Deer Valley is an exclusive ski resort located in Park City, Utah, and is a mere 38 miles from Salt Lake City. Combining stunning and picturesque slopes with industry-best amenities, impeccable lodging, and instructive ski classes, there’s something for everyone at the Deer Valley Ski Resort.
What Is Skiing Like At Deer Valley Ski Resort?
The resort offers an experience unrivaled by any other in the country. Easily accessible from nearby Salt Lake City, the resort is located on the beautiful Wasatch Range of the western Rockies, and its slopes are immaculately maintained for the best possible skiing experience possible.
Named the US’s best ski resort by Condé Nast Traveler, Deer Valley offers the ultimate family skiing experience paired with unimpeachable customer service. Those eager to hit the slopes will find getting there a trivial matter; the resort’s speedy ski lifts will have you cruising down the mountainside in a matter of minutes, and many of the lodges are ski-in/ski-out, meaning you can strap your skis on and just go!
Is Deer Valley Ski Resort Only For Skiers?
Yes – it is indeed a ski-only resort, and as such, snowboards are not allowed. That said, alpine, telemark, and monoski equipment are all permitted, provided feet are forward-facing and planted side by side. Deer Valley takes its commitment to skiing seriously – it’s one of only three resorts in the United States that are ski-only.
Can You Rent Skis At Deer Valley?
You certainly can. The resort offers top-of-the-line Rossignol ski equipment, all expertly maintained by trained technicians. The resort has two rental shops, both of which have extended opening hours and are conveniently located in the event of your needing to switch out your equipment. It’s also possible to book equipment online and have it ready for you at dispatch stations, obviating the need to waste time picking up your equipment before hitting the slopes.
Got your own equipment? You can make use of the rental shops to have your equipment maintained or waxed for a nominal fee. Whether renting or using your own, the resort ensures that you spend less time worrying about equipment and more time on the slopes.
Is Deer Valley Good For Beginner Skiers?
Yes – the resort is perfect for novice skiers. 27% of the resort’s slopes are rated ‘green’ (extremely easy, flat slopes) and there are multiple areas designed ‘slow ski’ areas, ensuring that novices of any age can get to grips with the slopes without feeling nervous or uncomfortable. Such slopes ensure that there aren’t more advanced skiers zooming past at high speeds, and beginners can feel free to take their time and get their bearings.
The best slopes for beginners are detailed below.
Silver Strike Express
Yes – the resort is perfect for novice skiers. 27% of the resort’s slopes are rated ‘green’ (extremely easy, flat slopes) and there are multiple areas designed ‘slow ski’ areas, ensuring that novices of any age can get to grips with the slopes without feeling nervous or uncomfortable. Such slopes ensure that there aren’t more advanced skiers zooming past at high speeds, and beginners can feel free to take their time and get their bearings.
The best slopes for beginners are detailed below.
Northside Express
The express chairlift of the Northside Express is located just outside the entrance of Deer Valley’s Grand Lodge, making access to the slope child’s play. Another great introduction to skiing in Deer Valley for adults and children alike.
Ruby Express
With a ski lift that will have you at the top of the slope in less than three minutes, the Ruby Express originates at the Empire Lodge and features a gentle, well-maintained slope that’s great for skiing neophytes to sink their teeth into.
What’s The Hardest Run At Deer Valley?
The most talked-about run at the resort is undoubtedly Chute #4. This challenging double-black-diamond (the highest possible slope grade) slope has excellent snow quality, but requires the skier to traverse a wooded area from the ski lift, and sometimes develops cornices that can make navigating the slope treacherous. Definitely one for expert skiers only.
Deer Valley Vs. Park City
A lot of visitors to the Park City area will find themselves wondering if it’s not worth simply staying in the city itself, as opposed to making use of the Deer Valley lodging. While this is certainly something worth considering, staying onsite is a perfectly valid option. The resort not only offers unparalleled customer service that ensures your every desire is sated, it also offers the best variety of ski terrain – with the sort of immaculately groomed slopes that keep beginners and experts alike coming back.
That said, there are a number of options that are close to Deer Valley that are just as good as staying in the resort itself. There are even a few hotels and resorts within Park City itself that, despite their easy access to the city amenities, still offer ski-in/ski-out access! Let’s take a look at two of the better options available within Park City itself.
What’s The Hardest Run At Deer Valley?
The deluxe condos offered at The Caledonian, located in downtown Park City and just over a mile from Deer Valley, are enough to make you want to skip the skiing altogether and just while the day away in front of the fireplace! With fully equipped kitchens for home-cooked meals and hot tubs located on private balconies, staying at The Caledonian is truly living in the lap of luxury.
Of course, The Caledonian still offers quick and easy access to the slopes at Park City Mountain, with ski-in/ski-out access and ski lifts located conveniently close to each condo entrance.
Portico
Looking for something a little more secluded and rustic? Portico‘s chalet-style cabins bring all the old-world charm of the Swiss Alps to Utah, with private decks and garages, cozy kitchens, and crackling fireplaces to warm you after a hard day on the piste. The best part? Portico is just under a mile from Deer Valley!
Town Lift Condominiums
Combining the best of both worlds, Town Lift offers fast access to the slopes of Park City Mountain while making sure you have all the creature comforts of the city. Located on Main Street in downtown Park City and just over a mile from Deer Valley, Town Lift puts you right at the heart of the action while still ensuring that you can be skiing in a matter of minutes with the Town Lift ski lift.
What’s more, each condo is as fully equipped as any other you’d find in the area, meaning you don’t have to sacrifice even a modicum of comfort for being right in the middle of town. There are even private garages, ensuring that you never have to fight for a parking spot in the streets below.
Deer Valley Ski School
Deer Valley’s award-winning ski school makes learning the sport easy and fun. With classes available for both kids and adults, the resort’s experienced instructors offer lessons that are both instructive and entertaining. All lessons are tailored to each student’s ability level and desired goals, and are designed to ensure students hit the slopes as quickly as possible in order to make the most out of their vacation.
Even if you’ve got a few hours on the piste under your belt, it may be worth taking a few classes nonetheless. If you’re at all rusty, brushing up on your technique can ensure that you have a more enjoyable time out on the slopes – and it may break you out of some bad habits that you didn’t even realize you had.
Whatever your decision, it’s worth chatting with one of the resort’s instructors before making any final decisions. A prudent skier is a skier that has a good time!
Deer Valley, Utah Lodging
The resort itself features no shortage of amazing lodges nearby and within the resort grounds itself – so much so, that it can be tough to make a decision about where to stay. When making a decision on Deer Valley, Utah, lodging, it pays to go with All Seasons Resort Lodging – the leading industry experts on Deer Valley Ski Resort lodgings, as well as other nearby hotels and lodges within Park City itself.
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