When searching for the ultimate ski vacation, look no further than Deer Valley Resort in Park City Utah — a destination where today’s adventures create tomorrow’s dreams.
This award-winning resort is on the brink of becoming one of the largest ski resorts in the United States, thanks to ambitious expansion plans by its ownership company, Alterra Mountain Company. With its commitment to luxury and a world-class ski-only experience, Deer Valley is poised to remain an iconic mountain getaway for generations to come.
A Legacy of Excellence
Deer Valley has long held a reputation as one of the world’s premier ski resorts, consistently earning accolades for its impeccable grooming, dreamy cruiser runs, family-friendly atmosphere, and exceptional service. Built on one of the oldest mountains in Utah, Deer Valley Resort opened in 1981 — founded by the Stern family on the principles of service at a 5-star hotel. It remains a skier’s paradise, offering an exclusive, luxury-filled experience that sets it apart from other resorts.
What truly defines the “Deer Valley Difference” is its unwavering dedication to top-tier service. The resort limits daily lift ticket sales, ensuring small lift lines and an uncrowded experience. Additionally, it is one of the few major ski resorts that remains snowboard-free. From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice the unparalleled hospitality, with ski valets greeting guests to transport their gear with complimentary overnight ski storage — a touch of service rarely found elsewhere.
The Unmatched Guest Experience
With a staggering 3,000 employees catering to guests, Deer Valley boasts one of the highest staff-to-guest ratios in the industry. Many of its service professionals are seasoned locals or retirees who bring a wealth of experience to their roles and enthusiasm ensuring each guest receives first-class treatment both on and off the slopes.
Guests staying at Deer Valley managed lodging properties enjoy complimentary car service, making it effortless to explore the resort and nearby Park City. The exclusive Empire Express and DV Direct car services offer seamless transportation, reinforcing the resort’s commitment to luxury and convenience.
Skiing at Its Finest
Spanning seven mountains currently (soon to be 10), Deer Valley offers an incredible variety of terrain with six bowls, 930 acres of glade skiing and 700 acres of snowmaking. Enjoy the 300 inches of Utah’s signature light powder each season over 2,300 skiable acres and 123 runs accessed by 24 chairlifts.
For those new to the resort, I suggest taking complimentary guided tours with mountain hosts at various mountain peaks. Upon reaching Empire Summit at 9,570 feet, you can marvel at the breathtaking vistas of the Wasatch Range making for an unforgettable experience.
The resort also features one of the best ski schools in the U.S. as well as, Ski with a Champion Program featuring seven former Olympians. We enjoyed our day with former aerial artist, Fuzz Feddersen.
World-Class Accommodations & Dining
Deer Valley features five distinct lodging areas, each catering to different preferences and with a variety of options:
Empire Pass Area — A luxurious, secluded retreat favoured by celebrities for ski in and ski out, including the prestigious Montage Deer Valley. (Kardashian’s favourite)
Silver Lake Area — A mid-mountain hub offering upscale accommodations and full amenities.
Deer Valley East Village — Made its debut this season with seamless access to the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, a new skier services facility, and three new chairlifts plus more luxury hotels.
Snow Park Area — More budget, family-friendly and closest to Park City’s Historic Main Street, yet still providing the renowned Deer Valley experience.
Jordanelle Area — The perfect blend of tranquillity, convenience, and seamless access to world-class skiing, hiking, and mountain biking on nearby trails, along with family-friendly activities at the reservoir.
I enjoyed staying at the ski-in ski-out Grand Lodge in Empire Pass which offered full kitchen condominiums with two to five bedrooms suites. I loved walking out the back door to the Northside Chair for my favourite runs, Hawkeye and Lost Boulder.
For an extraordinary dining experience, Fireside Dining at Empire Canyon Lodge is a must-try. This alpine-inspired feast features an open-fire raclette cheese station, finely sliced filet mignon cooked by roaring fireplaces, an artisan pasta bar, and an extravagant dessert spread. Guests can even enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride before dinner for a truly magical evening.
Other dining highlights include:
Glitretind at Stein Eriksen Lodge — A five-star ski-in/ski-out boutique serving an unforgettable hot and cold buffet featuring fresh seafood, premium steaks, and gourmet desserts. Get there early as line ups are common.
Chute Eleven at Empire Canyon Lodge – An après-ski champagne yurt serving Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée, signature dish- caviar and lobster grilled cheese, truffle potato chips, fresh oysters with caviar, and a decadent malted chocolate cake.
Riverhorse on Main — A Park City favourite known for its crispy duck mac and cheese, pan-seared mountain trout, and 185 Farms centre-cut filet.
The Grand Expansion: Deer Valley East Village
Deer Valley’s future shines even brighter with the ongoing Expanded Excellence initiative, which will transform the resort into one of the largest in North America. The Deer Valley expansion will add a massive 3,700 acres of terrain, bringing the total skiable area to an astounding 5,700 acres. The expansion for the 25-26 season will introduce seven new chairlifts including, a 10-passenger gondola, 300 additional skiable acres, and 1,200 additional parking spots with free shuttle service at the new resort gateway. The new expansion will be massive with expanded multi-million dollar snowmaking, a number of luxury hotels and restaurants, North America’s largest ski beach, a skating rink and rumour has it, Tiger Woods is involved in building a new, nearby golf course. Skiers can already explore portions of this new area via the Keetley Express Chair, which connects to the existing Sultan Express.
Beyond the Slopes
For those looking to take a break from skiing, there are plenty of other winter activities to enjoy. Snowmobiling with Deer Valley Snowmobiling Company offers guided tours through breathtaking backcountry terrain. Guided snowshoe hikes and for nightlife, Park City’s vibrant scene awaits, with hotspots like Spur, Park City Brewing and No Name Saloon as Main Street Staples offering lively après-ski entertainment.
Deer Valley truly lives up to its reputation as world class and the “Greatest Snow on Earth.” From its world-class grooming and legendary service to its ambitious expansion plans, it is a bucket-list destination for skiers seeking luxury, adventure, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re carving down pristine runs, indulging in five-star dining, or relaxing in the cosy mountain villages, every moment at Deer Valley is world class and an experience worth savouring.
Glenn Crouter is also ski/lifestyle reporter 640 Toronto radio and Ambassador for the Canadian Ski Council. For resort suggestions @glennskigolf.
Up next, Mont-Tremblant then Jasper.
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