DEER VALLEY RESORT, PARK CITY, UTAH (May 1, 2015) –
It's official, as of today, May 1, 2015 Deer Valley takes over operations of Solitude Mountain Resort. And so a new and exciting chapter unfolds. This past January,Deer Valley Resort appointed Kim Mayhew as Solitude Mountain Resort's new general manager, which also became effective today.
“Solitude is an incredible resort and provided a huge opportunity for us to expand our offerings right here in Utah,” said Bob Wheaton, president and general manager of Deer Valley Resort. “Solitude is in a unique position with their widely varied terrain that attracts both local and destination skiers. We are ecstatic to be able to add the resort to the Deer Valley® family.”
“The DeSeelhorst family has enjoyed being a part of Solitude’s history for almost 40 years. We are proud of what we have been able to accomplish at the resort and in our mountain community,” said Dave DeSeelhorst, former owner and general manager of Solitude Mountain Resort. “We feel very fortunate for the opportunity to have worked with so many amazing people in our industry and most importantly being able to work with our incredible staff at Solitude over the years. It is exciting to pass on this unique and beautiful resort to one of the best resort operators in the country, Deer Valley.”
Along with the new ownership is an updated logo for Solitude Mountain Resort.
FAQs:
Why did Deer Valley Resort enter into an agreement to purchase Solitude Mountain Resort?
Deer Valley recognized a great opportunity to expand within the Utah market by adding Solitude Mountain Resort to the Deer Valley family. Solitude is an incredible resort, with both family friendly and expert terrain, and we are sincerely excited to begin working with the staff.
Amount Paid? Assets acquired?
This is a private acquisition.
Will Deer Valley bring more capital and marketing investments to Solitude?
Deer Valley's first capital improvement announcement to Solitude for the 2015-2016 ski season will be to remove the current Summit double chairlift and install a new detachable high-speed quad. Also, a new ski run will be cut from the top of the existing Apex Express chairlift to the bottom terminal of the realigned Summit Express chairlift, significantly lessening the current travel time to Honeycomb Canyon. Other priority improvements include; remodeling the Moonbeam Lodge restaurant, an increased guest service presence throughout the resort and new uniforms for Solitude staff.
Will snowboarding still be allowed at Solitude? How about the Brighton connection?
Deer Valley plans to continue allowing snowboarding at Solitude and keep the Brighton connection in place. Here's a recent Snowboard edit produced by Andrew Muse at Solitude.
What about One Wasatch? Now that Deer Valley intends to own Solitude does a connection from Big Cottonwood Canyon to Deer Valley, instead of Park City Mountain Resort, make more sense?
One Wasatch has been analyzed over the years and the present lift alignment recently released by Ski Utah seems to make the most sense.
Will it become a mini-Deer Valley?
Although Deer Valley will bring some of our service oriented and operational philosophies to the resort we do not plan to rebrand Solitude as another Deer Valley.
Will the name change?
The name is still Solitude Mountain Resort but it will be identified as "a Deer Valley Resort."
Will there be a reciprocal arrangement for skiing benefits between Solitude and Deer Valley Resort?
Pass products are still being determined for the 2015-16 season.
Will lift ticket, locals and season pass prices increase dramatically due to the purchase of Solitude by Deer Valley?
Moving forward, Deer Valley Resort will analyze past resort performance, operational expenses and projected revenue potential prior to setting rates.
Does Deer Valley plan on buying any more resorts?
Although Deer Valley is not actively pursuing purchasing another resort, we have always been open to analyzing opportunities that may be a good fit for Deer Valley.
For more information and interviews about Deer Valley’s purchase of Solitude Mountain Resort, please call Deer Valley Resort Communications Manager Emily Summers 435-645-6522 or email at emily@deervalley.com. Visit the resort’s website at deervalley.com and follow resort happenings on social media with #skithedifference.
Patrolling Fantasy Ridge - Solitude Mountain Resort
