I began skiing in the French Alps when I was a little kid and have slid on two boards for more than 60 years. I remember my first ski slope: it was steps away from my family home. It was a spot used for ski jumping contests before, and since the structural elements of the jumps had long been dismantled, we piled up snow to build our own jump.

So here we were, a bunch of boys side-stepping up the hill, facing the slope, speeding down, jumping off and stopping with one long big sweeping turn to the left (for most) or the right (for me, as the only “lefty” in the group). In later years, I began slalom training through twigs that I had cut nearby and hiked up the course after each training run. On a good afternoon I could ski 400 vertical feet. Today, when I ski at Deer Valley, that number is magnified one hundred times!

In those days, riding up a lift was a real treat. There was a rickety cabriolet lift two miles from my home. When I had enough money to pay for the ride, I walked up the road, carried my skis and did the same on the way back when I was done skiing.

My background is a life of mountain living and a career in the ski industry. I have been blogging for Deer Valley for five years. I really appreciate being given the opportunity to get to know the resort up close and personal, understand its philosophy and form meaningful relationships every step of the way. Blogging for Deer Valley has given me the opportunity to dive deep into the culture and share my experience with past and future guests.

Along the way I’ve learned what snowmaking is all about, the art of grooming ski runs, what an early morning blasting with ski patrol sounds like, what is new in rental gear or even how heavy chairlift towers get bolted on top of Deer Valley’s six peaks!

Favorite Ski Run 

When I’m asked what my favorite ski run at Deer Valley Resort is, I feel like I have to say which one of my children I love more. I don’t just have one favorite run, but a collection of preferred ski runs, depending on the day, the month, the snow and the weather. For instance, while it’s snowing, or just after a massive snow fall, you’ll find me hiding in Centennial Trees, off of Lady Morgan Express chairlift. I find that place unique, varied and chock-full of adventure for the adrenaline junkie I still am, and truly measuring up to the #SkiTheDifference label. 

On a typical Deer Valley bluebird day, with cold-dry powder snow, I like roaming around Sultan Express chairlift, running laps down Grizzly ski run. I may ski Ruins of Pompeii, as both ski runs continue onto Perseverance and then to the base of the chairlift. With Sultan being so fast, I get back up in record time and can ski 20,000 vertical feet in just two hours. Another reason I choose to #SkiTheDifference!