Industry News
Deer Valley Resort in Utah has unveiled an exciting addition to its trails: the “Green Monster,” a beginner-friendly ski run that stretches an impressive 4.85 miles or 25,600 feet from the summit of Bald Mountain to the East Village’s new Keetley Express Lift. Upon its full opening, the Green Monster will take the crown as Utah’s longest ski run, surpassing Park City Mountain Resort’s 3.5-mile “Homerun” and placing the state among North America’s elite ski destinations.
The Lower Green Monster from the bottom of Mayflower is open as of today, January 17, while the Upper Green Monster will open sometime next week. However, the entire ski run from the top of Park Peak/Revelator Express to the Keetley Express Lift at the bottom of Mayflower will not open until next season, according to Garrett Lang, Director of Mountain Operations at Deer Valley. Lang estimates that it will take the average skier around 20 to 30 minutes to complete the Green Monster, depending on the number of stops. The full Green Monster ski run will cover a vertical of 2,820 feet.
Named for its reference to a historic malachite mine near Park City, the Green Monster will not be the only long run at Deer Valley. The Mayflower expansion will also feature a 4.21-mile (22,250-foot) run from the top of Northside to the bottom of Aurora (Ontario, Homeward Bound, McHenry) which covers 2,560 feet of vertical, as well as a 4.5-mile (23,750-foot) run from the top of Sultan to the bottom of Aurora (Homeward Bound, McHenry) which offers at 2,800 feet almost the same vertical as the Green Monster. With these exciting new additions, Deer Valley expands its terrain to offer three of Utah’s longest runs. While the Green Monster run is a gentle green-level trail, its sheer scale and scenic route through Deer Valley’s expansive new East Village development make it an attraction for skiers of all skill levels. The trail follows Deer Valley’s significant terrain expansion, which will add 3,700 acres to the resort, solidifying its position as one of the largest ski areas in the United States.
Although the Green Monster will be Utah’s longest, it falls just short of “Olympic Downhill” at Heavenly Resort in California, which holds the U.S. title for the longest ski run at 5.5 miles. A challenging intermediate trail, Olympic Downhill showcases the grandeur of Lake Tahoe with a descent that is as scenic as it is thrilling. Deer Valley’s Green Monster also joins the ranks of “Longshot” in Colorado’s Aspen Snowmass, a 5.3-mile run that requires a hike to access but rewards skiers with a satisfying mix of serene glades and open alpine terrain.
Utah’s Green Monster, however, pales in comparison to some of Europe’s longest runs. The “Sarenne” in Alpe d’Huez, France, is one of Europe’s many 10-mile-long runs. Other 10-mile runs can for example be found in Zermatt, Switzerland, from the Klein Matterhorn, which offers a stunning view of the Matterhorn as it descends from 12,740 feet to the valley at 5,315 feet, offering an incredible 7,425 feet in vertical. Likewise, Les Deux Alpes in France, offers up The Jandri, another 10-mile slope, which starts at 10,499 feet and culminates in the resort village at 5,413 feet. In comparison, Green Monster caters more to casual skiers, offering an accessible yet lengthy experience that balances the scale of these global trails with the inviting charm of Deer Valley. While it might not rival the vertical feats of Alpe d’Huez or Zermatt, its combination of scenic views, historical significance, and proximity to expanding amenities makes it a standout addition to North America’s roster of iconic ski runs.
