Changes at resorts ready for improved ski experience

Utahns and out-of-staters looking for outdoor fun this winter have plenty of options at the state’s 14 ski resorts. Many this year have added or replaced ski lifts or made improvements at lodges and restaurants.

DEER VALLEY RESORT

Deer Valley Resort is in the process of being acquired by a newly formed, as-yet-unnamed resort company, joining Intrawest, Mammoth Resorts and Squaw Valley Ski Holdings. This acquisition increases the company’s portfolio from 12 four-season resorts to 13. Deer Valley will continue to honor existing season pass and multi-resort products, and operations will continue in ordinary course for the full winter season. There currently are no plans to allow snowboarding.

Deer Valley Resort was selected to manage the Goldener Hirsch and Residences, assuming management of both the existing inn and the new residential development currently under construction. The Goldener Hirsch Inn is a boutique hotel in Silver Lake Village. It features 20 condominiums that operate as hotel rooms, as well as common area amenities such as conference rooms, outdoor hot tub, ski storage and the Goldener Hirsch restaurant.

Through the “Ski with a Champion” program, skiers can enjoy their sport with Deer Valley Resort’s ski ambassador, Heidi Voelker, or one of six other Olympic snow sport athletes this winter. The athletes are available to ski with individuals, families and groups for exclusive half-and full-day adventures.

Deer Valley Resort also is offering special events throughout December. They include Santa Claus’ slope-side visit 9-11 a.m. Dec. 24 in the Snow Park Lodge area and noon-1:30 p.m. in the Silver Lake Lodge area. Another tradition, the annual Torchlight Parade, is set for dusk Dec. 30 on Big Stick ski run on Bald Eagle Mountain behind Snow Park Lodge and features guests with lights and torches coming down the hill in perfect formation by the Synchronized Ski Team. Complimentary hot cider and cookies are served on the Snow Park Plaza during the parade.

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MONTAGE DEER VALLEY

This resort is offering a new program called Montage Generations, in which families can choose from an array of educational and adventurous activities that include tubing, cooking classes, snowshoeing and more.

Montage Deer Valley also is expanding its Montage Expeditions program with excursions to Yellowstone National Park. The program launched last year and allowed guests to experience skiing at Deer Valley while also visiting one of Utah’s national parks, all in one stay. Guests can take a daytrip adventure to southern Utah led by a Montage guide, complete with private flight aboard a Pilatus-12 and a gourmet chef-prepared lunch. 

SNOWBIRD

Snowbird has remodeled the Creekside Lodge and increased its available space for guests by adding over 13,500 square feet. The new facility will be home to the Mountain School as well as ticketing and expanded dining options.

Snowbird’s Cliff Spa, on the rooftop of the Cliff Lodge, has been renovated. The outdoor pool and hot tub have been upgraded with new radiant heated decks, gas-fed fire pits and expanded communal areas. Skiers who require more hands-on Cliff Spa services will be treated with new interior upgrades, such as eucalyptus-infused environments, ergonomic flooring in massage rooms, and a unique offering of Utah-only essential oils in the Cliff Spa boutique.

ALTA

Celebrating its 80th anniversary this winter, Alta Ski Area has replaced Supreme and Cecret lifts with a new high-speed, quad chairlift named Supreme. The lift’s base location is Alf’s Restaurant.

The Alta Peruvian Lodge has converted 17 “Nordic” rooms on the third floor to 10 “Superior” rooms. The new rooms feature two queen beds and a private bathroom, providing more options for families.

The new co-ed Alta Breakthrough Camp is targeted to intermediate skiers and beyond. The package includes four nights lodging at the Alta Lodge, full breakfast and dinner daily, three days of instruction with top coaches from Alta’s Alf Engen Ski, lift tickets and demo skis.

Alta also is offering a season-long Saturday program called Alta Explorers for novice skiers ages 9-14. Participants will practice fundamental skiing skills and progress toward parallel turning and speed control on more-difficult Blue Trails.

NORDIC VALLEY

Nordic Valley is celebrating its 50th anniversary this winter. Built in 1968, Nordic Valley is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and small-resort feel. Situated between Snowbasin Resort and Powder Mountain, Nordic Valley offers a variety of skill levels and also offers night skiing, with 100 percent of the mountain under the lights.

SNOWBASIN

Snowbasin is replacing the old Wildcat triple chairlift with a new high-speed, detachable six-pack lift. The chairlift ride will take five minutes to rise more than 1,290 vertical feet. Additionally, Snowbasin is increasing snowmaking in the Wildcat area.

Snowbasin Resort also is expanding its snow sports offerings for adults with a steeps camp. The three-day camp is composed of skiing the steeps of Snowbasin Resort.

Snowbasin also has announced its après music events scheduled for the winter in the Cinnabar. The free live music is offered on weekends and holidays 3:30-6 p.m., and the lineup covers many genres. Events run through April 1.

POWDER MOUNTAIN

This resort added two lifts last year and was one of the first resorts to cap day passes and season passes. Day passes are capped at 1,500 and season passes have a limit of 3,000, which averages three skiers per acre. Powder Mountain has the most skiable acres in North America, at 8,464 acres.

PARK CITY MOUNTAIN

Park City Mountain has installed a new enclosed-surface lift and a new designated beginner trail to serve skiers and snowboarders at the Park City base area.

The Grand Summit Hotel, located in Canyons Village, has undergone a $15 million renovation and is now flagged as a RockResorts property. The renovation included an overhaul of all 212 suites, including new interior finishes, furnishings, soft goods, appliances, artwork and technology.

Visitors can unlock the secrets of the past and discover Park City’s rich mining, skiing and local history on the Silver to Slopes Historic Mining Tour. The free, guided ski tour allows people to explore the mountain with an expert guide and uncover the historic mining buildings and hidden relics scattered across the resort.

Park City Mountain will host various events this Christmas, New Year’s and spring break. The holiday season kicks off Dec. 16 with Park City Mountain’s annual Snowfest Celebration, a 16-day festival including morning and après musical acts, village entertainers, the annual torchlight parade, fireworks and a visit from Santa on the Town Lift. The resort’s annual Spring Gruv Celebration takes place in March with 16 days of free concerts and the famous pond skimming contest.

SOLITUDE

Solitude Mountain Resort has spent $1.5 million in improvements for the 2017-18 season, including a website re-launch and continued improvements to the Roundhouse Restaurant, Last Chance Lodge and Moonbeam Lodge. This is all in addition to realigning the Solitude portion of the SolBright connection trail and adding a new Rossignol rental fleet at the Nordic Center.

Solitude this year has added a program called “Women on Wednesdays” for women who seek camaraderie, challenges and a great learning partnership. The program is available for all skill levels and taught by Solitude’s professional female instructors.

SUNDANCE

Sundance Mountain Resort has opened a new outfitter shop, Sundance Mountain Outfitter 2, located near the base of Jake’s Lift. It offers top-of-the-line skis and snowboards for rental, as well as a full-service ski and snowboard repair center.

Sundance also is offering the Nordic Center Ladies Day as a way to stay in shape during the winter months. It is a program by women for women and for participants of all levels, whether they are looking to try cross-country skiing for the first time or wanting to build on existing skills.

BRIAN HEAD

Brian Head Resort is launching its first fully interactive app that will include powder alerts and condition reports, and will allow users to track their ski day (runs, vertical skied and more).  Other key features of the app allow users to follow their children at ski school, as well as access restaurant specials and more fun resort offerings.{/mprestriction}