Thought about this a bit, since we have liked going to DV ever since we went there once in the end of March 2010, and so dropped in again for a quick 2.5days(1/2 day on Quickstart).
There is a lot of derision and negativity about DV on this and other websites, in my view, usually from folks who ski solo, or perhaps the perception that all who ski DV are somehow super-wealthy or very wealthy.
THEREFORE TO THE POINT, THIS IS DIRECTED TOWARDS FOLKS WITH SKIING FAMILIES primarily.
Now here is DV and suggestion to those with families, check it out, you will like it, and especially your kids will like it.
Infrastructure:
1. proximity to SLC Airport - commute time is 45-55mins
2. Honors Park City Quickstart program, so free skiing on day you land with boarding pass (do not forget to register and print registration form before you arrive)
3. Housing variety is immense, ranging from extremely expensive on the mountain hotels (st regis, stein eriksen, montage), rather expensive (goldener hirsch) to high-end condos (black diamond lodge), to pretty expensive (chateaux) to more moderate housing in Park City to real inexpensive in Park City (Chateau Apres). Note if one is careful about timing etc, DV lodging often offers very good deals like 4th day free etc etc...but one has to check it out on the web. As everywhere, condos generally less expensive than hotels but need the numbers up in terms of occupants for the economies of scale to kick in.
4. Proximity to Park City for those who want the "Aspen/Steamboat/Telluride" kind of experience.
5. Plus one can ski Park City MR or Canyons - 10-15min shuttle rides away, depending on where in DV you are staying.
The mountain:
5. On-mountain services at the resort, the ski-valet service at each base (Snowpark and Sivler Lake) which keeps your skis/poles overnight at no charge, the on-mountain staffers who help guide skiers, all add up to a fine, relaxing experience
6. ski school is pretty good, instructors were real nice, from my experience, especially with kids.
7. The Slopes : the grooming is really good, so regardless of conditions, you will find quite a few runs which are definitely a good ski. Don't let anyone mislead you, DV mogul run called Champion is bigger and harder than most mogul runs anywhere (man-made though). Many Blue runs, are classified blue because they are groomed, otherwise they are rather steep, and if you let your skis run, your speeds will match Bode Miller. There is challenging terrain off the Lady Morgan chair (Daly Chutes, Centennial mogulled glades) or Mayflower Bowl area just beyond Stein's way off the Sultan Chair. DV is big and has long continuous runs and has pretty good snow most of the season.
8. On-mountain lodges would be amongst the best in the US, food, service, cleanliness etc but there is only one numero uno in that department and that is Snowbasin, Utah, but DV is good for sure.
9. Slopes can get busy but lifts pretty fast generally and there are 4 main mountain areas so a lot of room.
The negatives:
1. Lift ticket costs per diem are the highest in Utah, but it does pay for solid services.
2. Ski School costs are the most expensive in Utah and probably amongst the highest in the US.
And finally here is a 2 min. clip of why we enjoy DV.
