Utah ski resort set for largest expansion ever

Deer Valley Resort will have 7 new chairlifts and over 80 new runs and more this season

By Sarah Joseph Published July 3, 2025 6:30 AM

View from the top of a trail at Deer Valley — Patrick Lewis / Openverse

Deer Valley Resort in Utah, one of our favorite ski resorts, is gearing up to deliver the largest ski resort expansion in history, just in time for the 2025/26 season. As a part of the resort’s “Expanded Excellence” initiative, this project aims to expand the skiable terrain to 5,726 acres, upgrade infrastructure, and eventually redo the Snow Park base area. Here’s what you need to know about the upgrades.

Recommended Videos

“With multiple large-scale projects underway, we’re strategically focusing our efforts to ensure success at every step,” said Todd Bennett, President and COO of Deer Valley Resort. “This winter’s terrain expansion — more than doubling our skiable acreage — is a once-in-a-generation transformation, and it deserves our full attention.”

This expansion will add a total of seven new lifts, which will give skiers access to over 80 new ski runs. Over a hundred, if you include the new ski run additions for the 2024/25 season. One of the most promising upgrades includes a ten-passenger gondola that will run from East Village to Park Peak. This isn’t the only upgrade that East Village will see, however. They’re also adding 1,200 new day skier parking spaces.

Right now, construction at the Snow Park base area has been delayed so that the resort can focus its resources on the terrain expansion, but that is also in the works.

With these upgrades, Deer Valley Resort in Utah is likely to maintain its 12-year streak as the U.S. Best Ski Resort, as named by the World Ski Awards. We can’t wait to hear more about this exciting upgrade, and possibly experience the powder for ourselves later this year.

Contributor

With a bright sense of adventure and a heart for the mountains, Sarah is always thrilled to share nature with others through…

Topics

Travel

Travel

I’ve used the Carl Friedrik Core luggage set on countless trips—why I trust it

The color scheme and convenience may be worth the odd scuff

Carl Friedrik Core Luggage Set

As anyone who has dragged a battered old bag with a wonky wheel across cobbles knows, the right luggage choice can make or break a trip. Especially if that trip involves difficult terrain, rushing to make connections, or plenty of outfit options. Carl Friedrik’s Core Set is a good entry point into the London-based brand’s luggage options.

The set comes in three standard colors: a Sand/Chocolate version (which is the one tested below), Navy blue, and black. At the time of writing, a limited-edition Atlassian Williams Racing option is available for the F1 fans amongst you who like a plucky underdog with a blue and white color scheme.

Travel

How to get Global Entry for free (yes, really)

Why pay $120 when you can glide through customs for free?

luggage carousel in an airport

After my first Global Entry experience, I knew I wanted it forever.

If you travel even just a couple of times a year, Global Entry can make your trips feel a whole lot easier. You get to breeze through U.S. Customs and Border Protection when returning from international trips, and it comes with TSA PreCheck built in (meaning shorter security lines, no need to remove your shoes, and less pre-flight stress).

Travel

Monos vs. Away luggage comparison: Which is the best luggage brand for you?

A head-to-head comparison

Monos aluminum luggage sitting outside

So, it’s time for new luggage. Maybe you’ve got a trip on the calendar (lucky you), or you’re just starting to plan a getaway -- but either way, you’ll need something solid to carry your stuff. When I started looking for a new suitcase last year, I fell down the rabbit hole of luggage reviews and Instagram ads (you know the ones). Two names kept popping up over and over again: Monos and Away. They’re both sleek, modern, and seem to have a bit of a cult following. At first glance, they look pretty similar, but once I started comparing them side by side, the differences became clearer. So, if you’re trying to figure out which one’s right for you, let’s break it down: Monos vs. Away, durability vs design.
Monos vs. Away luggage for frequent flyers: Who wins?

If you’re just here for the quick take: I went with Monos. In my opinion, this luggage brand stands out with slightly cleaner designs, more premium-feeling materials, and overall better build quality. And since it run promotions fairly often, you can usually snag one at a lower price point. That said, Away makes great luggage, too. You’re not going to regret choosing either — it really just comes down to the details that matter most to you.