you go up when it’s still a little bit light and you can see things, but then when you come back down the hill at night, it’s the whole Park City Valley lit up. It’s stunningly beautiful,” said Brian.
Oddly enough, Brian said the family has found the business is similar to the rafting trips he’s managed for most of his career. While the summer sport and winter dining experiences couldn’t be more different at first glance, the operations function almost the same, he said.
“We’re used to running tours where they have unique logistics. You got to move people from one point to another point, and hopefully in an entertaining way, and at some point, you have to stop and fix the dinner. … It felt like a fit to us. Instead of rafts and buses and trucks, it’s snow cats and snowmobiles and different logistics,” said Brian.
Another unique element of the Viking Yurt experience is its fixed menu, which Brian said they don’t plan on changing.
Everyone eats the same six courses (which can accommodate any dietary restriction) — a lobster and salmon bisque, a mixed-greens salad, a lemon tarragon sorbet, the signature main course of a braised short rib with mashed potatoes and winter vegetables, followed by a cheese course and a chocolate cake with vanilla, cardamom ice cream.
While the menu doesn’t change, Brian said the yurt has plenty of regulars who make reservations at the yurt every season, sometimes multiple times.
“In the yurt itself, it’s just a neat cozy atmosphere with everybody in there having fun. You end up sharing a table with people you’ve never met before, and that was one of the best parts,” Brian said about one of their many visits.
As the new owners, Brian said the Merrills are most dedicated to continuing the legacy left by the Viks.
“The Viks had a really tremendous formula, the menu and just the way they did things was really fantastic. And so a lot of that has just remained the same. We’re not going to fix it if it isn’t broken,” he said with a laugh.
The Merrills’ first winter season will begin on Dec. 15 and run through April 6, and Brian said he hopes people give them a shot.
“We’re trying to really honor what (the Viks) created. For those people who like that familiarity and love the yurt experience, we’re going to continue that,” he said.
For more information and to reserve a seat: vikingyurt.com.
