After a roller coaster ride on the trail through the trees leading out to the sign for the Daly Chutes at Deer Valley, Utah, I made my way to the cornice and peered down over the lip to the drop in for Chute # 4. After dropping in and making a series of steep jump turns down through the throat of the chute, I came out to a wide open field full of avalanche debris from the patrol blasting the cornice the day before. Weaving my way through the debris and then a chicane through the woods I popped out in full view of the lodge at the bottom of the Empire Canyon. Deer Valley takes a lot of heat for being a powder puff area servicing the rich and famous. But I am here to tell you that this area has all you can handle if you are a skier looking for challenge. Look no further than the Daly Chutes with steep pitches through trees and rock outcroppings. You can also get your fix way over under the Sultan and Wasatch chairs and ultimately lapping Stein’s Run named after the Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion Stein Eriksen, who was the Director of Skiing at the area for many years before his recent death. Big GS turns with nobody in your way makes for a lot of fun.

But on that other note of service and gentility, Deer Valley is unrivaled. My wife loves Deer Valley and at the kind invitation of our very dear friends who live in Park City nearby, we were treated to a fabulous time last week in the Wasatch Range of Utah.

From the minute you drive up to the base lodge, you are treated with respect as the valets take your skis and boots from your vehicle and place them in the racks. You can enter the spacious locker room where you can check your valuables and make your way out to the slopes that are perfectly groomed often accompanied by brilliant sunshine. This past week was a little cold but my wife braved the temperatures and enjoyed herself as she made her way down the perfectly manicured trails. The food at Deer Valley is unparalleled as far as ski areas go.The famous Deer Valley turkey chili is available in all the lodges along with freshly baked bread, pastries, and sumptuous salads. The real treat is to go to the Stein Eriksen Lodge where you can see the trophy display that features the gold and silver Olympic and World Championship medals that Stein Eriksen won in the 50’s. You can ride up the Viking Lift right to the entrance to the Lodge and as you walk into the Troll Hallen Lounge after perusing the trophy case, you are greeted by a waiter who seats you at a table adorned with white table cloths and napkins and appropriate wine goblets per your choice of vintage wines. The lunch options are fabulous and a real diversion from my standard of a yogurt and Gatorade at most areas. Maybe a cookie or Kind Bar if I splurge. Again, my wife Janet adores the whole experience and our friends are the most gracious hosts in a most gracious area. http://www.steinlodge.com

Deer Valley does everything right from the grooming, to the food, to the end of the day where you can store your skis and boots in a complimentary area complete with valets who again take your skis and store them for the evening. You can even have an overnight tune if you desire. Deer Valley is often ranked # 1 in service for all ski areas in North America by Ski Magazine each year and you can see why when you spend some time there. Janet tried out a new pair of Volkl Kamas that I bought her in the spring, and with the pristine conditions of the slopes, she made some of the best turns of her life. She likes her new boards but she also says that the total experience at Deer Valley not only is highly enjoyable but it inspires confidence because you just get the feeling that the area management and the employees want you to have a great experience in their end of the world. Our friends feel the same way and when they welcome guests into their home like they did for Janet and me, they do it the Deer Valley way. Nothing is left undone. Thanks Patter and Tom.

As a final comment, I try to make my wife’s experience on the slopes as pleasant as I can. She is not a fanatic like I am about skiing, but if I can get her to Deer Valley, she is a happy camper. I am turning her into a mountain girl slowly but surely. She will be ready for the Flying Smittys. Thanks for reading.