Travel: Deer Valley – Consistently Rated the Best (For Skiers) Now Getting Bigger

Mountainwatch | Rhylla Morgan

If you follow World Cup freestyle events you know of Deer Valley from those middle-of-the-night watch parties, cheering on Jakara Anthony, Matt Graham, Lydia Lassila and Jacqui Cooper as they’ve collected Crystal Globes.

 You might also know it’s where Gwyneth Paltrow infamously had an on-slope smash, and a subsequent court case that was in the media for weeks.

For us mere mortals who are neither Hollywood A-listers nor have Olympic medals for our skiing there are still plenty of reasons to put the Utah resort onto a list of ‘must get to’ ski destinations. I use the word ski here intentionally – sorry snowboarders but your sideways sliding style is not accommodated on these perfectly groomed slopes. It’s consistently ranked as #1 in US and international resort awards and Deer Valley shows no signs of resting on their laurels. They have big news… more on that later.

Since its beginnings in the early ‘80s Deer Valley has been all about offering ‘a service-oriented ski experience’ paired with beautiful accommodation and dining. The concept for the resort is founded on giving the service and amenities guests can expect from a first-class hotel. The Stern family founders’ background in hospitality is woven through the DNA of the place and continues today. They pioneered the simple, yet important step of offering tissues for guests at chairlifts. An insightful level of care tackling a small irritation, that pesky nose drip, with a thoughtful fix.

Deer Valley doesn’t pretend to be for everyone. It’s French champagne and lobster rolls, not parking lot tailgate beers. It’s long lunches and luxury, not power bars and burritos on the go. It’s full service from the impeccable grooming to the complimentary ski storage at the end of the day. Importantly, Deer Valley carefully manages capacity in the resort. Those snaking lift lines you’ve seen on your social media feed – do not happen here.

A few things Aussies love about Deer Valley >

Convenience. It’s a 45-minute drive from Salt Lake City airport and under $100 in an Uber. There are superb accommodations right in resort for those who want to be close to the runs or a short hop to Park City offers plenty of options with the perks of being downtown for shopping and dining. If you stay in Deer Valley Resort Lodgings, you have access to the Deer Valley Direct App – their own rideshare service that takes all the fuss out of getting around during your visit. We stayed at the beautiful Silver Baron Lodge just a three-minute ride to the resort base and left the car parked for the whole stay.

Access. Full Ikon Pass holders get seven days in Deer Valley with no blackouts. You do need to book your days (that’s the capacity management at play to make sure your runs are uncrowded) but it means you can ski during peak holiday periods if you wish. It’s a great deal when you look the price of day passes for this in-demand ski resort.

Location. Aussie skiers are often looking to mix things up. Again, if you’re rolling on an Ikon Pass you have some great ski areas close by. Solitude and Brighton are a short drive and offer distinctly different experiences with a taste of how local Utah folks like to ski (and snowboard – these resorts are snowboard friendly).

Options. Deer Valley nails it with a wide range of experiences. It’s reassuring for beginner skiers and intermediates with endless wide blue runs and a superb teaching area. It’s possibly one of the best resorts in the world to learn with plenty of steady pitch and that smooth, smooth grooming.

The ski area is big, and about to get much, much bigger. Deer Valley’s latest news is it is developing a further 3,700 skiable acres – and adding 16 more lifts – which will double its size and make them one of the largest ski areas in North America. You’ll need more than seven days here if you plan to try and ski it all. And yes, the shiny new lifts do have those heated seats. The expansion has already started and is ongoing.

For more experienced and adventurous skiers there is a generous side serving of black terrain and a new cat-accessed backcountry service on the backside of Bald Mountain for those who prefer untracked powder to perfect cord. Deer Valley doesn’t actively pitch itself to gnarly double-diamond seeking skiers, so the good news is those spicier zones don’t get tracked out like they would at spots like Snowbird or Jackson Hole… Days after a storm, folks are strolling to the lifts after a leisurely breakfast and lapping the blues while you can sniff out largely untapped advanced runs.

Culture. There’s usually something cool going on here and if you like to scratch the surface of a place you’ll find plenty of things to add to your experience in addition to getting in turns. The mining history is everywhere to see with historic buildings and mining remnants through the resort and the surrounding area dating back to the 1800’s when lead, gold and silver caused the area to boom. The Sundance Film Festival (Jan-Feb) has filled Park City with famous faces for 40 years and is being held here for the last time in 2026 before moving to Boulder, CO. Deer Valley has a varied events and activities calendar with a surprising mix of things to enjoy during your stay including cooking and craft classes. Well-informed locals take free guided tours around the ski area every day. It’s a great way to discover new terrain and get insider knowledge on everything from where to get the best burger to whether Taylor Swift might be in town.

Some tips:

No cash. Deer Valley is cashless. They have clever reverse ATMs at the base area so you can load your currency onto a card for use in resort.

Passport required. Utah has unique liquor licencing laws and it’s worth reading up before you travel if you enjoy a tipple. If you plan on dining in a licenced venue, you may be asked to show your passport to be admitted.  We learned the hard way that a photo of it isn’t enough – they need to see the actual document. So, consider taking it with you tucked securely inside a zipped pocket when you go skiing. If you want to pick up some drinks for your stay, you’ll need to find a state liquor store (closed on Sundays) as you cannot buy any alcohol in a supermarket or corner store.

Shopping. If you’d like a retail fix, consider some time at Junction Commons, a popular outlet complex less than 10 miles from Deer Valley for bargains from many big brands including ski gear. Make time for a stroll through the great stores, boutiques and galleries in Park City too.

EAT: The Snow Park base lodge offers great lunch options of a day and transforms into a superb buffet experience at night called Cast & Cut. Skip lunch to make room for an overwhelming array of unlimited seafood, game, sushi, alpine inspired cheesy morsels and a stunning dessert bar.

Take a lunch stop mid-mountain for classic après fare at the Sticky Wicket. Deer Valley ambassador and grinning ski icon Wayne Wong had a hand in the styling of this cosy ski bar which celebrates retro ski culture. It’s bustling, tasty and fun for a quick bite or an afternoon kick on.

Go all out and splurge at Chute Eleven, a sumptuous yurt, where the champagne flows and the 5-star grilled cheese includes lobster and caviar.

STAY: Silver Baron Lodge is close to the base area, connected by the ride share and combines comfort with stunning scale and rustic mining heritage design inspiration. Balconies overlook the outdoor pool and spa area, and a tasty breakfast is included.

Explore a range of options from individual condos to luxury hotels.

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