This Hidden Utah Ski Resort Has $14 Lift Tickets, Zero Crowds, and 360 Inches of Powder a Year
Most people have never even heard of this place—and that’s exactly why it’s so good.
Brian Head Resort sits at 9,600 feet, making it the highest base elevation of any ski resort in Utah.
That altitude translates to one thing: ridiculous amounts of snow—about 360 inches of powder every single year.
The mountain has 71 trails, eight chairlifts, and 650 skiable acres with terrain for beginners, intermediates, and experts.
And unlike Utah’s famous resorts near Salt Lake City, this place stays practically empty.
Why It’s So Empty
Brian Head is hours away from any major airport, which means the tourist crowds never really show up.
The closest option is a small regional airport in Cedar City, while Las Vegas is about three hours away and Salt Lake City is four.
Instead of out-of-state visitors, the resort draws mostly locals and southern Utah residents who want to skip the long drive north.
The result is fresh tracks, no lift lines, and a laid-back mountain vibe that feels like skiing used to.
What It’ll Actually Cost You
Here’s where it gets interesting.
Lift tickets start at just $14 on select days this season—a 26% decrease from last year’s already-low prices. PowderFREESKIER
The resort uses dynamic pricing, so tickets go up as demand increases, but even peak days stay well under what you’d pay at Park City or Deer Valley.
Kids 12 and under ski and ride free all season long with no blackout dates. SnowBrains
Perfect for Families and Beginners
Brian Head keeps ski school class sizes small—around six to eight students for skiers and five to six for snowboarders.
The terrain is designed with “stepping-stone” progression, so beginners can gradually build skills without getting overwhelmed.
There’s also a free town shuttle that loops through Brian Head with pickups every 15-20 minutes, making it easy to get around without a car.
What’s New This Season
The resort invested $1.4 million in upgrades for the 2025-26 winter. SnowBrains
New snowmaking on Navajo Mountain means beginner and intermediate terrain opens earlier and stays open longer. Powder
The rental fleet got 400 new pairs of skis and 250 new snowboards, including a selection of HEAD Performance boards. Powder
There’s also a new SMS alert system for powder days, trail updates, and event info.
Where to Eat
The dining scene is small but solid.
Last Chair Grill & Brews on the third floor of Giant Steps Lodge has 18 local beers on tap and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Giant Steps Cafe and Navajo Cafe serve classic ski lodge fare—burgers, pizza, chicken tenders, plus Starbucks coffee.
Lift Bar & Patio is the go-to for après ski drinks.
In town, you’ll find Pizanos Pizzeria for Italian, Mountain Peak Coffee for your morning fix, and Sook Jai Thai for something different.
The resort owner also hosts a Saturday night BBQ at Last Chair Saloon featuring 500 pounds of Kansas City-style smoked brisket and ribs.
Where to Stay
Brian Head Lodge is right next to the Navajo Express Lift and offers ski-in convenience, a spa, a full bar, and pet-friendly rooms with a $30/day pet fee. Brian Head Resort
Hilton Vacation Club Cedar Breaks Brian Head has a pool, hot tub, game room, and spacious villas with fireplaces.
Vacation rentals and condos with full kitchens are scattered throughout town, many with ski-in/ski-out access.
Budget travelers can find hotels in Cedar City, about 30 miles away, with rooms starting around $50-80 per night.
Two National Parks Next Door
This is what makes Brian Head unique.
Zion National Park is just 73 miles south—about a 1.5-hour drive. Powderhounds
Bryce Canyon National Park is 61 miles east, also around 1.5 hours. Powderhounds
Cedar Breaks National Monument, known as the “Circle of the Painted Cliffs,” is literally five minutes down the road. Zion Adventure Photography
You can ski powder in the morning and hike red rock canyons by afternoon—not many places on Earth let you do that.
How to Get There
From Las Vegas: 3-hour drive (202 miles) heading northeast on I-15. Powderhounds
From Salt Lake City: 3.5 to 4-hour drive (245 miles) heading south on I-15. Powderhounds
Take exit 75 in Parowan, then it’s a scenic 14-mile climb up the mountain to the resort.
If the road is snowy, a 4WD vehicle or chains may be required—rental cars from Vegas typically aren’t winterized, so plan accordingly.
The closest commercial airports are Cedar City Regional (limited flights), St. George Regional, Las Vegas McCarran, and Salt Lake City International.
When to Go
The resort opened November 21, 2025 and runs daily through May 10, 2026, weather permitting. SnowBrains
Lifts run 10am to 4pm on weekdays and 9:30am to 4:30pm on weekends and peak days. SnowBrains
For the best prices, book tickets in advance on weekdays—dynamic pricing means costs rise as dates fill up.
For the best snow, aim for January through March when storms stack up consistently.
Brian Head won’t give you the glitz of Park City or the steep expert terrain of Snowbird.
What it will give you is affordable skiing, empty slopes, 360 inches of annual snowfall, and two world-famous national parks within 90 minutes.
For families, beginners, or anyone tired of $200 lift tickets and hour-long lift lines, this might be Utah’s best-kept secret.
But probably not for much longer.
