A Weekend in Brian Head

Utah’s Best Kept Secret

Words Ashley Bowling | Photos Mike Saemisch

Soaring at 10,000 feet above sea level, Brian Head Ski Resort is a stand-out above the rest in our book. The snow is high-quality, soft and powdery, dry and deep. The lifts are low-key and not too crowded. The location is about an hour from some of the best national parks in the country, and it’s also a beautiful three-hour drive north of the Vegas airport while nearly equidistance south of SLC. What more could you ask for from a winter vacation? Well, there’s more.

Ski-in/ski-out accommodations, check. Tubing, check. Night skiing, check. Ice skating, check. Live music, check. Downhill mountain biking in the off season, yes! Kids ski free, bonus!

In a time when affordable ski resorts seem like a thing of the good ol’ college days, Brian Head Resort is “Bringing Sexy Back.” And for those above 12, a lift ticket will only set you back $60 bucks, oftentimes less. But don’t let Brian Head’s goal of ‘keeping skiing and snowboarding accessible to everyone’ fool you. The lifts are high-speed to reduce wait times. The natural terrain is separated into two base lifts. Giant Steps gives advanced skiers the freedom to try their legs at expert slopes while Navajo Peak lift has beginner to intermediate slopes. Then the ski school lifts and mini-slope are separate lifts altogether. Their fleet of SnowCats keeps the mountain’s impeccably perfect slopes groomed like corduroy all season long. I’m not sure if it’s just the dry Utah air that keeps the snow extra powdery or the way Brian Head grooms their runs, but the powder here is a skier’s dream.

Take a break from the slopes, and you’ll find that The Lift Bar & Patio has reasonably priced and flavorful food. Lines here also move fast while there’s ample seating with floor to ceiling windows that take in views of the bunny slopes. They also serve breakfast on the weekends and cold brews daily to cap off epic memories made on the mountain.

Just because the sun goes down doesn’t mean the party stops. On the weekends, thrillists can turn it up a notch and ski the zebra-striped terrain at night. If you get going fast enough, those zebra stripes (from the lights) might just turn into strobes, as the chilled wind hits your face. Tubing is not just for kids and not just for daytime either. The tubes and ice skating set among the pines both run in the evenings, making this place even more magical for family travelers.

Afterwards, warm up in the outdoor hot tub or at the lodge’s large outdoor fire pit. Brian Head Lodge is low-key but everything you think of when you dream of snowy mountain lodges with timber framed ceilings. They even have giant windows to gaze at the flurries while warm heat radiates from the tall stone fireplace keeping guests warm and cozy from inside. For the non-skiers in the family, the lodge has indoor pools, a fitness center, bar, and restaurant. But the icing on the cake is Noorish Spa where guests can unwind with a plethora of massage, facial, and body treatment options. The spa’s steam room, sauna, and hot tubs sure do feel divine after a day on the slopes!

Make it a weekend! Or, even better, make it a week!
Brian Head Ski Resort is located just 4 miles from Cedar Breaks National Monument where adventurists can access a variety of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Guided snowmobiling tours are also available here where you can fully take in Utah’s breathtaking views. (Tour was $250 for our family of four!) The drive from Vegas to Brian Head is beautiful in and of itself. I highly recommend making a stop at Lake Mead National Recreational Area and Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park. Not far around the orange-cycle colored bends, you’ll also find Utah’s Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park making this dreamy ski vacation even more heavenly with its incredible hikes, multicolored slot canyons, and otherworldly terrain.