Deer Valley Resort is undergoing the largest ski resort expansion in North American history, a project spearheaded by Chris Cushing, Principal of Mountain Planning at SE Group. The East Village expansion, currently in its second phase, will ultimately add nearly 80 trails and 7 new lifts to the Park City, Utah resort, bringing the total additions over the past two ski seasons to 100 trails and 10 lifts.
Cushing’s involvement with Deer Valley dates back decades, beginning with his father’s work designing the original resort in 1981. SE Group, originally founded as Sno.engineering in 1964, partnered with Deer Valley for the initial development. The company has since evolved to include landscape architectural planning and design, and has worked on projects at resorts like Copper Mountain and, most recently, Steamboat Springs.
The East Village project itself has seen a complex ownership history. Planning began in 2013 under Netherlands-based Stichting Mayflower, before being acquired by New York-based Extell Development Company in 2017. Deer Valley took over as the resort operator in August 2023. Cushing emphasized the seamless integration of the new terrain with the existing mountain, noting at least six connection points allowing skiers to easily transition between the areas.
“You can get a lot of vertical really fast,” Cushing said, highlighting the increased vertical drop and longer runs offered by the expansion. He also noted the importance of snowmaking in ensuring consistent conditions, stating, “Snowmaking is becoming more and more essential. You necessitate that firepower.” The lift network is being configured to maximize access to upper mountain terrain, even during periods of limited snowfall.
The Steamboat Springs “Full Steam Ahead” project, completed in 2023, presented a different set of challenges. Cushing explained that the resort’s single base area required a solution to efficiently move a large volume of skiers and riders. The expansion included 3 new lifts and 655 acres of new terrain, including the Wild Blue gondola and a reconfigured base area with an ice skating rink and escalator. The base area lifts are capable of moving 10,000 guests uphill per hour.
Despite an unusual winter season for Utah, Deer Valley is opening its new terrain to positive reception. Cushing and his team prioritized maintaining the aesthetic of the original Deer Valley in the expanded areas, focusing on skiing along the natural fall line. “We tried to do the same thing at East Village: use the natural terrain and follow what the mountain has to offer us,” he said.
Cushing reflected on his family’s legacy at Deer Valley, stating, “My dad was extremely proud of what he created at Deer Valley. It’s a real honor picking up when he retired, continuing his work and having the opportunity to continue our family legacy and design the new area.” Cushing’s Cabin, located at the top of Flagstaff, serves as a tribute to his father’s contributions.
Looking ahead, Deer Valley plans to add 7 new runs and a lift on Hail Peak for the 2026-27 season, with further development planned for the 1,500-acre South Peak in the future.
