If you are looking for an exclusive high end resort with a fabulous snow record, Deer Valley is another US gem, unashamedly upmarket, which is constantly voted the number 1 ski resort in America by Ski Magazine, one of the major winter publications in America. When you get there you can see why. It’s like all the snowflakes are glued together and then reassembled as you ski past! Lots of fabulous “groomed” cruising runs with no familiar scraping noise of a snowboarder behind you (Snowboarding is banned) and you can feel your confidence building as you take to those corduroy pistes (or trails in US speak).
Deer Valley, Aspen and Beaver Creek all vie to be the number one ski resort in North America and though the skiing is superb in Deer Valley, with accommodations to match, you also have Park City and Canyons, minutes away, PLUS all the other Utah stunning areas of Alta, Snowbird,Solitude and Robert Redford’s resort of Sundance. More skiing in the area than the 3 valleys, sadly not interconnected, but never let that put you off.
The slopes are varied and interesting. Deer Valley’s reputation for immaculate grooming is justified, but there is also a lot of exciting tree skiing and some steep moguls. There are complimentary mountain guided tours for different standards, so they can show off why you are here. They are highly recommended and can take you to areas and stashes of fresh powder in the trees, that you would probably struggle to find yourselves.
Chairlifts can take you up Bald Eagle Mountain, just beyond which is the mid-mountain focus of Silver Lake Lodge. You can ski from here to the isolated Little Baldy Peak, served by a gondola and a quick chairlift, with predominantly easy runs to serve properties there but where you will find deserted and immaculately groomed runs, with awesome views. The main skiing though is on three linked peaks beyond Silver Lake Lodge – Bald Mountain, Flagstaff Mountain and Empire Canyon. The top of Empire is just a few metres from the runs of the Park City ski area but crossing the fence that divides the two is banned with severe penalties for those that transgress…be warned.
Despite the image of luxury and perfectly groomed slopes, there is excellent expert terrain on all three main mountains, including fabulous glades, bumps, chutes and bowls. And the snow doesn’t get tracked out quickly with fewer people there than you would find in Europe. Intermediates and confidence seekers will also have such a fantastic time here on superbly groomed blue runs and anyone who likes or who wants to ski genuine “dry” champagne powder. There are nursery slopes at Silver Lake Lodge as well as the base and gentle green runs to progress to, so beginners will enjoy themselves too.
So in summary, if you are not on a tight budget and your ideal resort offers superb tree line and powder skiing with plenty of groomed cruising runs, high end accommodation, no queues, no snowboarders, gourmet dining, family friendly, fast lifts, immaculate piste grooming and great off piste, with over 800km of skiing on your doorstep or very close, (not all on the one ski pass though) then Deer Valley should be on your list and with Delta offering a London non stop flight to Salt Lake City flight and only a 30/45 minute transfer to the resort, then why not get planning now and we are only too happy to help.You won’t be disappointed. It promises and it truly delivers.
