Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Village to Close Early This March

Todd Bennett's season at Deer Valley was an exercise in contradictions: his team opened nearly 100 new runs and eight new lifts as part of the resort's largest-ever expansion, then watched only 144 inches of snow fall on slopes built for 300. On Sunday, Deer Valley closed for the season, joined simultaneously by Park City Mountain's Mountain Village in a rare moment where both of Park City's major ski destinations called it a winter on the same day.

Mountain Village's final lifts spun Sunday, March 29, nearly three weeks ahead of the resort's originally scheduled closing date of April 19. The upper mountain had gone quiet Saturday, when Crescent and Payday lifts shut down at the end of the day. First Time lift and 3 Kings ran through Sunday's close.

"As conditions continue to remain warm here at the mountain, our mountain operations team has done a phenomenal job all season battling Mother Nature," said John Kanaly, Park City Mountain's senior manager of communication. "But these sustained warm temperatures have really taken a toll on the mountain."

Canyons Village, Park City Mountain's other base area, will remain open as long as conditions allow. The Mountain Coaster at Mountain Village is expected to stay operational into next week.

Deer Valley, which recorded just 144 inches of snow this season, less than half its 300-inch annual average, closed nearly a full month earlier than in previous years. "I'm incredibly proud of our team," said Bennett, Deer Valley's president and COO. "In just a few short months, the team opened and operated nearly 100 new runs and eight new lifts, while navigating the lowest snowfall in Utah history."

The resort cushioned the early close for passholders with an appreciation weekend featuring live music and a complimentary lunch served at Snow Park Lodge or Silver Lake Lodge. All passes, including mid-week and limited versions, were valid for the weekend. Deer Valley also announced refunds for any lift tickets and lessons booked for dates after March 29.

The season's struggles were visible from the start. Park City Mountain delayed its opening day from November 21 to December 5 after unseasonably warm temperatures left the mountain without adequate snow coverage. Snowbasin Resort also closed the same weekend, as temperatures reached the 80s across northern Utah. Kanaly had one message for Sunday's final skiers: "Embrace the slush. Let's all celebrate spring skiing for those last few turns.