Brighton Ski Resort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brighton Ski Resort |
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View from the resort
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 Brighton
Location in the United States
Brighton
Location in Utah
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| Location | Brighton, Utah, U.S. |
| Nearest city | Salt Lake City |
| Coordinates | 40°36′0″N 111°35′0″W / 40.60000°N 111.58333°W |
| Vertical | 1,750 feet (533 m) |
| Top elevation | 10,750 feet (3,277 m) |
| Base elevation | 8,755 feet (2,669 m) |
| Skiable area | 1,050 acres (4.2 km2) |
| Runs | 66 total 21% beginner 40% intermediate 39% expert/advanced |
| Longest run | 1.2 miles (1.9 km) |
| Lift system | 1 high-speed six pack 3 high-speed quads 1 fixed grip quad 1 triple |
| Terrain parks | Yes, 5 |
| Snowfall | 700 inches (58.3 ft; 17.8 m) |
Brighton Ski Resort is a popular ski area in the western United States. You can find it in Big Cottonwood Canyon in Brighton, Utah. It's about 30 miles from Salt Lake City and is owned by Boyne Resorts. Brighton is known for its amazing snow and fun trails for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.
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Discover Brighton Ski Resort
Brighton Ski Resort holds a special place in history. It was the very first ski resort in Utah! It also ranks among the earliest ski resorts in the entire United States.
How Brighton Started
Brighton began way back in 1936. Members of the Alpine Ski Club built a simple rope tow. They used wire and an old elevator motor to make it work. The resort got its name from Thomas W. Brighton. He built the first buildings in the area.
Later, in 1943, Zane Doyle and Willard Jensen bought a T-bar lift. In 1954, Willard believed they should build a double chair lift. This was a big risk, but it paid off! In 1955, Zane's brother-in-law, Dean L Jensen, joined them. Together, they built the first double chair lift, called Mt Majestic.
Growing the Resort
The Mary Lift was added in 1959. In 1963, the group bought Brighton Recreation Company. This company owned the Millicent Lift. With these additions, Brighton Ski Bowl really took off! The Doyle and Jensen families ran the ski operation for many years.
Boyne Resorts bought Brighton in 1986. They sold it to CNL Lifestyle in 2007. However, Boyne continued to manage the resort. In 2016, CNL sold the property to Och-Ziff Capital Management. Finally, Boyne bought Brighton back in May 2018.
A Focus on Fun Trails
Brighton calls itself a "no-frills" resort. This means its main goal is to give skiers and snowboarders awesome trails. While you can find lodging, dining, and shops, it's not a huge vacation destination. Most people who visit Brighton are locals from Utah. Many visitors stay in the Salt Lake City area. They often visit other ski resorts too.
Amazing Snow and Backcountry Access
Brighton is famous for its deep, soft snow. It was even voted to have the second best snow in North America! Only Snowbird, in a nearby canyon, had better snow.
The resort also offers great access to the backcountry. This means you can buy a special lift ticket. It takes you to gates at the top of the resort. From there, you can explore exciting areas outside the main trails. Brighton is known for its cliffs, chutes, bowls, and natural features.
Open to Everyone
Brighton is located on public lands. This means the entire resort is part of the Wasatch-Cache National Forest. So, the whole resort is open to the public all year. However, you need to buy tickets to use the ski lifts.
Special Deals for Locals
Brighton is a favorite among local skiers and riders. The resort often has special deals. These deals help locals ski at a lower cost. For example, on some Wednesdays in December, they have "Quad Wednesdays." If you bring an item for charity, your lift ticket costs much less!
Brighton is right next to Solitude Mountain Resort. You can buy a "Solbright Pass." This pass lets you ski at both resorts for a small extra fee. You can travel between them on special runs.
Night Skiing Adventures
Brighton offers some of the best night skiing in the western U.S. You can ski on over 200 acres of terrain after dark! Six lifts operate at night. The main mountain terrain park is also open. Night skiing runs from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. This usually happens from early December to early April. Brighton is closed for night skiing on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve.
Snowboarding History
From the early 1990s through the 2000s, many top professional and amateur snowboarders called Brighton their home mountain. It was a popular spot for talented riders.
Fun Facts
The Disney Channel Original Movies, Johnny Tsunami and Cloud 9, were filmed at Brighton Ski Resort.
