Utah's Mayflower Ski Resort: Opening Season and Updates

Utah's ski enthusiasts have something exciting to look forward to as the Mayflower Ski Resort, situated just east of Deer Valley Resort in the Wasatch Back, gears up for its soft opening in the 2024-25 season. Developed by the Extell Development Company, Mayflower promises to be a game-changer in the skiing industry. Recent developments suggest that Deer Valley may play a significant role in the resort's operations, potentially enhancing the ski experience even further. Let's delve into the latest updates on the Mayflower Ski Resort and explore what makes it a highly anticipated destination.

An Ambitious Vision & Phased Construction

Mayflower Mountain Resort is a grand undertaking, designed from scratch to create a skiing paradise over the next two decades. The entire development includes ski runs, retail spaces, lodging, employee housing, parking facilities, and more. According to Kurt Krieg, the executive vice president of resort development for Extell, the resort aims to have a soft opening in the 2024-’25 season with two to three lifts operational. The grand opening is planned for the following year, boasting a total of 10 lifts initially and a grand total of 17 lifts once fully completed.

Impressively, Mayflower is expected to offer:

• 130 ski runs 
• 4,100 acres of skiable terrain
• 17 lifts
• Steepest run will be 3,200 vertical feet & 5 miles long
• 1,200 day-skier parking spots
• Largest ski beach in North America
  

The resort's ability to provide more terrain with fewer lifts is attributed to its strategic, build-from-the-ground-up approach. This efficient method also addresses some of the long-standing issues faced by ski resorts, such as snow coverage, parking challenges, and traffic congestion.

Innovative Snowmaking & Pedestrian-Centric Design

One of the major concerns about Mayflower's location lies in its primarily north-facing slopes, which typically receive less snowfall. However, the resort has taken significant steps to address this challenge by investing in a sophisticated snowmaking system that capitalizes on the cold temperatures in the Wasatch Back. Through the acquisition of water rights during land acquisition, Mayflower is poised to boast one of the most advanced snowmaking systems in North America, requiring approximately 300 million gallons of non-culinary water annually. This amount accounts for about 1/3 of 1% of the water (294,685 million water acres) coming from Jordanelle Reservoir in a season, with water rights secured from the now non-operational Ontario Mine.

State-of-the-art snowmaking engineering by Snowmatic and the presence of a water reservoir at the mountain's summit ensure a gravity-fed snowmaking process, aiding in wildfire mitigation and conserving water from Jordanelle Reservoir (JSSD). Remarkably, an estimated 80% of the water used for snowmaking will be returned to Jordanelle Reservoir, further exemplifying Mayflower's commitment to sustainability and responsible water management.

Beyond its innovative snowmaking capabilities, Mayflower's developers are equally dedicated to creating an exceptionally walkable resort experience. By offering over 1,200 day-skier parking spots, visitors can conveniently park their vehicles and explore the area on foot. This pedestrian-centric design not only enhances the overall guest experience but also alleviates traffic congestion, distinguishing Mayflower from other popular ski destinations in the region.

Potential Connection with Deer Valley

There have been ongoing discussions between Extell and Deer Valley, which is owned by Alterra Mountain Company, about a potential partnership. If the deal is finalized, Deer Valley may operate Mayflower, leading to a significant expansion of its ski-only terrain. This connection between the two resorts could also offer an alternative access point to Mayflower, bypassing the often crowded route to Park City. 

Fehr & Peers, a consultant retained by Deer Valley for a separate development proposal, briefly addressed the matter of Mayflower Mountain Resort in an April report focused on transportation plans for Snow Park Lodge. According to the report, there is an agreement under development that aims to provide parking, lift access, and full base amenities to skiers going to Deer Valley at Mayflower base, along US-40. Additionally, the potential agreement may also include employee parking with a shuttle program between Mayflower and Snow Park.

In case a partnership is not established, a connector lift, outlined in a land-lease agreement dating back to 1982 between Deer Valley and Extell, will still link the two resorts. However, skiers would need a separate lift ticket to access both areas.

A Vibrant and Sustainable Village

Mayflower has ambitious plans to create a lively ski village reminiscent of popular destinations like Beaver Creek or Northstar. The resort will feature four on-mountain restaurants, a ski school, a children's center, and a vast ice skating area. Notably, it will boast the largest ski beach in North America, offering a unique and enjoyable après-ski experience.

To accommodate visitors and employees, Mayflower will have:

• Up to 9 hotels
• 1,800 residential units
• And plans for 600 units of workforce housing, addressing the ongoing issue of affordable housing for ski resort employees.