Deer Valley Resort announced new updates for the 2026-27 season that will unfold this winter. The new Hail Peak Express lift will open access to 200 new skiable acres and seven new runs. Other updates include a new family-friendly snow feature zone off Pioche Express and a 10-million-gallon reservoir adjacent to Park Peak for enhanced snowmaking efforts. “Last winter transformed Deer Valley,” said Deer Valley Resort President and Chief Operating Officer Todd Bennett. “This winter builds on that momentum by opening Hail Peak, expanding Deer Valley to 4,500 skiable acres, and continuing our investment in the lifts, snowmaking and guest experience that define Deer Valley.” Hail Peak Express will bring the resort’s snowmaking coverage up to 932 acres and 32 total lifts. With 86 chairs moving 2,400 guests per hour, the lift carries skiers from Deer Valley East Village to the resort’s newest terrain on Hail Peak.  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 is meant to reinforces the Salute to Service program, an initiative that honors service members and military families through exclusive lodging, lift ticket and resort offerings. Pioche Express, a Doppelmayr Uni-G lift, connects Deer Valley East Village to Pioche Point. Using 9,371 feet of haul rope, the 74-chair lift moves 1,800 skiers per hour to green, blue,and black terrain.   Neptune Express provides an additional route to Pioche Point. The 76-chair Doppelmayr Uni-G lift transports 2,400 skiers per hour to accessible terrain for all abilities.  While Deer Valley operates several Doppelmayr Uni-G lifts throughout the resort, the expansion initiative lifts stand apart for their custom premium carriers, the resort said. These upgraded chairs — featured on HooDoo, Neptune, Pioche, Galena, Vulcan, and Revelator — are unique in North America because they offer full-length backs and enhanced suspension systems for a smoother, more comfortable ride, the resort said. Tentatively slated to be located on the green run, Pirate King, off Pioche Express, a new family-friendly snow feature zone will include rollers, berms and more for a mild ski cross experience. Humbug will also feature flowy rollers, along with a dedicated family-friendly area on McHenry ski run. Located in a drainage just to the southwest of Park Peak Lodge, a new 10-million-gallon reservoir will work in tandem with the existing Summit Pump House to pump 10,000 gallons of water per minute for increased snowmaking efforts. The pond will have the ability to send water to every snowmaking gun on the resort’s east side, plus an additional 10,000 gallons per minute from Ventana, for a total of 20,000 gallons per minute for the entire east system. Eighty to 90% of water used for snowmaking will return to its water source, either the Jordanelle Reservoir or the Provo River. As part of the resort’s forest health plan, the Triangle Trees area will be cleared to reduce natural fuels and help mitigate wildfire risk. This section of the resort joins Deer Valley’s original terrain with its new east side expansion. Detachable East Village Gondola cars and Keetley Express chairs can be temporarily housed in new storage spaces. The resort said this allows for longevity of the lifts, temperature control for large weather events and the ability to service individual chairs without needing to close the entire lift. Construction is underway on the Deer Valley East Village Lodge. The interior infrastructure of the on-site ski school, rentals and food hall will be built out through the summer in time for the Lodge’s opening for the 2027-28 winter season. Construction on the core and shell of the new Park Peak Lodge will be completed by fall. The interior buildout of the Lodge’s dining areas, restaurant and bar will continue through winter ahead of opening for the 2027-28 winter season. For more information, visit deervalley.com. The post Here’s what’s new for Deer Valley Resort’s 2026-27 season appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less