Ski Resort Updates for Deer Valley and Park City

The Park City Board of Realtors hosted a luncheon on November 8, 2018. Typically the highlight event of the luncheon series, this is the event to receive ski resort updates directly from the people who run the resorts.

Park City Resort

Park City resort is scheduled to open on Wednesday, November 21st, the day before Thanksgiving. At the Canyon side of the mountain, many complaints have revolved around the slow speed of the fixed chair for High Meadow – a popular beginner's area for that side of the resort. The other common complaint has been that the hillside for that run was comprised of a steeper slope for the beginning, and then just a bit too flat further down. Not the best ski run for learning. They have replaced this lift, and now it only takes 4 minutes instead of 12 minutes for the ride up. They also graded the ski trail to be a more consistent slope, which should be far better for learning. Additional snowmaking was installed at the Red Pine ski run near the Tombstone chairlift. Remodeling of Cloud Dine has added more seats in the dining rooms and allows for guests to see the stunning views on all three sides of the updated restaurant. Park City has also completed a beautiful remodel and opened a full bar at Mid-Mountain Lodge, so now guests can get a glass of wine. The resort reported they are ahead of schedule with snowmaking, especially compared to this time last year.

Deer Valley Resort

At Deer Valley Resort, Bob Wheaton is handing over the reins of the resort to Todd Shallan. Alterra Mountain Company appointed Todd as the successor president and chief operating officer at Deer Valley. Shallan has been working hands-on with Wheaton to get up-to-speed and plans to make it a priority to honor the legacy of Wheaton and the Stern family. This is the first ski resort job for him, and he has been brought on board to focus on the hospitality aspect of the resort's operations. Homestake lift is currently being replaced with a high-speed quad. The resort is investing in additional snowmaking and other resort-wide multimillion-dollar capital investments.

Additional Updates

Both resorts talked about new science initiatives that make it possible for snowmaking above 32 degrees. They also incorporate improved automation to better take advantage of windows of time when temperatures are low enough in the late night and early morning. The automation allows for the resorts to blow snow longer, instead of using valuable time with manual labor setting up, and tearing down snowmaking equipment.

There are still talks in the state between Ski Utah and the resorts regarding the ideas for One Wasatch, but no real plans have yet to be finalized. There are government hurdles that still need to be overcome.

The Realtors also asked about the development potential of the parking lots at the base of PCMR. Vail's representative commented that they do not want to be real estate developers. They are, however, working on a plan for the base, someday maybe to announce a partner. But nothing ready yet. The Canyons Village side is master planned by TCFC. There is also no initial plans for the Lower Deer Valley parking lots for at least a few years.