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Brighton Ski Area
Rating Details »
14 reviews for Brighton Ski Area
Brighton is the best resort in Utah if you want a pure, un-yuppied ski or snowboard experience. One of the best kept secrets of the Utah snow resorts, Brighton is really a locals only kind of feel, which is why I like it. Brighton hasn't given into the condos, upscale restaurants or other bullshit that resorts like The Canyons and Deer Valley throw in. The mountain has a ton of variety and is well laid out for anyone from a beginner to expert. I can take my friends there and show them how to ride, starting em out on Majestic. Then I can go throw down some double blacks off of Great Western just as easily! The park isn't fantastic, but it isn't terrible either. Plus Brighton gets more snow than almost any of the other resorts in Utah, except Alta and their holier-than-thou skiers only mentality.
The lodge there has fairly priced food (for a resort), the Molley Green bar is just good times. The lift tickets are fairly priced, it used to be kids under 12 skied free but now I guess it's just 6 and under. Too bad, planned on taking my kids here for a long time to show them how to ride.
Overall, if you want luxury and over priced fluff, go to Park City and get the hell off my mountain. If you want to just get on the mountain and enjoy a lot of variety with fantastic snow, hit Brighton.
You know, I really don't have an opinion on Brighton. It's a cool little mountain, nice night riding/skiing, cool people working there, pretty busy place, but the mountain was just kind of blah. $65 for a lift ticket isn't bad, but it was a bit pricey compared to other mountains.
Lots of flats that you really have to bomb, the area was tracked out pretty quickly as well for having 10" come in the night before. Not one thing really stands out for me here. No awesome run and outside a few powder stashes, it was just a mellow, cruising day. Not that this is bad, but nothing to kick it up to 4 stars in my book.
Nice place, pretty cool, but I'd hit Powder Mountain if I was in Utah again.
It's not as big or challenging as any of the other resorts within driving distance of Salt Lake, but Brighton's not as crowded either.
Maybe it's because I came here with a bunch of friends, but I really like this place. The snow's nice and fluffy as only Utah/Colorado snow can get.
I really felt like if I waited long enough I could have a run to myself here. Nothing better than that feeling.
Not a good place for boarders, esp if you're going there for the first time and/or trying to teach your friends.
The terrain has too many stretches of flat ground - uphill, even. Hello! Aren't we supposed to go D-o-w-n-hill? Friends and I ended up having to take off our boards and hiked a good distance, put them on, before hitting another flat/uphill spot. Fuck. I got cramps in my thighs after the second run.
One of the stars goes to the view from the peak. Absolutely gorgeous.
The other star goes to the fact that we got away with riding regular lifts with just beginners tickets. Hey I wouldn't have paid more anyway.
I must also note that the ski patrol is absolutely outstanding. One of my friends injured herself and the patrollers took great care of her. They even had medical doctors on staff in the patrol room.
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I grew up in Northern California with our cali concrete this place was only twenty minutes away from my place in Midvale! Then on top of it, real powder! I would almost hit this place daily just to perfect my boarding skills. Not alot of crowds and I enjoyed the scenic drive in.
Loved it. My favorite of the three days I went boarding. Nice wide runs. It is difficult to get from one lift to another, they don't conveniently run into each other like other resorts do, but the runs are fun with the trees. Not as elaborate and as nice as Canyons, but def. gets the job done. There are areas that go up, just don't lose your momentum, that's what makes it fun.
Brighton was not originally designed for boarders, because boards didn't come out until years after this resort opened. It was the first Utah resort to allow boards (Boarder Bob) and still is the local boarding kids hang out. It is also a great place to access wicked backcountry chutes via the milly chair and a short hike up the ridge to the Wolverine Cirque or head over to Mt. Tuscarora a grab a line down the main chute. This area is only for those experienced in avalanche protection skills with xterme skiing skills.
You can experience night skiing here and water down your thirst at Molly Greens. Even grab a city bus and avoid the drive up the canyon or stay at the Brighton Lodge's warm rooms and get first chair up in the morning.
i agree that for boarders its not as friendly cuz the trails are a lot more narrow... still we had a good time just riding the blue trails...
snow wasn't as nice as it was at solitude tho... and the view wasn't as great cuz its a much smaller mountain
wasn't crowded at all so didn't make a difference... this place was still great!
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Not crowded at all today, Friday. You would wait less than a minute at the lifts. Granted, it was snowing all morning, but the afternoon turned out to be really nice. I think this place was not designed for boarders since there are flat areas. If you're a boarder, you just gotta plow through the Snake Creek Express area or else you'd be walking. Wow I love the snow out here vs places in California. Screw CA, i'm going to Utah!
I Love Brighton. Here's why:
* Kids can ski the entire mountain and feel like a king. Can't do that at Snowbird or Alta
* Great lifts. Snake Creek, kids favorite lift - laps all day. Great Western, great lift. Crest Express, fun. Explorer - as good as Chickadee to teach a 3 year old how to ski. Majestic - keeps the snowboarders off of everything else.
* Snowboarders love the terrain park. It is fun to ride up Majestic and watch them and drop in on occasion.
* Lodge - the best in Utah. We seriously don't need any of this overpriced gaudy resort stuff. Huge deck, eat your sack lunch upstairs, and easy access for the kids when they get cold.
* Night Skiing. Don't have time during the day? Best place to get in your turns.
* Ticket Price - does not entirely break the bank. Though I am not sure how anyone can afford to take three kids skiing anymore.
* Pure Utah. Locals only please. If you want a $15 sandwich, go to Park City.
* Lines - used to be a big problem at Brighton, not anymore.
Wish list:
* Used to be that kids under 12 skied for free, now it's only six and under. It was very unlike Brighton to change that policy.
* Please don't go corporate (owned by CNL) like your Big Cottonwood Canyon sister at Solitude. Solitude lost its soul when it built all of those condos, huge lodges, and went corporate. Let's hope Brighton can hold out as long as possible.
* What's up with the huge hike up a snow bank from the ticket counter to Majestic? I would put a nicely designed set of stairs on my Christmas list.
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Brighton is great on so many levels...amazing snow, nice wide runs, awesome employees, and plenty of blue and green runs (perfect for beginners like me). I think I've found my new favorite ski resort!
People thought this was:
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This place is great on a sunny winter day. Everyone is friendly and the restaurant is situated at the convergence of most of the runs. This is quite convenient if you need an early afternoon 'breather' or late afternoon pick-me-up.
This is the place all the local park rats go. Park City has a better park, but this one's good for riding with your friends. Brighton has the best tree runs and stays fresh all day after a strom, if you know where to look. Night skiing is fun, but damn cold. There's lots of nice groomers. Be sure to check out your pics from the day at http://www.starphotout.../
Brighton is probably not originally designed for boarders, but there are some excellent runs after a fresh coat of snow. The "Twilight" ticket is a great option for some afternoon to evening snowboarding from 12:30-9PM, and only $53. There are a lot of open spaces so you can take your time and go at your own pace without having to worry about getting hit or dodging beginners. There are some flat parts, but you can definitely find quite a few runs that don't have that, and the flat parts are pretty easy to deal with because there is always a pretty steep part right before so you can easily gain some speed before going down. The staff is friendly, especially at the repair shop; I got my board waxed, and the guy was finished within 20 minutes, and also gave me a free stomp pad. In the evening the lighting is pretty good compared with some other night-ski resorts I've been to, and a lot less people so you can really just enjoy the slopes. The runs are more intermediate but the soft snow definitely makes up for it, and even when I did fall a few times it didn't hurt as much. I also saw some good obstacles to do tricks on for those that are interested.
