Growth in the U.S. ski industry has largely stalled since the 1980s, with 95% of all skiable acres in the county being developed before 1980. Only 26 resorts have opened since, including Deer Valley Resort which opened in 1981. The mountain’s newest expansion, opening in the 2025/2026 ski season, doubles the terrain by adding an enormous 2,300 acres. Deer Valley broke down the exact numbers of this massive expansion which marks the largest in U.S. ski history.
Deer Valley Expansion Highlights:
- Scale: The massive expansion adds 100 new runs and 10 new chairlifts, with a roughly equal share of terrain for beginners, intermediate, and advanced skiers.
- Infrastructure: The resort saw the addition of over 80 miles of underground piping, four pump houses, and more than 12,200 snow guns to cover 200 acres with a foot of snow in one cold night.
- Accessibility: The new base at the East Village adds 1,200 parking spaces and a direct, stoplight-free route from Salt Lake City International Airport, making travel from plane to slopes easier than ever.
- Guest Experience: Despite the massive expansion, Deer Valley is continuing to limit the daily number of skiers allowed on the mountain per-day, requiring reservations and only offering 7 days of access to Ikon Pass holders.
With vast new terrain, cutting-edge snowmaking, and top-line luxury access, this expansion stands out as a true achievement in the modern ski industry. You can read more about the massive project here.
