Brian Head Resort

Winter in Brian Head

The best snow on Earth, a family environment, and affordable pricing make Brian Head Resort ideal for everyone. And with a mini zip-line, mountain biking, alpine slide, and more in the summer, the fun never stops.

While Brian Head Resort has recently gone through major renovations to modernize their amenities and base lodges, they still take an old-school approach to running the mountain. This means Brian Head has everything you want in a Utah ski resort — champagne powder and expertly groomed runs, minus the crowds, short lift lines, and ticket prices that don’t break the bank. The resort prides itself on providing a relaxed, super friendly ski experience perfect for first-timers and families. Don’t be surprised if you’re greeted with a “how’s it going?” or a “hey there, what’s up?!” because staff recognizes you from your visit. Here you’re just like family—minus the head noogies.

Covering over 650 acres, the resort has two connected mountains, Giant Steps, and Navajo, offering 71 runs and 8 chair lifts, two of which are high-speed quads. The newly branded terrain parks, named collectively The Training Grounds, feature a construction theme with 20-plus new features. Training Grounds consists of two progressive park areas, Detour, and Bypass, allowing visitors to improve their park skills with a state-of-the-art setup.

Brian Head Resort has partnered with Snow Operating LLC to bring you Terrain Based Learning™. Simply put, Terrain Based Learning™ uses shaped and sculpted snow to make learning to ski and snowboard easier, quicker, and more fun.

Here’s the real scoop—powder days at Brian Head are truly awesome. With very few hardcore locals to ski it out, you can ride fresh powder run after run. It’s not uncommon to be riding powder days after the storm has passed.

Just the Mountain Facts:

Average Annual Snowfall: 360”+
Vertical Drop Serviced by Lift: 1320’ Hike-able: 1548′
Base Elevation: 9600’
Top Elevation: 10,970’
Hours of Operation: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Mon – Fri) 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Sat, Sun & holidays)
Skiable Acres: 650
% Beg. Terrain: 40%
% Int. Terrain: 40%
% Adv. Terrain: 20%
Number of Runs: 71
Snowboarding Allowed: Yes
Acres Snow Making: 215
Child Care on Premise: No
Adaptive Program: Yes
Lift-Service Tubing: Yes
Miles to Major Airport (LV): 210
Terrain Parks: 3

Begin a journey of a thousand thrills at Brian Head.

Skiing and Boarding

Brian Head receives over 360+ inches of famous Utah powder every year. The resort features Utah’s highest base elevation of 9,600 ft. with a lift-served vertical drop of 1,320 ft. from Giant Steps. Brian Head Resort has improved its mountain experience with renovated lodges, new tubing hill, new night skiing options, and magic carpet surface lifts. The resort offers over 650 acres with eight chairlifts and 71 runs. Your can also take flight at the revamped terrain parks that offer countless features for all skill levels

Snowtubing

With two tubing hills located at both Giant Steps and Navajo Mountains, this winter activity is great for the whole family. Surface lifts provide easy access to the top of the hill with 600 ft. and 550 ft. long courses. For quality assurance and to secure a tubing session, please call (866) 930-1010 for reservations, or check www.brianhead.com for more information.

Night Skiing and Boarding

Offered Thursday – Saturday on the Blackfoot lift. This new location offers longer runs and lighted terrain park options at the Bypass Terrain Park. Enjoy Brian Head Resort at night with affordable ticket options.

Scenic Chairlift Rides

In the summer, the resort’s chair #2 is available to hikers, bikers and sightseers in search of Utah’s famous red rock vistas. The Vista hiking trail starts at the top as well as many of the mountain bike trails. Bring a jacket because it gets cool at 11,000 feet. (cut extra space)Open on weekends, generally early July through mid-September. Go to www.brianhead.com for schedule and rates.

Hiking

There are excellent hiking trails in the mountains around Brian Head with breathtaking views and scenery that everyone can enjoy.

Twisted Forest

This moderate hike is a high-elevation hike with a sheer drop-off at the end of the trail, so use caution. Unique features of this hike are the bristlecone pine trees and the view into Cedar Breaks National Monument. Distance is one-mile round trip and takes approximately one hour.

Trailhead is located on Summit Canyon Rd.; keep to the High Mountain Road side.

Rattlesnake/High Mountain Trail

The trail follows Cedar Breaks National Monument’s boundary fence west across a large alpine meadow and stands of spruce and fir. It continues along a fence, opening into a small meadow and to the edge of the rim, looking onto a beautiful view of Cedar Breaks and Ashdown Gorge. It descends into a side hill of mixed conifers and into a grass and aspen drainage, crossing Stud Flat, a large west-facing bare slope. Then it enters a thick stand of mature spruce and fir, switchbacking to Rattlesnake creek below. The trail parallels the creek for about 1.5 miles until reaching the intersection with High Mountain trail. At this point you can hike back up to your car on the Rattlesnake trail, or continue on up the High Mountain trail. Distance is 5 miles and takes approximately 6 hours.

Trailhead is located just outside Cedar Breaks National Monument’s north entrance and is part of the Ashdown Gorge Wilderness managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Adventure Trail

Brian Head Resort is home to a challenging and exhilarating adventure hiking trail perfect for the more experienced and adventurous hiker. The trail winds through the rugged terrain of the surrounding mountains and forests, offering breathtaking views and an unforgettable experience. The route is marked by steep climbs, narrow ridges, and challenging rocky terrain, making it an ideal destination for those seeking an adrenaline-fueled outdoor experience. Including breathtaking scenery, challenging terrain, and unforgettable views, the adventure hiking trail at Brian Head Resort is an experience that should not be missed.

There is a fee for the chairlift.

Hidden Haven

* Due to damage from flooding the trail may be impassable, please use caution on the trail.

This moderate trail winds through a wildlife study area and then traverses a granite rock fall to a 20-foot waterfall. Use care the last 100 feet due to the uneven surface where the trail is not established. Distance is one-mile round trip and takes approximately ½ hour to an hour.

Trailhead is located between mile markers 8 & 9 on National Scenic Byway Hwy U-143.

Mountain Biking

Experience incredible mountain biking at the Brain Head Mountain Bike Park and Activity Center, voted “one of the best, unique and most unusual mountain bike vacation resorts” by Mountain Bike Action magazine. Bikers can access over 200 miles of single and double track trails, with a wide array of options in trail length and technical ability. Bike rentals and gear are available. Learn more at www.brianhead.com.

Scout Camp

Distance: 11 mile loop.
Considered intermediate, it has two short strenuous climbs and generally rolling terrain. This mostly challenging dirt single-track trail navigates through forests of mixed spruce and aspen, intertwined with small meadows of native flowers.

Bunker Creek

Trail Type: Point-to-Point. Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced trail (mostly downhill, but some rocky descents and loose gravel). Season: summer through early fall. Distance: 12 mile point-to-point, shuttle is recommended. Time: 2 – 3 hours depending on skill level.

Picture-perfect single-track mountain bike trail through spruce and aspen forests along Bunker Creek. There are two forks to this trail: the Right Fork (which is actually on your left coming from the top) is less technically challenging. When the forks come back together, head downhill on the double-track jeep road for a fast, smooth, roller-coaster ride.

Trailhead/Location: From Hwy U-143 between Cedar Breaks National Monument and Panguitch Lake, head north on Sidney Valley Road and proceed until the road dead-ends into the trailhead. A high clearance vehicle is recommended for trailhead access. Most riders leave a vehicle where the trail meets Hwy U-143 just west of Panguitch Lake or use shuttle services provided by one of the Brian Head outfitters. Another option is to access this trail from the Sidney Peaks Trail, beginning at the Brain Head Peak Road trailhead area, riding the Sidney Peaks Trail, and continuing on Bunker Creek.

Dark Hollow

Trail Type: Point-to-Point. Difficulty: Moderate to Advanced (mostly downhill, but some rocky descents and loose gravel). Season: summer through early fall. Distance: 14.5 miles. Time: Varies depending on skill level.

From Southern Utah’s highest point, this trail is one of contrasting surrounds. From the alpine tundra, the trail drops 5,000 feet through lush forests to the red rock desert surrounding Parowan.

Trailhead/Location: From Hwy U-143 between Brian Head and Cedar Breaks National Monument, head east on Brian Head Peak Road for about a mile to the trailhead. Most riders leave a vehicle at Second Left Hand in Parowan Canyon or use shuttle services provided by one of the Brian Head outfitters.

Lower Ponds

Trail Type: Loop. Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous (some loose rocky terrain, a few short climbs and one 2.5 mile climb). Season: summer through early fall. Distance: 11.5 miles round-trip. Time: Varies depending on skill level.

Trail combines ridgeline single track with a downhill ride through changing forest clusters amongst wild flower meadows and ponds. Follow the Sidney Peaks trail to the intersection with Dark Hollow and turn right on the Lowder Ponds trail (also the Marathon Trail). Continue on the Marathon trail (there’s a sharp left about 1.5 miles down) all the way to Sidney Valley Road. Then climb Sidney Valley Road back to the Sidney Peaks trail to loop back to the trailhead.

Trailhead/Location: From Hwy U-143 between Brian Head and Cedar Breaks National Monument, head east on Brian Head Peak Road for about a mile to the trailhead.

Plan Your Trip

Visitor Center
Brian Head Visitor Services
56 North Hwy 143
Brian Head, UT 84719
(435) 677-2810

Season/Operating Hours
Winter season generally begins mid-November through mid-April. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Mon – Fri) & 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Sat, Sun and holidays). The summer mountain bike season is generally open late June through September, Saturday – Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call ahead to check for official opening and closing dates or go online at www.brianhead.com.

Elevation
9,600 to 10,970 feet.

Distance from Cedar City
29 miles northeast on National Scenic Byway Hwy U-143 in the town of Brian Head.

Rentals and Repairs
With locations at both Giant Steps and the Navajo Lodges, there is no better option than to rent your ski and snowboard equipment on the hill. Helmets and wrist guards are also available.

Ski School
Whether you want to learn to ski or snowboard, or maybe just refine your skills, friendly instructors will help you make the most of your experience.

There are children’s and adult programs, as well as private lessons. Advance reservations are highly recommended and required during holiday periods.

To make reservations and for more information, visit www.brianhead.com.

Kids Camp
(435) 677-2035

Summer in Brian Head

Entertain your inner adrenaline junkie with a mini zip-line, chairlift rides, disc golf, batting cage, and bungee trampoline. If you are up for a physical challenge, spend the day at the rock climbing wall then ride your cares away at the avalanche tubing. All Resort activities are available Friday to Sunday, be sure to visit brianhead.com/summer-activities for all the details and to get your tickets. The mountain bike season is short but sweet and generally begins mid-June and runs through mid-October. Round-trip shuttle service is available by local shuttle companies to take you to over 200 miles of backcountry and downhill trails, and the Brian Head Resort chairlift provides access on weekends to incredible trails featuring ups, downs, jumps, bank turns, and freestyle elements.

For More Info

Brian Head Ski Resort
(435) 677-2035
Brian Head Website

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