Deer Valley announces massive expansion

[ski diva]

From Peakrankings.com:

Deer Valley Announces Huge Mayflower Terrain Expansion, More Than Doubling Its Size

Earlier today, Utah’s Deer Valley announced what will probably be the biggest terrain expansion of the decade. This ski-only resort—snowboarders aren’t allowed—says it will be adding over 3,700 acres of new skiable terrain, allowing it to nearly triple in size to 5,726 acres—and making it, by our calculations, the fourth largest ski resort in North America.

In addition to a brand new base village and access portal, the terrain expansion will include an astounding 16 new lifts, including a 10-passenger gondola, and 135 new runs. Deer Valley says the new terrain will include “numerous” bowls, glades, and four new mountain peaks.

Deer Valley says this expansion is possible thanks to a partnership with Extell Development Company, which had previously been developing this terrain as part of what was intended to be an independent Mayflower Mountain Resort. However, it seems that the two have partnered to open this terrain as part of Deer Valley itself.

This monumental expansion is marked to open in phases, with the first new 2,900 acres and 9 lifts on track to open for the 2025-26 season. A completion date for the full build has not been announced yet.

The full suite of changes can be found here.

 

[VickiK]

Wow, that is huge expansion. Thanks for sharing that @ski diva .

 

[Amie H]

Whoa! That is HUGE.

As if traffic in the area wasn't already bad...oof.

They limit skiers per day, I'm assuming this expansion will increase that limit.

 

[lturnquest]

This is exciting news.

 

[RachelV]

Whoa! That is HUGE.

As if traffic in the area wasn't already bad...oof.

They limit skiers per day, I'm assuming this expansion will increase that limit.

I've actually read that this may help traffic, because it provides a base area that doesn't require driving into Park City. I don't know the area well enough to know if that feels true or not but looking at maps it seems to make sense.

 

[Amie H]

I've actually read that this may help traffic, because it provides a base area that doesn't require driving into Park City. I don't know the area well enough to know if that feels true or not but looking at maps it seems to make sense.

That does make sense but the overall traffic from SLC will still go up, I'd imagine? Well...maybe if some of the transit options (LCC gondola included) that are being proposed for the region go through, that could help more, as well.

 

[artistinsuburbia]

I'm so excited for this!!! Deer Valley is one of my favorites! Planning a trip already that year!!

 

[gr8outdoors]

This new base area is in the Heber City area that is near the Jordanelle Reservoir. We have rented a condo in that area a few times.

 

[marzNC]

The 2025-26 season at Deer Valley will feature far more of the new terrain and lifts than last season.



The new trail map is online. Here is part of it focused on the new terrain above the East Village base.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

This is exciting. I'm headed there in March.

 

[marzNC]

This is exciting. I'm headed there in March.

Have you skied at DV before?

 

[BlizzardBabe]

Several times, but it has probably been 6 years. And, to be fair, the last time I was there I was skiing w/a stress fracture in my right elbow so I couldn't give the resort its fair due.

 

[marzNC]

Found a labeled version of the new terrain for 2025-26. DV clearly believes in round numbers for marketing purposes: "Deer Valley plans to open 2,000 acres serviced by 10 chairlifts, including a gondola, and nearly 100 ski runs." Last season DV added 300 acres of terrain accessed above the East Village. The eventual goal is for the resort to include "5,726 acres of skiable terrain accessed through an efficient network of 37 chairlifts and 238 ski runs across 10 mountain peaks."

For context, Park City offers 7300 acres, Palisades Tahoe has 6000 acres, and Big Sky has 5850 acres. Whistler-Blackcomb comes in at 8171 acres. Alta and Snowbird combined have 5114 acres.

Expanded Terrain

Expanded Terrain statistics Expanded Terrain area Deer Valley in 25/26 Deer Valley 26/27 Highest Elevation 9,570 feet 9,570 feet Lowest Elevation 6,530 feet 6,450 feet Vertical Drop 3,040 feet 3,040 feet Number of Runs 202 209 longest Run 4.8 miles 4.8 miles Snowmaking Coverage 886 acres 925...

expandedexcellence.deervalley.com

 

[marzNC]

Found a NY Times article about DV from 2008. There were 2026 skiable acres after 200 acres were added in 2007 when the Lady Morgan lift opened up. The idea was to provide more advanced terrain.

 

[BlizzardBabe]

That promises to be fun!

 

[marzNC]

That promises to be fun!

Where will you be staying?

 

[BlizzardBabe]

I'm staying w/a friend for 3 days who has a place in Park City, and then joining Pentagon Ski Club at the Zermatt Resort in Midway. Zermatt has a convenient shuttle, so I won't have to rent a car. I may also do a day at Sundance since I've never skied there.

 

[marzNC]

I may also do a day at Sundance since I've never skied there.

Worth doing! I've only skied Sundance one day, which happened to be a powder day. It was during midseason, so the LCC and BCC roads were full of traffic that morning. Definitely on my list for a return visit. One lift ride was with a man who lives in Provo. He'd been happily skiing or boarding Sundance for 40 years.

With DV East Village operational, makes staying around Heber City much more interesting. Since I prefer having a car available for ski trips, being able to do short drives to Sundance and DV avoiding SLC and Park City traffic would make a Sun-Fri trip good fun.

 

[Bookworm]

I found staying in Park City and skiing Deer Valley so convenient. There are free shuttles in town and you can leave your skis behind at the resort, so easy to ride the bus.

 

[marzNC]

There are free shuttles in town and you can leave your skis behind at the resort

Overnight storage for free . . . a special feature of Deer Valley.