Skiing:
Deer Valley
When most
skiers hear the words “Deer Valley,” they conjure up
images of groomed corduroy and heaping buffet plates. Although
these images are indeed correct they are also lacking in
detail. Deer Valley does have groomed corduroy and some of the
best food in the skiing world. What many don’t know is it
also has some of the best tree skiing and powder opportunities
in the state of Utah.
While the
majority of the clientele are cruising groomers or soaking up
the ambience of the multiple lodges, the off trail snow
remains largely untouched. Any terrain involving a traverse or
short hike will hold snow 
for
days. Daly Bowl and the Daly Chutes are the gems of Deer Valley. These
cornice guarded steep slots through the
rocks and trees will test even the most jaded expert. Ontario
Bowl is another spot that holds powder all day long. The
entrance is not even noticed by most skiers, it is located off
the Ontario beginners trail. Keep your eye out for a sign on
the left hand side of the trail, hang a left off the trail and
hike up a short hill. From the top of the hill you can choose
untouched lines to either side of the ridgeline.
Deer
Valley has made a concerted effort over the years to enhance
their glade skiing. Numerous aspen groves and stands of pines
provide the perfect haven for tree skiing aficionados. In
addition to the aforementioned Ontario Bowl there is also
Sunset Glade, and Triangle Trees. It’s not uncommon to be
able to link untracked turns through the trees long after a
storm day.
If you do come
to Deer Valley to soak up some corduroy and be pampered you
won’t be disappointed. Deer Valley has 21 lifts, eight of
these are detachable quad lifts. If charting a lot of vertical
drop is your thing, Deer Valley will be right
up your alley. There are detachable quads that go to the top
of every mountain within the resort. Flagstaff Mountain has no
less than four high-speed quads coming into the summit from
several directions. With all of this high-speed
transportation, your thighs will wear out before the day wears
on.
From the top
of Bald Eagle, Bald Mountain, Flagstaff Mountain, and Empire
Canyon you can find a virtual bouquet of groomed cruising
runs. As per Deer Valley style, they will be smoother than the
carpet in your living room. You can be quite assured that
while you sleep, the cat crew is busy on the mountain at
night. The runs down Bald Mountain and Flagstaff Mountain are
very sustained; unlike many Utah resorts the pitch is constant
with no step-downs or flat spots.
If
you are bringing new skiers to Deer Valley, don’t fret; they
have one of the best ski schools in the Wasatch. There are
many gentle green runs to allow the beginner full use of the
mountain. Other than Empire Canyon and the left side of Bald
Mountain the beginner can venture about the entire resort.
There are several lifts in the Snow Park base that cater
exclusively to beginners.
There are many
places to eat at Deer Valley. The Snow Park Lodge, Silver Lake
Lodge, and the Empire Canyon Lodge are the most obvious places
to eat on-mountain. These places all exemplify the Deer Valley
treatment, wherein the food is a part of the skiing
experience. The salad bars are rumored to be
amongst the best to be found at any resort and the turkey
chili is known worldwide. The Snow Park Lodge serves up one of
the best seafood buffets in not only the skiing world but in the
culinary world as well. Be sure and call ahead for
reservations at (435) 645-6632.
Deer Valley has a large array of lodging. Condos are quite prevalent not only at the base but also throughout the mountain. If you can't find lodging slopeside, there are other hotels and condos available in and about Park City. Main Street in Park City provides many places to apres ski. A walk down the street will find many places to not only lift a glass of beer, but dance the night away.
Additional
Resources
Ski Travel: Top Deals, Destinations, and More!
Snow
Report
Deer
Valley Snow Report
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Skiing Utah
First
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6875 South Kiesta, West Jordan, UT 84084