Deer Valley’s Grand Ascent
The Transformation into One of America’s Largest Ski Resorts
by Jennifer Walton
Alterra Mountain Co. & Extell Development Co. Triple the Thrills and Double the Luxuries into a Singular Superstar
Numbers from trails to territory explain legendary Deer Valley’s expansion from its beginnings as a skiing wonderland to a formidable frontier with its additional terrain initially developed as Mayflower Mountain Resort. Its story of becoming one in vision and name resulted in a long-term partnership agreement, best described with acreage and amenities.
6,000+ acre Mayflower Mountain & Village
3,700 new acres of ski terrain
1,700 residential units
1,200 day-skier parking spaces in the base village
800+ hotel rooms
615+ acres of snowmaking
16 new chairlifts
6 unique luxury brand hotels
1 new dual-stage 10-passenger gondola
& a 4.7-mile-long run!
Deer Valley, with its die-hard skiing community and devoted international audience, will make its grand ascent to fourth position as one of the largest ski resorts in the country, with Park City, Palisades Tahoe, and Big Sky ranking in first, second, and third spots, respectively.
The ambitious partnership and three-year scheduled expansion will provide skiers with 5,726 acres (almost three times the current total of 2,026 acres), 135 ski runs, and 37 chairlifts across 10 mountains, becoming the most extensive expansion in U.S. ski resort history. This nearly three-year negotiation between parties resulted in adding to the tagline, The Deer Valley Difference to Expanded Excellence. It describes the commitment to the remarkable growth of a beloved skier-only destination enveloped in impeccable hospitality, incredible accessibility, limited daily guest capacity, and slopes beyond imagination. At Deer Valley, pursuing perfection is not just a goal; it’s a promise. It is where excellence takes on fresh dimensions, and the art of skiing becomes an extraordinary journey because it’s not all about numbers; it’s about experiences.
“Deer Valley Resort is known across the globe for its unique approach to first-class service. We are committed to building on their well-respected reputation and legacy by attracting some of the world’s best brands and elevating the living experience by creating luxury residences with exquisite architecture and design,” says Gary Barnett, Founder and Chairman of Extell Development Company. He adds, “This partnership with Deer Valley brings together two of the very best in the business of real estate, service, and hospitality, and we look forward to working with them to create what will be the crown jewel of Utah.”
The resort’s commitment to providing picture-perfect ski conditions is unwavering. The meticulously groomed slopes attract loyal locals, faithful Ikon pass holders, and rinse-and-repeat vacationers to its pristine corduroy and decadent powder.
“Deer Valley is committed to building upon our legacy as one of the world’s most exceptional ski areas while staying true to our founding principles created over four decades ago,” says Todd Bennett, President and COO of Deer Valley Resort. Further, “This expansion will facilitate even better access to the resort for our guests while offering a substantial increase in world-class amenities consistent with the resort’s original vision,” he adds.
The area of U.S. Route 40, south of the Jordanelle Express Gondola, is where the majority of the expansion will occur—previously known as Mayflower Mountain, a resort separately owned by Extell Development Company. This monumental effort required years of master planning, land trades, acquisitions, and remediations, which necessitated industry groups and organizations central to its success, including the state of Utah, Wasatch County, Jordanelle Special Service District, Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA), and a multitude of experts, contractors, legal counsel, lenders, and ski consultants to ensure that its enhanced infrastructure, mountain operations, and high-touch environment would bring significant benefits to skiers, visitors, and the community while contributing to the local economy through partnerships, sponsorships, and support for local initiatives, further strengthening its ties with the area.
Deer Valley Resort will take charge of all mountain operations within the ski terrain expansion, which includes everything from ski patrol and ski school to rentals and grooming. It will be a seamless experience between the existing, original Deer Valley and the new terrain. Extell will establish and manage the real estate opportunities and hotel operations in the previously known Mayflower area, including multiple hotel brands. The first hotel under construction is the Village’s cornerstone hotel, Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, which is also home to 55 private luxury condominiums—The Residences at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley (70% have sold with anticipated completion in late 2024). Barnett of Extell is well-recognized for his superb taste in developing properties and for having operated the Four Seasons Vail among Extell’s spectacular constellation of impressive residential and commercial developments throughout the country.
“Alterra Mountain Company is committed to investing in large-scale projects that will deliver differentiated experiences in incredible places, and this project is exactly that,” says Jared Smith, President and CEO of Alterra Mountain Company. “Deer Valley has long been a world-renowned resort, and this project will offer guests more of what it has always been known for—legendary service, an exceptional ski-only experience, and industry-leading culinary offerings.”
“Deer Valley Resort is known across the globe for its unique approach to first-class service. We are committed to building on their well-respected reputation and legacy by attracting some of the world’s best brands and elevating the living experience by creating luxury residences with exquisite architecture and design. “This partnership with Deer Valley brings together two of the very best in the business of real estate, service, and hospitality, and we look forward to working with them to create what will be the crown jewel of Utah.”
–Gary Barnett, Founder & Chairman, Extell Development Company
Deer Valley Resort transcends the ordinary. Expect the extraordinary because it’s more than Utah’s “Greatest Snow on Earth” that creates memories. Imagine waking up in a stunning luxury residence or hotel in the new village, where every detail is curated to ensure an unforgettable experience. As the sun rises over the snow-covered peaks, the view from the private balcony overlooking the mountains is breathtaking. The air is refreshingly cold, and the anticipation of a perfect ski day brings excitement. Over a savory breakfast in the resort’s dining room, dreams for the day ahead take shape while gazing at the ski slopes just beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows.
After breakfast, the ski concierge’s friendly and knowledgeable staff help select equipment and provide insider tips on the day’s conditions. Freshly fallen powder beckons on the way to the lifts. Lunch at the resort’s mountaintop restaurant offers a menu with cuisine as exceptional as the scenery, a welcome rest from the knee-deep powder of the morning. Groomed runs provide a much-needed transition after an indulgent lunch toward the winding down part of the ski day. Later on, in the hotel lounge in front of a fireplace, an après-ski cocktail accompanies the contemplation of a sports massage from the hotel’s spa and wellness center or an exploration of the village’s massive ski beach, boutique retail shops, ice skating ribbon, and 60,000-square-foot public recreation center featuring a pool, tennis courts, ball courts, and fitness center.
At dinner, the menu features a selection of international cuisine, tantalizing cocktails, and a well-curated wine list.
And as the day ends, the thought occurs that this experience could become the standard for one’s lifestyle and that it could happen more frequently. What began as a vacation could quickly materialize into a life-changing adventure in the mountains. The Deer Valley residential community and an opportunity to own a piece of this winter paradise entices. And not just in the winter.
Deer Valley is a four-season destination. Marcella at Deer Valley is a real estate opportunity for a ski-accessible lot, and The Residences at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley can add to the turn-key winter experience of long, delicious days spent hiking, biking, and exploring in spring, summer, and fall.
With ownership in Marcella at Deer Valley, membership includes access to Tiger Woods’ first mountain west course with gorgeous mountain views and a “playability for everyone” pledge.
Other membership premiums include Marcella on Main, located on Park City’s historic Main Street, with its private rooftop, Sky Lounge, and James Beard Award-winning chef Galen Zamarra at the helm of the collection of culinary offerings, which includes a French brasserie restaurant, French patisserie and coffee shop, and Private Chef’s Table (ten courses for groups up to ten), plus a Skier’s Lounge featuring a casual dining restaurant and bar. Day lockers, a ski valet, and a spa add the finishing touches to the buzz-worthy location.
Arguably, the piece de resistance is the exclusive access to an on-mountain clubhouse, The Marcella Lodge, designed by Olson Kundig, an internationally sought-after architectural firm with an “integrated architecture, urban design, interior design, and landscape architecture” that has influenced how we live, work, and travel. Olson Kundig’s passionate global collaborations have redefined residential, commercial, cultural, and spiritual architecture, and reinterpreted academic and hospitality experiences for over three decades.
Nestled in the heart of the expansion, the Marcella at Deer Valley will be a central hub for members seeking a year-round mountain lifestyle fueled by adventure. Whether carving the slopes or embarking on Extell’s 50-plus-mile network of trails perfect for hiking and biking, the Marcella Lodge acts as the quintessential headquarters for limitless exploration guaranteed to keep spirits adventurous. The Lodge will feature ski-in/ski-out concierge services, an indoor-outdoor pool and hot tub, a state-of-the-art fitness and yoga studio, and a versatile space equipped with an arcade and a golf simulator for entertainment.
The large and complex expansion is planned in stages with the 2025/2026 ski season on the horizon, adding over 800 acres, 7 runs, and 9 lifts to the existing 2,026 acres, 103 runs, and 21 lifts.
Arguably, the piece de resistance is the exclusive access to an on-mountain clubhouse, The Marcella Lodge, designed by Olson Kundig, an internationally sought-after architectural firm with an “integrated architecture, urban design, interior design, and landscape architecture” that has influenced how we live, work, and travel.
Numbers are objective and universal, while sensations and emotions are subjective and vary from person to person. However, Deer Valley’s immense expansion and the epic emotional reaction to its breathtaking terrain, world-class amenities, a 40-minute drive from an international airport, as well as a wide range of offerings for property ownership, beautifully co-exist.
The inspiration drawn from nature, its beauty and tranquility, the respite from the hustle and bustle of modern life, can turn into a powerful aspiration to live close to it. To experience the sight of a winter sunrise or a field of wildflowers in bloom—those are the moments that shift our perspective, that positively affect our mental health by reducing stress and improving our mood. Nature transforms and often forces a lifestyle that prioritizes experiences over possessions. When those gratifying connections happen—in the stillness of a snow-white forest or, for some, from a luscious green 18th hole, that’s how memories are made.
