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Wild Utah: What kind of visitor is best suited to patronize your resort?

Deer Valley: Deer Valley is a skiing only mountain. Most of our visitors are destination visitors and we tend to have more families than anything.

WU: What is your resort's number one feature?

DV: Customer Service

WU: What causes the biggest headaches for visitors at your resort?

DV: Most of our lodges only have restrooms on the lower or upper levels. This seems to cause headaches for people.

WU: What's new for the 2004/2005 season?

DV: Two new chairlifts will be installed in the Flagstaff area. The Judge lift is a fixed-grip triple and will run parallel to the existing Viking chairlift on the south side of Trainer ski run. The Silver Strike Express lift will be a detachable quad and come up from the property below the base of the Northside lift and will run to the east of Northside ending at the top of Flagstaff. The TNT (Tricks N' Turns) Park features a new rail park on the Ore Cart run in Empire Canyon along with the already existing Skier Cross venue.

Deer Valley Resort, site of the 2002 Olympic slalom, mogul and aerial events is located in the historic mining town of Park City, Utah and has been receiving accolades as one of North America's finest ski resorts since its inception in 1981. Not only does Deer Valley boast excellent ski conditions spread over four mountains, it is frequently rated the number one North American resort in customer service, dining and lodging as well as overall resort experience. Skiers visiting Deer Valley will appreciate the Resort's philosophy of offering a complete vacation experience both on and off the slopes. From guest service attendants to assist in your arrival, complimentary mountain tours, limited ticket sales, and world class dining; the ultimate in service and attention to every detail are Deer Valley's goals.

High Points: Great Food & the Most Luxury

Low Points: High Prices & No Snowboarding

Free Tip: Understand what DV costs before you dive in.

Deer Valley is amazing. It's truly elegant in every way, and the skiing is extraordinary. (Snowboarding is not allowed). Deer Valley opens for the season last, and they close first because they want every day to be as close to perfection as possible.

Though we love it, Deer Valley is a little "fu-fu" compared to the other local resorts. There are people on the mountain whose job it is to ask, "Are you having a nice day?" There are women skiing in outfits that cost as much as a car. And Stein can often be seen swooshing around the mountain.

Deer Valley is wonderful, but we have to disagree with their statement about the bathrooms being the biggest headache. Many people who ski at Deer Valley have the financial means to do whatever they please; but if YOU have any sort of a ski budget, you should certainly look before you leap. For instance, Deer Valley's season pass costs roughly $1,500.00. That's about twice what anyone else charges. Lift tickets, food, gear, you name it, are all generally more expensive at Deer Valley than at other resorts. We have friends who live in big, beautiful homes in Park City who say Deer Valley is too expensive for them.

What really sets Deer Valley apart from the other resorts is the food. DV's food is fine, albeit, expensive. If you get a burrito or a personal pizza at one of Park City Mountain's restaurants, you'll pay the "ski resort nice price" of $8-10 for a decent-tasting entrée. At Deer Valley's Snow Park Lodge, or Empire Canyon Lodge, you'll pay about the same price, but the food will be quite good (a slice of Tandoori Chicken pizza at Snowpark costs $7.00).

If your pocket book affords it, DV has many other premium restaurants. Stein 's Glittretind is our favorite for any meal. Snow Park Lodge has a seafood buffet to knock your socks off (and your wallet). Goldner Hirsch has incredible food, as does Morels, Mariposa, and the Royal Street Café. All excellent, all expensive.

To give you an idea, here's some Olympic trivia: Deer Valley was the only 2002 Olympic venue to refuse the crappy hot dogs and hamburgers that were sold everywhere else. That schwag just wouldn't fly at Deer Valley.

The attitude at Deer Valley is generally haute, but exceptionally friendly. DV grooming is widely considered the best in the world. The DeerCrest gondola has leather seats. Maps and people to assist you abound. The place is so nice, we doubt you've seen anything like it before. Beaver Creek and Aspen are both lovely resorts; but we don't feel like they hold a candle to Deer Valley.

The Troll Hallen Lounge in Stein Eriksen Lodge is our choice for après ski. It offers some amazing food and an excellent selection of alcohols (try a Chimay Trappist Ale if you're there). The service is unbeatable.

If you have no concept of budget, Deer Valley is the precipice of luxury. Every inch of the place is beautiful and well-run. Deer Valley is where we bought our ski passes this winter. If you're on a budget, but really want to experience Deer Valley, we suggest you pack a cooler and tailgate in the parking lot (they'll be mad at us for printing that).