Deer Valley Resort in Utah is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders. As part of a series on ski resorts, Huffington Post Travel offers our guide to Deer Valley, featuring all the key information snow lovers need to know before they hit the slopes.
The Basics
Named the top ski area in North America for five consecutive years by
, Utah's
is a prime destination for skiers looking for a new challenge every day. Although the resort boasts a secluded setting, it is just 36 miles east of
. Skiers will not have to leave the resort grounds during their trip; the resort offers lodging, skiing, entertainment, child care and special events throughout the season.
The Mountain
Deer Valley Resort includes
with varying elevations: Little Baldy Peak (7,950 feet), Bald Eagle Mountain (8,400 feet), Bald Mountain (9,400 feet), Flagstaff Mountain (9,100 feet), Empire (9,570 feet) and Lady Morgan (9,000 feet). The resort's ski season runs from December to April. The area sees an average annual snowfall of 300 inches, according to
, and features powdered snow, typical of this region. The slopes are supplemented by artificial snow when necessary. The resort's terrain includes a vertical drop of 3,000 feet and its longest run is 2.8 miles.
Trails And Lifts
The resort's
include 100 runs and six bowls across 2,026 acres of skiable land. Expert skiers can test their skills on Bald Eagle Mountain, where three trails -- Champion, Know You Didn't and White Owl -- played host to the 2002 Winter Olympics. The resort's
fall into one of five categories: easy, intermediate, advanced intermediate, advanced and expert. Deer Valley Resort has 21 lifts, including 11 high-speed quad chairlifts, five triple chairlifts, two double chairlifts, two fixed-grip quad chairlifts and one high-speed, four-passenger gondola. The resort also features terrain parks, including a kid-friendly park, for skiers at all skill levels.
In The News
Deer Valley Resort hosted the slalom, aerial and mogul events during the
. The
, which celebrated its 20th year in 2011, pairs Olympic skiers with celebrities for a weekend of skiing to raise money for the Waterkeeper Alliance. Past
include television's Larry David and Cheryl Hines. The event concludes with a concert, which airs on national television and features high-profile artists like Mary J. Blige.
Cost
Single-day adult lift tickets cost $90, senior tickets are $69, children's tickets are $60 and tot tickets are available for $21. Two- to seven-day ticket packages and season passes are available, as well. Check the resort's
for prices. Skiers can choose from a number of single and multiday equipment rental
, which range from $51 to $72 for a Rossignol ski-and-boot package. The rental shop also rents helmets and poles, sells ski wax, and offers binding adjustments for personal or rental equipment. The
offers private, small group and large group instruction. Customized private lessons cost $165 an hour, while small group lessons cost $155 for a four-hour session.
Apres-Ski
Visitors at Deer Valley Resort don't have to go far to find fun off of the slopes. Guests can enjoy
, where five-course meals are cooked in stone fireplaces. Skiers looking to unwind with a cocktail can sip on an Edgar-tini at
, named after Deer Valley's founder, Edgar B. Stern, Jr. The lounge presents live music on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as holidays.
WATCH: Deer Valley Resort
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Deer Valley Resort begins its ski season with the annual Deer Valley Celebrity Ski Fest.