Deer Valley goes back to the drawing board after wave of opposition to Snow Park public financing idea

A rendering of the Snow Park project at Deer Valley Resort. Photo: Deer Valley Resort

PARK CITY, Utah – Park City received a wave of opposition from residents in response to Deer Valley’s request for public financing to support the development of Snow Park Village. The resort had been scheduled to present its proposal to the Park City Council on Thursday, November 21, but it withdrew from discussions just over 24 hours before the meeting.

The request outlined a plan for Deer Valley to create up to three separate Public Infrastructure Districts (PID) within the 23.33-acre Snow Park development area. A PID is a type of financing tool that allows for the creation of a district to fund public infrastructure projects through mechanisms like bonds or taxes. These districts would have given the resort authority to impose additional property taxes on properties within the development to finance public improvements, including a transit center and public portions of parking garages.

Deer Valley had also sought to create a Community Reinvestment Area, another type of financing tool used by local governments to encourage economic development and redevelopment. The CRA would have redirected 80% of new property tax revenue from the project back into the development for 25 years. Creating the CRA would require agreements with multiple taxing entities including Park City Municipal Corporation, Summit County, and Park City School District.

Deer Valley was aiming to help fund $271 million in public infrastructure costs within the larger development project. Resort officials maintained these mechanisms are needed to close a $40 million funding gap for public facilities.

In response to the withdrawal, Deer Valley spokesperson Emily Summers stated the resort’s commitment to listening to the community and collaborating to explore all viable options for the project.

Deer Valley officials also said the Snow Park project is designed to address key community priorities, including traffic mitigation, enhanced year-round economic vitality, and infrastructure improvements critical for Park City’s long-term success—both in preparation for the 2034 Winter Olympics and for future generations.

“We remain dedicated to engaging with community stakeholders and Park City officials in the weeks and months,” Summers said.

Public opposition

The public financing plan met overwhelming opposition among residents and taxpayers. In advance of the meeting over 40 letters were submitted to Park City’s government officials, which TownLift obtained through a public records request.

Many argued that taxpayers should not bear the financial burden of funding infrastructure for a private equity-backed company, especially when Deer Valley is expected to profit significantly from the development.

“This seems like an outrageous money grab, and the antithesis of the lip service Deer Valley (and Alterra) have been paying to being a ‘good’ community partner,” Meredith Berkowitz wrote. “If granted, our property taxes would become a guarantee on a return on investment and a profit center for Alterra’s private investors, and our community should not be the guarantor.”

Deanna Sharp, a resident of Deer Valley Drive said she took issue with how revenue in the proposal would be redirected away from Summit County, Park City Municipal, Weber Basin Water Conservancy District, Park City School District, and Park City Fire Service District.

“Per Deer Valley, the new Snow Park development will generate $115 million in revenue for Park City over the next 25 years. If the development generates this much funding, Deer Valley does not need City Council to create a CRA. Taxpayers should not pay for the development of Snow Park Base or for any asset that is owned by a private equity firm and that is not a public asset,” Sharp wrote.

Park City has not yet scheduled a meeting to further discussions about the Snow Park Development.