Brighton Resort Ski Resort

Bright Ski Resort is a great destination for families, beginners and intermediate skiers. Averaging 500 inches of snow a season, the resort’s 66 trails are covered in light, fluffy snow creating a winter paradise for visitors.

The resort is known for its famous ski and snowboard school with group and private lessons for every ability level. Brighton also offers night skiing with over 200 illuminated acres. The resort is a great combination of terrain and snow quality making it one of Utah’s favorites.

Where Is Brighton Ski Resort Located?

It is located less than an hour from Salt Lake City in Big Cottonwood Canyon. You can fly into Salt Lake City International Airport, and then drive 40 minutes (35 miles) to the resort. You should rent a car with 4-wheel drive capabilities since it’s rough getting into Big Cottonwood Canyon during the winter.

Other options for getting to the resort include airport transfers via coaches or by taking the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Ski Bus. The park and ride for the bus is located near the entrance to the Big Cottonwood Canyon in Sandy, Utah.

Where to Stay

The Brighton Lodge at the base offers 20 rooms, and there is a second lodge three miles away accessed via courtesy car. UTA bus services come up the canyon daily. Camper parking available, but no hookups.

Plan Your Trip

Important Dates

Projected opening date

Nov 14, 2024

Projected closing date

May 18, 2025

Projected Days Open

152

Days Open Last Year

138

Years Open

Average Snowfall

500"

Located at the top of Utah’s Big Cottonwood Canyon, Brighton Resort averages 500 inches of The Greatest Snow on Earth® that blankets 1,050 skier and rider accessible acres. Brighton ski area boasts a lift-serviced vertical of 1,745 feet with 66 named trails and many additional off-piste runs. The breakout is as follows: beginner runs 21%, intermediate 40% and advanced 39%. Six lifts service all the trails. Base elevation is 8,755 feet, and summit elevation is 10,500 feet.

Brighton Resort’s multiple levels of terrain can all be accessed by high-speed quad lifts. Friends and families can share a lift ride and then take different trails – beginner, intermediate or expert – and all meet at the bottom to ride the lift together again. Freestyle skiers and riders will find four evolving terrain parks and a half-pipe to practice their progressions. You should also try your hand at the 15-foot-deep, 350-foot-long superpipe, which attracts boarders of all levels.

Terrain

Runs in Total

Longest Run

1.2 mi

Skiable Terrain

1,050 ac

Night Skiing

200 ac

Snow Making

200 ac

Lifts

8

High Speed Quads

Quad Chairs

Triple Chairs

Surface Lifts

Inside Scoop

Other amenities of Brighton Resort include The New Millicent Chalet, resort lodging and public bus transportation from Salt Lake City. If downhill skiing is not for you, visitors can find cross-country rentals and repairs at the Brighton Touring Center.

The well-known Brighton Resort Ski and Snowboard School provides classes and lessons for all levels of skiers, snowboarders and children.

Brighton is known for its laid-back atmosphere so it’s definitely a lot more friendly than other, more popular resorts like nearby Park City. Kids 10 and under ski free. The resort also sometimes offers “ski in three or it’s free” at the ski school, which means that it promises beginners will learn how to ski in three lessons or less or the classes are free.

Don’t miss the 15-mile scenic byway that ends at the resort. The views will be well-worth the detour through Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Reviews

Brighton is a great mountain for families, locals, terrain park enthusiasts, and groups looking to accommodate varying skill levels. There is something for everyone at Brighton, though Beginners, Intermediates, and Terrain Park fans will have the most fun. The glades are another stand out feature, they are second to none! There are multiple types of dining options available with options that should make everyone happy. The resort never feels too crowded on the runs, though it can get congested near the Base at the Crest and Majestic lifts during holidays and weekends. The Vertical is also more limited than most of the other well-known Utah resorts. The Signage is not great, so visitors may find themselves lost from time to time, though the regulars are friendly and happy to offer help and point you in the right direction if you do get turned around. There are not many options to stay on-site or nearby, and getting parking is a pain on the weekends. I wish there were better car alternative options to make getting there less painful on the weekends, or that there were more/better on mountain lodging and facilities so that taking the Ski Bus didn’t feel like such a hassle. Brighton is a great place to learn to ski or ride, or to practice and progress on the slopes or in the terrain parks. The vibe is friendly, helpful, fun, and welcoming. It is the best value for your money of any of the larger Utah resorts. Brighton is my favorite Utah resort to visit on the weekdays. It’s also a great dark horse option on powder days as most of the powder hounds go elsewhere, which leaves more powder for me!

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