CONDE NAST TRAVELER: 9 Best Places to Ski in 2026
DEER VALLEY RESORT
Best time to go: Late January through early March offers the best snow quality and full access across the newly expanded terrain. Earlier in the season sees lighter crowds, while spring offers bluebird days with full coverage thanks to high-altitude snowmaking.
A strong recommendation from Austin, Deer Valley has always been synonymous with service and perfectly groomed terrain—but 2026 marks an evolution: a resort-wide transformation, rewriting what the region’s elevated ski scene looks like. The resort has more than doubled in size, now offering 4,300 acres of terrain, 202 named runs, and 31 lifts, making it one of the largest ski areas in North America. Seven new chairlifts debut this winter, including the 10-passenger East Village Gondola, a sleek link between the new East Village and Park Peak. A “state-of-the-art” snowmaking system ensures reliable coverage across the resort, and 1,200 new day-skier parking spaces offer seamless arrival. Still, Deer Valley’s most enduring feature remains its skier-only slopes, with a daily cap on lift tickets to preserve space and flow. From its impeccably managed terrain to its no-snowboard policy and attentive guest service, the region is best for luxe-searching skiers, multigenerational families, and intermediate to advanced travelers who appreciate terrain quality and crowd control.
Pass access: Deer Valley is Ikon Pass only, and even then, with limitations: Reservations are required and capacity is strictly controlled. Daily lift ticket sales are capped, so early booking—especially for peak 2026 dates—is essential.
Where to stay:
The St. Regis Deer Valley, the pinnacle of five-star ski-in/ski-out luxury
