The brian head difference
Brian Head isn’t just another Utah ski resort — it’s Utah’s highest, with a 10,000-foot base elevation that delivers 350 inches of the Greatest Snow on Earth, one of the longest seasons in the state, and red rock views found nowhere else on earth. Kids ski free, lift lines are short, and over 650 uncrowded acres spread across two peaks. Three hours from Las Vegas and an easy I-15 drive from Southern California or Utah County, Brian Head is genuinely unlike anything else in American skiing.
Utah’s Higher Ground | Quick Facts
- Base elevation: 10,000 ft — the highest base of any ski resort in Utah
- Average annual snowfall: 350 inches
- Terrain: 650 acres across two peaks (Navajo Peak and Brian Head Peak)
- 2025/26 season: 160 days of skiing, the most of any Utah resort, and first to open in the state
- Lift tickets: starting at $14; kids 12 and under ski free
- Distance: 3 hours from Las Vegas; easy I-15 drive from Southern California and Utah County
- Nearby: Cedar Breaks National Monument (under 5 miles), Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks (90 minutes)
Elevation Matters
Brian Head’s 10,000-foot base is higher than many Utah resorts’ summit elevations. That elevation delivers an average of 350 inches of the “Greatest Snow on Earth” each year, plus colder temperatures for early snowmaking and a longer-lasting snowpack deep into spring. The result: one of the longest seasons in Utah, typically running from early November into May. In 2025/26, Brian Head was the first mountain in Utah to open and stayed open for 160 days — the most of any resort in the state that season.
The Family Mountain
Kids 12 and under ski free at Brian Head, but that’s just the start. A dedicated kids adventure zone, two terrain parks for all ability levels, and family events like the Mountain Goat Obstacle Course make it a mountain kids ask to come back to. Wide-open, uncrowded trails let parents relax, and kid-specific lesson programs help young skiers and riders progress quickly. Where a lot of American ski resorts feel overcrowded, Brian Head is built around families.
One-Of-A-Kind Red Rock
Perched at 10,000 feet, Brian Head is the only ski resort in the world overlooking the red rock landscape of Southern Utah. Skiers and riders can carve groomers and slash powder with direct views of Cedar Breaks National Monument and Parowan Canyon — scenery similar to nearby Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks.
Uncrowded and Unhurried
With over 650 acres spread across two peaks, Brian Head is one of the few resorts left where first tracks don’t require a 6 a.m. alarm. No shoving at the lift, no fighting for parking, no getting cut off on your favorite run — just wide-open trails and short lines. It’s not an accident; it’s by design.
In National Park Country
Brian Head sits in the heart of Southern Utah’s national park country: 90 minutes from both Zion and Bryce Canyon, with Cedar Breaks National Monument visible from the slopes less than 5 miles away. No other ski resort in America puts you this close to this much national park scenery. Spend the morning on the mountain and the afternoon among Bryce’s hoodoos — a combination no other ski trip offers.
An Easy Drive from Vegas and SoCal
Skip the crawl up the 395’s single-lane bottlenecks and passes. Brian Head is an easy drive up I-15 instead — no punishing switchbacks, no notorious chokepoints. It’s three hours from Las Vegas and a straightforward drive from Southern California: real Utah powder and 160 days of skiing, without the drive that makes other mountains feel like work before you even unload the car.
Accessible for All
Skiing shouldn’t require a second mortgage, and at Brian Head it doesn’t. Lift tickets start at $14, and kids 12 and under ski free, making it one of the last truly affordable full-service resorts in the West. Affordable doesn’t mean limited: beginner-friendly Navajo Peak keeps new skiers progressing at their own pace, while the steeper pitches and sidecountry gates of Brian Head Peak challenge advanced riders. Whatever your budget or ability, Brian Head has terrain for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the base elevation of Brian Head Resort? Brian Head’s base elevation is 10,000 feet, the highest base elevation of any ski resort in Utah.
How much snow does Brian Head get each year? Brian Head averages 350 inches of snow annually.
How many acres does Brian Head Resort have? Brian Head spans 650 acres across two peaks, Navajo Peak and Brian Head Peak.
Is Brian Head good for beginners and families? Yes. Kids 12 and under ski free, and Navajo Peak is beginner-friendly with dedicated kids’ lesson programs and a kids adventure zone. Brian Head Peak offers steeper terrain for more advanced skiers and riders.
How far is Brian Head from Las Vegas? Brian Head is about a 3-hour drive from Las Vegas via I-15.
How much are lift tickets at Brian Head? Lift tickets start at $14, with kids 12 and under skiing free.
How close is Brian Head to Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks? Brian Head is about 90 minutes from both Zion National Park and Bryce Canyon National Park, and less than 5 miles from Cedar Breaks National Monument, which is visible from the slopes.
When does Brian Head’s ski season typically run? The season typically runs from early November into May, one of the longest ski seasons in Utah. In 2025/26, Brian Head was the first Utah resort to open and had 160 ski days, the most in the state.
