Anyone who has skied Deer Valley knows this: it’s different. A unique, ski-only experience where a customer cap and pod-style lift plan spread skiers out to obviate lift lines. Where grooming takes on the mien of sculptural perfection and an unparalleled customer-service vibe spills over to fellow skiers, who smile a lot and hold doors for you—completely counter the dog-eat-dog feel of most large ski areas, where folks hustle to pass you at every (literal) turn.
For Deer Valley’s visionaries, this was always the plan. Skiing as it should be. Skiing as you wish it were. And that long-inculcated legacy of excellence is about to enter a new era. The resort is getting bigger. A lot bigger.
In August 2023, Deer Valley announced a partnership with Extell Development Company to expand its much-ballyhooed ski experience by almost tripling its terrain. And the numbers are indeed impressive: from 2,026 acres to 5,726; from 103 runs to 238; from 21 lifts to 37 (including a gondola); and an entirely new base access to be called Deer Valley East Village.
The resort’s promotional collateral labels the new terrain “a vast expanse of untouched adventure,” but you can call it the largest increase of skiable acreage in recent North American history, vaulting the resort into the company of the continent’s largest. Ski access across four new peaks (for a total of 10) with numerous signature Wasatch bowls and glades; 2,900 feet of vertical from the resort’s highest point of 9,350 feet; one of the longest runs in the U.S. at almost five miles; and all guaranteed by a cutting-edge, energy-efficient snowmaking system.
Even then they’re not done. The expansion is but part of a collection of projects trademarked “Expanded Excellence” (very Utah given the state’s registration of the phrase “The Greatest Snow on Earth”—of which Deer Valley has plenty), expected to evolve and elevate the Deer Valley experience for future generations. In addition to the terrain expansion anchored by East Village, skiers can expect an eventual transformation of the original Snow Park base and revitalization of existing facilities.
The new portal area will also benefit the region in general. Not only will the modern village feature a state-of-the-art skier services facility with ski school, rental, retail, skating rink, diverse dining choices, and hundreds of hotel rooms and residential units across multiple properties, but also represent an alternate gateway to the resort via U.S. Route 40, with 1,200 new day-skier parking spaces that may bring a hoped-for easing of traffic flow within Park City.
Anything this big, of course, is done in stages. Though there may be some limited access this coming season and a timeline for full buildout is yet to be set, the Phase I opening slated for 2025/26 will be substantial—2,900 acres and an additional 110 ski runs serviced by nine new chairlifts. If you’ve been to Deer Valley you know it sets the standard for a world-class ski experience; now it may be setting a standard for ski-area expansion and modernization.
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