Published October 8, 2026, 11:08 AM Mountain Time
Olympic skiing legend Ted Ligety, a two-time gold medalist renowned for his dominance in Giant Slalom, is now navigating a different kind of terrain: the playful, snow-dusted slopes of Deer Valley Resort with his three young children. While his professional career was defined by blistering speed and precision turns, Ligety’s current ski days are a testament to the joy of family adventure, often dictated by the enthusiasms of his sons, nine-year-old Jax, and six-year-old twins Al and Will. These cherished family moments at the resort where Ligety himself learned to ski are now being shared with a wider audience, featured in a segment of the latest Warren Miller film, "Days Off," which kicks off its North American tour this month.
The new film’s inclusion of the Ligety family underscores the enduring appeal of skiing as a shared family activity and highlights Deer Valley’s suitability as a premier destination for multi-generational mountain experiences. Ligety’s insights offer a practical guide for families looking to maximize their time on the slopes, blending his expert knowledge with the unfiltered delight of childhood exploration.
A Legacy Carved in Snow: Ligety’s Deer Valley Roots
For Ted Ligety, Deer Valley is more than just a ski resort; it’s a foundational landscape of his life. "It’s the place I learned how to ski, so it feels like home," Ligety commented. This deep personal connection is palpable as he watches his sons emulate the adventurous spirit he once embraced. "It’s fun to watch my kids ski and hit all the side jumps that I hit as a kid," he added, recalling his own youthful explorations. This sentiment resonates with many who grew up in ski towns, where the local mountain becomes an extension of their childhood memories and a canvas for new family narratives.
The inclusion in a Warren Miller film, a franchise synonymous with ski culture for over seven decades, marks a significant milestone for the Ligety family. Warren Miller Entertainment has been documenting and celebrating the sport since 1949, consistently capturing the essence of skiing’s allure. "Days Off" promises to continue this tradition, and the Ligety family’s segment offers a heartwarming counterpoint to the high-octane, extreme skiing often featured, emphasizing the accessible joys of family skiing. Screenings for "Days Off" are available through the official Warren Miller website, with locations and dates posted for the North American tour.
Crafting the Perfect Deer Valley Family Ski Day: Ligety’s Blueprint
Ligety’s approach to a family ski day at Deer Valley is a masterclass in balancing the needs of young skiers with the desire for a fulfilling mountain experience. His strategy is built around efficiency, fun, and leveraging the resort’s renowned amenities.
Harnessing Deer Valley’s Signature Service
The initial hurdle for any family embarking on a ski day is the logistics of gear and getting everyone ready. Ligety highlights Deer Valley’s "white glove hospitality" not as an indulgence, but as a practical necessity. "Anyone who’s wrestled three kids onto the hill in the morning knows that help schlepping gear is not a luxury you turn down," he stated. The resort’s reputation for exceptional guest services, including readily available assistance with equipment at the base, significantly smooths the often-chaotic process of family preparation. This attention to detail, a hallmark of Deer Valley since its inception in 1981, allows parents to focus on the experience rather than the struggle of logistics, setting a relaxed tone from the outset.
Embracing the Enchantment of the Trees
For the Ligety boys, the adventure often begins in the natural playground of the forest. "The Ligety boys start almost every day beelining it into the trees," Ligety explained. This preference for wooded terrain speaks to the growing trend of integrating natural features into family ski experiences. Two specific areas exemplify this: Aspen Slalom, a gentle glade off the Sterling Express lift adorned with playful "gates" tied to aspen trees, and Ruby’s Tail, a more exhilarating, gully-like run beneath the Ruby Express lift, reminiscent of a natural luge track. These designated tree trails, strategically spread across the mountain, offer a sense of discovery and exploration beyond typical designated children’s areas. Deer Valley has consistently invested in enhancing its family-friendly offerings, recognizing that engaging young skiers often means providing them with varied and exciting environments.
The Allure of Impeccable Grooming
Despite his sons’ penchant for trees, Ligety emphasizes that no day at Deer Valley is complete without experiencing the resort’s world-famous groomed runs. "A day at Deer Valley isn’t complete without skiing the resort’s signature corduroy," he asserted. For Ligety, the feeling of carving high-speed turns on the meticulously maintained slopes remains a core part of the skiing experience. His personal favorite for these classic Giant Slalom-style turns, often shared with his eldest son Jax, is the Wizard run, accessed by the Wasatch Express. This blend of expert skiing and accessible grooming caters to a wide range of skill levels, a key factor in Deer Valley’s enduring popularity since its opening.
The Sweet Motivator: Deer Valley’s Iconic Cookies
A practical, yet crucial, element of Ligety’s family ski day strategy is the strategic deployment of snacks. He readily acknowledges the power of Deer Valley’s legendary fresh-baked cookies. "Every seasoned ski parent knows the importance of pocket snacks, and Ligety says Deer Valley’s famous cookies are a favorite with his crew," the article notes. These chocolate chip delights serve as both a reward and a motivator, ensuring the boys remain energized and enthusiastic throughout their day on the mountain. This simple yet effective tactic is a common strategy employed by parents worldwide to keep young skiers engaged.
Fueling Friendly Competition: The NASTAR Course
With a father who is a former World Cup champion, it’s unsurprising that speed and competition are ingrained in the Ligety family’s skiing DNA. The family frequently gravitates towards the NASTAR (National Amateur Ski Racing Association) course located on Bald Mountain. The twins, Al and Will, reportedly relish the head-to-head racing aspect, while Jax enjoys challenging his mother, Mia, in friendly duels. Ligety humorously admits that the primary difficulty lies in encouraging his sons to conclude their racing endeavors. "The hardest part is getting the boys to leave," he confessed, "I have to pump the brakes on how many runs they take." The accessibility of NASTAR courses at resorts like Deer Valley provides a fun, structured way for skiers of all ages to test their skills against the clock and each other.
A Mid-Mountain Respite: Lunch at Silver Lake Lodge
When lunchtime arrives, Silver Lake Lodge emerges as Ligety’s preferred destination, particularly on sunny days. "If it’s sunny out, being at the beach is second to none," he enthused, referring to the lodge’s expansive deck and vibrant atmosphere. While the children typically opt for crowd-pleasing chicken fingers and fries, Ligety favors the tacos. The true genius of this choice, however, lies in the lodge’s proximity to beginner-friendly lifts. "The best part of Silver Lake," Ligety explained, "is that the kids will eat and then go run the Magic Carpet or ski down to Judge Chairlift and lap ‘Toilet Bowl’ [an unmarked tree trail] so we can eat in peace." This strategic positioning allows for a brief period of adult relaxation while the children continue their explorations in a safe, controlled environment.
Exploring the Frontiers: Deer Valley’s Expanded Terrain
The recent expansion of Deer Valley Resort, which more than doubled its skiable acreage, has opened up a vast new playground for families like the Ligetys. Ligety noted the excitement of exploring these new runs during the previous winter, as the novelty was shared by everyone. He expressed anticipation for more powder days on the north-facing slopes of Hellcat and Nemesis, accessed by the Revelator Express lift, which officially opened in January 2026. Meanwhile, his sons are drawn to the tree-skiing opportunities on Age of Reason and the unique experience of skiing all the way down to the newly developed East Village. This expansion represents a significant investment in the resort’s future, aiming to provide more diverse terrain and accommodate growing visitor numbers, thereby enhancing its appeal to both seasoned skiers and families.
The Grand Finale: Aprés-Ski at Snow Park Lodge
The culmination of a perfect family ski day, according to Ligety, is the aprés-ski experience at Snow Park Lodge. This informal gathering provides a relaxed atmosphere where he and Mia can enjoy live music and refreshments. Simultaneously, the children can continue their playful energy, either by skiing laps on the Snowflake Chairlift or engaging in snow-based activities. This post-ski ritual offers a transition from the active day to a more social, unwinding period, reinforcing the overall positive experience.
The Enduring Goal: Fostering a Lifelong Love for Skiing
At the heart of Ted Ligety’s approach to family skiing lies a profound desire to cultivate a lasting passion for the sport in his children. "More than anything, Ligety says he wants his kids to love skiing and to do it as a lifelong activity," the article states. His ultimate aspiration, delivered with a characteristic chuckle, is that his children will eventually ski with him, not the other way around. He attributes Deer Valley’s success in achieving this goal to its diverse terrain, which naturally encourages children to ski for extended periods, thereby improving their skills organically. Furthermore, as a long-time resident of the Park City area, Ligety acknowledges the immense privilege of having such a world-class resort "right in our backyard." This proximity and access to high-quality skiing are, for him, a source of immense gratitude and a key factor in his children’s burgeoning love for the mountains. The continued investment by Deer Valley in family-friendly amenities and diverse terrain ensures its position as a premier destination for fostering the next generation of skiers.
