Your Survival Guy is looking forward to a Utah ski trip this season. Check out this from Marina Knight with TownLift, who writes:
When the 2025–26 season begins, Deer Valley will unveil the largest expansion in ski industry history, more than doubling its size to 4,300 acres with 31 lifts and 202 runs. But what really sets this project apart, says Senior Snowmaking Manager Brett Hawksford, isn’t just the size of the mountain—it’s the precision and responsiveness of its snow.
“Every gun, valve, and pump can be controlled remotely and calibrated in real time,” Hawksford said. “Once the system is fully online, we could cover the mountain from bare trails to Deer Valley-perfect corduroy in about a week—if the weather cooperates.”
Engineering winter, one pipe at a time
Building that capability has been a monumental feat. Crews from a Vernal-based contractor more accustomed to oil and gas pipeline work have spent months installing the resort’s 80 miles of steel and HDPE pipe—plus thousands of electrical and communications lines for the system’s 1,200 snow guns.
“It’s incredibly labor-intensive,” Hawksford said. “They’re experts in big pipe work, but this adds layers of complexity—laterals, wiring, control systems. Every tower gun, every fan gun has its own network connection. There’s a lot going on underground that skiers will never see.”
Action Line: Get out there and enjoy your retirement life. Send me the stories of your adventures at ejsmith@yoursurvivalguy.com. And, click here to subscribe to my free monthly Survive & Thrive letter.
