Interesting but I'll believe it when the funding is approved.
What about BCC?
What about BCC?
Mayflower Mountain at Deer Valley
- Thread starter jamesdeluxe
- Start date
Marc_C
Active member
Nothing.
EMSC
Well-known member
Such a waste of $$ overall IMO. Certainly far from inspiring terrain/snowfall for the most part. Don't worry though, Dear Valley will be almost the same size as Park City by acreage!
Almost by definition that means the whole Park City area will be a place for me to avoid with massive crowds, cars, etc... everywhere all the time (as if that area isn't bad enough already). Of course, given the huge population increase in Utah, at least someone is adding more terrain. Otherwise crowding would simply increase exponentially on/at the existing terrain.
Almost by definition that means the whole Park City area will be a place for me to avoid with massive crowds, cars, etc... everywhere all the time (as if that area isn't bad enough already). Of course, given the huge population increase in Utah, at least someone is adding more terrain. Otherwise crowding would simply increase exponentially on/at the existing terrain.
jimk
Well-known member
Agree, I'm not inspired by the proposed new terrain, especially if it skis similarly to the stuff over by the Jordanelle gondy. Seems like an expensive excuse to build 1000s more McMansions. Too bad they can't steer all that investment into a gondy for LCC. 
Deer Valley is not a bad ski area, but ranks below four or five other Utah ski areas that I prefer more. I'm hoping this expansion acts as a people magnet and lessens crowds in LCC and BCC.
Deer Valley is not a bad ski area, but ranks below four or five other Utah ski areas that I prefer more. I'm hoping this expansion acts as a people magnet and lessens crowds in LCC and BCC.
Dream on. There's no way the Utah local LCC/BCC skier is going to drive over there for what will be east coast manmade conditions most of the time.
ChrisC
Well-known member
Looks like the deal is similar to the extensive CNL real estate/ ski deals. The real estate company Extell will own the land and Deer Valley will have a long-term lease and develop it. However, I was still trying to find out who is paying for the lift/trail/snowmaking infraastructure - assume Extell might be and Deer Valley will just operate it.. DV likely wanted to control the experience and not dilute its brand.
Feel like Mayflower was in a weak position for negotiations - they would be almost non-viable ski resort wise without a link to Deer Valley. And you can see most of the trails are already cut.
Almost every run on the lower 2/3 of the mountain will need snowmaking. Jordanelle Gondola is generally a WROD most of the year. And even higher up on the mountain. The only interesting terrain looks to be on the left / south side of the ski map, but most of that will not be built for opening year.
Assume the new development will be an access portal and slight curiousity for destination skiers, but I doubt it will really evenly distribute skiers. The new skiers will likely go to current Deer Valley's Class A north facing cruisers.
Feel like Mayflower was in a weak position for negotiations - they would be almost non-viable ski resort wise without a link to Deer Valley. And you can see most of the trails are already cut.
Almost every run on the lower 2/3 of the mountain will need snowmaking. Jordanelle Gondola is generally a WROD most of the year. And even higher up on the mountain. The only interesting terrain looks to be on the left / south side of the ski map, but most of that will not be built for opening year.
Assume the new development will be an access portal and slight curiousity for destination skiers, but I doubt it will really evenly distribute skiers. The new skiers will likely go to current Deer Valley's Class A north facing cruisers.
ChrisC
Well-known member
I saw some of the first photos of Deer Valley East / Mayflower. Meh. It looks like any arid Western suburban/exurb that abuts foothills—it could be Riverside, Danville, Sandy, Boise, etc. Maybe a reservoir is a positive. But the place is rather unremarkable, especially for prices that will mimic Aspen or Beaver Creek.
rather low summits
Also, I do not understand the planning.
Enlarged. It looks like EXTELL decided not to build a ski bridge for the lower trails to end its base, and you have to take a 'helper' lift / Aurora. Hopefully, I'm wrong.
And parking does not look walkable. A time-wasting off shuttle ride? The Canyons built an appropriate Cabriolet lift.
This development looks a little miserable. I wonder how many owners in the Jodanelle are of Deer Valley quickly get tired of what they bought quickly?
Also, Deer Valley now skis like a residential development rather than a ski area. There is some good cruising and fun terrain around parts of Deer Valley, such as Bald Mt. or Empire Mt., and maybe the Upper Mountain of the Deer Valley East development will be a bit interesting. But overall, Deer Valley is just specializing in "D-List" or maybe "C-list" terrain. Maybe 50%+ of the mountain will soon fall in this category: <8000 ft, <200" of snowfall, highly exposed to melt/freeze, etc.
rather low summits
Also, I do not understand the planning.
Enlarged. It looks like EXTELL decided not to build a ski bridge for the lower trails to end its base, and you have to take a 'helper' lift / Aurora. Hopefully, I'm wrong.
And parking does not look walkable. A time-wasting off shuttle ride? The Canyons built an appropriate Cabriolet lift.
This development looks a little miserable. I wonder how many owners in the Jodanelle are of Deer Valley quickly get tired of what they bought quickly?
Also, Deer Valley now skis like a residential development rather than a ski area. There is some good cruising and fun terrain around parts of Deer Valley, such as Bald Mt. or Empire Mt., and maybe the Upper Mountain of the Deer Valley East development will be a bit interesting. But overall, Deer Valley is just specializing in "D-List" or maybe "C-list" terrain. Maybe 50%+ of the mountain will soon fall in this category: <8000 ft, <200" of snowfall, highly exposed to melt/freeze, etc.
tseeb
Well-known member
Marketing post by Deer Valley: https://expandedexcellence.deervalley.com/ that includes parking shuttle info.
And new map: https://www.deervalley.com/-/media/...ices/maps/DeerValleyWinterTrailMap2024-25.jpg
I parked at and skied from Jordanelle base when staying in Heber Valley and found poor snow conditions especially at end of day. I may try using East Village base early next March on my way to Steamboat and Copper.
And new map: https://www.deervalley.com/-/media/...ices/maps/DeerValleyWinterTrailMap2024-25.jpg
I parked at and skied from Jordanelle base when staying in Heber Valley and found poor snow conditions especially at end of day. I may try using East Village base early next March on my way to Steamboat and Copper.
The East Village base provides direct access to the Bald Mt. core of Deer Valley via Sultan Express. I'd be inclined to use it as a daytripper to bypass Park City traffic. From Jordanelle you have to ski down to Snow Park, so not much benefit over starting the day there. But overall I'm not in a hurry to return due to
plus the snow conditions. I've never had a great groomer day there, which is supposedly its specialty. There's either been a widespread manmade subsurface or buildup of clumpy spring snow as the day wears on.
ChrisC
Well-known member
I saw a YouTube video about the Deer Valley 'East' expansion, and one can see, as everyone expected, that there is very little natural snow, and what is there is man-made, with the quality being either ice or slush. (below map)
Map from Openski.org - already shows lifts and trails. Deer Valley East is the left side of the orange line - map orientation is due east.
Map from Openski.org - already shows lifts and trails. Deer Valley East is the left side of the orange line - map orientation is due east.
Opening soon. Batter up!
All the details as provided by the resort:
expandedexcellence.deervalley.com
All the details as provided by the resort:
Expanded Terrain
Expanded Terrain statistics Expanded Terrain area Deer Valley in 25/26 Deer Valley 26/27 Highest Elevation 9,570 feet 9,570 feet Lowest Elevation 6,530 feet 6,450 feet Vertical Drop 3,040 feet 3,040 feet Number of Runs 202 209 longest Run 4.8 miles 4.8 miles Snowmaking Coverage 886 acres 925...
expandedexcellence.deervalley.com
tseeb
Well-known member
I skied Deer Valley from next East Village entrance last year. It was in the middle of drive from CA to Steamboat so not much of a write-up. https://www.firsttracksonline.com/boards/threads/utah-february-2025.15254/page-3#post-95854 Won’t go back this year as Deer Valley (and Alta!) are not included in our Ikon Base passes.
Updated trail map is online.
EMSC
Well-known member
Whoever painted that forgot that they needed to use a copious amount of brown to represent real life conditions on that side of the hill
That's the spirit! Anyone else with Mayflower snark?Whoever painted that forgot that they needed to use a copious amount of brown to represent real life conditions on that side of the hill
ChrisC
Well-known member
The HBO movie Mountainhead was filmed at a luxury mansion in the Deer Crest neighborhood of Deer Valley.
Tech guys overestimate their value to society.
Enough said.
Tech guys overestimate their value to society.
Enough said.
ChrisC
Well-known member
The highest parts look OK, but so much is lower elevation real estate snowmaking runs.
Seems very depressing.