Our Past and Future
Deer Valley History
Since opening in 1981, Deer Valley Resort has redefined the North American ski experience through a commitment to exceptional service, thoughtful design, and uncompromising quality. Our staff members are dedicated to service, which is the key to the resort’s current and future success.
Founded by Edgar and Polly Stern, Deer Valley introduced a hospitality-driven approach to skiing—combining world-class guest service, luxury amenities, and meticulously groomed terrain. What began with five chairlifts, two day lodges, and a pioneering vision has grown into one of the most celebrated ski destinations in the world.
From day one, Deer Valley has been guided by three core brand pillars: providing exceptional guest service, offering a ski-only resort experience, and limiting daily skier visitation to preserve a premium on-mountain environment. These values remain central to how we operate today. rich-text, responsive-table
Founded by Edgar and Polly Stern, Deer Valley introduced a hospitality-driven approach to skiing—combining world-class guest service, luxury amenities, and meticulously groomed terrain. What began with five chairlifts, two day lodges, and a pioneering vision has grown into one of the most celebrated ski destinations in the world.
From day one, Deer Valley has been guided by three core brand pillars: providing exceptional guest service, offering a ski-only resort experience, and limiting daily skier visitation to preserve a premium on-mountain environment. These values remain central to how we operate today. rich-text, responsive-table
A New Era
Expanded Excellence: Entering a New Era
Deer Valley is now entering its most transformative chapter yet. The resort’s multi-year “Expanded Excellence” project represents one of the largest ski resort expansions in modern history—an extraordinary vision that honors Deer Valley’s legacy while shaping its future.
The first phase launched during the 24/25 season with the opening of Deer Valley East Village, introducing 20 new ski runs, three new chairlifts, including the resort’s first 6-person bubble chairlift: Keetley Express. This expansion established a new gateway to the mountain and elevated the guest experience with convenient day-skier amenities and seamless access to Deer Valley’s original terrain.
For the 25/26 season, Deer Valley will deliver another defining milestone: nearly 80 additional ski runs, seven additional chairlifts, and the debut of the East Village Express gondola—a 10-passenger connection to Park Peak. For a total of 10 additional lifts and 100 new runs since 2024. In total, the expansion will add 3,700 acres of skiable terrain, ultimately making Deer Valley one of the largest ski resorts in North America, while preserving the intimate, service-led experience that guests expect.
The first phase launched during the 24/25 season with the opening of Deer Valley East Village, introducing 20 new ski runs, three new chairlifts, including the resort’s first 6-person bubble chairlift: Keetley Express. This expansion established a new gateway to the mountain and elevated the guest experience with convenient day-skier amenities and seamless access to Deer Valley’s original terrain.
For the 25/26 season, Deer Valley will deliver another defining milestone: nearly 80 additional ski runs, seven additional chairlifts, and the debut of the East Village Express gondola—a 10-passenger connection to Park Peak. For a total of 10 additional lifts and 100 new runs since 2024. In total, the expansion will add 3,700 acres of skiable terrain, ultimately making Deer Valley one of the largest ski resorts in North America, while preserving the intimate, service-led experience that guests expect.
The Legacy Continues
From its beginnings in 1981 to its bold expansion today, Deer Valley remains guided by the values that have defined the resort for more than four decades—exceptional service, attention to detail, and an unwavering commitment to providing a ski experience found nowhere else.
As we grow, evolve, and prepare to welcome the next generation of skiers and global visitors, our promise remains unchanged: to deliver the Deer Valley Difference, every day, for every guest.
As we grow, evolve, and prepare to welcome the next generation of skiers and global visitors, our promise remains unchanged: to deliver the Deer Valley Difference, every day, for every guest.
The Stern Legacy & Deer Valley History
Edgar & Polly Stern
The Stern Family & History
Edgar and Polly Stern founded Deer Valley Resort with a visionary idea: to bring luxury hospitality to the mountains. Drawing from their deep roots in the hotel and service industry, the Sterns imagined a ski resort experience centered on exceptional guest care, elevated amenities, and a level of service previously found only in world-class hotels.
Their journey to Park City began decades earlier in New Orleans, where the Stern family operated Royal Street Corporation and developed landmark hospitality and real-estate projects recognized for their refinement and guest-first philosophy. After relocating to Aspen, the Sterns continued to innovate—shaping high-end residential and hospitality developments that blended comfort, elegance, and mountain lifestyle.
When the Sterns first explored Park City in the late 1960s, they saw extraordinary potential in the region. They purchased the Treasure Mountain Ski Area (now Park City Mountain) in 1971, gaining early insights into the local terrain and guest expectations. Although the experience was rewarding, the Sterns envisioned a ski destination that reflected their own philosophy—service-forward, boutique in feel, and rooted in luxury hospitality. They sold Treasure Mountain but retained surrounding land, creating the foundation for what would eventually become Deer Valley Resort.
More than forty years later, the Sterns’ founding values—genuine care, attention to detail, and uncompromising hospitality—remain at the heart of the Deer Valley Difference.
Deer Valley Resort opened on December 26, 1981, with five chairlifts, 35 ski runs across Bald Eagle and Bald Mountain, and two day lodges—Snow Park and Silver Lake. In the decades that followed, Deer Valley continued to grow with thoughtfully designed lifts, terrain, lodging, and guest amenities, all rooted in the resort’s commitment to refined service and mountain hospitality.
Their journey to Park City began decades earlier in New Orleans, where the Stern family operated Royal Street Corporation and developed landmark hospitality and real-estate projects recognized for their refinement and guest-first philosophy. After relocating to Aspen, the Sterns continued to innovate—shaping high-end residential and hospitality developments that blended comfort, elegance, and mountain lifestyle.
When the Sterns first explored Park City in the late 1960s, they saw extraordinary potential in the region. They purchased the Treasure Mountain Ski Area (now Park City Mountain) in 1971, gaining early insights into the local terrain and guest expectations. Although the experience was rewarding, the Sterns envisioned a ski destination that reflected their own philosophy—service-forward, boutique in feel, and rooted in luxury hospitality. They sold Treasure Mountain but retained surrounding land, creating the foundation for what would eventually become Deer Valley Resort.
More than forty years later, the Sterns’ founding values—genuine care, attention to detail, and uncompromising hospitality—remain at the heart of the Deer Valley Difference.
Deer Valley Resort opened on December 26, 1981, with five chairlifts, 35 ski runs across Bald Eagle and Bald Mountain, and two day lodges—Snow Park and Silver Lake. In the decades that followed, Deer Valley continued to grow with thoughtfully designed lifts, terrain, lodging, and guest amenities, all rooted in the resort’s commitment to refined service and mountain hospitality.
Deer Valley Through the Years
Over the last four decades, Deer Valley has continued to evolve while honoring its founding principles. We’ve invested hundreds of millions in mountain improvements, hosted elite international competitions—including the 2002 Olympic Winter Games—and earned consistent industry recognition, from multiple #1 rankings in SKI Magazine to global awards for service excellence. Through every era, our legacy remains rooted in the same values that shaped our earliest days: genuine care, attention to detail, and a relentless focus on elevating the guest experience.
Since 1981, Deer Valley has grown intentionally and thoughtfully. Key milestones include:
Throughout this evolution, our commitment to exceptional service, ski-only terrain, and limited daily visitation has remained constant.
Since 1981, Deer Valley has grown intentionally and thoughtfully. Key milestones include:
- Expansion from five to more than 20 lifts
- Growth from 35 to more than 100 ski runs (pre-expansion)
- Development of Snow Park, Silver Lake, and mid-mountain amenities
- Establishment of one of the nation’s largest ski schools
- Introduction of summer operations, including mountain biking, hiking, and outdoor concerts
Throughout this evolution, our commitment to exceptional service, ski-only terrain, and limited daily visitation has remained constant.
A Resort Built for the World Stage
Deer Valley has long been synonymous with elite skiing and international competition. The resort proudly hosted the freestyle mogul, aerial, and alpine slalom events during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games—cementing its place on the global stage. For more than 25 years, Deer Valley has welcomed World Cup and World Championship athletes, earning a reputation for world-class course preparation, impeccable venues, and unrivaled hospitality.
As Utah looks ahead to hosting a future Winter Games in 2034, Deer Valley is poised once again to shine. Our expanding terrain, elevated guest experience, and longstanding legacy of operational excellence position the resort to be a centerpiece of the next chapter of winter sports on the world stage.
As Utah looks ahead to hosting a future Winter Games in 2034, Deer Valley is poised once again to shine. Our expanding terrain, elevated guest experience, and longstanding legacy of operational excellence position the resort to be a centerpiece of the next chapter of winter sports on the world stage.
Ownership & Partnership Legacy
Penske Partnership
In 1987 Roger Penske became a partner in Deer Valley Resort. Roger and his wife, Kathy, had been owners at Stein Eriksen Lodge since its inception, and shared the Sterns' hospitality philosophy. Among many other interests, Roger Penske is Founder and Chairman of the Board of Penske Corporation, a diversified transportation services company; Chairman of Penske Truck Leasing, Penske Motor Sports, and Detroit Diesel; and a director of General Electric Company. Mr. Penske also owns Team Penske, the most successful team in the history of the Indianapolis 500.
Alterra Mountain Company & Ikon Pass
Becoming Part of Alterra Mountain Company
In 2017, Deer Valley Resort joined Alterra Mountain Company, a family of iconic year-round mountain destinations united by a shared commitment to service, hospitality, and a deep love of the mountains. Alterra’s long-term vision and investment approach have supported major developments across the resort, including the launch of the Ikon Pass and the transformative Expanded Excellence initiative.
The Ikon Pass
The Ikon Pass, created by Alterra Mountain Company, connects Deer Valley to a global community of skiers and riders and provides access to more than 70 mountain destinations worldwide. Full Ikon Pass holders receive up to seven days of skiing at Deer Valley, supporting the resort’s ski-only tradition and limited daily visitation model.
For complete Ikon Pass details, visit ikonpass.com.
To learn more about Alterra Mountain Company, visit alterramtn.co.
In 2017, Deer Valley Resort joined Alterra Mountain Company, a family of iconic year-round mountain destinations united by a shared commitment to service, hospitality, and a deep love of the mountains. Alterra’s long-term vision and investment approach have supported major developments across the resort, including the launch of the Ikon Pass and the transformative Expanded Excellence initiative.
The Ikon Pass
The Ikon Pass, created by Alterra Mountain Company, connects Deer Valley to a global community of skiers and riders and provides access to more than 70 mountain destinations worldwide. Full Ikon Pass holders receive up to seven days of skiing at Deer Valley, supporting the resort’s ski-only tradition and limited daily visitation model.
For complete Ikon Pass details, visit ikonpass.com.
To learn more about Alterra Mountain Company, visit alterramtn.co.