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No Worries at Deer Valley Resort

Why it's perfect for families.

By Eric Cohen October 14, 2014
Deer Valley Resort has no slogan. It’s known for luxury and service but in their ads, there’s not a tagline or slogan describing the resort. Based on our trip last winter, I decided to bestow my own on the resort... I hope they don’t mind. Deer Valley Resort – No Worries.

Family travel can be cumbersome to say the least, and skiing adds to the effort with added gear and logistics. A trip to Deer Valley Resort lets you leave your worries at home.

First, as regular readers know, we are huge fans of Utah skiing as Salt Lake City Airport is less than an hour drive to most slopes, including Deer Valley. And if you are renting a car, the rentals are just a few steps from the baggage claim, not a shuttle ride away. So when it comes to getting to the Resort, no worries.

Once you arrive, lodging at Deer Valley is also no worries. You have some of the best ski lodges in the world to choose from. The top of list includes the St. Regis, The Stein Erikson Lodge and the Montage Deer Valley. With amenities like ski valets and a reputation for service, these hotels aim high and hit the mark.

DVLodges

We stayed at The Lodges at Deer Valley, a great no worries choice for families. The hotel is a short shuttle ride to the slopes where the Deer Valley staff greets you and carries your skis from the car or shuttle to the ski racks. A nice touch when you are loaded with a families worth of ski paraphernalia.

The Lodges at Deer Valley combines condo-style lodging with hotel amenities. Our family found the daily complimentary hot breakfast, heated outdoor pool, and afternoon kids activities added to our trip and gave us less to worry about. There’s also on-site ski rentals and a convenience store.

No worrying about laundry either, one-bedroom units come with a washer & dryer in the condo. The parking is in a heated underground garage, so if you do have a car, it’s warm and ready. If you don’t have a car, the resort has Cadillac Escalade SUV’s to take you to town, or any place else you want to go nearby.

When you hit the slopes there can be a lot to worry about, but not at Deer Valley. No new snow for a week or two? Not to worry, Deer Valley is known for its fleet of groomers that manicure the mountain each night. Too much snow? While the expert trails are left for those that love the steep and deep, plenty of the mountain will be smoothed over for intermediates and beginners to enjoy. 

As always, Deer Valley does not allow snowboarding. For some, this may be a concern, but if you are a skiing only family, it’s pure joy. We met a few families with boarding teens who spend the day at nearby Park City Mountain and it seemed to keep everyone worry free.

One of my favorite things about Deer Valley skiing is the layout. It’s great for running laps and skiing the same lifts over and over. The Northside Express lift is a great example of this. Lost Boulder, Lucky Star and Hawkeye are blue cruisers that just beg for one more run. Same with Bald Mountain, the runs follow the fall-line down and let you just follow your skis.

Leaving your kids with strangers can be worrysome... but at the Deer Valley Ski School, your worries fade as you meet your kids' instructors and see the enthusiasm they bring to the task. Our kids had a great time in ski school and we had a great time knowing they were having a great time.

DVFood

After skiing, there are a world of dining options. From casual family dining in the town of Park City, to a host of on mountain options, there’s something for everyone. A few years back we hit the Fireside dining experience on the mountain at Empire Canyon for a swiss alpine experience. This year we tried the Seafood Buffet at Snow Park. While seafood at 8,000 feet in the mountains may seem like a contradiction, it was a great choice. We sampled salmon, sushi, and freshly shucked oysters. The kids had a choice of the usual kids options, though our daughter, Maddie, was partial to the baby back ribs. 

Deer Valley has positioned itself as a resort that delivers impressive customer service. We found that this attention to detail makes for a ski trip that is as easy and enjoyable as they come. Deer Valley Resort - No Worries seems to fit just right.