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Last year, we took our very first family ski trip to Deer Valley on points. That’s how we made our first ski vacation with four kids not only possible, but affordable. We stayed at the beautiful Grand Hyatt Deer Valley and spent our days learning the ropes on the slopes. If you’re new to using points for trips like this, my Beginner’s Guide is a great place to start.
Living in Utah, you’d think we’d be pros at skiing by now. But until this past December, our family of six had never hit the slopes. When I found out about the Epic SchoolKids Utah Pack—an offer that gives free ski school, rentals, and lift tickets to Utah kids in fifth grade or younger—it was the final nudge we needed to plan a spontaneous ski weekend.
We paired the ski day with a night at the brand-new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley. This property had just opened and was still finishing up construction in some areas (like the lounge), but it was already stunning. Here’s a breakdown of what we did, what we paid using points, and what I’d recommend if you’re planning a family ski trip for the first time too. We love Hyatt properties because it’s easy to stretch your points for amazing value. If you’re new to Hyatt, I break down all the ways to get value in this guide.
Where We Stayed: Grand Hyatt Deer Valley
We used points to book two connecting rooms at the brand-new Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, and it ended up being one of our favorite winter stays ever. The property had only been open for a month, and even though a few areas were still under construction, the experience felt luxurious from the moment we arrived.
Booking Our Stay with Points
We used Hyatt points to cover the entire stay and booked through a Guest of Honor reservation, which unlocked some amazing perks.
Booking Details
- Hyatt Points Used: 20,000 points per room × 2 = 40,000 total points
- Cash Value: $749.03 per room × 2 = $1,498.06 total
- Resort Fees: Waived with Guest of Honor
- Parking Fees: $50 per room, waived
- Out-of-Pocket Total: $0
Want to know how we calculate the value of those points? I walk through that here.
Room Setup for Our Family of Six
We booked one king room and one room with two queen beds, and Hyatt was able to confirm them as connecting. That made all the difference with four kids in tow.
The rooms were spacious and beautifully designed, with cozy beds, large bathrooms, and mountain lodge-style touches. There was enough room to spread out and relax after a full day on the slopes. If you’re a Hyatt elite member (or using Guest of Honor like we did), you can request connecting rooms in advance and avoid resort fees entirely.
Want to start planning a trip like this? Personally, I think it’s one of the best uses of points if you’re traveling during ski season. Check out my favorite flexible points cards that make family trips so much easier.
The property
Even though the hotel was still finishing up the lounge, they offered breakfast at Remington Hall—and it was great.
I ordered the lobster omelette
Still, the real star of the show for me was a hot chocolate.
Delicious food (that I don’t have to cook) with mountain views? Yes, please.
Our favorite things
The Grand Hyatt Deer Valley was clearly designed with families in mind. Here’s what we loved:
Game Room: Ping pong, air hockey, arcade games, and more. Our kids didn’t want to leave.
Heated Outdoor Pool + Hot Tubs: My kids swam while snowflakes fell, and I soaked in the hot tub with mountain views.
On-Site Daycare (Extra Charge): We didn’t use this, but it’s such a thoughtful option if you’re traveling with younger kids
Heated Seats at the Ski Lifts: Located just across the street (we didn’t use them this time, but I want to go back just for that experience!).
Even though some parts of the property weren’t 100% finished, everything that was open already felt high-end and welcoming
What to Know Before You Go
- Construction Update: The hotel was still finalizing some amenities, including the lounge. This year there should be a lot less construction.
- Location: It’s walkable to Deer Valley Resort, but we drove to Park City Mountain for ski school. Deer Valley is now open right in front of the hotel.
- Valet Parking: Required, but was included with our Guest of Honor perks.
- Gear Storage: The hotel offered overnight ski storage, which makes logistics way easier if you are bringing your own gear.
If you’re looking to stretch your points for a luxury ski trip, this is one of the best ways I’ve found to do it. You can read more about Hyatt’s program in this guide.
Skiing for the First Time (With Kids Ages 7–14!)
While the Deer Valley ski resort is literally right across the street from the hotel, we actually drove 14 minutes to Park City Mountain Resort instead. In fact, what sparked this whole trip was a program my sister told me about- it’s available to Utah residents and gives kids in 5th grade and younger free ski school, rentals, and even lunch (Details and link to more info on that below.) Once I heard that, I knew we had to make it happen.
We didn’t know what to expect, but ski school made all the difference. We signed up the whole family—kids and adults included—and I’m so glad we did. My husband and I took lessons on separate bunny hills while the kids had their own group. We all met up for lunch mid-day and ended up having the best time.
My Advice for First-Time Ski Families
- Don’t be intimidated! You don’t have to be super athletic.
- Ski school helps take the pressure off of you to teach your own kids.
- It’s okay if some family members pick it up faster than others—everyone can still have fun.
- Bring layers, take breaks, and enjoy the views.
Here’s a quick reel I made with everything you need to know about ski school so you know exactly what to expect:
Utah Resident Deal Details:
Epic SchoolKids Utah Pack: The Deal That Made This Possible
If you’re a Utah resident and have kids in 5th grade or younger, they can get:
- Free lift tickets
- Free ski school
- Free rentals
- Free lunch on the day of ski school
That adds up to hundreds in savings. You’ll just need to sign them up online and show proof of Utah residency.
More details here:
Adult Costs (with Epic Pass Discount)
- Ski Rentals: $41 per adult (normally $52)
- Ski School: $220 per adult (normally $275)
- Includes 9am–3pm lesson, rental, and lunch
It’s a great deal for anyone using the Epic system, especially locals.
| Expense | Cash Value | Points Used | Out-of-Pocket Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Hyatt Deer Valley | $1,598.06 | 40,000 Hyatt Points | $0 |
| Ski School + Rentals (2 adults) | ~$522 | N/A | $522 |
| Kids’ Ski School (3 kids) | ~$1,500 | Covered by Epic SchoolKids | $0 |
| Total Trip Value | ~$3,620 | 40,000 points | $522 |
Want to Book a Trip Like This?
You can recreate this trip using points just like we did. Here’s a list of my favorite cards that make planning a family ski trip to Deer Valley using points possible:
Find them here
Ready to start earning free family travel? Download my Free Beginner Guide and learn how to book trips like our family ski trip Deer Valley points getaway
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