Brian Head Utah (US)

Ski Resort Review, Information and Guide

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Brian Head Resort Summary:

Base:	9,600 ft
Summit:	10,920 ft
Vertical:	1,320 ft
Ski area:	650 acres
Trails:	65
Lifts:	8
Terrain parks:	4
Snowfall:	400"

Runs/trails:

Beginner:	35%
Intermediate:	20%
Advanced:	20%
Expert:	10%

Trail Map:

Select to enlarge (pdf)

Brian Head Weather:

Brian Head Weather Forecast, UT

Brian Head Ski Resort Description:

Brian Head Resort - Giant Steps Base Lodge

Giant Steps Lodge (base of Giant Steps lift)

Brian Head Ski Resort in Utah is located in Southern Utah surrounded by some of America's most famous national parks: Zion (1.5 hrs), Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon (1.5 hrs), Canyonlands and Arches National Park. It is actually closer to Las Vegas Nevada (3 hour drive) than Salt Lake City Utah (4 hour drive).

Brian Head Resort Terrain:

Brian Head ski resort has two mountains, Navajo Peak which is almost exclusively beginner runs (with some intermediate and only one advanced run) and Brian Head Peak which is almost exclusively intermediate, advanced and expert runs.

Beginners and Intermediates:

The two separate mountain peaks with two separate skill levels allows the beginners on Navajo Peak to ski at their own pace without any fear of fast overtaking skiers and snow boarders rushing past them. It's also good for the ego, who is going to look that much better than you?

Brian Head Resort - Navajo Mountain
Navajo Mountain: primarily beginner "green" runs

Intermediate blue ski run
Sunburst (blue run) off of Giant Steps lift

Hunters Run
Hunter's Run (blue) off of Giant Steps lift

Giant Steps lift - Bear Paw and Sunburst area
Sunburst / Bear Paw area (blue) off of Giant Steps lift

Aught run off of Roulette lift
Aught (blue) off of Roulette lift

Advanced:

All the advanced terrain worth considering at Brian Head resort is on Brian Head Peak. You will find the advanced runs to be gentle black diamond runs (nothing treacherous). When the back country gates are open, Brian Head also offers a substantial variety of back country terrain.

Sun Spot, black diamond ski run
Sun Spot (black diamond run) (take skiers right at the top of Alpen Glow lift)

First Tracks, black diamond ski run
First Tracks (black diamond run) (take skiers left at the top of Roulette lift)

Giant Steps, black diamond ski run
Giant Steps (black diamond run) (Giant Steps lift line)

Chutes:

Accessible by hike from the summit only. Conditions may not be permissible.

Trees:

Dark Hollow and Pillows are both very open "tree skiing areas".

Dark Hollow off of Roulette lift.

Pillows run
Pillows (Accessible from either Giant Steps or Roulette lift)

Moguls:

There appears to be no "signature mogul run". Moguls certainly may exist on the more advanced runs depending on conditions.

Out of Bounds:

Brian Head Resorts has accessible "off piste", "out of bounds" gates which will often provide for you access to untouched powder and the only way to find a double black diamond runs. This of course is not patrolled, groomed or avalanche controlled. Out of bounds areas are skied at your own risk.

Salt Lake Avalanche Advisory

Alpen Glow back country gate (skiers left off of the top of Alpen Glow lift)

Alpen Glow back country run

Devos Pitch back country run
Devo's Pitch back country gate. Access from the top of Roulette lift. Leads you down the steep "Devo's Pitch" and then back into the resort run "Wild Ride".

Roulette back country gate. This is another access into the Devo's Pitch area.

Giant Steps back country run
Giant Steps back country gate. Note that it is quite a hike from here to any of the terrain at higher elevation. Check with the ski patrol for guidance in this area.

Brian Head Terrain Parks:

A park for beginners is located at Navajo Peak, and intermediate and expert parks are located at Brian Head peak at Giant Steps.

Brian Head lists four terrain parks:

Jibberace
Junkyard
Bunny Bash
Snowball

Brian Head has a website dedicated to the terrain parks: BrianHeadParks.com

A boarder rippin it off a jump
A boarder ripp'n it off of a jump

Wildflower lift - Terrain park
Terrain Park under Wildflower lift

Wildflower Terrain Park: Box car (yes that's a car under the table-top)

Brian Head Tubing Park:

For those not old enough or not enthusiastic enough to tackle the mountain, Brian Head also has a six lane tubing park at the Navajo Lodge Learning Center.

Brian Head Resort - Tubing

Brian Head Apres Ski:

The "Lift Bar" at the Grand Lodge is your place to wind down after a day of skiing.

Apres Ski at the Lift Bar in the Grand Lodge
The Lift Bar at the Grand Lodge

Apres Ski at the Lift Bar in the Grand Lodge
Pool tables at The Lift Bar

Where To Eat:

The Steak House
Leany's Steak House at the Grand Lodge

Pizanos Pizzeria 1-435-677-3341
Cedar Breaks Lodge
- Cedar Breaks Bar and Grill
- Cedar Breaks Cafe
- Double Black Diamond Steakhouse

Village & Shopping:

Brian Head is in a rather isolated area away from any large metropolitan areas. You will have to find what you are looking for at the resort or in the local towns of Parowan (12 miles north) or Cedar City. High Mountain Outfitters in the base lodge will cover most of your alpine needs.

Brian Head Night Life:

Night skiing, when available, otherwise there is none, and none nearby.

Directions to Brian Head Mountain:

Brian Head resort is three hours from Las Vegas and four hours from Salt Lake City. Private aircraft can use Parowan airport 12 miles northwest.

From Las Vegas:
Directions:
- Take Interstate I-15 North
- Exit UT/75 Parowan/Brian Head and continue east on 200 South Street
- Continue on 200 South Street to Main Street
- Turn left onto Main Street
- Turn right onto East Center Street/Hwy 143
- Take Hwy 143 12 miles to Brian Head
From Salt Lake City:
Directions:
- Take Interstate I-15 South
- Exit 78 Parowan/Paragonah
- Turn left onto Main Street
- Turn left onto East Center Street/Hwy 143
- Take Hwy 143 12 miles to Brian Head