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Ambassador of Skiing, Heidi Voelker © Deer Valley Resort

Overview: Voted best ski resort in North America in 2001 and 2005 by SKI Magazine, the exclusive holiday resort of Deer Valley opened in 1981, taking over the old site of Snow Park. Millions of dollars later, and with even more to be invested in the 2006/7 season, Deer Valley has created a reputation for itself highly regarded among skiers the world over (and most probably has something to do with the fact that they don't allow snowboarders near the mountain). Deer Valley is located in the Park City area, Utah, and in 2002, hosted select events of the Winter Olympics. As its popularity increases it continues to attract the upper echelons; the levels of service in all aspects from accommodation, dining to grooming and slope maintenance continue to rise.

Skiing: Deer Valley boasts 300 inches (762cm) of light, dry, Utah powder. Four mountains and a variety of terrain offer skiers of all levels enough to keep them entertained. Beginners are not restricted and can ski on all four of the mountains while advanced skiers will find enough black diamond runs groomed to perfection.

Shopping: Deer Valley Signatures Stores offers a variety of branded items for holiday skiers including apparel, kitchenware, blankets and signature food items. Shades of Deer Valley sells all the latest premium snow eyewear and goggles while Deer Valley Etc. offers Internet facilities and a number of specialty coffees and beverages. Park City is a much better place to look around for anything else.

Restaurants: There are over 90 restaurants, bars and private clubs in Deer Valley and its surrounds catering for all tastes and providing top class service to holiday visitors that continually receive praise from the Zagat Restaurant Guide and SKI Magazine. At the resort, Snow Park Restaurant delivers the goods on nutritious breakfasts and filling lunches while Royal Street Café serves award-winning cuisine with fine wines and spirits available. The Seafood Buffet is popular with visitors and locals but the star of the restaurant scene, rated number one in the Zagat Restaurant Guide, is The Mariposa. With an award winning wine list and classic cuisine, it truly is one of the resort's highlights.

Nightlife: Utah has some interesting approaches to liquor laws, and often a night out for holidaymakers in Deer Valley will include becoming a member of a private club in order to buy alcohol. A membership will need to be purchased for a small fee, in the vicinity of a cover charge, and the discretion of the other members may dictate a night out. However Park City is very popular during the winter season and caters for the influx of tourists who are used to being able to get a drink at a bar.

Activities: A variety of additional activities are available to holiday visitors in Deer Valley including sleigh rides, snow mobile tours, snow-shoeing, heli-skiing and hot air balloon rides. For the less actively inclined or those simply looking to relax, there are health spas, saunas and Jacuzzis. During the summer months the lifts stay open for scenic rides and lift-served mountain biking. There is also a Kid's Summer Adventure Camp and outdoor dining is popular in the magnificent setting.

Negatives: The resort is quite exclusive, expensive and has been called quite pretentious. No snowboarders are allowed; whether that is a negative or positive attribute is dependant.