Photo: Deer Valley Resort.

PARK CITY, Utah — Deer Valley Resort is adding 200 skiable acres and a new express lift for the upcoming 2026-27 winter season as part of what the resort calls its Expanded Excellence vision, continuing a buildout that has more than doubled the mountain’s size since December 2024.

The new Hail Peak Express lift will carry skiers from Deer Valley East Village to seven previously unskied runs on the easternmost edge of the resort, pushing the total skiable acreage to 4,500 acres and the lift count to 32. The expansion also brings snowmaking coverage to 932 acres.

“Last winter transformed Deer Valley,” said Todd Bennett, Deer Valley Resort president and chief operating officer. “This winter builds on that momentum by opening Hail Peak, expanding Deer Valley to 4,500 skiable acres, and continuing our investment in the lifts, snowmaking, and guest experience that define Deer Valley.”

New terrain and lifts

The resort has added 11 new chairlifts since December 2024, marking what it describes as the largest resort expansion in ski industry history. The Hail Peak Express, which moves 2,400 guests per hour using 86 chairs, is the latest addition to that list, which also includes Keetley Express, HooDoo Express, Aurora, Galena Express, Pioche Express, Neptune Express, Vulcan Express, Revelator Express, Pinyon Express and the Deer Valley East Village Gondola.

One of the seven new Hail Peak runs, named “Hill Yeah,” pays tribute to Hill Air Force Base in northern Utah and ties to the resort’s Salute to Service program, which offers exclusive lodging, lift ticket and resort offerings to service members and military families.

26/27 mountain stats

Highest elevation: 9,570 ft.
Lowest elevation: 6,450 ft.
Vertical drop: 3,120 ft.
Number of runs: 209
Longest run: 4.8 miles
Snowmaking coverage: 932 acres
Skiable acreage: 4,500 acres
Total aerial lifts: 32
Gondolas: 2
Detachable chairlifts: 23
Fixed grip chairlifts: 7
Conveyor/surface lifts: 8

Family terrain and snow features

Deer Valley is adding a family-friendly snow feature zone off Pioche Express, tentatively located on the green run Pirate King. The zone will include rollers, berms and a mild ski cross experience. A nearby run, Humbug, will feature flowing rollers, and McHenry ski run will include a dedicated family area.

Snowmaking upgrades

A new 10-million-gallon snowmaking reservoir, located just southwest of Park Peak Lodge, will work with the existing Summit Pump House to pump up to 10,000 gallons of water per minute to every snowmaking gun on the resort’s east side. Combined with an additional 10,000 gallons per minute from Ventana, the east system will have capacity for 20,000 gallons per minute total. The resort said 80 to 90% of snowmaking water returns to its source, either the Jordanelle Reservoir or the Provo River.

Forest health

The resort is also clearing a section called Triangle Trees as part of a forest health plan aimed at reducing wildfire risk. The area connects Deer Valley’s original terrain with its east side expansion and is intended to improve navigation between the two sides of the mountain.

What’s coming next

Construction continues on two major lodge projects. The Deer Valley East Village Lodge, which will house a ski school, rentals and a food hall, is targeted to open for the 27/28 season. The Park Peak Lodge, whose core and shell are set to be completed by fall 2026, will also open for 27/28 after interior buildout of its dining, restaurant and bar spaces.

Learn more at www.deervalley.com.