Sponsored by Heber Valley
Often, a family ski trip may feel like having to choose between a bustling big-name ski resort and a quiet, authentic ski destination. Heber Valley, nestled in a beautiful mountain valley just south of Park City, offers both. Located in a region known as the Wasatch Back, Heber Valley boasts small-town character, sweeping views, and a laid-back vibe, all just minutes from one of America’s best ski resorts, Deer Valley. It all makes for the perfect basecamp for a family ski trip. Let us show you how to make the best of a Deer Valley ski trip while staying in Heber Valley.
Get to Know Heber Valley: Where Families Stay
Heber Valley is made up of several communities, each with its own distinct personality. Heber City is the valley’s hub and home to the Heber Valley Railroad, a historic railroad that gives younger travelers a unique way to experience the region, featuring incredible views of wide-open landscapes and the Wasatch Back. Midway, known as “Utah’s Little Switzerland,” is where you’ll find a picturesque Alpine village with a Swiss atmosphere and a walkable Main Street.
One of the best things about Heber Valley is the convenient access to Salt Lake City. Heber Valley is just a 45-minute drive or rideshare from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), with no stoplights. This means that you can be on the slopes in as little as an hour. Take the first flight of the day from a number of U.S. hubs and you’ll have the entire afternoon to ski. There are also daily flights in and out of Provo Airport (PVU), which is just about 30 miles away.
From Heber Valley, it’s just 10-15 minutes to Deer Valley East Village. Heber Valley’s slower pace, welcoming atmosphere, and direct access to Deer Valley make it ideal for families, while the region’s sprawling resorts, lodges, and vacation rentals make it easy for large groups and multi-generational families to spread out. Make sure to book lodging well in advance, especially for holiday weeks. Note that some resorts, including Homestead and Black Rock Mountain Resort, offer ski shuttles, while others, like Grand Hyatt Deer Valley and Canopy by Hilton, are slopeside. A car rental is still your most efficient way to get around this region.
World-Class Skiing Nearby at Deer Valley: Planning Your Ski Days
Deer Valley, one of America’s only remaining ski-only resorts, has long been known for its elevated service, five-star hospitality, and impeccably groomed runs. And the resort is now bigger and better than ever, having undergone an expansion that doubled Deer Valley’s size. Guests can now ski across 4,500 skiable acres accessed by 32 lifts.
Deer Valley is the perfect ski resort for families, thanks to beginner-friendly terrain, an incredible ski school, and the fact that it limits daily lift ticket sales. New this season is a snow feature zone, off Pioche Express, on the green run Pirate King, with rollers, berms, and a mild ski-cross feel. Other highlights include the flowy rollers on Humbug and a dedicated family area on McHenry. Pioche Express serves beginner, intermediate, and expert terrain, so mixed-ability groups can ride one lift and then veer off to the runs they’re comfortable with. More advanced skiers in your family will likely gravitate to the new Hail Peak Express, which features seven new runs and 200 acres on the resort’s eastern edge.
Travelers staying in Heber Valley will appreciate the direct access to Deer Valley East Village, which has 1,200 day-skier parking spaces and a straightforward arrival process. Note that the permanent East Village Lodge, which will house a ski school, rentals, and a food hall, isn’t scheduled to open until the 2027-28 season. Be sure to confirm what’s open at Deer Valley as you plan around lessons, rentals, and dining at East Village.
Deer Valley is targeting an early December opening, with a phased rollout beginning around Snow Park and Silver Lake. So be aware that East Village terrain may not be open from the outset. Check Deer Valley’s mountain report before you go.
What to Do Off the Slopes in Heber Valley: Family Activities Abound
After a full day of skiing, Midway is the perfect place to unwind. Take a stroll down Main Street, sample award-winning cheese at Heber Valley Artisan Cheese or enjoy a craft chocolate tasting at Ritual Chocolate. When you’re ready to settle in for dinner, enjoy a cozy alpenglobe dining experience at Cafe Galleria or gather around the hearth for a comforting meal at Midway Mercantile.
Off the slopes, Heber Valley offers plenty for families to enjoy. Skate on the outdoor rink at Midway Town Square, take a soak at the Homestead Crater (a geothermal hot spring inside a beehive-shaped limestone dome), or bundle up for a horse-drawn wagon or sleigh ride. At Soldier Hollow, families can go tubing, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing at the same venue that hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics cross-country skiing and biathlon events, and that is slated to host again in 2034.
The ski days and the valley evenings together make the trip. Start planning your trip at gohebervalley.com.
Hero image ©Adam Barker
