Deer Valley Resort Founder Edgar B. Stern is one of the new 2015 Hall of Famers.  Stern was recognized for revolutionizing the ski industry by combining the sport of skiing with the service, food and amenities of a fine hotel. When Deer Valley Resort opened December 26, 1981, the phrase “Deer Valley Difference” became synonymous with elite hospitality and charm that can only come from an extensive background in the luxury hotel business. Stern brought amenities like valet ski service, parking lot shuttles, on-site child care, complimentary ski check, immaculately groomed and (formerly) uncrowded ski slopes and the finest on-mountain cuisine.

“Edgar Stern is nothing short of a ski pioneer,” said Bob Wheaton, president and general manager of Deer Valley Resort. “His benchmarks have resulted in Deer Valley consistently earning…numerous accolades.”

Stern is also responsible for luring the U.S. Ski Team to Park City, Utah, and spotting-lighting Deer Valley for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games as well as international and world competitions for 17 consecutive years.

With the addition of the Class of 2015, Stern will be among 410 honored members. “Each member of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2015, including Edgar Stern, was a remarkable leader as an athlete or sport builder,” said U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Chairman Tom Kelly. “So much of what all of us enjoy in our sport today has emanated from the outstanding honored members of the Hall of Fame.”

Stern passed away in 2008, but his legacy remains the cornerstone of the “Deer Valley Difference.” Numerous worthy organizations have and continue to be the beneficiaries of Stern’s time and resources, including Ballet West, the National Ability Center, Utah Special Olympics, Kimball Art Center, the Salt Lake Symphony and more.

Stern’s induction to the Ski Hall of Fame will take place in Aspen, CO, on April 9, 2016, with a special enshrinement ceremony weekend for all 2015 inductees at the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum in Ishpeming, MI, the following September.

Photo courtesy Snowbird Resort

Richard Daniel “Dick” Bass, Everest mountaineer and Snowbird Resort co-founder has reached the “eighth summit.” The Oklahoma native passed away in his Dallas, Texas, home Sunday, July 26, 2015, at 85, and the sentiments and Facebook comments continue to pour in.

“I remember Mr. Bass standing in the lift line on Peruvian just a few years ago, greeting all of his guests. What an honor to have known Snowbird in the Dick Bass era – may it continue in his spirit,” commented Andrea Korval.

“RIP To the legendary Dick Bass. He changed the sport of skiing forever for the better. His death is a great loss to so many who have had their lives changed by one great man. I am thankful for having met him several times and for him having given me “lifetime piano privileges” in the resort. I was lucky to know ragtime music, one of his favorites. He inspired me to ski, to play music, and to appreciate a beautiful canyon. Thanks Dick!” posted Ron Rubin.

And Roger Thomas lovingly wrote: “Dick, the world will never see another soul like you. Thanks for all the adventures of yours that you always shared with us, and thanks even more for creating SnowBird, the place that we’ve all had so many of our own adventures at! I hope the powder is always deep and fluffy for you in your adventures in the next realm!”

Bass made history when he tackled the highest points on each of the seven continents, finishing his journey of the “seven summits” by conquering Mount Everest at the age of 55. He had partnered with Ted Johnson in 1971 to develop Snowbird Resort and was the sole owner until he sold a majority interest to Ian Cumming last May. Bass had been suffering from pulmonary fibrosis but lived a long rich life surrounded by loving fans and family.

“The Snowbird family is mourning the loss of a great man who changed so many of our lives for the better,” said Snowbird President Bob Bonar, who worked for Bass since before the resort opened.

Snowbird is set to premiere their new Hidden Peak Lodge this season; something Bass championed for nearly two decades. It’s sad that he wasn’t able to live to see this stunning addition to the world-famous ski area. It will be no surprise if they dedicate the building to him.

Bass is survived by wife Alice, four children and 13 grandchildren, as well as five step-children and 11 step-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Friday, July 31, 4 p.m., at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas, Texas.

Treasure Mountain, Park City Ski Area, Park City Mountain Resort, PCMR. Now Vail Resorts has put a new name on the 50+ year-old ski area’s business card- Park City Mountain. The rebranding (the first since the mid-1990s) will go full-bore public in a week or so.

Colorado-based Vail finally got their mittens on PCMR in 2014 after acquiring the lease on (The) Canyons Resort in 2013 and is in the process of linking the two into a single property. The lift line for the new Interconnect Gondola is already in and foundations are being poured for the lift towers.

“Unveiling our new brand will mark a historic day for Park City Mountain. The ambitious $50 million capital improvement project to connect Park City and Canyons to create the largest resort in the U.S. is well underway and we are excited to share the new identity of the combined resort with our community,” said Bill Rock, the chief operating officer at PCMR (PCM?). Notice the missing “The” in his statement.

Park City Ski Area became PCMR when Powdr Corp. moved onto the property in 1996. The new owners were out to play nice with snowboarding, just like USSA did when they started calling themselves the United States Ski and Snowboard Association rather than the United States Ski Association.

So now Park City Mountain Resort becomes Park City Mountain and Canyons becomes ‘Canyons at Park City.’ Are we confused yet? The Vail Resorts statement said it would “continue to maintain the unique history and atmosphere of the two base areas with differentiated marketing for the diverse hotel and hospitality experiences.” Um, okay. Not really a whole lot of differences between the two areas that would need preserving but whatever.

VR plans to release more details at a public party July 29. A new logo and a redone trail map will also be unveiled.