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I recently asked Deer Valley Resort in Park City Utah if I could ski there with Big E to review it and they graciously said, “You bet!” I am SOOO glad, because it’s an experience I won’t forget anytime soon.
You may not know that even though I’m a co-creator of the OnlineFamilySkiSchool.com, I’m not an expert skier. I don’t ski expert black diamond runs, preferring to glide down on a snowboard – my first and true love.
But since Deer Valley Resort doesn’t allow snowboarders, I found myself on skis exploring some of the best ski terrain in the state of Utah. What makes it so good?
Endless Terrain
With over 2,000 skiable acres you will not run out of places to ski with kids at Deer Valley Resort. They’re well known for having beautifully groomed corduroy runs that flow under and over the park city roads. Seriously!
I loved the skier’s underpasses and bridges we skied on, it made me feel connected to the Park City community. Vacation homes line several runs at Deer Valley as well and even though I LIVE at a Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, I felt envious of all the ski-in/ski-out opportunities for guests at Deer Valley. I mean how cool would it be to wake up, walk outside and ski down a mountain?
Twenty-one lifts service 103 runs at Deer Valley, not to mention the ungroomed black diamond terrain. This endless terrain made me feel like a kid in a candy store.
“Where should we go next? We could go ANYWHERE!”
Ski the Difference
I’ve skied at several resorts over the years, and one thing that stood out to me about Deer Valley is how fancy it feels. They seem to have taken every detail into account, from the full granite bathrooms to the friendliness of their lift operators.I suppose that’s what #SkitheDifference means – those little touches that make Deer Valley Resort shine. Like never waiting for a lift since you have so many lifts to choose from and Deer Valley limits the number of daily lift tickets sold to give each guest plenty of space. Or finding designated, kid-friendly tree skiing zones like Quincy’s Cabin or Ruby’s Roost. Or enjoying world class shopping in their on site boutique.
Deer Valley Resort became an Alterrra Mountain Company member resort just last year, which means they’re now part of a network of amazing ski resort destinations you can enjoy with the purchase of an Ikon season pass.
TIP: You must buy your Ikon Pass in the spring for the upcoming ski season.
Skiing with Kids at Deer Valley Resort
Deer Valley Resort offers lots of kid-friendly options including full-day childcare for non-skiing children aged 2 months to 12 years. When it comes to teaching children to ski Deer Valley Resort offers ski instruction for kids from age 3 (if they are willing to ski) up to age 100, though they focus on the younger crowd.
What especially impresses me about their kids’ programs is their designated beginner terrain. On snow features, multiple magic carpet surface lifts and a roped off beginner area ensures that kids don’t have to worry about more advanced skiers cutting through their learning terrain.
We didn’t participate in a lesson on our ski day, but even from the lift I was impressed with how Deer Valley protects the youngest guests. For three-year-olds willing to ski in a lesson they have a strict 1:1 child to instructor ratio, for four-year-olds it’s just 2:1. Even kids ages five or six have a 4:1 child to instructor ratio which ensures your child gets the designated attention they need to learn to ski.
Plus the Deer Valley mascots are rumored to ski around the resort, saying hello to all of the kids. Keep a look out for Bucky the deer, Ruby Raccoon, Quincy the Bear and Silver the Bald Eagle. Fun for kids all around!
Premium Experience, Premium Price
The only drawback to skiing at Deer Valley Resort as a family is the high price tag.
Deer Valley Resort has repeatedly been ranked as THE top ski resort in the US. And being the best means it can charge quite a bit for daily lift tickets, child-care and ski lessons.
The window ticket rates for a full day of skiing are:
- $169 – adults age 12 to 65
- $105 – kids 5-12
- $40 – tots 1-4
- $118 – seniors over age 65
Add to that child’s ski lessons for $257 – $298 each and my family of five would be out $1,481 for ONE day of skiing. Yikes.
To save money on a Deer Valley Resort ski vacation I highly recommend-
- buying tickets before hand. You can save big bu
- Ski multiple days. The per day lift ticket price drops with each added day you’ll be skiing.
- Consider an Ikon Pass which gives you access to 38 Alterra Mountain Company ski resorts. Ikon Passes are only available for purchase the spring before the ski season begins.
- Buy a season pass or locals pass if you’re from Utah before October 15th for the biggest discount.
Deer Valley Moment
For me, skiing with kids at Deer Valley Resort was a day to remember. Big E and I zoomed down groomers, enjoyed the views from the Jordanelle Gondola, dodged trees in Bucky’s Front Yard and spent a beautiful blue sky day skiing together, just mom and son.
My favorite Deer Valley Moment from our ski day was spending time on the slopes with my nine-year-old.
What about you? Have you skied at Deer Valley? What did you like? Comment below or include #DeerValleyMoment and #SkitheDifference on your social media posts.
See you on the slopes!
~Mountain Mom
Thanks to Emily at Deer Valley Resort for complimentary lift tickets for the purpose of writing this review. We loved your resort!
