The purpose of Military Morale Welfare and Recreation programs around the country and the world are to contribute to the resiliency, quality of life and wellness of military members. The history behind a Morale Welfare Recreation (MWR) hotel coming to life in Wasatch County is a storied one. A small military-owned MWR ski lodge (just seven units) near Snowbasin Resort in Huntsville, Utah, was closed in the late 1990s in preparation for the 2002 Winter Olympics. Recognizing that the Air Force, too, had identified goals to expand their facilities well beyond seven units, in 2001 Congress passed legislation granting a federally-owned, 26-acre parcel in Park City, Utah (the Red Maple parcel) to the Air Force on which to either construct a new MWR facility or trade for other property of equal value.

Written into the federal legislation was a requirement to partner with a private or governmental entity for construction, as no monies were appropriated for the project – the granting of federally-owned land only.

At the same time that the Air Force approached MIDA for assistance in finding a suitable location for the new MWR facility, Wasatch County was engaged in strategic master planning to develop 4,700 acres surrounding the Jordanelle Reservoir. Within this recreation development area, 14.5 acres for the MWR facility was identified, and ultimately donated by landowner and developer, EX Utah Development LLC (“Extell”), creating a property trade opportunity and an ideal three-way partnership to pursue the county’s vision for development and recreation. (Developing the Red Maple parcel did not align with the open space plans Park City envisioned.)

In 2018, MIDA partnered with Wasatch County and the Air Force to create the MWR hotel in this new, year-round resort setting, as well as to create positive economic impact for the county and the State of Utah. Wasatch County invited MIDA in to do what it does best – facilitate public-private partnerships and help the county execute on its 40-year-old master plan for the Jordanelle recreation area. Four years of weekly public meetings with the county occurred to hammer out the greater details of the partnership.

Construction is underway today throughout the Military Recreation Facility (MRF) project area, established in 2012, following the completion by Extell and opening of the MWR hotel, Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, in November of 2024. The 381-room conference hotel includes a block of 100 Salute to Service rooms that are available on a preferred rate basis for our nation’s service men and women, whether on active duty or retired, Reserve or National Guard, Disabled Veterans, and actively serving Department of Defense personnel, as well as access to the grand conference room space and a dedicated concierge space, North Star. Service member guests staying at Grand Hyatt Deer Valley have the opportunity to purchase day lift tickets to ski Deer Valley Resort for up to 75% off the window rate. In addition, there are hotel parking, spa, food and beverage (excluding alcohol), and ski rental discounts for service member guests.

MIDA also purchased in 2024 42 units for moderate-income, rental housing, with a priority for military, municipal government, teachers and emergency service providers, and looks forward to ongoing planning with Extell for hundreds more affordable homes.

The hotel is part of a larger, master-planned development on both the west and east sides of Highway 40 within the MRF project area that features four-season recreation opportunities, including skiing, a vast trail system, horseback riding, boating and golf. The recreational activities are available to the public, and military guests receive discounted rates for these activities.

With ongoing development throughout the MRF project area, greater community-wide benefits are also being delivered. In August of 2023, Utah Open Lands was granted a 3,100-acre conservation easement from an EX Utah company affiliate. The conservation area is known as the Forty-Fifth Star Conservation Preserve and allows significant regional trail and recreation connections and preserve important wildlife habitat and ecosystems. The conservation easement eliminates residential development (more than 600 units) in the donated areas, and opens trail access to the public, including military guests of the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley. While it restricts development on a large portion of the MRF project area, the conservation easement is consistent with the recreation purpose of the project area and provides a valuable amenity to the community.

Also in August of 2023, Alterra Mountain Company announced it would be the mountain operator of the Mayflower ski terrain (via a lease agreement with the landowner, Extell) by expanding Deer Valley Resort with the 3,700 Mayflower acreage. The expansion more than doubles Deer Valley’s skiable terrain, adding 16 new lifts and a new 10-passenger gondola, affirming the resort’s commitment to delivering exceptional guest services and a ski-only experience with limited daily skier counts.

MIDA entered into various agreements related to funding and constructing public infrastructure to support the project area. In addition, MIDA has established interlocal cooperation agreements with Wasatch County, Wasatch County Fire, Jordanelle Special Services District and the Town of Hideout that establish funding priorities for approved projects and use of the tax revenues generated within the project area.

• 2024 Initiate Military Recreational Programming with Regional Partners

• 2024-2030 Facilitate affordable housing building project

• 2025 Implement Public Infrastructure Operations

• 2025-2030 Develop Jordanelle Marina Recreation Area

MIDA has issued bonds for the purpose of funding critical infrastructure and other development needs in the MRF. For every $1 of public investment, the project is anticipated to be matched by $16 in private investment by 2030. These bonds will be repaid utilizing the incremental increases in property tax in the project area which is referred to as property tax allocation revenue; it is important to note that no other entity – Wasatch County, MIDA nor the State of Utah – will be on the hook for debt service. Today, more than $1 billion of taxable value exists in the MRF project area so repayment of these debt obligations is secure. 

Additional construction activity is underway in Deer Valley East Village — the first new destination ski resort village and ski terrain expansion built in the U.S. in more than 40 years — representing an initial build out of over 3.1 million square feet and $2.1 billion in private investment. In addition to 1,200 new day skier parking spaces, Deer Valley Resort will feature 5,726 skiable acres when construction is completed (expected no later than the 2027-2028 winter season.) Sixteen new chair lifts will be constructed, with seven new lifts (including a 10-passenger gondola) operating as of the 2025-26 winter season (these are in addition to three new lifts and 20 runs that opened during the 2024-25 season.) Upon completion, a total of 37 chairlifts will operate across the expanded Deer Valley Resort.  While 80 new ski runs will open during the 2025-26 season, ski run grading, clearing, and snowmaking infrastructure and equipment installation continues.

In addition: Construction of the Canopy by Hilton at Deer Valley by Extell with completion estimated mid-summer 2026; construction of the Village Skier Services facility by Extell with commercial enhancements by Deer Valley Resort; construction of the Marcella Club House by Reef Capital; construction of the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Deer Valley by Extell; construction of the initial two towers, parking, and podium of Cormont condominiums by Reef Capital; construction of Marcella Landing townhomes by Reef Capital; construction of infrastructure and civil improvements by Extell.

Other exciting completed projects include the 319 Connector Road, and the Frontage Road that was a partnership between UDOT, MIDA, Wasatch County, and Extell. This was completed in December 2024 connecting the north and south portals. 

SkyRidge is nestled between Deer Valley East Village and the welcoming waters of the Jordanelle Reservoir within the MRF project area’s Jordanelle Specially Planned Area and features:

• 670 acres with 50% preserved for open space 

• 469 premier single-family homesites

• Panoramic views of mountains, water, golf course 

• Resort-level amenities without private club membership fees 

• 2024 real estate year in review, including 239 lots sold out of the 252 currently completed lots; 22 homes completed

• No sidewalks on purpose; 7.5 miles of soft-surface trails

• Golf and equestrian offerings fully open and operational in 2026

SkyRidge Equestrian offers 32 StableComfort stalls with mountain or lake views, a heated, well-lit full-court indoor dressage arena, a spacious outdoor arena, a 60’ round pen, a 72’ covered European walker, and dedicated equestrian-only trails just north of the barn. It’s designed for comfort, safety and for the education of the horse and the rider.

Programs and discounted rates are offered to service members as well as Salute to Service guests at both SkyRidge Equestrian and the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, including offering 50% off trail rides and lessons. In addition, SkyRidge is exploring military event opportunities.