7 Bucket List Experiences at Deer Valley

Deer Valley itself is a once-in-a-lifetime stop for serious skiers worldwide. Topping 300 inches of champagne powder during most seasons, the mix of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain is among the best in the United States (and this is before the resort will soon double in size). But aside from the fresh powder and pristine groomers, serious skiers know that the “Deer Valley difference” sets it apart from many resorts throughout the country. Service and amenities at Deer Valley Resort put it in a league of its own.

Any trip to Deer Valley is worth taking, but certain experiences can add excitement, luxury, and fun to your vacation. This list of bucket list experiences at Deer Valley shows you a few things you won’t want to overlook when visiting the acclaimed Utah resort. Sorry snowboarders, but this iconic resort is one of three US properties that are only open to skiers.

Ski With a Champion

Deer Valley is no stranger to the Olympics, hosting them in 2002 and on deck to hold them again in 2034. But did you know you can schedule a day on the slopes with an Olympian? Ski With a Champion gives you a chance to meet some of the best athletes in the world, skiing through the trees, on moguls, and making turns down blue and black runs. Rather than traditional ski lessons, you can learn advanced skills from elite athletes if you book a spot with the Ski With a Champion program. There are seven Olympic athletes in the program, each with a storied career. It’s a chance to watch some of the world's best skiers, while asking them questions and studying their technique up close on one of the most renowned ski resorts in the world.

The rates for a half-day in the Ski With a Champion program are around $1,500 to $1,650. The full-day experience is around $2,600 - $2,850. You should reserve either session of the Ski With a Champion program well in advance.

It’s a special opportunity, but the price tag might not fit every skier's budget. However, you can take advantage of a similar experience in a group setting for free. On Wednesdays during the ski season, you can reserve a complimentary spot in the Mountain Host Tours program. An Olympic skier will join your group and an expert guide, providing unique insight related to the history of the mountain and where you can find the best ski terrain.

Learn To Cook at Deer Valley Creative Academy

Most people visit Deer Valley to ski, for good reason. However, the culinary scene is one of the best you’ll find at any ski resort in North America. From the famous turkey chili served year-round to Silver Lake’s new summertime Fire & Flavor Festival, the aromas drifting down the mountains in Deer Valley are as enticing as the views.

Travelers who want to go beyond sampling the food at Deer Valley and take some first-hand knowledge home can attend a class with esteemed chefs from around Utah and Beyond. At Deer Valley Creative Academy, you can learn about local ingredients and tried-and-true recipes. You’ll make seasonal dishes, explore regional classics, and develop new culinary skills with expert chefs, bakers, and bartenders. There are events for all ages or 21+, so any group can find the right class for them.

Try Heli-Skiing

Deer Valley is known for its pristinely groomed trails and world-class service at the resort. But for skiers who want to get away from it all, there are plenty of rugged backcountry runs within close proximity to the resort. Expert skiers who want to ski fresh powder through chutes and glades can add heli-skiing to their bucket list. It’s a chance to experience some of Utah’s best skiing, without the crowds. You can book a heli-skiing tour through several operators in the area, each of which can help you locate some of the premier terrain in the Wasatch and Uinta Mountains.

Our recommendation for most skiers is Powderbird Heliskiing. Powderbird is one of the oldest heli-skiing operations in the state, and the pilots are trained to get you on and off the mountain safely. Powderbird offers this tour through The Chateaux Deer Valley, a luxury rental in the heart of the resort, in Silver Lake Village. The tour includes a complimentary shuttle to the heliport and meals to get you ready for your bucket list day on the slopes.

From a heliport in nearby Park City, their expert pilots will lift off and soar over some of the most scenic nature in Utah. There is terrain for both expert and intermediate skiers, as long as you have the stamina to handle the thousands of feet of vertical drop you’ll ski down throughout the day.

Take a Holiday Sleigh Rides

Groups and families who want to celebrate the holidays (or just enjoy the winter wonderland) like a scene from a storybook can book a sleigh ride during the winter months. Broken Arrow Sleigh Rides is a local company that takes guests on scenic sleigh rides through the Wasatch Mountain Range. You can reserve a spot for 5-12 people on a luxury sleigh. Children and adults can take a step back in time and enjoy a slice of the Old West during the winter months.

The beautiful Boulder Mountain Ranch at Deer Valley horses trot through the snow from the Stein Eriksen Lodge onward for around 30 minutes. Groups between 5-12 people can reserve a spot on the sleigh, which runs 7 days a week. The staff is known to be incredibly accommodating, so you can contact Broken Arrow Sleigh Rides directly with any special requests.

This bucket list adventure offers a chance to step back in time and enjoy the holiday season in the Wild West from the comfort of a luxury sleigh.

Hot Air Balloon Ride Over the Mountains

Have you ever dreamed of soaring high above the Rocky Mountains, taking in the scenery from above? Bigfoot Balloons gives you a chance to do just that, offering hot air balloon rides year-round (weather permitting). The hour-long airborne adventure is a fun way to see the Utah wilderness from a bird’s-eye view. It’s a bucket list must for anyone who’s not afraid of heights.

Guests can reserve a ride with a group or in a private cabin. Couples who are ready to tie the knot can even plan the ultimate engagement party on a personalized proposal flight with a champagne toast after.

Whitewater Rafting

If you plan to visit Deer Valley in the summer, add whitewater rafting to your bucket list! There are white water rafting operations throughout Utah, but All Seasons Adventures is the most convenient for guests staying at Deer Valley or Park City resorts. Adults and children 4 and up can paddle through class II rapids, enough to get the adrenaline flowing.

Expert guides drive you from Deer Valley to the boat launch, where you’ll ride on a 13-foot raft down the Weber River. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who wants to try rafting for the first time, and it’s designed for beginners and intermediate rafters.

Bucket List Lodging in Deer Valley

Deer Valley is home to high-end lodging options that are a bucket list attraction of their own. From cozy condos for couples to luxe lodges that can host large groups of friends and family, you can find your dream Deer Valley accommodations no matter who you’re traveling with.

Lodging for Couples and Families

Stein Eriksen Residences has a collection of romantic rooms overlooking the picture-perfect groomers at Deer Valley Resort. The rooms are cozy and comfortable but feature a stylish, contemporary design. Whether you are looking for a romantic retreat with you and your partner or are sharing the space with other couples, this resort is the perfect home base for your bucket list adventure in Utah.

Property Amenities at Stein Eriksen Residences

• Ski In / Ski Out and walk to lift access
• Ski Valet
• On-site restaurant and lounge
• Kids Splash pad

Group and Family Rentals

Larger groups can stay at the Snow Pine Lodge for a bucket list vacation like no other. This 11-bedroom estate will feel like your very own European villa for the week, which you can share with your family and friends between outdoor adventures. This lodge is ideal for large groups who want to share a rental while having plenty of personal and shared space. It features several fireplaces, a 12-person hot tub, two separate living rooms, and even two kitchens. While you are just steps from the ski lifts and wilderness of the Wasatch Mountains, the views from inside or out on the patio make it difficult to leave.

Property Amenities at Snow Pine Lodge

• Ski In / Ski Out (or short drive to lifts)
• Fire Pit
• Gym and Ski Storage

Deric Brown is a writer who has traveled domestically and internationally, writing about his journeys along the way. A storyteller at heart, he’s always looking at both the small details and the big picture. Whether snowboarding in the Sierra Nevada Mountains or hiking the Marin Headlands near his San Francisco home, he loves experiencing the beauty of California and beyond and writing about each solo adventure and family trip.

Photo Credit: Alterra Mountain Company - Deer Valley Resort