Set 45 minutes’ drive east of Salt Lake City in the Wasatch Mountains, Deer Valley is high — very high. Sitting at 2,000m, its altitude can make it hard for the unacclimated to sleep and stay hydrated. But, on the plus side, it’s often exceptionally snowy. The ski-only resort is largely staffed by retired business execs, of which Michael is one. The theory being that someone who’s worked at the top knows more about service — and life — than a fresh-out-of-college ski bum.