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Deer Valley Travel Guide
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Ambassador of Skiing, Heidi Voelker © Deer Valley Resort |
Overview Voted best ski resort in North America in 2001 and 2005 by SKI
Magazine, the exclusive holiday resort of Deer Valley was
again voted the best for three consecutive years in a row
in 2008, 2009 and 2010. Opened in 1981, Deer Valley took over the
old site of Snow Park. Millions of dollars later, it has created a
reputation for itself highly regarded among skiers the world over
(and most probably has something to do with the fact that they
don't allow snowboarders near the mountain). Deer Valley is located
in the Park City area, Utah, and in 2002, hosted select events of
the Winter Olympics. As its popularity increases it continues to
attract the upper echelons; the levels of service in all aspects
from accommodation, dining to grooming and slope maintenance
continue to rise.
Skiing Deer Valley boasts 300 inches (762cm) of light, dry, Utah
powder. Four mountains and a variety of terrain offer skiers of all
levels enough to keep them entertained. Beginners are not
restricted and can ski on all four of the mountains while advanced
skiers will find enough black diamond runs groomed to
perfection.
Shopping Deer Valley Signatures Stores offers a variety of branded items
for holiday skiers including apparel, kitchenware, blankets and
signature food items. Shades of Deer Valley sells all the latest
premium snow eyewear and goggles while Deer Valley Etc. offers
Internet facilities and a number of specialty coffees and
beverages. Park City is a much better place to look around for
anything else.
Restaurants There are over 90 restaurants, bars and private clubs in Deer
Valley and its surrounds catering for all tastes and providing top
class service to holiday visitors that continually receive praise
from the Zagat Restaurant Guide and SKI Magazine. At the resort,
Snow Park Restaurant delivers the goods on nutritious breakfasts
and filling lunches while Royal Street Café serves
award-winning cuisine with fine wines and spirits available. The
Seafood Buffet is popular with visitors and locals but the star of
the restaurant scene, rated number one in the Zagat Restaurant
Guide, is The Mariposa. With an award winning wine list and classic
cuisine, it truly is one of the resort's highlights.
Nightlife Utah has some interesting approaches to liquor laws, and often a
night out for holidaymakers in Deer Valley will include becoming a
member of a private club in order to buy alcohol. A membership will
need to be purchased for a small fee, in the vicinity of a cover
charge, and the discretion of the other members may dictate a night
out. However Park City is very popular during the winter season and
caters for the influx of tourists who are used to being able to get
a drink at a bar.
Activities A variety of additional activities are available to holiday
visitors in Deer Valley including sleigh rides, snow mobile tours,
snow-shoeing, heli-skiing and hot air balloon rides. For the less
actively inclined or those simply looking to relax, there are
health spas, saunas and Jacuzzis. During the summer months the
lifts stay open for scenic rides and lift-served mountain biking.
There is also a Kid's Summer Adventure Camp and outdoor dining is
popular in the magnificent setting.
Negatives The resort is quite exclusive, expensive and has been called
quite pretentious. No snowboarders are allowed; whether that is a
negative or positive attribute is dependant.
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