A quick left up Big Cottonwood Canyon and you're on your way to soft snow and no crowds, even on weekend powder days. Jibbers stick to the three terrain parks at Brighton Resort, leaving plenty of trees, cliffs and backcountry access to play in without commotion. Locals who ride here remain loyal. There's a laidback, friendly vibe where families can happily let their kids explore on their own.

Kids under seven ski free, and weekday nightskiing is usually half off thanks to local radio station and website promotions. Night or day, beginners live it up on the endless whoop-dee-do's that weave through the trees on the lower half of the resort and intermediate riders appreciate the taste of 'extreme skiing' from the high-speed Millicent Chair. The resort is fairly spread out and the inbounds terrain can be a bit tame until you venture into the sidecountry. Head out one of the many open backcountry gates to 45 degree pitches, huge vertical drops, the lightest, driest power in the state and unsurpassed landscapes.

Brighton has only a handful of lodging options and Molly Green's is it for apres. Stay down in Salt Lake City if you're looking for more, then commute the 30 minutes to Brighton.

Location

Brighton, Utah, is located 35 minutes southeast of downtown Salt Lake City or Salt Lake International Airport in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Use the Park-n-Ride and $1 shuttles at the mouth of the Canyon on snowy days to avoid some scary turns on a snowpacked road.

Season/Hours

Open for riding seven days a week from mid-November through mid-April.

• Daily Hours: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Night skiing: 4 – 9 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday early December through March.

Mountain Services

Brighton has 5 quads, 1 triple, 3 terrain parks, a halfpipe and Magic Carpet on 1,050 skiable acres. There are also two cafeterias and a sit-down restaurant/pub, retail, rental and repair shops.

Contact Information

Brighton Resort
12601 E. Big Cottonwood Canyon Road
Brighton, UT 84121
www.brightonresort.com
(801)532-4731, (800)873-5512