Park City Mountain and Deer Valley Resort both started snowmaking Monday night, Nov. 2, as preparations for the 2026-27 ski season continue, TownLift reported.
Park City Mountain is targeting Friday, Nov. 20, for opening day, depending on weather and snow conditions. A storm had brought fresh snow to the peaks before snowmaking began.
Park City Mountain communications manager Bailey Quinn told TownLift that crews were building a snow base on key runs ahead of opening day.
Snowmaking crews are monitoring the Wasatch Back forecast to take advantage of cold temperatures and prepare terrain for early-season skiing, according to Quinn.
Deer Valley's new snowmaking system
Deer Valley also started snowmaking Nov. 2, putting its expanded automated system to work.
The resort has increased its snowmaking coverage to 932 acres for the 2026-27 season, according to its Nov. 5 announcement.
The additional capacity is part of Deer Valley's Expanded Excellence initiative, which includes new terrain, chairlifts and infrastructure serving Deer Valley East Village.
The resort plans to open to the public Saturday, Dec. 5, conditions permitting.
Part of a larger expansion
Deer Valley's expansion includes the new Hail Peak Express chairlift, which will provide access to seven additional runs and 200 acres of new skiable terrain.
The resort now lists 32 chairlifts and 4,500 skiable acres for the upcoming season. The project includes expanded snowmaking infrastructure to serve the new terrain.
Deer Valley has also developed a new 10-million-gallon snowmaking reservoir near Park Peak Lodge, according to its September expansion announcement.
The resort said the reservoir will work with its existing pumping infrastructure to increase snowmaking capacity.
Both ski areas' planned opening dates depend on weather and snow conditions.
