All Images: Courtesy of Deer Valley Resort
One of the world's biggest ski resorts is getting bigger. Deer Valley has been on a mission to grow drastically over the last two winters, and years of planning are starting to pay off. In addition to new lifts, lodges and snowmaking, the team has doubled skiable terrain, with the total now standing at a staggering 4,500 acres for winter 2026/27.
Deer Valley's growth over the last couple of seasons marks the largest ski area expansion in history. The project, dubbed Expanded Excellence, began in 2024 and made big strides last summer, with the work continuing through 2028. The goal is to increase skiable terrain, add lifts, construct new snowmaking infrastructure and complete the new Park Peak Lodge. Nearly every aspect of the resort will be touched by this giant initiative.
The changes at Deer Valley are monumental to say the least
"Last winter transformed Deer Valley," said Todd Bennett, Deer Valley Resort President & Chief Operating Officer. "This winter builds on that momentum by opening Hail Peak, expanding Deer Valley to 4,500 skiable acres, and continuing our investment in the lifts, snowmaking, and guest experience that define Deer Valley."
While there are many intricate details found in the entirety of the Expanded Excellence outline, we'll run through the three major categories the resort is working on this summer: chairlifts, snowmaking and lodging.
Chairlifts
Since December 2024, Deer Valley has completed the installation of ten chairlifts, including Keetley Express, HooDoo Express, Aurora, Galena Express, Pioche Express, Neptune Express, Vulcan Express, Revelator Express, Pinyon Express, Hail Peak Express, and the Deer Valley East Village Gondola.
This amount of infrastructure in such a short time is unheard of. For context, Big Sky Resort's recent 10-lift expansion and renovation took nearly a decade to complete, culminating in a new Lone Peak Tram, new gondola and the world's longest eight-seat chairlift. That's not to say the Big Sky 2025 Project was behind schedule or slow-moving. A 10-year timeline is incredibly reasonable for such an aggressive plan.
This summer, Deer Valley looks to complete the final strokes of its lift expansion phase, installing the Hail Peak Express, Pioche Express, and Neptune Express. The Hail Peak Express lift alone will add 200 acres and seven runs. Interestingly, the Pioche, Neptune, HooDoo, Galena, Vulcan, and Revelator lifts are Doppelmayr Uni-G Expansion lifts, among Doppelmayr's most advanced models worldwide.
Snowmaking
The arid climate of the center and southwest of America is catching up with ski resorts. Though Deer Valley, Alta, Snowbird and other resorts hit record totals in 2023, the overall picture is bleaker. For example, Alta Ski Area has fallen short of its historic average snow total in nine of its last 12 ski seasons.
This is forcing resorts like Deer Valley to take a closer look at their snowmaking infrastructure. DV is adding a 10-million-gallon reservoir that will service every snowgun on the resort's east side. Using the existing Summit Pump House, the system can pump 10,000 to 20,000 gallons of water per minute.
Systems like this will only work if the water use is cyclical, meaning it can return to its source. Deer Valley claims that 80 to 90% of the water used for snowmaking returns to either the Jordanelle Reservoir or the Provo River, though evidence to substantiate this claim was hard to find. In a state where every single county is experiencing drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, creating systems that use water efficiently and sustainably is crucial.
Lodging
Construction is underway for two new lodges, both expected to be finished by winter 2027/28. The Deer Valley East Village Lodge will be home to the on-site ski school, rental shop, and a new food hall. Additionally, construction on the core and shell of the new Park Peak Lodge will be completed by fall 2026. The inner buildout of the Lodge’s dining areas, restaurant, and bar will continue through winter 26/27 ahead of opening for the following winter.
Stay tuned as Deer Valley continues with this record-setting expansion.
