Mount Brighton facts for kids
Mt. Brighton is a fun place to ski and snowboard in Brighton, Michigan. It first opened in 1960. Since there aren't any big natural hills in Brighton, Mt. Brighton's slopes are all man-made. They reach a height of 230 feet from top to bottom.
Mt. Brighton has 5 chairlifts and 7 surface lifts to take you up the hill. "Silver" is the longest run, stretching 1,350 feet. There's also a special area called a terrain park. Here, freestyle skiers and snowboarders can try out rails, boxes, and jumps. Most of the snow at Mt. Brighton is made by machines. They use water from a big pond on site to create the snow.
In December 2012, a company called Vail Resorts bought Mt. Brighton.
Contents
Exploring the Slopes: Trails and Runs
Mt. Brighton has 25 different trails and slopes for you to ride. They are marked on the map by colors and shapes to show how hard they are.
Easy Green Circle Runs
These are perfect for beginners! They are shown as a green circle on the map.
- Gopher
- Snowshoe
- Larkspur
- Bunny
- Hare
- Flatiron
Medium Blue Square Runs
If you're a bit more experienced, try these intermediate runs. They are marked with a blue square.
- Easy Street
- Chicken Chute
- Blue Sky
- Crosscut
- Ryan's Run
- Gasoline Alley
- Sawtooth Ridge
- Sidewinder
- Thalakers
- Ledges
- Sunrise Bowl
Hard Black Diamond Runs
These slopes are for advanced skiers and snowboarders. They are shown as a single black diamond.
- Golden Eagle
- Osprey
- Grand River
- Big Risky
- Cheetah
Expert Double Black Diamond Runs
These are the toughest hills, only for experts! You'll see them as two black diamonds on the map.
- Challenge
- Perk's Folly
Terrain Park Features
Areas with special terrain features like jumps and rails are marked on the map as orange ovals.
Mt. Brighton by the Numbers: Stats and Amenities
Here are some cool facts about Mt. Brighton:
Mountain Height
- Base Elevation: 1,100 feet (335 meters)
- Summit Elevation: 1,330 feet (405 meters)
- Vertical Rise: 230 feet (70 meters) – This is the height difference from the bottom to the top!
Skiable Area
- Total Area: 130 acres
Trail Breakdown
- Total Trails and Slopes: 25
- 30% are for beginners
- 40% are for intermediate riders
- 30% are for advanced or expert riders
Lifts and Capacity
- 5 chairlifts
- 7 surface lifts (like rope tows or magic carpets)
- Uphill Capacity: 17,200 people can go up the hill every hour!
Snowmaking Power
- All 130 acres of the mountain can have snow made artificially.
Food and Drinks
You can grab a bite to eat at:
- Ore Creek Mountain Grill: For a sit-down meal.
- Ski Hill Grill: For quick food.
There are also 2 bars.
Learning and Fun: Groups and Clubs
Mt. Brighton offers many ways to learn and have fun on the snow.
Snowsports Academy
The Snowsports Academy gives ski and snowboard lessons. You can take lessons by yourself or with a group. They also have special programs just for kids and for ski racing. The instructors are highly trained. Many are certified by groups like AASI (American Association of Snowboard Instructors) or PSIA (Professional Ski Instructors of America).
Ski and Snowboard Clubs
Many students from elementary and high schools in the Detroit area join "Ski and Snowboard Clubs." Mt. Brighton helps these groups learn to ski or snowboard.
Ski Patrol and Racing
The National Ski Patrol has certified staff and volunteers at Mt. Brighton. They teach about safety and help people who need it on the slopes. A racing club called XLR8 Alpine Racing also trains young skiers at Mt. Brighton.
Public Racing Events
- NASTAR (NAtional STAndard Race) racing is open to everyone. You can compare your race times with others across the country.
- Epic Race: Held on Saturdays and Sundays for more racing fun.
Other Events
Mt. Brighton also hosts other events throughout the season. These include a New Year's Eve party, Rail Jams (where skiers and snowboarders show off tricks on rails), and many ski races.
The Golf Club at Mt. Brighton
For a while, Mt. Brighton also had an 18-hole golf course. It was added in 2001 and designed by Bruce Matthews. This golf course closed in July 2020.
Mt. Brighton on the Big Screen: Aspen Extreme
Mt. Brighton even appeared in a movie! The 1993 film "Aspen Extreme" was partly filmed right here. The main character, T.J. Burke, is shown at Mt. Brighton at the start of the movie. He hikes up a slope called the Black run. In the movie, it looks like Mt. Brighton was built on a landfill. But actually, it was created using extra dirt and rocks from building nearby highways, not garbage.
The Bruhn family used to own Mt. Brighton. They also managed the golf course in the summer.
