Deer Valley Resort Earned Top North American Ranking
The Utah destination secured the highest score in the 2026 Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards among major ski resorts.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Skiing
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Deer Valley Resort earned the highest ranking among North American ski resorts in the 2026 Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards with a score of 97.78. Several other Utah properties, including Solitude Mountain Resort and Park City Mountain Resort, also placed in the prestigious regional and national rankings.
Why it matters
These annual awards reflect the preferences of nearly 799,000 participating readers, highlighting the competitive standing of Utah resorts as they prepare for the upcoming 2026-27 ski season.
Deer Valley achieved a score of 97.78 in the North American category, while Solitude Mountain Resort earned a 93.12, ranking sixth overall. In the U.S.-only rankings, Big Sky Resort led with 94.29, closely followed by Deer Valley at 94.23 and Park City Mountain at 92.97.
The players
Deer Valley Resort
This premier ski destination is located in Park City, Utah, and is widely recognized for its upscale amenities and exclusive skier-only policy.
Solitude Mountain Resort
Situated in Big Cottonwood Canyon, this resort is known for providing significant snowfall and terrain variety for winter sports enthusiasts.
Sundance Mountain Resort
Located in Provo Canyon, this resort was founded by Robert Redford and is celebrated for balancing winter sports with an emphasis on arts and nature.
Park City Mountain Resort
This major mountain destination offers extensive terrain access and is a central hub for the winter tourism economy in northern Utah.
The details
The rankings were compiled through a reader survey conducted in 2026 that saw participation from nearly 799,000 individuals. Utah resorts such as Sundance Mountain and Black Desert Resort also achieved notable recognition, securing spots in the Mountain West regional rankings.
Timeline
The reader survey for the 2026 Condé Nast Readers' Choice Awards was conducted throughout 2026.
Utah ski resorts are currently finalizing preparations for the 2026-27 ski season.
Season Trajectory
These rankings validate the regional competitive balance as Utah resorts head into the 2026-27 season. High placement in national surveys often correlates with increased demand and premium pricing strategies across the state's most popular mountain destinations.
The high rankings for Deer Valley and Solitude suggest these resorts may see higher visitor traffic and potential sold-out dates during peak holiday periods. Travelers should monitor updated lift ticket pricing and availability as these resorts leverage their top-tier status for the 2026-27 season.
The takeaway
Travelers looking for top-rated mountain experiences should book their accommodations well in advance given the high reader approval ratings for these Utah destinations. Staying informed about these annual rankings can help skiers prioritize resorts that consistently match the high expectations of the broader traveling public.
Further reading
Find more local updates on the Skiing section of our site.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TownLift, Park City News.
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