For years, Deer Valley Resort has wanted to transform its modestly sized Snow Park base area into a large base village. The Utah ski resort has had development rights for the parking lots around the base area since the 1970s and has waited for the right moment to build it up. With Utah skier visits currently breaking records year after year, Deer Valley believes that the time is now.
The development would add new accommodations, a large skier beach, and more food and après options. Two new lifts would be added: a gondola would replace the Silver Lake Express, and the Carpenter Express could be replaced by a six-pack chairlift. An underground paid parking garage will replace the current outside parking spaces. In addition, a new transportation and mobility hub at Snow Park will provide a simpler experience for guests when they arrive at the mountain.
According to the Park Record, not all locals are stoked with these plans. A large number of individuals showed up to a City Council meeting to speak out against it. Park City struggles mightily against traffic, and locals that live around Deer Valley fear this new village would add to these issues during and after construction. Deer Valley argues that the project incentivizes guests to use public transport due to the planned mobility hub.
There was also a variety of business leaders that spoke in favor of the plan. Nathan Rafferty, who is the President and CEO of Ski Utah, explained in the meeting why he believes this would be a great development:
“The brand that Deer Valley has built over the last four decades did not happen by accident. The Deer Valley difference was born from thoughtful and deliberate planning and execution. I know Deer Valley planners have put that same thoughtfulness into the proposed Snow Park improvements.”
Jennifer Wesselhoff, who is the President and CEO of the Park City Chamber/Bureau, described why the Snow Park development would :
“We must keep ourselves as a first-class choice destination. We have to constantly improve our product and that’s precisely what this project does. In an extremely competitive travel and tourism environment we cannot afford to miss opportunities like this…Make no mistake — success for Deer Valley means success for Park City and all of our community.”
You can read more about Deer Valley’s Snow Park plan here. More discussions are planned between Deer Valley, the mayor, a couple of the City Council members, and pivotal City Hall staffers in the coming weeks.
Image Credits: Deer Valley Resort, Ian Wood
