I can’t really explain it properly. That moment when you learn to ski downhill, you just know it when you feel it.   You certainly know when you don’t have it: You feel awkward and unstable You lean back when you should lean forward Your skis cross and you can’t get them straight You can

Deer Valley Resort is a dreamy location for a ski vacation, tucked away in the eastern corner of the historic mining town of Park City, Utah. The Silver Lake area has the charm of a European ski village, with lodging, dining, and shopping merely walking distance to the chairlifts. With more than 50 percent of

October – 2016 Dear Thor, As the ski season quickly approaches with some early snow in the peaks above Deer Valley Resort, I had the chance to run along the Mid-Mountain Trail on my birthday a few weeks ago. I love to witness how nature changes the look and smell of the mountains, the ski slopes and the

A look of stunned surprise comes over people’s faces when they find out my husband learned to ski at age 65. They assume since we live in Park City, he has skied all his life.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  My husband, Jay, had never slipped his feet into a pair ski boots until

Your three-day expert instruction was exactly what I expected and more. As I entered my 50s last fall, I made a commitment to live life testing my abilities and accepting new challenges. Deer Valley’s three-day program for advanced and expert skiers, with you as our formidable instructor, definitely tested our group’s abilities, extending us beyond our comfort zones. Although I have been skiing for over 40 years and used to race and teach, last season was the first winter I have been able to work on my confidence in the trees, in moguls and on steep terrain. It was so fun to look down on the far western black diamonds and now green slopes where we had skied with you.

On the very first day, our group met at the base of Deer Valley’s Snow Park Lodge at 8:30 a.m. for introductions, and then we were off for a couple of warm-up runs and our two groups were divided. I soon learned I would be joining your group with another woman from Pasadena and a father-son from Park City. The small group size was just about right, though I know you could handle more skiers. Right from the start you let us know that safety was your number one priority and you would be challenging us as you raised the bar little by little.

It is never too early to start planning your next ski vacation at Deer Valley Resort! Reservations can be made beginning on Monday, July 11 for ski lessons, equipment rentals, specialty clinics and childcare for the winter season.  Online lift ticket sales also are now available. On Tuesday, September 6, reservations for private lessons for

Don’t be a helicopter parent. I know. I know. Especially in ski lessons, parents (and grandparents) best serve their children by leaving them with their capable instructor and getting out of the way. At Deer Valley, a great place for the family to hang out is on the Snow Park Lodge balcony overlooking the Wide

Variety is the Spice Making the mountain your playground requires quick decisions about turn shape regardless of the environment. To gain ownership of this skill, try changing up your rhythm on the groomers. Practice changing back and forth at random between short, medium, and long radius turns, while varying your speed. Doing this on comfortable

Mashed Potatoes On any given day, either the skiing is good or it’s good for you. Skiing deep, heavy, wet, mashed-potato-like snow is no exception. And with the right tactics, it can be a lot of fun. You’ll want to keep a narrow stance, this allows your skis to cut one path through the snow so that you’ll

Ski With a Soft Touch When skiing off-piste in variable conditions and terrain, focus on skiing with a soft touch. Don’t brace against your skis with stiff or locked legs – that compromises balance and finesse. Instead, use your legs like the shocks on a car. To accomplish this, think about relaxing your legs slightly to manage terrain