With nearly 100 new ski runs set to open this winter, Deer Valley’s expansion cements its position among the largest ski destinations in North America. Photo: Deer Valley Resort.

PARK CITY, Utah — Deer Valley Resort marked a major construction milestone following a successful public showcase of its aerial lift tower installations, part of Expanded Excellence, a sweeping infrastructure overhaul that will more than double the resort’s skiable terrain ahead of the 2025–26 season.

Lift towers for both the East Village Express gondola and the Pinyon Express high-speed lift were flown into place over the weekend during the resort’s Future in Flight event. The installation drew spectators eager to witness early progress on what Deer Valley calls the most significant ski resort expansion in history.

“With the first towers now in place for the lifts that will connect Deer Valley East Village to Park Peak, we’re proud to have reached this milestone. It marks the start of skiing from Park Peak and represents a key step in more than doubling Deer Valley’s terrain for the upcoming ski season,” said Deer Valley Resort President & COO Todd Bennett. “Our dedicated teams continue to exceed the goals of this ambitious expansion, and we look forward to welcoming both longtime guests and first-time visitors to explore nearly 100 new ski runs this winter.”

Seven new lifts, 100 new runs

The resort will debut seven new lifts this winter, including the East Village Express gondola, a 10-passenger flagship installation connecting the new East Village base area with Park Peak. In total, 10 new lifts have been added since December 2024, increasing the number of lifts at the resort to 31 and expanding terrain to 4,300 acres.

The new infrastructure is part of the resort’s Expanded Excellence initiative, which includes a fully automated snowmaking system and a dedicated pumphouse to ensure coverage across the new terrain. The East Village base area will also offer 1,200 day-skier parking spaces for the coming season.

East Village Gondola redefines resort access

Spanning nearly three miles, the Deer Valley East Village Gondola is now one of the largest lift systems in the country and the most advanced in Utah. It features 40 towers, 142 heated cabins, and a vertical rise of 2,570 feet. With a top speed of 1,400 feet per minute—40% faster than standard express lifts—the gondola can carry 3,000 guests per hour from East Village to Park Peak in just 15 minutes.

Each cabin includes floor-to-ceiling windows and arrives every 12 seconds, offering uninterrupted uphill access on over 32,000 feet of haul rope powered by two low-noise Direct Drive motors.

Gondola specifications:

Stage I: 19 towers | 66 cabins | 14,000 feet of haul rope
Stage II: 21 towers | 76 cabins | 17,000 feet of haul rope

Pinyon Express connects expanded terrain

Complementing the gondola, the Pinyon Express high-speed lift will serve as a key connector between Flagstaff Mountain and new beginner-friendly terrain near Park Peak. The lift spans 6,300 feet of haul rope supported by 11 towers and features six-passenger bubble chairs with heated seats—mirroring the comfort of Deer Valley’s Keetley Express lift.

Bennett said the resort’s teams continue to exceed expansion goals and emphasized that the project is designed to benefit both seasoned guests and newcomers to Deer Valley.

Looking ahead

With nearly 100 new ski runs set to open this winter, Deer Valley’s expansion cements its position among the largest ski destinations in North America. The developments are part of a broader effort to reshape access, terrain variety, and guest amenities at the resort ahead of a landmark season.

For more details on the expansion and updates throughout construction, Deer Valley is encouraging guests to visit its official website and follow ongoing project announcements.