Deer Valley to Acquire Solitude - Ski Area Management

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03 October 2014

Push to The Latest: No

SAM Magazine—Park City, Utah, Oct. 3, 2014—Deer Valley Resort has entered into an agreement to purchase Solitude Mountain Resort and will begin operating the resort on May 1, 2015. No price was made public.

“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. “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, owner and general manager of Solitude Mountain Resort. “It is exciting to pass on this unique and beautiful resort to one of the best resort operators in the country, Deer Valley.”

For the upcoming 2014-15 ski season, Solitude will operate as usual. Select Deer Valley staff will work alongside Solitude staff during the next six months to evaluate resort operations and gain knowledge about the Solitude brand and culture. "We have much to learn about the current operation and brand position,” Deer Valley said. The future owner does not anticipate any major changes in staffing at Solitude at this time.

Deer Valley will bring some of its service-oriented and operational philosophies to Solitiude, but added, “we do not plan to rebrand Solitude as another Deer Valley.” Solitude will continue to welcome snowboarders, and keep the Brighton connection in place.

The union will bring benefits to each resort's passholders: four ski days at each respective resort. Deer Valley midweek pass holders will receive two day passes valid Monday through Friday at Solitude for the coming season, with major holidays blacked out. Otherwise, there are no changes to season's passes for both resorts.

Did Deer Valley purchase Solitude in response to Vail Resorts' purchase of Park City Mountain Resort and Ian Cumming's purchase of Snowbird? “Absolutely not,” said the statement.