- Brian Head Resort plans to open Nov. 7 with $1.4 million in upgrades.
- The resort aims to extend the 2025-26 season to May 10, weather permitting.
SALT LAKE CITY — As the dog days of summer drag on, one Utah ski area made a bold announcement about the upcoming season.
Brian Head Resort just outside Cedar City plans to open Nov. 7. The resort has spent $1.4 million on improvements, including snowmaking on Navajo Mountain that features beginner and intermediate runs.
And Brian Head made perhaps an equally bold announcement in planning to stretch the 2025-26 season to May 10, conditions permitting.
"Thanks to our snowmaking upgrades, guests this season can look forward to more terrain opening earlier and staying open later," said Amber Palmer, Brian Head marketing manager.
Should Brian Head pull that off, it would total 184 ski days, breaking its record from last year. Despite a down snow year — 169 inches total — the 2024-25 season was the longest in its 60-year history with 181 ski days.
The resort has made a point of being the first to open in Utah the past few years. Even a Nov. 7 opening won't be its earliest. That came in the 2023-24 season when the lifts started spinning Nov. 4.
In addition to snowmaking upgrades, it has made other improvements.
On Giant Steps Mountain, the improved Bypass Terrain Park will offer new jump lines and freestyle features. It has new rental equipment, with more than 400 pairs of skis and 250 snowboards, including a selection of Head performance snowboards. Off the slopes, a new SMS text service will provide powder alerts, mountain conditions, lift and trail updates and event information.
The base of the ski/snowboard area is about 9,600 feet and the top is nearly 11,000 feet, making it the highest base altitude or elevation in Utah.
Brian Head has adopted "dynamic" pricing that allows skier and snowboarders who plan ahead to get the best price for lift tickets, which are already on sale. It is offering day passes starting at $14 for the 2025-26 season, a 26% decrease over last year. Kids 12 and under ski or snowboard for free.
