DEER VALLEY RESORT, PARK CITY, UTAH (Summer, 2004) – To ride a Deer Valley chairlift during the green season is to find a metaphor for summer in the swinging of legs. Sneaker-clad feet feel light and carefree. So does the mood during a Deer Valley summer.

Being carried through Deer Valley's soothing mountain landscape truly gives one a picture of the overall resort and its summer charms. Ride the Silver Lake Express chairlift and then the Sterling chairlift, travel 2,200 vertical feet, and truly rise above it all at a leisurely pace. Soft green grasses as fresh and fine as baby hair cover the ski slopes. White barked aspen trees, as straight and tall as long legged youths, reach towards an enveloping blue sky. Children at Summer Adventure Camp giggle as they raise a colorful parachute up and down in a circle of limbs and hands on the lawn next to Snow Park Lodge. Visitors follow the serpentine paths around the ponds near Deer Valley's base with coffee in hand, watching children feed the resident ducks. An early morning angler is out casting her line for a catch and release trout.

There is a cacophony of birdsong. There is the gritty simplicity of footsteps on dirt as hikers make their way down mountain trails. And there are no words to adequately describe the sound of mountain breezes blowing through aspen leaves. Known colloquially as “quaking aspen” or “quakies” for short because of the vibration of the little leaves in the wind, it seems as though the tittering flora is chuckling in delight at its mystery, leaving listeners entranced by its sound.

Deer Valley's chairlifts provide access to over 50 miles of mountain biking trails as well as 20 miles of hiking trails and an overlook point with sweeping hundred-mile views. The _-mile Scenic Overlook loop on Bald Mountain allows walkers of all ages and abilities the chance to take in the vistas of mountain peaks and boats leaving crisscrossing white wakes in the sparkling Jordanelle Reservoir below. An occasional paraglider or parachute rides the high mountain wind currents along with red-tailed hawks. The same white glove service Deer Valley is known for during the winter ski season is applied to the summer mountain biking, hiking and scenic chairlift ride program, with the Resort offering an all-inclusive operation including mountain bike rentals, instruction and guided tours.

Hikers meander their way through the pine needle covered softness of trails under canopies of trees. They might catch a glimpse of a bride's white veil blowing behind her in the mountain breeze. Or a bride and groom dancing on the sunny deck of Empire Canyon Lodge, surrounded by aspen trees, hunter green umbrellas and flower boxes. Uniformed waiters move amidst the wedding guests serving glasses of bubbling champagne on silver trays.

Other guests might be enjoying a relaxing lunch on the deck of Royal Street Café at Silver Lake Lodge. The green and white awning and the breeze running down the length of the wooden deck keeps diners cool, as do beverages such as a local microbrew, homemade lemonade or a refreshing mojito – silver Bacardi rum, lemonade, a floater of dark rum on top and a swirl of fresh mint nestled amid the ice cubes. Cuisine is equally as fresh, such as a simple summer salad of a crisp iceberg wedge served with pear tomatoes, baby carrots and beets, Italian vinaigrette, glazed walnuts and Maytag blue cheese.

Some guests will enjoy an afternoon of shopping and browsing in Historic Old Town, Park City – just a mile from Deer Valley's base area. Charming turn-of-the-twentieth century buildings house modern day restaurants (over 100), galleries, bars and nightclubs, boutiques, shops and spas. Tourists stroll Main Street to shop, view local artwork, visit the quaint Park City museum and territorial jail, or grab a local microbrew on a pub deck. Others will golf, swim in our local pools or reservoirs, enjoy our tennis courts or 300 miles of public hiking and biking trails, visit the Utah Olympic Park and watch freestylers flipping into the 750,000-gallon splash pool, or settle into an athletic club or spa for a massage, facial, yoga or a Pilates class.

Deer Valley visitors may attend a concert at Deer Valley's grassy Outdoor Amphitheater behind Snow Park Lodge. As the strains of a Symphony orchestra rise into the cooling night sky, the audience has full view of the mountains and warmly lit homes behind Deer Valley's venue. The sun sets behind them, soaking the sky in purple, gold and red; the silhouetted mountains becoming a backdrop like no other. Barbecues are fired up, offering grilled chicken sandwiches, all beef hotdogs or burgers at the concessions. Picnickers may order a Gourmet Picnic Basket and bottle of wine from Deer Valley's kitchen, or bring their own. When the sun sets, the temperature drops into the comfortable 50's. Guests pull out the blankets and fleece jackets, snuggling into the mountain, and each other, and think about their peaceful summer day.

For more information on summer at Deer Valley Resort, please contact Resort Communications Manager Christa Graff at 800-424-DEER (3337), 435-645-6522, or view the Resort Web site at www.deervalley.com.