It’s the Deer Valley Difference.
Credit: Harriet Wallis
When Deer Valley opened 35 years ago, it was a novel concept to commit to top notch service in skiing, dining and lodging. Today it’s the gold standard.
The resort is known for its impeccable grooming, incredible dining and attention to every detail. Senior skiers really like that.
How to start your day right. Uniformed valets will unload your equipment at slope side. No need to schlep it.
Ride the open air shuttle to the day lodge. Save your energy for the slopes.
Enjoy secure basket checking with unlimited access so you can change layers throughout the day.
You’ve been pampered, and you haven’t even reached the slopes yet. Little things really do mean a lot.
“We’re committed to excellence in everything we do,” says Bob Wheaton, resort president and general manager.
Where should I start? It’s a big resort with four peaks and 101 trails. If you’re an intermediate or advanced skier, you can take a complimentary ski tour with a Mountain Host and find new runs and learn about the resort’s history. You’ll discover powder stashes that you’d never find on your own.
Credit: Harriet Wallis
Lunch time. Deer Valley has 12 restaurants, including outdoor dining patios, plus five evening restaurants right at the resort. A lunch favorite is the signature Deer Valley turkey chili. I especially love the Natural Buffet with its exotic salads and hearty breads.
Terrain. Deer Valley’s manicures more than 60 trails nightly from gentle slopes to its long steep runs. But it also has gnarly mogul fields, glades and ungroomed powder. Take your pick.
When your legs fall off, check your skis at a complimentary ski check station. Then relax in a beach chair on McHenry’s sunny “beach”.
Don’t miss this. When you’re ready to wind down the day, take the Last Chance beginner trail to the base and enjoy the trailside sculptures at homes along the way. They’re absolute must-sees.
Credit: Harriet Wallis
One home is plagued by mischievous raccoons. They ski off the roof, snooze on the railing and look uphill through binoculars. My favorite skiing raccoon is the one that went splat when he hit the house.
A family of life-size bronze elk stand trailside at another home. There’s also a bear house, a totem pole house and a mountain goat house. The charming critters add a bonus to a great day on Deer Valley’s slopes.
Just the facts
- Easy access. Just 40 minutes from Salt Lake International Airport.
- Skiers only. Deer Valley is for skiers only. It does not allow snowboards.
- Dining: 12 restaurants including five evening restaurants right at the resort. My favorite is the Seafood Buffet.
- Limited lift tickets. To enhance your experience, Deer Valley caps lift ticket sales to limit lift lines and lodge lunch lines ,and it opens up lunch seating.
- Grooming. The resort has 101 runs from four mountain peaks. Over 60 runs are groomed nightly.
2015-16 Bottom Line
A day ticket is $85 for those 65+, but on holidays it’s $92. A season pass is $1,195 for those 65-71, and it’s $1,085 for those 72+. However, mid week season passes are $1,085 for all who are 65+. There’s a pre-season discount for those who buy season passes early. And locals are eligible for reduced prices. Click here for more Deer Valley information.
Credit: Harriet Wallis
Harriet,
I have been a skier for most of my life and now I am in my 70’s and I still love the sport. I started a ski group for senior friends called Silver Eagles on Skis. Since I live in Atlanta, GA we have done some programs mostly to North Carolina and few of us have ventured out West. I just got back from Steamboat. I maintain PSIA certification but I am not active presently.
I have been encouraged to offered a program to Park City for February 2017. This will be our largest group with a goal of 20 – 25. I need to find more seniors. I want to use this trip to encourage older skiers to stay in the sport. Can you direct me to publications and articles that would be helpful in learning more?
Steamboat offers a free guided program for seniors most mornings and it was quite well attended. Does Park City have a similar program? With the combincation of Canyons and Park City marking it the largest ski area in North America, it may be helpful to our group. Also, I want to make connections with other seniors skiers.
Our Facebook page is now out of date but I will soon be resurrecting it soon when I have the details for the Park City trip. I am working on the accommodations and other travel details.
Leigh Kalna
Leigh, I am from the Atlanta area and would be interested in joining your senior ski group and the Park City trip in 2017. Brenda Kelley
I totally agree with everything in Harriet’s article. I have skied (and also worked) at DV most winter days since year 2000, and never been disappointed. Service, grooming, food, (limited ticket sales=no liftlines) and ambiance… you get what you pay for… why go anywhere else?
interested in yourtrip?
With all the best wishes in the world, Harriet, I must disagree. The powder and bumps are few and far between. Way too much grooming, which gets very icy at the end of the day. When I was there at the end of January, I was advised by two separate ski hosts to take the Jordenelle gondola down to the base rather than ski down the trail.
Deer Valley is not for me. I won’t return, even though it’s free with my Alta season pass.