Why is Deer Valley so popular with families? TR and briefing

While hardcore skiers online scorn Deer Valley, Utah, many great and hardcore skiers with families genuinely like DV.

First here is a short clip (2mins) of why: skiing immaculately groomed pistes just like Austria, France or Switzerland.


Then, on-mountain lodges are relatively clean (for America), food is better than most places (Snowbasin is the Gold Standard for this in the US), and there are people to help you if lost, need help getting skis etc.

The cons are the lift tickets are the most expensive in Utah and probably higher than anywhere else in the USA, and on-mountain lodging is expensive, but if one is smart, deals do abound. It is not necessarily more expensive to stay on-mountain in DV versus Alta.

Enjoy. DV is like a sure thing, the way they manage the mountain, you know skiing can be effortless and relaxed. But don't be fooled, their Blue runs are big, long and some are seriously steep, and they have some genuine expert terrain in Empire Canyon, areas called Centennial and Daly chutes etc. (I have not done them, the young lad in clips has naturally)

DV consistently polls as the most popular destination for skiing with families in the US, and this is giving you hints as to why. Note there is this usual economic class junk which permeates many an online discussion of DV, and that is quite un-American so to speak, I mean the raison d'etre is individual enterprise and celebration of success when earned. DV grooms immaculately, and it's a place that is crowded, commands real estate prices which are significantly more expensive than most other ski resorts anywhere, and that is a matter of supply and demand. So that "noise" aside, if one is looking for a relatively hassle free, good-sized mountain with long cruisers (by American standards) and steeps, plus enough gnarly terrain for most skiers, than DV is a great place to go. Park City, the downtown is 5-10mins drive away, and the scenery is reasonably pretty from the top. And the service in general is very good.

I have been going to DV for over 20 yrs so I wish to add my knowledge. The lift tickets are not the most expensive in the US especially when you purchase multi-day passes. The value occurs when you see just how much skiing you get in thanks to short lines everywhere. You can stay anywhere in Park City and use the free shuttle to get to Deer Valley with ease. The town of Park City is one of the best ski towns in the Rockies. Enjoy

First define "hardcore" !

I am a ski fanatic,,perhaps to some "hardcore" and I recommend to all skiers to go to Deer Valley once in their life time!
There are some "experiences" all hardcore skiers must do. Going to Deer Valley is one of them.

1. Ease of travel to Deer Valley
2. Quality of service. No other ski resort in the world gave me such service !
3. Quality of ski terrain ( varied, well groomed and well indicated)
4. The only place where ski patrol allowed me to ski my speed.
5. Best outside "serve yourself lunch" at Stein's Inn
6. Very best lift operators.
7. Unique well qualified ski instructors
8. Unique ski valet system. Unique in North America
9. Ski area topography with valleys, hidden slopes and cruisers
10. People at ski center. One word for all of them,,,,,unique !

Try it ! You will not regret it!

Respectfully,
Pavel

Not somewhere I would stay for a week, but a day or two as part of a Utah, or park City tour is a must for the reasons Pavel gives. Oh and the food is the best (and reasonably priced) if you missed that.

I fondly remember DV 10 years ago...

Good point Trencher,,,,I did forget to mention! Not a ski resort in Utah that you would ski more than 2 days!
There are so many other great great resorts in Utah!

One resort,,,,,,, that very few know about,,that I call a "hidden pearl" is Sundance ! In a dead end canyon away from the tourists and crowds this is a jewel !

Unique in ways I will not tell all here!

Well just one ! At top of resort is a unique cabin all alone it sits , " the view outside will take your breath away,,,but wait until you are inside ! Memories will flood your mind as you enter. Special music will be heard as you gaze at very special "articles"!

You must go to Sundance once also !

Ah! No 4 on your list, Pavel ~ brought back memories of Keystone. I was black-flagged six times by the patroller in one afternoon. At the end, we on first name terms, and quite friendly!

Dave Mac,

What good ski patrollers will do is watch you,,not so much for speed but how you ski !

In control and away from the "slow zones" and any speed will do !

I have solved that "speed" issue by going to see the Head Patroller early in the morning and allowing all patrollers to try the 5-8 pairs of skis I have to test. It gives me "security" for the skis since we leave them at top near patrol cottage and it allows me to do one or two runs before "public" has runs ! They often are the very best ski testers since they know how a ski "should" function under varied terrain.

Yes Keystone,,a resort I wish to visit soon! I heard they have much snow now !