Park City, Utah — For months, Deer Valley Resort and trail map artist Rad Smith have been teasing a significant project.
As part of the Expanded Excellence terrain expansion, Deer Valley needed to create a trail map that showcases its new terrain. They brought in Rad Smith, whom James Niehues mentored. He’s drawn various impressive trail maps, including Aspen, Big Sky, Big White, and Keystone.
The hand-painted trail map was officially revealed yesterday with a cool video detailing Rad’s thought process of creating the map.
“Smith has dedicated his career to breathing new life into ski map artistry to create maps that celebrate both the spirit and the scenic landscapes of mountain resorts,” said Deer Valley Resort in their press release that announced the new map. “Using an aerial perspective to accurately portray the resort’s varied terrain, chairlifts and amenities, the new trail map merges artistry with precision, making it easy for guests to navigate Deer Valley’s newly accessible expanded terrain.”
Here’s the old James Niehues map for reference.
And here’s the new Rad Smith trail map without any of the marked trail names and lifts:
For me, the most interesting part of the map is finding the new trail names and ratings. These 20 (19 if you consider the long extension of McHenry not to be a new run) new trails are of beginner and intermediate variety and will be serviced by three new chairlifts: Keetley Express, Hoodoo Express, and Aurora.
New beginner and intermediate trails have been added around the top of Bald Mountain, allowing less-skilled skiers to get down to Deer Valley East Village this winter easily. These new runs are Green Monster (there better be a 37-foot and two inch tall green wall), Age of Reason, and Carbenite.
The map will continue to be updated in the coming years as Deer Valley expands eastward.
Deer Valley’s projected opening date is December 7th, and the anticipated opening date for the East Village terrain expansion is December 18th.
Image/Video Credits: Rad Smith, Deer Valley Resort
