Deer Valley Resort on the cusp of launching likely the largest ski area expansion in history. But to be able to brag that you were among the first to ride one of the 10 new lifts or swish down the pristine slopes, it’ll cost you.
How much? Upwards of $3,000 — the price of a season pass.
On Thursday, the resort quietly announced its planned opening dates for the 2025-26 season, including two sneak-peek passholder days. Carriers of Deer Valley unlimited ($3,900) and select ($3,050) passes will be able to get on the mountain Nov. 29 and 30. The resort will open to all skiers starting Monday, Dec. 1.
Deer Valley has undertaken a massive expansion over the past two years, absorbing the terrain that was at one point being built as the Mayflower Resort, located south and east of Deer Valley’s original footprint. The expansion more than doubles the ski area’s size, from roughly 2,050 skiable acres to 4,300. Within that terrain is Utah’s newest longest run, Green Monster, which measures in at 4.85 miles and 2,600 vertical feet.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Skiers use the Green Monster trail at Deer Valley Resort, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
Last season, Deer Valley opened three new lifts near its new East Village. This season it will add seven more, including a two-part, 10-passenger gondola, for a total of 10 new lifts.
The resort will not determine what terrain skiers can explore until closer to the opening weekend. When it opened to passholders last season, skiers had access to four chairlifts and five runs. However, a spokesperson said crews are working “25-8” to get the gondola, other lifts and their associated runs ready as soon as possible.
Though Deer Valley is owned by Alterra Mountain Company, those carrying its multi-resort Ikon Pass — which allows for seven days of skiing at Deer Valley — are not eligible for the passholder preview.
The first day that a single-day lift ticket is available for purchase on the ski area’s website is Dec. 6. As of Friday morning, the price was $99.
Several other Utah resorts have also announced their opening days. They include Brian Head Resort (Nov. 7), Solitude Mountain Resort (Nov. 14), Alta Ski Area (Nov. 21) and Park City Mountain (Nov. 21).