Deer Valley Resort Announces Season Pass Holder Appreciation Weekend and (Very Early) Closing Day
27/March/2026
Deer Valley Resort announced Thursday that it will shutter its slopes effective this weekend — a full three weeks before its originally planned closing date of April 19 — as an unprecedented stretch of warm, dry weather has reduced the mountain's snowpack to levels the resort says are no longer safe or skiable.
The decision, confirmed in a statement released by resort management Thursday morning, marks one of the earliest season-ending closures in Deer Valley's 45-year history.
"This has been an incredibly difficult call to make," said resort spokesperson Allison Mercer. "Our snow management team has worked around the clock, but at this point the mountain simply cannot sustain the quality experience our guests expect and deserve. The safety of our skiers and our staff has to come first."
Temperatures at the resort's base elevation have been running 12 to 15 degrees above seasonal averages for much of the month, with Friday's forecast high reaching 59°F — more reminiscent of a mild spring day in Salt Lake City than a ski destination sitting above 6,000 feet. Rain, not snow, is in the forecast through the weekend, with no meaningful cold snap on the horizon.
The Utah Department of Natural Resources reported this week that snowpack across the Wasatch Range has dropped to just 41% of its historical median for late March — a figure that resort operators say has accelerated snowmelt far beyond what grooming and snowmaking equipment can offset.
"We still have snow on the upper mountain, but it's patchy, it's icy in places, and the lower runs are simply gone," said Kyle Hanson, Deer Valley's director of mountain operations. "Trying to push through another three weeks in these conditions isn't responsible."
The early closure comes as a sharp disappointment to thousands of skiers who had booked spring break vacations and late-season trips to the resort, widely regarded as one of the finest ski destinations in North America. Deer Valley's spring skiing — typically mellow, sun-soaked, and festive — draws a loyal crowd of regulars each April.
The resort said it will offer full refunds or future-season credits to guests with confirmed bookings for dates after Sunday, March 29, and that its reservations team is working through a "significant volume" of inquiries. Lift ticket holders and season passholders with remaining days will be contacted individually.
Local businesses in Park City, which rely heavily on the tail end of ski season to round out their winter revenues, are bracing for impact. "April is usually still very strong for us," said one Main Street restaurant owner who asked not to be named. "Losing three weeks at the end — that's not a small thing."
Climate scientists say the early closure is consistent with longer-term trends across Western ski resorts. A 2025 study by the University of Utah's Institute for Environment and Society found that average ski seasons in the Wasatch Mountains have shortened by nearly three weeks over the past four decades, with the losses concentrated almost entirely at the end of the season.
"What we're seeing this year is an extreme version of a trend that's been building for some time," said Dr. Patricia Nguyen, a climate researcher at the University of Utah who was not involved with Deer Valley's decision. "The mountains are warming faster than the broader region, and resorts are being forced to adapt — whether they're ready to or not."
Deer Valley has invested significantly in high-efficiency snowmaking infrastructure in recent seasons, and resort officials say they are accelerating planning for additional climate resilience measures ahead of next winter. Details, they said, will be shared later this year.
Despite the circumstances, resort officials are encouraging remaining guests to make the most of the final days of operation. The upper mountain — including Empire Canyon and the Lady Morgan area — will remain open through Sunday, conditions permitting, with reduced lift operations beginning Saturday.
Deer Valley Resort will offer a Season Pass Holder Appreciation Weekend Saturday, March 28th – Sunday, March 29th as they close out the 25/26 winter season on Sunday, March 29th. All Deer Valley Season Passes will be valid during Season Pass Holder Appreciation Weekend including Mid-week, Utah Limited and Select Passes
"Come up, enjoy the sunshine, and celebrate a season that had some truly great moments," Mercer said. "We'll see everyone next November.".
“I’m incredibly proud of our team. In just a few short months, the team opened and operated nearly 100 new runs and eight new lifts —while navigating the lowest snowfall in Utah history,” said Deer Valley Resort President & Chief Operating Officer Todd Bennett. “We have accomplished something that’s never been done before in the history of skiing.”
In addition, all Deer Valley Season Passes will be valid through the weekend and enjoy a complimentary appreciation lunch at Snow Park Lodge or Silver Lake Lodge and will receive a voucher valid for an entrée, beverage and Deer Valley cookie. Deer Valley Season Pass Holders will receive an email with further details shortly regarding Season Pass Holder Appreciation Weekend.
Chute Eleven will be hosting Beats & Bubbles featuring Beachcrimes to close out the 25/26 winter season. Guests can purchase individual day passes or a three-day pass valid March 27-29th. The schedule of events is as follows:
March 27: 80’s Apres Ski: Retro layers, neon & vintage ski style
DJ Nevermore: 1-3 p.m.
Beachcrimes: 3-5 p.m.
March 28: Cowboy Caviar: Western flair with luxe twist
DJ Don: 1-3 p.m.
Beachcrimes 3-5 p.m.
March 29: Diamond & Denim: Elevated sparkle meets mountain casual
Kyle Kilcommons 1-3 p.m.
Beachcrimes 3-5 p.m.
Closing Day Details
Sunday, March 29th will be closing day for the season as the Resort celebrates the largest expansion in ski industry history. The Resort doubled skiable terrain, introduced 100 new ski runs, opened 7 new chairlifts along with a 10-passenger Gondola and opened a total of 185 ski runs during the course of the season. Expanded Excellence efforts will continue into the 26/27 season with more opportunities to encounter the next phase of the Deer Valley experience.
For more information about Season Pass Holder Weekend and season passes for the 26/27 season, visit the resort’s website at deervalley.com
