Deer Valley
Deer Valley = No Snowboarders! In line with the upscale and elegant ambience of Deer Valley, snowboarding is not just frowned upon but is prohibited. Deer Valley is a ski resort in the truest sense and has carved out a fabulous niche in the ski market. They unashamedly cater to discerning guests who desire exclusivity and don’t mind paying more dollars for the privilege of the amazing service.
Like other Park City area resorts, the profile of Deer Valley markedly increased as a result of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Deer Valley hosted the alpine slalom, freestyle moguls, and aerial events. Needless to say, they didn’t host any snowboarding events.
Skiing Terrain
Deer Valley is small compared to some of the neighbouring resorts. The annual snowfall is also slightly less, so to compete with other
Utah ski fields, Deer Valley differentiates itself in many elite ways. Lift ticket sales are limited to ensure that the slopes are not crowded, and even the ski slopes of Deer Valley are upmarket, with top notch grooming to ensure the snow is perfectly manicured. The fabulous fall line cruisers are a highlight of the
terrain that is spread across six mountains, and there are also glades, moguls, and a few bowls and chutes. The lift infrastructure is fantastic and the lift placement is well planned.
The resort has varied terrain for all ability levels, although it is particularly well suited to families, intermediate skiers and those who love groomers. There is only very limited expert terrain, although Deer Valley has been working hard to rectify this perception by adding new terrain and heavy marketing. This is a fabulous ski resort, but experts and powderhounds will find better opportunities at various other
Utah resorts.
Where is Deer Valley Ski Resort?
Deer Valley is a mile from downtown
Park City, Utah, which is about 62km from the Salt Lake City airport. Ground transportation companies operate various regular transfers from the airport to the Park City area, and there is a free bus that provides transport around and between
Park City, Deer Valley and
The Canyons.
Deer Valley Accommodation
The
accommodation at Deer Valley is rather posh and has a matching price tag. Many of the accommodations are slope-side which adds to the luxury. Less expensive accommodation can be found in
Park City which is a quick shuttle bus ride away. Alternatively
stay in Salt Lake City if you’re really on a budget.
Facilities and Service
The service is a stand out feature at Deer Valley. All the staff are taught the philosophy that the service has to be exceptional, and they have the mantra of the DVD – the Deer Valley Difference. Ski valets lift skis off car racks and carry guests’ ski gear, complimentary overnight ski storage is provided, and the attention to detail for all aspects of the skiing experience are covered.
Culture and Cost
The resort appeals to a mostly upscale clientele, but everyone is made to feel welcome except snowboarders of course. The snobbiness that can be apparent in Main St Park City isn’t evident at Deer Valley, as most people are there to ski rather than strut, so the vibe is much more relaxed. The presence of many families also keeps things “real”.
The costs at Deer Valley are remarkably high, and this includes the lift tickets, food, ski school, and accommodation. As an example, private ski lessons are marked up about 80 percent compared to other Utah resorts. It is reasonable to pay more for exceptional quality, but there are some aspects such as ski rental where you wonder if you’re just paying for the prestige of being at Deer Valley. Of course there’s no point complaining about the costs. If Deer Valley is within your budget then enjoy, and if not, go elsewhere!
Why Ski or Snowboard at Deer Valley?
Whilst it doesn’t win a Powderhounds’ award for powder skiing, Deer Valley is a multi-award winner on many other stages. It has been rated the #1 ski resort in North America by readers of SKI magazine multiple times. At Deer Valley you can expect exceptional customer service and amazing attention to detail. It probably isn’t the place to go if you’re a hard-core no-frills skier, and definitely not the place to go if you’re a grungy snowboarding dude. However if you want the ultimate in luxury and fabulous resort skiing, then Deer Valley is definitely number one.