DEER VALLEY NAMED #1 SKI RESORT IN NORTH AMERICA
SKI Magazine readers again name the resort their top pick for the fourth year in a row. 20,000 readers of SKI Magazine have selected Deer Valley Resort as the No. 1 resort in North America. “The results of the closely watched survey were announced Thursday night” said Jessica Kunzer, spokesperson for Ski Utah. No other resort has topped the rankings four years in a row. “It’s quite an honor pretty darn incredible,” said Bob Wheaton, president and general manager. It also marks 10 years Deer Valley finished in the top three.
In the subcategories, the resort finished first in grooming, guest service, dining and lodging, and second place in lifts, weather and family programs. “All the people on staff made this happen every day,” he said. “It’s something we can’t let off the gas on one little bit. Yesterday’s accomplishments are just that.” Wheaton said he credits peer mentoring for the high level of service his employees provide guests. “If you’re in a position to provide an elevated level of service, and are provided the tools to do that, the response you get back from guests is very positive and reinforces what you’re doing,” he said. Park City Mountain Resort was ranked No. 5 overall and has been in the top five for six of the past seven years. It was in the top 10 for nine subcategories. President and General Manager Jenni Smith said creating a positive experience for families has been a goal and the survey ranked the resort in the top three in that category. Todd Burnette, vice president of marketing for Canyons Resort, said the resort was ranked 18th overall. That’s an improvement of two spots in a ski season that saw no mountain improvements, he said. Burnette also said he credits the climb to the resort’s attentive response to guest feedback. Since the resort made the most significant on-mountain improvements of any resort in North America this year, he expects the ranking to climb further in next year’s survey and continue improving. “I really see us moving up this list fairly quickly over the next few years as people experience the improvements we’ll be making,” he said. Kunzer said the rankings resonate with destination skiers and improve how people see the state. “It makes us feel really special that people are passionate about our resorts,” she said. “When you look at the wonderful resorts in other states we’re ranked against, it’s quite the achievement.”
