PRESS RELEASE | SEPTEMBER 16, 2026
Hail Peak Express Helicopter Fly-In Event Among Deer Valley Resort's Expanded Excellence Developments Ahead of 26/27 Winter Season
DEER VALLEY RESORT; PARK CITY, UTAH (Sept. 16, 2026) – Deer Valley Resort hosted a sight to behold last week as guests of a special helicopter fly-in event watched the aerial placement of chairlift towers for the new Hail Peak Express chairlift. The resort’s newest chairlift, as part of the ongoing Expanded Excellence initiative, will add 200 skiable acres and 7 new runs this 26/27 winter season. Deer Valley Resort is slated to open to the public on December 5, 2026, conditions permitting.
“Construction of Deer Valley’s new Hail Peak Express chairlift marks a key turning point in our pre-season preparations,” said Deer Valley Resort President & Chief Operating Officer Todd Bennett. “We are proud to maintain the momentum from last season’s historic expansion with increased access and new terrain, and we are eager for guests to experience it firsthand this 26/27 ski season.”
Spectators viewed the aerial placement of chairlift towers for Hail Peak Express last Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and witnessed the latest progress in Deer Valley’s Expanded Excellence initiative. A photo gallery from the helicopter fly-in event can be found here. Summer 2026 construction images of additional developments can be found here. Please credit any image used to Deer Valley Resort.
Hail Peak Express – Coming Winter 26/27
The resort’s newest chairlift, Hail Peak Express, will add 200 skiable acres and 7 new runs this winter season. The addition brings the resort’s snowmaking coverage up to 932 acres and 32 total chairlifts. Hail Peak Express carries skiers from Deer Valley East Village to the resort’s newest terrain on Hail Peak. With 86 chairs moving 2,400 guests per hour, Hail Peak Express opens access to never-before-skied runs on the easternmost edge of the resort.
Hail Peak Express Specs: 86 chairs | 2,400 people per hour | 8,099 feet of haul rope | 3,975 feet inclined length | 1,130 feet vertical rise
One of the seven runs that will debut this year on Hail Peak, “Hill Yeah”, pays tribute to Hill Air Force Base in Northern Utah, and reinforces the shared commitment behind the Salute to Service program—an initiative that honors service members and military families through exclusive lodging, lift ticket and resort offerings.
New chairlifts since December 2024 include Keetley Express, HooDoo Express, Aurora, Galena Express, Pioche Express, Neptune Express, Vulcan Express, Revelator Express, Pinyon Express, Hail Peak Express, and the Deer Valley East Village Gondola.
Deer Valley 26/27 Winter Season Mountain Stats
Highest Elevation: 9,570 ft
Lowest Elevation: 6,450 ft
Vertical Drop: 3,120 ft
Number of Runs: 209
Longest Run: 4.8 miles
Snowmaking Coverage: 932 acres
Skiable Acreage: 4,500 acres
Total Aerial Lifts: 32
Gondolas: 2
Detachable Chairlifts: 23
Fixed Grip Chairlifts: 7
Conveyor/Surface Lifts: 8
New Snowmaking Reservoir
Located in a drainage just to the southwest of Park Peak Lodge, Deer Valley Resort’s new 10-million-gallon reservoir will work in tandem with the existing Summit Pump House to provide even more snowmaking coverage. 80 to 90% of water used for snowmaking will return to its water source, either the Jordanelle Reservoir or the Provo River.
Deer Valley East Village Lodge – Coming Winter 27/28
Construction is well underway on the Deer Valley East Village (DVEV) Lodge. The interior infrastructure of the on-site ski school, rentals, and food hall will be built out through the fall in time for the Lodge’s opening for the 27/28 winter season.
Park Peak Lodge – Coming Winter 27/28
Construction on the core and shell of the new Park Peak Lodge will be completed this fall. The interior buildout of the Lodge’s dining areas, restaurant, and bar will continue through winter 26/27 ahead of opening for the 27/28 winter season.
- The first-floor experience at Park Peak Lodge, which is the “Live Fire Food Hall”, will have roughly 860 seats.
- About 2,500 guests will be able to be served for lunch.
For more information about the Expanded Excellence initiative or the 26/27 winter season, visit the resort’s website at deervalley.com. rich-text, responsive-table
“Construction of Deer Valley’s new Hail Peak Express chairlift marks a key turning point in our pre-season preparations,” said Deer Valley Resort President & Chief Operating Officer Todd Bennett. “We are proud to maintain the momentum from last season’s historic expansion with increased access and new terrain, and we are eager for guests to experience it firsthand this 26/27 ski season.”
Spectators viewed the aerial placement of chairlift towers for Hail Peak Express last Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and witnessed the latest progress in Deer Valley’s Expanded Excellence initiative. A photo gallery from the helicopter fly-in event can be found here. Summer 2026 construction images of additional developments can be found here. Please credit any image used to Deer Valley Resort.
Hail Peak Express – Coming Winter 26/27
The resort’s newest chairlift, Hail Peak Express, will add 200 skiable acres and 7 new runs this winter season. The addition brings the resort’s snowmaking coverage up to 932 acres and 32 total chairlifts. Hail Peak Express carries skiers from Deer Valley East Village to the resort’s newest terrain on Hail Peak. With 86 chairs moving 2,400 guests per hour, Hail Peak Express opens access to never-before-skied runs on the easternmost edge of the resort.
Hail Peak Express Specs: 86 chairs | 2,400 people per hour | 8,099 feet of haul rope | 3,975 feet inclined length | 1,130 feet vertical rise
One of the seven runs that will debut this year on Hail Peak, “Hill Yeah”, pays tribute to Hill Air Force Base in Northern Utah, and reinforces the shared commitment behind the Salute to Service program—an initiative that honors service members and military families through exclusive lodging, lift ticket and resort offerings.
New chairlifts since December 2024 include Keetley Express, HooDoo Express, Aurora, Galena Express, Pioche Express, Neptune Express, Vulcan Express, Revelator Express, Pinyon Express, Hail Peak Express, and the Deer Valley East Village Gondola.
Deer Valley 26/27 Winter Season Mountain Stats
Highest Elevation: 9,570 ft
Lowest Elevation: 6,450 ft
Vertical Drop: 3,120 ft
Number of Runs: 209
Longest Run: 4.8 miles
Snowmaking Coverage: 932 acres
Skiable Acreage: 4,500 acres
Total Aerial Lifts: 32
Gondolas: 2
Detachable Chairlifts: 23
Fixed Grip Chairlifts: 7
Conveyor/Surface Lifts: 8
New Snowmaking Reservoir
Located in a drainage just to the southwest of Park Peak Lodge, Deer Valley Resort’s new 10-million-gallon reservoir will work in tandem with the existing Summit Pump House to provide even more snowmaking coverage. 80 to 90% of water used for snowmaking will return to its water source, either the Jordanelle Reservoir or the Provo River.
Deer Valley East Village Lodge – Coming Winter 27/28
Construction is well underway on the Deer Valley East Village (DVEV) Lodge. The interior infrastructure of the on-site ski school, rentals, and food hall will be built out through the fall in time for the Lodge’s opening for the 27/28 winter season.
Park Peak Lodge – Coming Winter 27/28
Construction on the core and shell of the new Park Peak Lodge will be completed this fall. The interior buildout of the Lodge’s dining areas, restaurant, and bar will continue through winter 26/27 ahead of opening for the 27/28 winter season.
- The first-floor experience at Park Peak Lodge, which is the “Live Fire Food Hall”, will have roughly 860 seats.
- About 2,500 guests will be able to be served for lunch.
For more information about the Expanded Excellence initiative or the 26/27 winter season, visit the resort’s website at deervalley.com. rich-text, responsive-table
Media Contact
Riley Elliott
Communications Specialist
Deer Valley Resort
media@deervalley.com
435-645-6510
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THE DEER VALLEY DIFFERENCE
Deer Valley Resort, located in Park City, Utah, set the standard for luxury in skiing by offering the service and hospitality of a five-star hotel. The ski-only resort is now delivering the largest expansion in ski resort history for the 2025/26 season. This winter, Deer Valley unveils seven new chairlifts, including the East Village Express—a 10-passenger gondola connecting the new Deer Valley East Village to Park Peak. Since December 2024, Deer Valley has added 10 new lifts, doubling its skiable terrain and redefining the mountain experience. This transformation is part of Expanded Excellence, a resort-wide initiative that includes a new portal at Deer Valley East Village with 1,200 day-skier parking spaces, the reimagining of Snow Park base area, and enhancements to on-mountain infrastructure. The resort now features 31 chairlifts, 4,300 skiable acres, seven bowls, and benefits from 300 inches of average annual snowfall. Deer Valley limits daily lift ticket sales and is renowned for its award-winning ski school, elegant day lodges, exceptional dining, and a wide range of luxury accommodations. In 2026, the resort named GMC as the official vehicle of Deer Valley and introduced a new fleet of GMC vehicles for resort transportation and guest experiences. Deer Valley has been named the United States’ Best Ski Resort by the World Ski Awards for 13 consecutive years.
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EXPANDED EXCELLENCE
In August 2023, Deer Valley announced Expanded Excellence, a significant resort transformation that will extend the skiable area to a total of 5,726 acres. This project will add a new resort gateway and village, reimagine the Snow Park Base Area, and revitalize existing mountain facilities. For more information and to view project renderings, visit Expanded Excellence. rich-text, responsive-table -
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