The Grand Hyatt Deer Valley Brings a Whole New Level of Luxury to Ski Season
World-class slopes, five-star lodges and lifts, a cherished après-ski scene: certain resorts in North America tick all the right boxes, and Deer Valley in Utah consistently ranks among the most desirable and luxurious. One of three remaining in the country to permit skiers-only and where limited daily lift tickets, top-tier ski instructors (whose signature green coord ski jackets and pants are easily spotted on the mountain), and unparalleled customer service–curbside valets to help unload skis and complimentary overnight ski storage–elevate the experience further.
Now, a brand-new Grand Hyatt and over 300 acres of new terrain, which debuted this season in the resort's new Deer Valley East Village, promise a taste of exciting things to come as part of the multiyear Expanded Excellence project – the first major ground-up ski resort development in the U.S. in over 40 years that will more than double Deer Valley's terrain ultimately making it one of the largest resorts in North America.
From modish rooms and suites framed by Jordanelle Reservoir and Wasatch Mountains views, elevated afternoon "High Chocolate" service and speakeasy-style bar at the Hyatt to a buzzed-about new bubble lift and freshly minted ski runs across the street – here's everything to know.
Welcome to Deer Valley’s New East Village Base
With its striking cantilevered facade and natural stone-wrapped base, the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley commands attention fromthe moment you arrive. Resembling a Japanese castle, especially blanketed in snow, the hotel stands along U.S. Route 40 and proudly anchors the new East Village ski base. Conveniently located, it offers seamless access, too—just a 40-minute, stoplight-free drive from Salt Lake City International Airport.
Inside, the lobby doubles as a sophisticated social hub that wows at every turn: floor-to-ceiling glass windows reveal spectacular views across Heber Valley, impeccably styled open layouts are adorned with original artworks and cozy fireside nooks punctuated by plush sofas. The family-friendly and military-recreation resort boasts 381 luxurious guest rooms, including 26 suites whose top-tier offering is the almost 2,000-square-foot presidential suite complete with a wraparound balcony.
Designed by Denver-based firm OZ Architecture, rooms are spaciously laid out with natural materials giving a subtle a nod to the region's mining history and Wasatch Mountain setting, spa-inspired bathrooms, walk-in closets, and modern home comforts like Nespresso coffee machines and minifridges. For Miele appliance-equipped kitchens and mountain-facing balconies, consider one of the 55 luxury residences that grace the hotel's top two floors.
A Stylish Ski-Friendly Hotel
Amenities are top notch too. Guests can access on-site ski lockers on the lower level, plus rentals and private in-room fittings provided by Ski Butlers. Additionally, they can enjoy ski valet services at the future village center. There's a well-equipped fitness room (also with stellar views), and while a Haman-inspired spa is slated to open later this year offering eastern-inspired treatments, for now, the rooftop pool deck with its multiple hot tubs and fire pits is a go-to after getting off the mountain. The Helly Hansen boutique in the lobby is a convenient spot for picking up forgotten essentials like hats and gloves. It's also home to the Deer Valley service desk, where guests can arrange lift tickets and ski lessons. Pets also enjoy perks with accessories and a dedicated in-room menu, but stays give back with a portion of fees supporting local animal rescue Nuzzles & Co.
Street-side coffee shop Double Blacks serves pastries and other fare, plus a selection of Utah's famous blended 'dirty sodas' from 6 am, although more on signature restaurant Remington Hall and speakeasy-style bar Hidden Ace shortly. With its vintage arcade games, PS5 and Xbox, older kids will dig the Nexus Lounge, but with morning and afternoon sessions geared towards children aged 3 to 8, young families will love Camp Hyatt.
With nightly rates from $799, plus taxes and fees (using World Of Hyatt points is another option for the Category 6 hotel) thanks to a partnership with the Military Installation Development Authority in Utah, 100 military-only Salute to Service rooms are available to active duty, national guard, reserve and retired armed forces personnel with rank-based discounted rates, use of a dedicated concierge lounge, NorthStar, and discounted activities for military families including 75% off day ski passes at Deer Valley.
Ski 300 Acres of New Terrain–with More to Come
Not technically ski-in, ski-out, the Hyatt is, however, a short walk or brief open-air shuttle ride away from the new East Village base and its much-buzzed-about Keetley Express Lift: a six-person chair with heated seats (clad in signature Deer Valley green) and a 'bubble' visor for protection on snow-heavy or inclement days that whisks skiers to the bottom terminal of the Sultan Express chairlift on Bald Mountain, seamlessly connecting them with the resort's existing terrain.
Two additional chairlifts (Hoodoo Express and Aurora) provide access to beginner-friendly trails and return connectivity to Deer Valley East Village. For a last run of the day from Silver Lake Lodge, McHenry is a long green cruiser that brings skiers neatly back to the Aurora chair, but for superlative views over Heber Valley and the Grand Hyatt below, ride the Sterling Express to Bald Mountain and take black diamond Stein's Way to brand new blue run, Lady of the Lake.
While 300 acres of new terrain and 500 additional day-skier parking spots debuted this winter, most new lifts and trails are expected by the 2025/26 winter season – including a large swathe of expanded terrain to the southeast of Bald Mountain. It's also worth noting Deer Valley's expansion will ultimately add 3,700 total acres to the resort, making it North America's largest (at 6,746 ski-only acres) one spread across 10 peaks, with an impressive 16 total new lifts and a 10-passenger gondola (connecting East Village to the 9,350-foot Park Peak) upon completion.
Ski with Champion and Other Exclusive On-Mountain Experiences
For a premier ski destination, it makes sense that on-mountain experiences are equally exclusive and Deer Valley delivers here too – from its coveted First Tracks program with pre-lift opening access to the mountain for groups of up to 20 skiers (from $10,000) to its per-seat or full buyout cat skiing, which is about to launch later this season. Another option is the Ski with a Champion experience. Started by Kris 'Fuzz' Feddersen and two-time Olympian and U.S. Ski Hall of Famer Trace Worthington, seven Olympic snowsport athletes are available to spend a half or full day (from $1,470 for a half day) with groups of six skiers or less.
Part mountain tour, part clinic, Worthington's two decades as a Deer Valley pass holder make him a popular choice among guests keen to learn more about the mountain and pick up technique tips and pointers along the way, while two-time Olympian Jillian Vogtli (the first woman to perform a cork 720 during the games) also leads empowerment ski clinics for women. Thanks to the work of the National Ability Center (NAC), Deer Valley Resort has long championed adaptive skiing, and 13-time Paralympic medalist Chris Waddell, who says “there's nothing like the feeling of making a great turn,” is an inspiring and engaging athlete to spend time talking with on the chair lift – just don't expect to keep up with him on the slopes.
Deer Valley was the venue for alpine skiing events during the 2002 Winter Olympics, with the black diamond runs Know You Don't and Champion serving as the courses for the slalom and mogul competitions, respectively. The resort is set to host both events again during the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and skiing alongside any of their champions offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into their careers while experiencing Utah's Olympic legacy and buzz surrounding the Winter Games' return to the U.S.
Where to Eat, Drink and Après
The nightly Champagne sabering tradition at The St. Regis Deer Valley might be a beloved local ritual and reservations at Ski Beach bar and lounge The Vintage Room in high demand (most dates are sold out through early March), but for the resort's newest après experience head to Chute Eleven. It's a luxury yurt steps from Empire Canyon Lodge where glasses (or bottles) of Laurent-Perrier Champagne and small bites grace the menu (see the signature lobster and caviar grilled cheese), plus Slopeside Sets by local and international DJs have made it the buzziest place to see and be seen.
Meanwhile, in Silverlake Village, new retro-themed ski bar the Sticky Wicket above the Royal Street Café serves moreish shareables (order the sticky fingers brisket fries) and house specialties (see the Deer Valley turkey chili) and handcrafted cocktails like The Wong Banger Margarita, which is composed with Don Julio Blanco tequila and Cointreau and named in honor of freestyle skiing pioneer and Deer Valley Sponsored Athlete Wayne Wong.
Back at the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, famed New York City Mixologist Frank Maldonado created the specialty cocktail menu at The Lounge at Remington Hall – post up fireside for a Whispering Moon with Grey Goose vodka and elderflower or keep things local with a High West Bourbon forward Barrel-Rolled Boulevard and pair with the brie and cheddar fondue. Helmed by Executive Chef Viktor Merenyi, next door at Remington Hall the menu showcases rustic American dishes, including a bison tartare to start and a bone-in grilled pork chop with bourbon glaze. Just save room for dessert, namely the tableside tiramisu, another addition by Chef Merenyi, who also conceived the hotel's European-inspired High Chocolate (a family-friendly sweet après treat), which is served daily in The Living Room.
A New Era Dawns at Deer Valley East Village
With nearly 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space (the hotel's ballroom was used by the Sundance Institute for a starry Google TV gala fundraiser last month) and a spa poised to open soon, the Hyatt heralds an exciting new era for Deer Valley East Village. One of 10 planned hotels for the portal, including a Four Seasons currently under construction and private residences ranging from estate lots to luxury condos, the expansion will also encompass 250,000 square feet of retail and commercial space and 68,000 square feet of recreational facilities, making it a total game-changer for U.S. winter tourism. Ski here now and be part history in the making.
