When it comes to top-notch skiing in North America, it doesn’t get much better than Park City, Utah. That’s why the majority of the skiing and snowboarding events of the 2002 Winter Olympics were held there. Serious skiers and travel enthusiasts know that with 300 inches of powder each year, Deer Valley, Utah is the place to be. If you’re really serious about skiing — like double-black-diamond, edge-carving, no-boards-allowed kind of skiing — then Deer Valley Resort is your holy grail.
First In Class
Over four decades ago, Deer Valley Resort planted its flag and set the bar high for the ski industry by providing a level of service once only expected from five-star hotels. Achieving that early vision to pair world-class skiing with luxury accommodations, gourmet food and impeccable service has made Deer Valley a staple atop most every list of the country’s best ski resorts. The resort boasts three distinct lodging areas. Snow Park, near the base of the mountain, provides hotel rooms and private home options closer to the nightlife of the Historic Main Street. The uppermost lodging at Empire Pass provides stellar views, while Silver Lake has residences located in the middle of it all.
All of this is situated around more than 2,000 acres of alpine skiing that makes Deer Valley Resort the Best Ski Resort in North America, according to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Ski Exclusively
The winter season kicks off in early December and lasts through mid-April, leaving plenty of time to hit the slopes. Deer Valley understands excessive crowds dampen the overall experience, so they unapologetically limit the slopes to skiers only.
When you see the slopes, you’ll be glad they go through such troubles. There are 103 ski runs and six bowls for skiers of all levels to explore. After a few warmup runs, advanced skiers will choose to hit the black-diamond and double-black-diamond trails like The Fortune Teller or The Mayflower Chutes from atop Bald Mountain, which peaks at elevations up to 9,400 feet. With 21 chair lifts, there will be plenty of access to whatever trail suits your fancy.
This is a haven for expert skiers. However, we all start somewhere, and it's good to know Deer Valley’s ski school is second to none. With their Bambi Club, lessons start as young as 4 years old and continue on in several age-appropriate children’s groups. Of course, adult sessions and private one-on-one sessions are available to meet the needs of almost any novice skier or someone who just needs a refresher course.
Tandoori Traditions
With everything from small cafes offering takeout to reservation-only affairs, the dining options at Deer Valley are as varied as the immaculate slopes. This season marks the unveiling of Cast & Cut, the valley’s most anticipated new steakhouse. Located at Snow Park Lodge, Cast & Cut offers the quintessential steakhouse experience complete with dry-aged steaks, lobster, caviar and wild-caught trout accompanied by the best locally sourced ingredients, all freshly prepared by their team of award-winning chefs.
Enjoy a taste of the Alps when you visit Fireside Dining. The alpine-inspired menu starts off with a first course of warm and melty raclette or “roasted” Swiss cheese, which harkens back to the Middle Ages as it is served from stone fireplaces. Steamed potatoes and pickled onions pair up with housemade mustards, fruit chutneys, Italian salami and fresh baguettes that elevate your thinking of what charcuterie can be. Main courses include mountain weather-inspired comforts like grilled lamb T-bone steaks and veal and wild mushroom stew. Parents and pickier eaters need not worry as there are several casual eateries offering a wide variety of staples and kid-friendly options to choose from.