They say that each resort in Park City, UT has its own personality. If I had to sum up Deer Valley in a few words, it would be refined, but approachable. The resort has some of the friendliness staff around, is known for its meticulously groomed ski slopes, and the food is legendary. But the real magic is how welcoming the resort feels even with all of this sophistication.
Customer Service Makes the Difference
As you pull up to the resort’s main entrance, a crew of ski valets offer a warm welcome and assist with unloading your ski gear. It is this customer service first approach that sets Deer Valley apart. In a town where most of the resort staff are seasonal, Deer Valley has one of the highest retention rates in the industry. Many of the staff have been with the resort for more than 20 years.
While at Deer Valley’s adult ski school, I experienced first hand the difference that the staff can make. But even while walking around the resort, our family saw that the staff went out of their way to make our stay better. Maybe we had the “I’m lost” looks, but the employees always were quick to say hello and to offer guidance. Often times, the employees walked with us to our destination instead of just pointing us in the right direction. It reminded me a lot of the legendary customer service offered by companies like Disney or Nordstrom. I was blown away by how friendly everyone was at the resort.
World Class Ski Experience
The slopes around Deer Valley look like they are made of corduroy. We had a few feet of snowfall during our trip to Park City, but you would never know it by the manicured perfection of Deer Valley’s ski slopes. I found it was easier to ski at Deer Valley because of the consistency of the terrain. I didn’t have to worry about hitting weird ruts or patches of snow that could make me tumble, which was great since I was still learning the basics. The ski slopes were always smooth wherever I went.
Deer Valley has many other touches that help create a first class ski experience. The resort provides tissues in the lift lines, which is a surprisingly big deal after you have been out in the cold for a few hours. They also provide complimentary ski storage, even overnight. These little touches and services make you feel like a welcome guest and shows that they really do care about the details.
Family Lodging
Although you spend most of your day outdoors, I feel it is worth it to splurge on an upgraded room during family ski vacations. We stayed in a condo during our trip, which worked out great. The condo had a kitchen, which allowed us to have breakfast at home each day. Having a separate bedroom meant that I could close the door so that I didn’t hear my son snoring at night. And just like at home, having two bathrooms is always better when everyone is getting ready in the morning.
There are several places to stay at Deer Valley, which gives you options for anything from a standard hotel room to renting a full house. The Lodges at Deer Valley and Silver Baron Lodge are currently offering a family value package in which children ski free and you save 20% off your lodging, lift tickets, and children’s ski rentals.
World’s Greatest Turkey Chili
If for no other reason, it is worth visiting Deer Valley to check out the restaurants. Everyone I spoke with around Park City raved about Deer Valley’s food. Several people recommended the turkey chili, which I found easily lived up to the hype. I also had several people recommend the seafood buffet. We didn’t have a chance to try it during our visit, but it is on our list of things to do next time around.
Family Ski Vacations Done Right
All of the amenities at Deer Valley make it easy to have a stress free family ski vacation. The resort has some of the best ski instructors, so you know your child will be in good hands during ski school. The friendly staff and ski valets put you at ease and make it simple to find your way around the resort. The food and lodging are some of the best around, which makes you feel pampered at every turn. Deer Valley knows how to take care of its guests, which is why it is a perfect choice for a family ski vacation.
