Utah’s powder paradise

With two incredible alpine resorts, hundreds of fantastic bars, cafes and restaurants and easy access from an international airport, it’s no surprise Park City in Utah has become one of the world’s best winter playgrounds that’s set to get even better this coming winter thanks to an incredible terrain expansion.

Deer Valley

They call it the ‘Deer Valley Difference’ in Utah’s Park City and they aren’t wrong, because this is a skiing enthusiast’s paradise unlike few others on the planet.

At Deer Valley, a skier-only resort just minutes from Park City, find 21 lifts, 103 ski runs, and 820 hectares of terrain, for every skill level, spanning novice to expert, with a good mix for all abilities.

Part of the resort’s Deer Valley Difference is prioritising guest satisfaction by limiting daily skier numbers, ensuring an optimal mountain experience for all on the mountain and it’s truly noticeable.

Here don’t be surprised when you have runs to yourself and chairlifts with no queues, most accessed by resorts, hotels and lodges that offer ski valet, ski-in, ski-out facilities and if you choose to drive here, there are staff to carry your skis from the car to the lift.

It’s part of the offering that includes impeccable service, a high attention to guest satisfaction, luxurious lodging and award-winning dining.

With a legacy spanning over 40 years, Deer Valley has continuously set the standard for excellence in ski resorts, pairing superior customer service with culinary delights and pristine grooming.

Recently, the resort has been embarking on a new chapter called ‘Expanded Excellence’, a visionary initiative to enhance and enrich the Deer Valley experience, which, incredibly by the 2025-2026 ski season will see the resort double the skier terrain, add a new portal as base area in the Deer Valley East Village and start on the long-awaited Snow Park base transformation.

The good news is Deer Valley Resort is on track to deliver the largest ski resort expansion in history in time for the 2025-2026 ski season.

This coming Northern winter, Deer Valley will debut seven new chairlifts—including the East Village Express, a 10-passenger gondola linking the new East Village to Park Peak—and more than 80 new ski runs.

Deer Valley’s East Village Gondola, East Village Express, is expected to open in December 2025, conditions permitting.

It will be Deer Valley’s first 10-person gondola, which will connect the Deer Valley East Village to the top of Park Peak in Deer Valley’s existing footprint.

Deer Valley will also welcome its second 6-person chairlift with a bubble, Pinyon Express, along with the other new chairlifts Revelator Express, Galena Express Neptune Express and Pioche Express.

For the 2025-2026 ski season, Deer Valley East Village will also offer a Deer Valley Skier Services building that includes a rental shop, complimentary ski storage, and ticketing.

These additions bring the resort’s total to 10 new lifts and over 100 new runs since December 2024, marking a defining milestone in Deer Valley’s transformation.

“With multiple large-scale projects underway, we’re strategically focusing our efforts to ensure success at every step,” said Deer Valley Resort President and COO, Todd Bennett.

“This winter’s terrain expansion—more than doubling our skiable acreage—is a once-in-a-generation transformation, and it deserves our full attention.”

Deer Valley now boasts 31 chairlifts, over 200 ski runs, seven bowls, 300 inches of annual snowfall, and 4,300 skiable acres, firmly making it one of the world’s premier ski-only mountains.

The resort has a number of fun options when on the mountain, including the unique ‘ski with a champion’ offering, where you can hit the slopes with an Olympic snowsport athlete.

The athletes are available to ski with individuals, families and groups for exclusive half- and full-day adventures at Deer Valley Resort and the program includes Olympic athletes Shannon Bahrke, Fuzz Feddersen, Kaylin Richardson, Jillian Vogtli, Chris Waddell, Trace Worthington and Ashley Caldwell, each a champion in their respective skiing disciplines.

You can also make the most of your day by taking your skiing to the next level with Deer Valley’s Gold Standard of Instruction.

But Deer Valley isn't just a winter wonderland. In summer, the resort comes alive with outdoor concerts and a plethora of activities, boasting 112 kilometres of mountain biking and hiking trails, alongside scenic chairlift rides.

WHERE TO STAY

Deer Valley is home to some of America’s leading alpine hotels, resorts and lodges where hospitality, style, comfort and luxury all go hand in hand.

Leading the way at this fantastic ski resort is Stein Eriksen Lodge, nestled amid the alpine serenity of Deer Valley and identified both across America and worldwide as a legendary luxury ski hotel.

Stein Eriksen Lodge is an authentic year-round European lodge offering an elegant blend of contemporary sophistication and nostalgic grace.

Inspired by the Olympic legend and his Norwegian heritage, this traditional ski lodge was the first luxury property in Park City and today it remains one of the best in the region.

Adorned with oversized leather chairs, crackling fireplaces, and a welcoming ambiance, Stein Eriksen Lodge provides guests fantastic service, comfort and an exceptional ski-in, ski-out location in Deer Valley.

Being Utah’s longest-running Forbes Five-Star hotel and spa, Stein Eriksen Lodge ups the ante when it comes to luxury lodging in this state and here, guests can experience the best mid-mountain access at Deer Valley Resort, award-winning dining (including the brilliant Alpen Globe dinner experience), indulgent spa treatments, and always entertaining après, making Stein Eriksen Lodge a fantastic year-round offering.

At Trail’s End Lodge, bright woodsy accommodations place you right at the base of Deer Valley’s fun slopes.

Here, you can choose from one- to four-bedroom spacious residences fitted with private outdoor hot tubs, stone fireplaces and inviting living areas to settle into after the day’s adventures.

The Lodge has ski-in, ski-out access with valet facilities and there’s complimentary breakfast on the second floor, ideal before heading out and being on a chair for your first run within minutes of finishing your coffee.

Trails End is part of Deer Valley Resort’s Collection Properties and popular for families from across the world.

The newest resort in the area is the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, which made its debut in November 2024 in time for the last ski season.

The resort anchors the newly developed Deer Valley East Village – the first luxury alpine village of its kind in North America since 1981 which includes 300-plus new skiable acres, 20 new runs and three new chairlifts – and set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains.

The resort features approximately 436 luxury accommodations, including 55 residences, which offer breathtaking views of the iconic Rocky Mountains, Heber Valley and Jordanelle Reservoir through oversized windows that frame the stunning landscape.

Grand Hyatt Deer Valley has also introduced seven culinary concepts to the new East Village, headlined by Remington Hall, where you can experience Rustic American fare by acclaimed Culinary Director Chef Marc Marrone.

EAT AND DRINK

Headlining the dining experiences in Deer Valley is found at the luxurious Stein Eriksen Lodge, where you can dine in an Alpen Globe on the terrace.

Six life-size Alpenglobes sit atop the deck of the Mountain Lodge and these unique, clear domes offer a climate-controlled and fully enclosed atmosphere with captivating, panoramic Deer Valley views for our guests to enjoy outdoor dining and lounging.

Four globes seat up to six guests and two seat up to eight guests and reservations are US$200 for a 90-minute breakfast or lunch, and US$250 for a 90-minute dinner meal period.

Dining selections in the Alpenglobes come from the menus at the Troll Hallen and Glitretind restaurants and they are loaded up with local produce.

At Glitretind, renowned chef Enrico Arcita offers a twocourse menu with highlights like cured Ora king salmon, lobster and Osetra caviar, a wild mushroom pot pie and Hamachi crudo for the first course, followed by some fantastic main dishes, including an Iberian Duroc pork tenderloin, bison ribeye, Double R Ranch beef tenderloin and a delicious Maine tuna and Peekytoe crab with charred brassicas, horseradish cream, trout roe and bonito oil.

Here also expect fantastic views of Deer Valley Resort and on Sundays, Glitretind’s famed brunch starts at 11am.

Well known for its lively après, light lunch or dinner, Troll Hallen is all about enjoying American classics, local spirits, brews and the best cocktails on the mountain, including the Stein’s Norwegian Toddy.

Head here for the Lodge’s take on après classics, like Stein’s garlic cheese fries, devilled avocados and egg, truffle cheddar fritters and the legendary Mountain mushroom ‘Cheesesteak’, with Jarlsberg cheese, smoked onions, bell peppers and roasted garlic smear on a hoagie roll.

Alongside fantastic cuisine, Stein Eriksen Lodge is known for its impressive wine cellar that includes over 20,000 bottles worth over US$2.6 million, highlighted by some of the world’s leading labels, spanning the United States, France, Italy, Australia and more.

Held at a constant temperature of 55 degrees Fahrenheit and 60 percent humidity, the wine cellar features floorto-ceiling redwood racks and a tasting room for up to 10 guests.

Whether you pop in for coffee in the morning, take in the lively après or have dinner in the Alpenglobes offers fantastic experiences all day long.

For another unique taste of the European Alps in the mountains of Deer Valley, head to Fireside Dining, where an eventful experience awaits.

Here, there’s a four-course experience menu with chef’s stations set up at open fires around the traditional dining hall. You’ll lead off with the fan favourite, Warm Swiss Raclette, served from stone fireplaces and accompanied by a selection of cured meats, potatoes, chutneys and freshly baked baguettes.

Then there’s a choice of soups and salads, some warm specialties like beef and wild mushroom stew, seared salmon and seared venison medallions. You’ll need to save room for the carvery through, because what awaits is a delicious prime rib roast and the leg of lamb.

In true European style, it finishes with a fondue dessert station accompanied by cookies, cinnamon pound cake, candies, fruits and key lime tartlets.

If you’d like to arrive in style, book a horse-drawn sleigh ride, available Wednesday through Sunday, for US$50 (up to six guests) and amplify the European experience.

For a hearty on-mountain lunch after some morning runs, head to Royal Street Café in the Silver Lake Lodge for creative American and international cuisine with scenic deck dining.

Here, the menu options include creative appetizers, sandwiches, Deer Valley’s Turkey Chili, fresh salads and specialty entrées, alongside a tempting assortment of desserts.

Deer Valley Creamery’s refreshing selection of homemade ice cream is also available and it’s a great way to finish the meal.

Right above Royal Street Café is one of the newest après experiences in Deer Valley, The Sticky Wicket, a vintage bar that evokes the Golden Era of skiing. Serving lunch daily and open late for après, the menu includes appetizers, sandwiches, crisp salads and desserts large enough to share. Some of the favourite dishes here are the Sticky Finger Brisket Fries and the Nashville Fried Chicken Sandwich, served alongside hand crafted cocktails, as well as a wide selection of wine, ciders, seltzers, and local Utah craft beers.

The brand-new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley has seven culinary concepts to the new East Village, including our favourite Remington Hall, where you can experience Rustic American fare by acclaimed Culinary Director Chef Marc Marrone.

Open from breakfast to dinner, the menus offer fresh regional produce highlighting Utah and the American West. In the evenings, starters include favourites like crab dip, a colossal shrimp cocktail and a bison tartare with cured egg yolk, truffle aioli and thin cheese croutons.

For the mains, meats headline the show and cuts like a Bone-In Grilled Pork Chop, Center Cut Bison Filet, Boneless Ribeye and a 32-oz dry-aged Niman Ranch porterhouse lead the way, of course alongside some classic favourites like a pan seared salmon and seared scallops.

The wine and cocktail lists also impress – order a Barrel-Rolled Boulevard with High West Bourbon (from Main Street, Park City), Dolin Blanc, Sherry and Frambois – which can also be enjoyed in the Remington Hall Lounge, which also offers après-ski bar bites, like wagyu ‘pigs in a blanket’ and caramelized onion dip served with chips and caviar.

deervalley.com

GETTING THERE

Wayfarer recommends flying to Salt Lake City, Utah on United Airlines, which offers daily flights to the city from across America (including New York, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and more) and connections from around the world. united.com