Category Archives: Ski Resort News

Park City Mountain Announces Summer Concert Schedule and 4th of July Events

Park City Mountain will host live music concerts throughout the summer on Thursday and Saturday evenings at Canyons Village.
The resort will host live music at the Park City Mountain Village on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons throughout the summer.
The resort will celebrate the 4^th of July with music and fireworks on Tuesday, July 3 at Canyons Village and on Wednesday, July 4 at the Park City Mountain Village.

PARK CITY, Utah – June 15, 2018 – Park City Mountain is pleased to announce a jam-packed season of summer music and free live concerts beginning July 3 at Canyons Village. The 2018 summer music lineup includes both a Thursday evening and a Saturday evening concert series at Canyons Village. The resort will also host live music at the Park City Mountain Village on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons throughout the summer. A full lineup of performers and dates, including details about the 4^th of July, can be found below with more information online here.

3^rd of July Celebration and Fireworks Show at Canyons Village
Park City Mountain will kick off 4^th of July festivities a day early with a 3^rd of July Celebration and fireworks show at Canyons Village. Music and village activities will begin at 5 p.m. at the Canyons Village. Cover band The Number Ones will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and play number one hits from the 1950s to now. The fireworks show will begin at dusk, weather permitting. Admission is free. More information here.

4^th of July Celebration and City Fireworks Show at the Park City Mountain Village
Park City Mountain will host its annual 4^th of July Celebration on Wednesday, July 4 following the city parade down historic Main Street. Family-friendly activities will kick off at 3 p.m. at the Park City Mountain Village and live music will begin at 5 p.m. on the Green Stage. Popular local band The Soulistics will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. and the city fireworks show will begin at dusk, weather permitting. Please note that outside alcohol is not allowed in the concert venue. More information here.

Thursday Evening Concert Series at Canyons Village
New this summer, beginning July 5 through Thursday, Aug. 30, Park City Mountain will host Thursday evening concerts on the Canyons Village Stage featuring local and regional acts. The free concerts will begin at 6 p.m. and guests are welcome to bring their own picnics or enjoy refreshments at the Umbrella Bar. More information can be found here.

Thursday, July 5: Johnny Neel & Bryon Friedman
Thursday, July 12: Arthur Lee Land
Thursday, July 26: The Coffis Brothers
Thursday, Aug. 2: Elektric Voodoo
Thursday, Aug. 16: Charley Crockett
Thursday, Aug. 23: Zander
Thursday, Aug. 30: Big Blue Ox
Note: no concerts on July 19 or Aug. 9

Saturday Evening Concert Series at Canyons Village
Park City Mountain will host Saturday evening concerts on the Canyons Village Stage beginning Saturday, July 7 through Saturday, Sept. 1. Saturday concerts will begin at 6 p.m. and feature visiting artists and bands from around the country. Guests are welcome to bring their own picnics or enjoy refreshments at the Umbrella Bar or Murdock’s Café.

Saturday, July 7: Wild Belle
Saturday, July 14: Whitey Morgan & the 78’s
Saturday, July 21: Polyrhythmics
Saturday, July 28: Old Salt Union
Saturday, Aug. 4: The Band of Heathens
Saturday, Aug. 11: Aaron Lee Tasjan
Saturday, Aug. 18: MAGIC GIANT
Saturday, Sept. 1: Marc Broussard
Note: no concert on Aug. 25

Afternoon Summer Music at the Park City Mountain Village
Park City Mountain will host live music in the Park City Mountain Village on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons beginning at 4 p.m. all summer long. More information on performers and dates can be found on the Park City Mountain event calendar here.

4^th of July Lodging Packages
Planning a 4^th of July visit to Park City? Park City Mountain is offering special lodging packages including rooms with a view of the 3^rd of July fireworks at Canyons Village and special pricing the entire week of the 4^th of July. Learn more here.

Summer Activities
Park City Mountain is now open for summer. Activities at the Park City Mountain Adventure Park include Utah’s longest alpine coaster, alpine slides, zip lines, kids’ activities, mountain biking, scenic lift rides and more. Activities at the Canyons Village include golf, scenic lift rides, mountain biking and zip line adventure tours. Learn more here.

###

About Park City Mountain Resort
Park City Mountain Resort, the largest resort in the United States, is located in the heart of Park City, Utah, only a 35-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport. Park City bustles with activities year-round with two distinct base areas, nine hotels, thrilling family adventures, and more than two dozen restaurants. In the summer of 2015, Park City completed the largest resort improvement project in the history of American skiing and now boasts more than 7,300 acres of terrain, a brand new eight-passenger gondola, new restaurants, and more. More information at http://parkcitymountain.com.

2018 Resort Report by Summit Sotheby’s International Realty

The annual Resort Report, analyzes data compiled from 12 prominent resort communities in Park City, Utah and the western half of the United States, keeping consumers up-to-date on the overall housing market in each area, and positioning them to make better real estate decisions, whether purchasing or selling a home in a Resort market.

As the national residential real estate market continues to evolve, it is important to note that markets demonstrating some of the most unique performances in the nation, are those located in resort communities in Park City, Utah and the western United States.

Our annual Resort Report analyzes data pertinent to the various resort real estate markets located in Park City, Utah and the western United States, helping consumers make better real estate decisions, whether purchasing or selling a home in a resort area.

When contemplating as large a financial commitment as the purchase or sale of a primary or second home in a resort area, market data can make a significant impact on making sound financial decisions. Summit Sotheby’s International Realty, and the many respected Sotheby’s International Realty affiliates that contributed to this report, remain committed to helping consumers make better real estate decisions, whether purchasing or selling a home.

Visit summitsothebysrealty.com to search our listings in each resort market!

Deer Valley Resort to be Acquired by Newly Formed Resort Company and Joined with Intrawest, Mammoth Resorts, and Squaw Valley Ski Holdings

New Company’s portfolio increases from 12 four-season mountain resorts to 13
with the addition of iconic Utah resort

The newly formed entity controlled by affiliates of KSL Capital Partners, LLC and Henry Crown and Company that in July joined Intrawest Resorts Holdings, Inc., Mammoth Resorts and Squaw Valley Ski Holdings today announced, with Deer Valley Resort, that they have entered into a definitive agreement for the newly formed entity to acquire Deer Valley Resort. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to certain closing conditions and is anticipated to close prior to the upcoming 2017-18 ski season.

“Deer Valley Resort is one of the preeminent mountain resorts in the world and is a tremendous addition to our existing portfolio. Prior to this acquisition, we were able to offer our guests exceptional experiences throughout most of North America’s major ski regions, but we did not have a resort in Utah, a state that is renowned for great skiing and mountain town life. Park City and Salt Lake skiers have always known that powder, blue skies, a huge variety of terrain, and exemplary guest service have always set Deer Valley Resort apart,” said David Perry, president and chief operating officer of the new joint venture. “We could not be more pleased that Deer Valley Resort will be part of our new company, and we look forward to working with the staff and Park City community to carry on the traditions that make it so special,” added Mr. Perry.

“We are thrilled to join this impressive portfolio with 12 other resorts and are excited about the opportunities this transaction will create for our guests, staff, and the community of Park City. Deer Valley is a special place and being part of its growth has been one of the great joys of my life,” said Bob Wheaton, president and general manager. “Joining this portfolio of resorts will enable Deer Valley to build upon its outstanding traditions and further enhance our ability to provide our guests with a world class skiing experience. I look forward to working with them as we develop our vision for the future of the resort and the new company.”

Season Passes

For the full 2017-18 winter season, Deer Valley will continue to honor the existing pass products that are currently on sale.

About Deer Valley

Deer Valley Resort revolutionized the ski industry by providing the first-class service one would receive at a five-star hotel. The resort offers 21 chairlifts, 101 ski runs, six bowls, 12 restaurants, 300 annual inches of powder, three elegant day lodges, 2,026 acres of alpine skiing, hundreds of luxury accommodations and a renowned Ski School and Children’s Center.

About Intrawest Resorts, Inc., Mammoth Resorts, Squaw Valley Ski Holdings and the New Joint Venture (new name and identity to be announced before ski season)

The new joint venture is a North American mountain resort and adventure company, delivering distinctive vacation and travel experiences to its customers. Together, Intrawest, Mammoth Resorts and SVSH own and/or operate 12 four-season mountain resorts with approximately 20,000 skiable acres and significant land available for real estate development. The mountain resorts are geographically diversified across most of North America’s major ski regions: Squaw Valley, Alpine Meadows, Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Snow Summit, Bear Mountain and June Mountain in California; Steamboat Ski & Resort and Winter Park Resort in Colorado; Blue Mountain Ski Resort in Ontario; Mont Tremblant Resort in Quebec; Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont; and Snowshoe Mountain Resort in West Virginia. The company’s mountain resorts are geographically diversified across most of North America’s major ski regions, including California, the Eastern United States, the Rocky Mountains, and Canada. The company also operates an adventure travel business, the cornerstone of which is Canadian Mountain Holidays, the world’s leading heli-skiing adventure company. Additionally, the company operates a comprehensive real estate business through which it manages condominium hotel properties and sells and markets residential real estate.

For more information regarding the acquisition – visit Deer Valley’s press statement.

Frequently Asked Questions:

TRANSACTION QUESTIONS

Question: What is the transaction?
Answer: The joint venture that brought Intrawest, Mammoth Resorts and Squaw Valley Ski Holdings together has entered into an agreement to acquire Deer Valley. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Question: When will the transaction close?
Answer: The transaction is expected to close prior to the new ski season.

Question: Is Solitude included in the buy?
Answer: No. Deer Valley partners will maintain ownership of Solitude Mountain Resort

Question: Why are KSL and HCC interested in Deer Valley?
Answer: Deer Valley is one of the preeminent resorts in the world. This transaction allows the new company to reach skiers and vacationers that desire to ski and travel to Utah, one of the premier ski destinations in North America. This acquisition will benefit the skiing public by providing Utah skiers and riders both an option in their state and destination options within a larger portfolio of resorts; it also provides guests at the other 12 resorts another destination with premier skiing.

Question: Why did Deer Valley decide to enter into this agreement?
Answer: Over the last 36 years, Deer Valley has developed into one of the highest quality ski resorts in the country. This transaction puts the resort in a strong position to continue to grow as part of a portfolio of 12 other outstanding resorts. Deer Valley is excited about the new opportunities this will create for the staff, guests and the Park City community.

Question: Is Aspen Snowmass part of the new entity?
Answer: No, there is no inclusion of current Aspen Snowmass resorts in this transaction. Aspen remains independent, and we will explore opportunities to work together when and where it is appropriate.

Question: Who is the appropriate press contact or person to direct questions?
Answer: Please direct all press inquiries and external stakeholder questions to Lis de Roziere LdeRoziere@Intrawest.com at the new entity and Coleen Reardon creardon@deervalley.com or Emily Summers esummers@deervalley.com at Deer Valley.

DESCRIPTION OF COMPANIES

Question: Who is Henry Crown and Company?
Answer: Henry Crown and Company dates back to the early 1900’s when Henry Crown and his brothers started Material Service Corporation, which was later merged into General Dynamics. Today, the Crown’s family assets fall into four broadly defined categories, including publicly traded securities, real estate, investment funds, and privately held operating companies, including Aspen Skiing Company.

Question: Who is KSL?
Answer: KSL is a private equity firm specializing in travel and leisure enterprises in five primary sectors: hospitality, recreation, clubs, real estate and travel services. KSL has significant ski industry experience and has owned Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows for the last six years. KSL has offices in Denver, Colorado; Stamford, Connecticut; and London, England. Since 2005, KSL has raised approximately $7.5 billion in equity capital commitments. For more information, please visit www.kslcapital.com.

Question: Who is Intrawest?
Answer: Intrawest is a North American mountain resort, adventure, and real estate company. Intrawest’s ski resort portfolio is geographically diverse and includes Steamboat and Winter Park in Colorado, Mont-Tremblant and Blue Mountain in eastern Canada, Stratton and Snowshoe in the eastern U.S., and Canadian Mountain Holidays (“CMH”) in British Columbia. Additionally, Intrawest owns more than 1,100 acres of land for real estate development. For more information visit www.intrawest.com.

Question: Who is Squaw Valley Ski Holdings?
Answer: Squaw Valley Ski Holdings (“SVSH”), an affiliate of KSL, is the parent company of Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows. Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is an internationally renowned mountain resort in North Lake Tahoe that spans over 6,000 skiable acres. The resort features slopeside lodging at The Village at Squaw Valley®, which bustles year round with nonstop events and over 50 bars, restaurants and boutiques. With an annual average of 450 inches of snowfall and 300 sunny days, Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows is known as the spring skiing capital as it provides one of the longest ski and snowboard seasons in Lake Tahoe. Skiers and riders of all ability levels are welcomed by over 65 percent beginner and intermediate terrain, 14 easy-to-navigate mountain zones and a custom app to make the most of every visit. For more information visit www.squawalpine.com.

Question: Who is Mammoth Resorts?
Answer: Mammoth Resorts is the leading four-season mountain resort operator in California. The company owns and operates a variety of recreation, hospitality, real estate development, food and beverage and retail enterprises. This includes Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, Snow Summit, Bear Mountain and June Mountain. Mammoth Resorts is also the owner-operator of Tamarack Lodge and Resort, Mammoth Mountain Inn, Juniper Springs Resort, the Village Lodge, Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, Snow Summit Bike Park, Mammoth Snowmobile Adventures, Sierra Star Golf Course, and Bear Mountain Golf Course. For more information visit www.mammothresorts.com.

Question: Who is Aspen?
Answer: Aspen Skiing Company owns and operates the four mountains of Aspen Snowmass – Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk – as well hospitality properties The Little Nell, Residences at The Little Nell, Limelight Aspen, and Limelight Ketchum in Ketchum, Idaho. In addition, Aspen Skiing Company owns and operates numerous retail and rental locations through the resort and the Roaring Fork Valley. For more information, please visit www.aspensnowmass.com.

OPERATION QUESTIONS

Question: Will Deer Valley continue with business as usual?
Answer: Operations will continue in ordinary course. For the full 2017-18 winter season, Deer Valley will continue to honor existing season pass and multi-resort products. Future seasonal hiring will remain in the ordinary course.

Question: Will Deer Valley allow snowboarding?
Answer: There are no plans to allow snowboarding at this time.

Question: How about all of the unique services such as limiting the numbers of skiers on the hill, ski valets, complimentary ski storage and host tours, and free parking?
Answer: There are no plans to change Deer Valley’s offerings or programs.

Question: Will staff grooming standards change or remain the same?
Answer: Staff grooming standards will remain the same, as outlined in the Deer Valley staff handbook

Question: What will happen to season passes?
Answer: For the full 2017-18 winter season, we will continue to honor all existing season pass products. Deer Valley will also maintain its current season pass reciprocal program benefits, such as the Wasatch Benefit and Solitude and Steamboat pass exchanges.

Question: Will Intrawest, Mammoth, or SVSH be added to our passes?
Answer: As passes for next year are already being sold, no immediate changes to pass products are planned.

Question: Will Aspen Snowmass be involved in a joint pass in the future?
Answer: This is open to discussion and consideration in the future.

Question: Are there additional acquisition opportunities?
Answer: The Company will continue to explore additional growth opportunities to complement the current resorts.

Question: When will a new pass product be announced? What will that look like?
Answer: There will be no changes in passes for the 2017-18 season. Regarding future new passes, this will be shared at the appropriate time.

Question: Will the current management at Deer Valley remain in place with the new company?
Answer: Yes. Bob Wheaton will maintain his position as General Manager serving in his current Deer Valley role with no anticipated changes for the foreseeable future. Bob will continue to provide guidance and support at Solitude Mountain Resort with Kim Mayhew continuing as General Manager.

Question: Who is running this new company?
Answer: Bryan Traficanti of KSL is serving as interim CEO for the new company while the company runs a search process to hire a CEO. Also, David Perry joined the company from Aspen to serve as President and Chief Operating Officer.

2017-18 Utah Ski Resort Season Passes

With world-class ski resorts, miles upon miles of flawlessly manicured slopes and the lightest powder around, it’s no wonder guests come back year after year. Offering the driest and lightest powder around, Utah has the best snow for skiing and snowboarding in the world.

It’s never too early to start planning for the upcoming ski season!

Now is the best time to think about which ski pass you’re going to get for the 2017-18 ski season. Many of the Utah ski resorts have already announced next season’s passes, and in many cases you’ll get a discount for purchasing early. To help you, we’ve put together a roundup of what’s been published so far. Below you’ll find the current 2017/2018 season pass prices for Utah ski resorts.

Alta Ski Area	Beaver Mountain	Brian Head	Brighton
Cherry Peak	Eagle Point	Deer Valley Resort
Park City	Powder Mountain	Snowbasin Resort	Snowbird
Solitude Mountain Resort	Sundance Resort	Nordic Valley

Be sure to check back as more resorts announce their 2017-18 season pass lineup and please be aware that pricing is subject to change.

Summit SIR 2016 Resort Report

Ever wonder what is happening in Park City and the western United State’s top resort real estate markets besides the skiing? The resort markets of the Vail Valley, Breckenridge, Aspen, Telluride, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs – CO, Park City UT, Lake Tahoe CA, Jackson Hole WY, Big Sky MT, Santa Fe NM, and Sun Valley ID, have been demonstrating signs of steady increase according to a 2016 year-end report by Summit Sotheby’s International Realty, and there are no signs of slow-down.

Based on their location in desirable, slightly less accessible places than national mainstream markets, resort communities throughout Utah and around the world are prone to unique, heavily saturated luxury markets, and tend to have a greater density of luxury offerings as higher net worth individuals are often drawn to them based on their exclusivity and proximity to recreational activities.

Summit Sotheby’s International Realty compiles bi-annual data from 12 prominent resort communities throughout the western half of the United States in order to provide the consumer quick statistics for each resort area, keeping them up-to-date on the overall housing market in each area, and providing pertinent information in making buying decisions.

Our New Ski Utah Partnership

Snow is flying and the resorts are opening! This is an exciting time for all of us in Utah and this winter we’ve decided to partner up with Ski Utah to bring our clients the latest ski resort news, snow totals, and gear reviews. This partnership will allow Summit Sotheby’s International Realty to participate in creating real estate, lifestyle, and market news content in collaboration with Ski Utah!

To celebrate, we placed a full page ad in Ski Utah’s newest magazine which has been distributed across the globe to subscribers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those who love Utah winters as much as we do. We’re proud to showcase our extraordinary homes and Utah’s extraordinary lifestyle in this fabulous publication.

These strategic partnerships are just another example of how Summit Sotheby’s International Realty continues to raise the bar, think outside of the box, and offer our clients (and future clients) a truly unique approach to marketing their properties.

For more on Utah’s resorts, Ski Utah, and how you can support Utah’s ski industry visit: https://www.skiutah.com.

Save

Deer Valley Honored as United States’ Best Ski Resort

deer valley announcement

Deer Valley Resort is honored to announce it has garnered the distinction of United States’ Best Ski Resort by the World Ski Award’s for the fourth consecutive year. The World Ski Award’s 2016 Ski Oscars winners represent excellence in ski tourism and the leaders shaping the future of the ski industry.

Deer Valley Resort’s win of United States’ Best Ski Resort comes after a record number of more than two million votes were cast across the globe for the competing resorts. Votes were cast by leading ski tourism professionals worldwide, including senior executives, travel buyers, tour operators, agents and media, as well as thousands of luxury travel consumers. Winners were celebrated at the 2016 Ski Oscars Gala Ceremony on November 19, 2016 at the Ski Oscars Award Gala Ceremony held in the legendary winter sports destination of Kitzbühel, Austria.

“Earning esteemed titles, such as United States’ Best Ski Resort, contribute to what we have termed the Deer Valley Difference,” said Bob Wheaton, president and general manager of Deer Valley Resort. “Excellence at every turn is a time-honored tradition at the resort and is the benchmark we uphold in offering memorable ski vacations.”

The World Ski Awards is part of the World Travel Awards, serving as “the Oscars of the travel industry” for the past 23 years.

To learn more about the prestigious award, please contact Senior Communications Manager for Deer Valley Resorts, Emily Summers at 800-424-DEER (3337), 435-645-6522 or view the resort’s website.

Save

Winter Is Coming: Resort Opening Days 16-17

It is no secret that Utah is home to the greatest snow on earth. About this time of year, every year, there’s a growing anticipation for the season’s first big snow storm… the storm that ushers in the winter and gets the chairs spinning at all of Utah’s resorts.

So to get everyone hyped up and to add to the anticipation, here’s a look at each resort’s anticipated opening day!

Northern Utah Resorts

Alta
Opening Date: December 2, 2016

Brighton
OPEN

Snowbird
OPEN

Solitude Mountain Resort
Opening Date: December 2, 2016

Deer Valley Resort
Opening Date: December 3, 2016

Park City Resort
OPEN

Sundance Resort
Opening Date: December 9, 2016

Beaver Mountain
Opening Date: TBD

Powder Mountain
Opening Date: December 1, 2016

Snowbasin
Opening Date: December 1, 2016

Nordic Valley
Opening Date: December 10, 2016

Cherry Peak
Opening Date: TBD

Central and Southern Utah Resorts

Brian Head Resort
OPEN

Eagle Point
Opening Date: December 17, 2016

Summit Sotheby’s International Realty 2015 Year-End Resort Report

Ever wonder what is happening in Park City and the western United State’s top resort real estate markets besides the skiing? The resort markets of the Vail Valley, Breckenridge, Aspen, Telluride, Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs – CO, Park City UT, Lake Tahoe CA, Jackson Hole WY, Big Sky MT, Santa Fe NM, and Sun Valley ID, have been demonstrating signs of steady increase according to a year-end report by Summit Sotheby’s International Realty, and there are no signs of slow-down.

589

3rd Quarter 2015 Ski Resort Town Comparison

At first look many ski towns may not seem like very savvy real estate investments, but for certain investors they might make sense, especially in overlooked markets that have the most potential for growth. In these types of markets investors can employ fix-and-flip or standard buy-and-hold strategies and often do very well, although probably the most potentially lucrative strategy in these markets is buying vacation rentals — which have the added benefit of providing a place for the investor to vacation a few weeks out of the year. Using a wide variety of data to identify markets that are underpriced but poised for growth is key to making sure an investor doesn’t get burned in this high-priced niche. Remember, contact your local Summit Sotheby’s International Realty associate to learn more about how Park City compares to other ski towns.