Deer Valley reveals 5-year construction plan for Snow Park Village ahead of Wednesday meeting

Snow Park at Deer Valley Resort. Photo: TownLIft // Michele Roepke

PARK CITY, Utah — Park City’s Planning Commission is reviewing Deer Valley Resort’s construction mitigation plan for its Snow Park Village development. This massive undertaking must balance maintaining day-to-day ski operations with building an underground parking structure and transit hub. The plan details how the resort will manage parking, traffic, and resort access during the five-year construction period from 2025 to 2030.

Why it Matters

The project involves excavating 467,000 cubic yards of material while keeping the resort operational. The construction mitigation plan addresses how construction vehicles, ski traffic, and temporary parking will be coordinated throughout the five-year building period.

The Big Picture

The construction timeline reveals the project’s complexity. During the most intensive phase, from May 2026 through April 2027, the resort will significantly restrict private vehicle access to the base area. Available parking will fluctuate throughout construction, starting with 712 spaces in the 2025-26 ski season, dropping to 400 spaces the following year, before increasing to 690 spaces as portions of the new parking structure come online.

To compensate for reduced parking, Deer Valley plans to operate a temporary tram service from Lots 5 and 6 to Snow Park Lodge. The resort has also secured off-site parking agreements at Richardson Flat and Jordanelle State Park, with enhanced shuttle service to transport skiers to the base area.

Community Concerns

Residents have raised several issues about the impact of construction. Roya and Brad Baldridge highlighted existing traffic problems, noting that multiple intersections already operate at failure levels. They urged the Planning Commission to consider “mandating reducing the number of cars accessing the Snow Park area.”

Environmental concerns also feature prominently in public comments. Jason Horst questioned how the resort would control construction dust and debris while protecting local wildlife, specifically mentioning the moose, osprey, and bald eagles that frequent the pond area.

The Response

The resort’s construction mitigation plan attempts to address these concerns through strict controls. Construction hours will be limited to 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with no work during holidays and major events. The plan includes required truck wash stations for dust control and aims to divert 75% of construction waste through recycling.

Planning Commission staff has recommended 37 specific conditions of approval, ranging from daily compliance reporting to creating a paid parking reservation system. The conditions emphasize maintaining emergency vehicle access, controlling dust, and managing construction employee parking to minimize impact on surrounding neighborhoods.

What’s Next

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the construction mitigation plan on November 13, followed by an in-depth review of Phase I in December. Final action could come as soon as January 22, 2025, though additional meetings may be scheduled if needed.

Those interested in attending the meeting can join in person or via Zoom. Public comments can be submitted during the meeting or sent to the Planning Department at alexander.barton@parkcity.org.