What it's like skiing at one of the last 'hidden gem' affordable ski resorts: Brian Head

24.02.2024 - 16:53 / thepointsguy.com

You probably don't need me to tell you this, but skiing in the U.S. has gotten expensive — very expensive.

There are ways to reduce the cost, such as with a preseason or early-season purchase of the major ski passes, especially if skiing at a big-name resort in the Epic Pass or Ikon Pass network. But it can still easily be hundreds of dollars per day per person when you factor in tickets, gear, lessons, lodging and more.

But believe it or not, there are still a handful of resorts that are inherently affordable, even without a pass purchase. And one of the most affordable full-service ski resorts in the United States is one you may not have heard of yet if you don't frequent Utah: Brian Head, located in southwest Utah.

At Brian Head, lift tickets start at just $29, kids ski free without restrictions, senior citizens ski free, there's $25 snow tubing, a ski school and you can buy a burger and fries on the mountain for just $12 ... which, if you've eaten somewhere like Aspen or Vail anytime recently, you know is a relative bargain that rings in at half the normal on-mountain burger basket rate (which turned out to be a theme throughout the trip).

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What started as a one-chairlift operation in 1965, known originally as Monument Peak due to its high elevation, has grown. Not only that, but with the highest base elevation in all of Utah at 9,600 feet, Brian Head Ski Resort has some legit snow and runs.

Brian Head's snowfall averages come in at 360 inches across its 650 acres and two connected mountains, each with its own base area.

The resort boasts 71 ski runs and eight chair lifts. To give some context, Breckenridge Resort in Colorado averages a similar amount of snow at 355 inches annually and has 35 chair lifts. In other words, Brian Head has solid snowfall and is smaller than some ski resorts, but it also isn't so small that you're relegated to just a daytrip.

Brian Head typically opens for the season in mid-to-late November and closes in mid-April, conditions permitting, with lifts open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. In addition, it is one of the resorts that offers night skiing on Fridays and Saturdays via the Blackfoot Lift until 9 p.m., with prices starting at $25.

Brian Head has five dining options in the winter:

The ski school offers private and group lessons for both children and adults. Kids ages 3-6 can enroll in First Tracks, which offers a half-day private instruction. Group or private lessons are available to those 7-12 years old.

On top of that, there's a free program for first-time skiers ages 13 and up; we'll get to more on that shortly.

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