Chairlift Chat Series: Season 2 Episode 2
Preserving Culture Through Growth
Published April 29, 2025
In Season 2, Episode 2 of Chairlift Chat, Deer Valley President & COO Todd Bennett rides the Silver Lake Express and Homestake Express chairlifts with Dan Gregory, Director of Organizational Design & Expansion, to talk about the heart of Deer Valley’s culture.
As the resort undergoes its most ambitious expansion ever, Dan shares how the team is working to preserve the Deer Valley Difference while preparing to double in size. From culture research and legacy interviews to leadership development and the creation of the Deer Valley Difference Pocket Guide, this conversation offers a unique look into how Deer Valley is growing with intention—without losing what makes it special.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Short on time? Dive into our highlights at a glance!
KEEPING CULTURE AT THE CORE
With Deer Valley set to double in size and add thousands of new team members, Dan emphasizes that the number one priority isn’t just building lifts—it’s preserving the resort’s deeply rooted identity. “We can recover from a construction delay,” he says, “but we can’t afford to lose who we are.”
DEFINING THE DEER VALLEY DIFFERENCE
To preserve culture, you first have to define it. Dan’s team dove into decades of marketing archives, guest feedback, and conversations with longtime employees to distill what truly makes Deer Valley special. The result: a clear, shared understanding of the resort’s values and personality.
FROM TRADITION TO TOOLKIT
Historically, the Deer Valley Difference was passed down informally—from one employee to the next. But with rapid expansion, that “cultural osmosis” alone isn’t enough. Now, every team member—new and returning—receives a guide that outlines the resort’s legacy, values, and service standards.
CULTURE AS A COMPASS FOR GROWTH
Dan describes culture as a leadership amplifier. As Deer Valley’s footprint grows, strong cultural foundations allow leaders to scale their impact and maintain consistency across terrain and teams. It becomes the glue that holds a growing organization together.
LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH LISTENING AND LEARNING
Leadership development isn’t just about training—it’s about getting involved. Dan encourages aspiring leaders to engage with stretch projects, learn from peers, and take initiative. Growth comes from doing, not just studying.
COMMUNICATION IS KEY TO ADVANCEMENT
Dan’s advice to anyone wanting to grow their career: speak up. Let your leaders know your goals, interests, and what you’re open to exploring. The more people who know what you’re looking for, the more likely opportunities will come your way.
A POCKET GUIDE WITH PURPOSE
The new Pocket Guide isn’t corporate fluff—it’s grassroots and genuine. Developed from real employee input and operational insights, it reinforces what Deer Valley is, not what it’s trying to be. It’s a compass, not a brochure.
THE FUTURE IS BIG—AND BRIGHT
With 10 new lifts coming online in just over a year, Deer Valley is making ski industry history. But Dan reminds us that success depends on more than infrastructure. It’s the people, the culture, and the shared vision that will make this expansion a lasting success.
rich-text, responsive-table
In Season 2, Episode 2 of Chairlift Chat, Deer Valley President & COO Todd Bennett rides the Silver Lake Express and Homestake Express chairlifts with Dan Gregory, Director of Organizational Design & Expansion, to talk about the heart of Deer Valley’s culture.
As the resort undergoes its most ambitious expansion ever, Dan shares how the team is working to preserve the Deer Valley Difference while preparing to double in size. From culture research and legacy interviews to leadership development and the creation of the Deer Valley Difference Pocket Guide, this conversation offers a unique look into how Deer Valley is growing with intention—without losing what makes it special.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Short on time? Dive into our highlights at a glance!
KEEPING CULTURE AT THE CORE
With Deer Valley set to double in size and add thousands of new team members, Dan emphasizes that the number one priority isn’t just building lifts—it’s preserving the resort’s deeply rooted identity. “We can recover from a construction delay,” he says, “but we can’t afford to lose who we are.”
DEFINING THE DEER VALLEY DIFFERENCE
To preserve culture, you first have to define it. Dan’s team dove into decades of marketing archives, guest feedback, and conversations with longtime employees to distill what truly makes Deer Valley special. The result: a clear, shared understanding of the resort’s values and personality.
FROM TRADITION TO TOOLKIT
Historically, the Deer Valley Difference was passed down informally—from one employee to the next. But with rapid expansion, that “cultural osmosis” alone isn’t enough. Now, every team member—new and returning—receives a guide that outlines the resort’s legacy, values, and service standards.
CULTURE AS A COMPASS FOR GROWTH
Dan describes culture as a leadership amplifier. As Deer Valley’s footprint grows, strong cultural foundations allow leaders to scale their impact and maintain consistency across terrain and teams. It becomes the glue that holds a growing organization together.
LEADERSHIP STARTS WITH LISTENING AND LEARNING
Leadership development isn’t just about training—it’s about getting involved. Dan encourages aspiring leaders to engage with stretch projects, learn from peers, and take initiative. Growth comes from doing, not just studying.
COMMUNICATION IS KEY TO ADVANCEMENT
Dan’s advice to anyone wanting to grow their career: speak up. Let your leaders know your goals, interests, and what you’re open to exploring. The more people who know what you’re looking for, the more likely opportunities will come your way.
A POCKET GUIDE WITH PURPOSE
The new Pocket Guide isn’t corporate fluff—it’s grassroots and genuine. Developed from real employee input and operational insights, it reinforces what Deer Valley is, not what it’s trying to be. It’s a compass, not a brochure.
THE FUTURE IS BIG—AND BRIGHT
With 10 new lifts coming online in just over a year, Deer Valley is making ski industry history. But Dan reminds us that success depends on more than infrastructure. It’s the people, the culture, and the shared vision that will make this expansion a lasting success.
rich-text, responsive-table
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GoChairlift Chat Series
Continue Exploring the Chairlift Chat Series:
S 1, Ep 1: Mountain Operations
S 1, Ep 2: Skier Services
S 1, Ep 3: Food & Beverage
S 1, Ep 4: Human Resources
S 1, Ep 5: History & Hospitality
S 2, Ep 1: Ski Patrol
S 2, Ep 2: Preserving Culture
S 1, Ep 1: Mountain Operations
S 1, Ep 2: Skier Services
S 1, Ep 3: Food & Beverage
S 1, Ep 4: Human Resources
S 1, Ep 5: History & Hospitality
S 2, Ep 1: Ski Patrol
S 2, Ep 2: Preserving Culture