Intel’s latest Panther Lake laptop has been its most convincing argument against AMD in a long time. Packed into some of my favourite 2026 laptops so far, such as the Asus Zenbook Duo (2026), the top-end chips have delivered on Intel’s promise to provide meaningful gains where it matters on the CPU side, plus beefy GPU performance that takes it to AMD’s Strix Halo chips.
My first thought when I got my hands on one of the top-end Core Ultra X9 388H chips was: “How well would this do in a handheld gaming PC?” – sure enough, rumours soon began swirling that Intel would eventually put all of that Panther Lake power into handheld PCs. We didn’t know when or where it might go, but it seemed to be coming.
It seems that Computex is the battleground where Intel is choosing to do battle in handheld gaming, as we now know that Acer’s upcoming Predator Atlas 8 is coming with Intel’s shiny new G3 and G3 Extreme chips, supporting up to the full-fat B390 integrated graphics that wowed me in laptops with its surprising potent gaming results, and the benefit of its XeSS 3 upscaler with multi-frame-gen and all the rest of it.
Intel previously claimed that the B390 iGPU ran some 73% faster than the competing Radeon 890M that you’ll find in Ryzen Z2 Extreme-powered handhelds such as the MSI Claw A8 BZ2EM and the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, along with a lower power draw. It’s worth noting that those claims were made regarding a laptop form factor, and packing all that grunt into handheld gaming PCs and expecting everything to play ball isn’t easy.
After all, in a gaming handheld, thermal headroom is everything, and as much as raw power is important, it’s how the outright grunt is managed at lower wattages that’s just as important if you want it to last longer than a matter of minutes on a charge. Handhelds are thinner and lighter than a comparable gaming laptop, and therefore have less cooling to play with.
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We’ve seen inklings of what might be to come with the handful of firms who’ve attempted to put an AMD Strix Halo chip in a handheld form factor, where they’ve become bigger and bulkier than the comparable Ryzen Z2 Extreme-powered choices, as it’s difficult to manage the raw power of a Ryzen AI Max 395+ without needing oodles of cooling, not to mention a hefty battery (that’s sometimes detachable) to keep it powered up in the case of GPD, for instance.
The problem Intel has traditionally faced with both its discrete and integrated graphics is with the maturity of its drivers and the stability of its performance in the real-world. AMD has been into this whole graphics thing much longer than Intel has, and it shows under extended loads.
While the performance of the last-gen Intel Arc 140V iGPU in the MSI Claw 8 AI+ was quite strong in benchmark testing, some folks online have reported issues with stutters and general stability, which underscores Intel’s genuinely impressive gains on the GPU side we’ve seen with the Intel Arc B580 and B570 over its first-gen Arc Alchemist cards, plus how strong the iGPU in its Lunar Lake score of laptop chips.
To its credit, the Predator Atlas 8 at least looks the part, too. The 8-inch 1920×1200 display at 120Hz is exactly what you’d want for solid results in a variety of games with the B390’s graphical grunt,, the 80Whr battery is reassuringly large and matches other handhelds, and hall-effect analog triggers plus full-size thumbsticks are a pleasant addition in any case. Acer’s Aeroblade cooling should give the G3 Extreme a fighting chance at sustained performance — and with Windows 11 and Xbox FSE on board, Microsoft’s push for a credible SteamOS alternative gets another interesting vehicle.
The other key issue that Intel faces, and it isn’t something that’s necessarily down to them, is with price. With the memory crisis in tow, we’ve seen the current crop of AMD-powered handhelds pushing four figures in price, and I dread to think how much the likes of Acer, MSI and OneXPlayer are going to charge for a Panther Lake-powered, premium handheld.
We’ve already seen how horrible the hardware industry is right now, even for current releases — Valve has just introduced a near 50% price hike for the humble Steam Deck in its current 512GB and 1TB variants, pushing the top-end model to nearly $1000, making it more costly than a PS5 Pro. The market these Panther Lake handhelds are entering is not a friendly one, and if Intel and its hardware partners are expecting them to make a big splash, they’ve got to overcome some genuinely rotten conditions to do it.
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Of course, only time will tell as to how well the G3 and G3 Extreme-powered handhelds fare in more standardised benchmark testing and extended use, but even on a press release alone, I remain hopeful. Acer is targeting an optimistic October 2026 release date for the Predator Atlas 8, so we’ve only got a few more months to wait until we find out if Intel’s handheld gamble finally pays off.
Deer Valley’s new terrain expansion is one of the most ambitious projects in modern skiing. The resort plans to nearly double its skiable terrain while maintaining the industry-leading standards it’s known for. We spent an extended trip in early 2026 skiing the new footprint alongside Deer Valley representatives and Olympic skier Fuzz Feddersen to see how it all came together.
Construction is still ongoing, and this season marked the worst snow year in Deer Valley’s history. Even so, we found the new terrain diverse and distinct, yet seamlessly integrated into the legacy Deer Valley experience.
This guide introduces the terrain, lifts, and base-area amenities in Deer Valley’s East Village so you can make the most of the Expanded Excellence initiative.
East Village: A Second Front Door
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.
Deer Valley East Village is seamlessly connected on the slopes, but geographically separate from the main resort, and that separation works in its favor. Accessed via US-189, it bypasses Park City traffic entirely.
Yes, it’s still a work in progress. You’ll see active construction throughout the base area. But the core infrastructure is already in place, and it functions like a fully supported ski base. What’s here now works and what’s coming will only enhance it.
The East Village base area delivers the Deer Valley essentials: free parking, rental shop, ski valet, and East Village Restaurant, where a bowl of the resort’s signature chili tastes especially good on a cold afternoon.
Where to Stay in East Village (25/26 Season)
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.
For the 25/26 season, the clear lodging choice is the newly completed Grand Hyatt. It offers a signature restaurant, on-site Ski Butlers rentals, a full spa, and shuttle service to Park City and Snow Park. There’s no ski-in/ski-out access yet, but a short shuttle brings you directly to the East Village base.
Additional hotels are expected to open for 26/27, which will further transform East Village into a true walkable ski hub.
We found the Grand Hyatt welcoming and highly functional, particularly with Ski Butlers on-site and a massive locker room that makes gearing up painless. Their High Hot Chocolate service, modeled after high tea but featuring locally processed cocoa, may become a new tradition for us. It’s indulgent enough to stand in for a light meal or serve as a sweet reset between Park City’s famously rich dinners.
The only logistical wrinkle is shuttle coverage. Service does not extend to Empire Canyon (Fireside Dining) or Silver Lake (Stein Eriksen Lodge, Mariposa), so a bit of planning is required. Still, between Snow Park (St. Regis, Cast & Cut) and downtown Park City, dining options are abundant. With new hotels opening next season, you may soon be able to walk to a different restaurant every night and still not try them all.
Snow Science: The Engine Behind the Expansion
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.
Deer Valley’s reputation has always been built on snow quality, from immaculate corduroy to sophisticated snowmaking. The expansion continues that legacy in a serious way.
The new terrain draws most of its water from Jordanelle Reservoir. Roughly 80 miles of new snowmaking pipe now support more than 1,200 high-efficiency snow guns. The reservoir isn’t just scenic, it’s foundational.
What’s more impressive is the sustainability loop. Deer Valley is allocated just 1% of the reservoir’s available water. Through dedicated irrigation channels, approximately 80% of that allotment is returned by season’s end. Combined with an expanded grooming fleet, that system allowed the resort to open a record number of runs during a historically hot and dry winter.
If you’re wondering how the terrain skied so well in a lean year, this is your answer.
East Village Gondola: The Spine of the New Terrain
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.
The 10-passenger high-speed East Village Gondola is one of the two primary lifts out of the base area. It’s a 15-minute, 3,000-vertical-foot ride to Park Peak (9,350’), with a mid-station at Big Dutch Peak (8,170’).
From Park Peak, you access some of Utah’s longest runs along with terrain served by Pinyon Express and the Vulcan Express / Revelator Express lifts.
Green Monster is the headline act: a 4.85-mile green descent between Park Peak and Baldy Mountain, nearly 40% longer than Park City Mountain’s Home Run. It weaves between two blues: Carbonite, which drops along the ridge, and Age of Reason, which follows the valley floor.
Deer Valley partnered with longtime Mountain Host Michael O’Malley to name the new terrain in ways that honor both local mining history and the resort’s evolving identity. “Green Monster” references a Wasatch County copper mine, though you’ll never convince me there isn’t a double entendre for the 37-foot-tall wall in Fenway Park that has foiled many home runs. Common sense tells us that “Age of Reason” is an homage to Thomas Paine, and I could imagine cruising down the exposed ridge would freeze you like the compound that imprisoned Han Solo. However, “Carbonite” is a nod to Park City’s silver mining legacy.
Names aside, the terrain progression is smart. Carbonite offers a manageable ridge experience before committing to Redemption Ridge. And if confidence wavers, Green Monster provides a bailout.
Another thoughtful touch is Corduroy Lunch. Select freshly groomed terrain off the gondola’s mid-station remains roped until noon. Carving fresh tracks midday is a true afternoon delight.
Keetley Express: The Connector
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.
Keetley Express is the other primary East Village lift and likely the fastest gateway back to legacy Deer Valley terrain. After the 1.25-mile ride up, a short ski down Road to Sultan brings you to Sultan Express.
Of course, you have to take Sultan up the mountain before you get back to skiing. That sets you up for over 5 continuous miles of green runs if you combine Homeward Bound with McHenry, or take a run on the classic black Stein’s Way. You could also use connectors to access the lower half of Green Monster or McHenry directly, or try the plethora of intermediate runs off Keetley Point.
Advanced skiers should keep Keetley on their radar as well. When conditions align, it’s a sneaky access point to Mayflower Bowl and its quiet pocket of expert terrain.
Aurora: Small but Essential
Photo Credit: Jenn Coleman.
Aurora is easy to underestimate. It’s only about 700 feet long and takes two minutes to ride, but it plays a crucial role.
It’s the return lift from McHenry, which connects directly to Silver Lake Lodge, and it services Keetley Point terrain. There’s also a confusing sign near the top of Aurora on Green Monster directing skiers left toward East Village. If you follow it, you’ll earn a short Aurora ride, and remember to hang right next time if you want to return directly to Keetley and the gondola.
These lifts rise from one of the steepest valleys in the Deer Valley footprint, so steep that lift towers had to be installed by helicopter.
Redemption Ridge is the signature descent, often described as Stein’s Way on steroids. At roughly twice the length of Stein’s, it drops 2,700 vertical feet over 2.5 miles. Once you commit, you’re in it, with steeper, more technical lines breaking off the ridgeline into the valley.
If that feels ambitious, start on Stein’s to calibrate. Carbonite also offers a similar exposed-ridge experience that’s much more forgiving. But If the snow is right and you can hang, Redemption could be your saving grace from the Bambi Basin blues.
Pinyon Express: High-Alpine Access for Everyone
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.
Pinyon Express and Revelator both reach Park Peak, but their personalities diverge from there.
Pinyon serves a beginner-friendly zone on the north side of Park Peak, allowing newer skiers to experience high-mountain terrain without intimidation. Clipper stands out because it also connects the East Village Gondola back into legacy Deer Valley terrain, but there are multiple easy route options.
Because Pinyon sits right at the boundary between old and new terrain, it functions as a seamless crossover point. Novice skiers and ski classes can access this alpine playground from either side of the resort.
The Future of Deer Valley Is Already Underfoot
Photo Credit: Deer Valley Resort.
It would be easy to judge an expansion like this on acreage alone. Nearly doubling skiable terrain is headline material in any snow year, let alone the driest season in resort history. But what impressed us most wasn’t the scale; it was the intention.
Expanded Excellence doesn’t feel bolted on. It feels studied. Deliberate. The lift placements make sense. The terrain progression makes sense. Even the names tell a story. You can ski a 4.85-mile green down Green Monster, test your mettle on Redemption Ridge, duck into legacy terrain off Keetley, and end the day with corduroy that rivals anything Deer Valley has ever groomed, all without feeling like you’ve left the original footprint of the resort.
That’s no small feat.
Skiing with Olympic veteran Fuzz Feddersen gave us an insider’s lens, but even without that access, the throughline is obvious: Deer Valley isn’t chasing growth for growth’s sake. They’re building a second front door that will eventually feel as iconic as Snow Park or Silver Lake, and they’re doing it with the same snow science, guest service, and meticulous grooming that built their reputation in the first place.
East Village still hums with construction equipment. You’ll see cranes on the skyline and fresh dirt where hotels will soon rise. But beneath that temporary noise is something permanent: infrastructure that works, terrain that skis well in lean years, and a blueprint that positions Deer Valley for the next several decades.
If this was Expanded Excellence in the worst snow year on record, it’s hard to imagine what it will feel like in a banner winter.
One thing is certain: the future of Deer Valley isn’t coming. It’s already here!
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Disclosure: A big thank you to Deer Valley Resort for hosting us, setting up a fantastic itinerary, and usage of some of the images throughout (image credit in hover text ).
As always, the views and opinions expressed are entirely our own, and we only recommend brands and destinations that we 100% stand behind.
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Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman aka Coleman Concierge. In a nutshell, we are a Huntsville-based Gen X couple sharing our stories of amazing adventures through activity-driven transformational and experiential travel.
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