Standing on the top of Bald Mountain, the thumping whir of a Chinook helicopter draws attention as it rises into view over Peak Mountain towards Big Dutch, where Deer Valley’s new gondola mid-station is nearing completion. Materials and supplies are tethered beneath the chopper, in flight to the tower site on the summit.
This is the largest expansion Deer Valley Resort has undertaken since opening in 1981, expanding more than doubled in size. The Resort has invested approximately $600 million in the new expansion. The expansion includes seven new lifts, 3,700 acres of additional skiable terrain. Opening access to four entirely new peaks, deep glades, wide-open bowls, and untouched alpine views. This new terrain promises to satisfy both advanced skiers and curious first-timers.
A new 4.7 mile long run called the Green Monster that opened earlier this year. This trail overtakes Park City’s iconic Home Run as the longest ski run in Utah. This run is beginner friendly, accessible to families and beginners alike.
“This terrain will offer more safe in-bounds options and we hope it will reduce the temptation to venture into the risky backcountry.” Deer Valley’s Avalanche Mitigation Supervisor, Mark Chytka, says In the OverHerd at Deer Valley Podcast (March 2025).
Mark goes into more detail about the safety procedures that he and his patrol have taken into account with this large expansion. He discusses the danger of the Southwest winds calling them their “problem child.” These winds build cornices, deceptive and dangerous overhanging shelves of wind-packed snow that pose serious avalanche risks. “Anytime we see the Southwest winds coming in with snow,” Chytka says, “we know it’s going to start building cornus in our avalanche paths.”
Despite the risks, Mark is excited. “It’s going to be unlike anything you’ve seen at Deer Valley before.’ He goes on to say “The geography out there is incredible.”
Deer Valley Resort opened on December 26, 1981 , founded by Edgar Stern. At the time of opening, the resort featured five chairlifts, 35 ski runs, and two day lodges. Over the next 4 decades, those numbers have increased significantly. Today, Deer Valley offers 21 lifts, 103 ski runs, and three day lodges.
In 2002, served as a key venue for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games, hosting the freestyle moguls, aerials, and alpine slalom events. Already renowned for its luxury and innovative guest service, like being the first to offer tissues in their lift line, the Olympic spotlight elevated the resort’s international profile and added serious sporting credibility, drawing both elite skiers and high-end travelers.
In August 2017, Deer Valley was acquired by Alterra Mountain Company bringing substantial investments, and long-term expansion plans. The resort was integrated into Alterra’s Ikon Pass system in 2018, offering global ski destination access.
Deer Valley has been ranked the number one ski resort in North America eight times by SKI Magazine readers, including a five-year streak from 2008 to 2012. They also consistently placed in the top three resorts worldwide from 1998 – 2018.
Atop summit of Bald Mountain, watching the Chinook drop out of sight with its now empty cables, it’s clear that Deer Valley is not just expanding, it’s evolving. From its modest beginnings in 1981 to hosting Olympic events and now launching one of the most ambitious ski expansions in U.S. history, the resort continues to push boundaries while staying true to its roots: luxury, safety, and world-class skiing.
