Fair 84° F

Home > Local News > Local News
By Ashley Langston - Contributing Editor
Though Mother Nature hasn’t been generous in the powder department this year, Brian Head Resort has made significant changes since last season and is anticipating a lot of fun when the snow hits.
Two new lifts will be open and the new interconnect bridge will offer skiers and snowboarders more convenience and more terrain.
Alpen Glow, also known as Chair 8, is a new lift that will provide access to the Chantrelle and Sun Spots runs, near the Giant Steps Lodge. Chair 1, or Wildflower, is an expanded version of the old Chair 1, which was removed more than 10 years ago.
Chair 1 goes over state Route 143, next to the interconnect bridge. It will enable skiers and snowboarders to come down the Giant Steps mountain and ride to the top of the Navajo Mountain without having to remove skis or ride a shuttle.
The ski bridge will allow someone to come down the Navajo Mountain and ski across the bridge, then catch a lift up the Giant Steps Mountain.
According to a Brian Head Resort trail map, these additions increase the existing skiable terrain by almost 35 percent, bringing it to more than 650 acres.
Chairs were put on the new lifts Nov. 6-7 and the bridge was making significant progress. Bob Whitelaw, marketing & public relations, said they expect to have the bridge completed in late November or early December.
“This is going to be very popular this year,” he said of the expansion.
They have also added some new snowmaking machines to help the winter process along. About 30 snow guns started their work at Giant Steps, Nov. 2, and are producing snow during the night as temperatures permit.
Whitelaw said they hope to have at least one run open for Thanksgiving weekend, and are primarily focusing on the Giant Steps run in their snowmaking efforts. If they don’t receive snow and only parts of the resort are operating, prices will be reduced, he said.
For those who would rather stay cozy by a warm fire and look out at the snow, that is an option. Whitelaw said he welcomes everyone to come enjoy the mountain atmosphere even if they don’t ski. There are restaurants, and he said anyone is welcome to sit in the lodge, watch skiers and snowboarders, and drink hot chocolate.
Most of Brian Head’s visitors come from Las Vegas, and Whitelaw said Southern Utah residents often aren’t aware what Brian Head Resort offers. He said it offers the lowest prices of any ski resort in Utah, and is a great weekend getaway or miniature vacation.
It is only about 40 minutes from Cedar City and about 90 miles from St. George. The mountain atmosphere provides a retreat from the rest of the world, and there is plenty to do during any season.
Whitelaw said there are great winter deals and programs for kids, including ski school, Kids Camp and Mountain Explorers. Ski School signups for Iron County residents are through Cedar City Parks and Recreation until the end of November. Brian Head Resort also has a state-licensed day care facility, and children 5 and younger ski free with an adult.
The tube hill provides inexpensive fun for people of all ages, and Whitelaw said it is very popular. Tubing is a great family activity.
For those who are interested in taking to the slopes, but lack experience, skiing and snowboarding lessons are available for kids and adults at the Navajo Lodge Learning Center. Whitelaw said resort gift certificates are available for the holidays as well.
Thunder Mountain Motorsports, a company in Brian Head Town, offers snowmobile rentals, and other businesses often come to Brian Head to provide snowmobile rentals during the winter as well, Brian Head Chamber of Commerce Director Angie Haderlie said.
There are many established trails in the area to explore.
Brian Head Town is bustling with new construction, as many new condominium complexes are going in, and another phase of the Navajo Trails subdivision is being developed.
Five major development companies have projects in the little town, Whitelaw said. Construction of this magnitude has not taken place in about 20 years, he said.
With the additions to the resort, this season is sure to be a lot of fun. In fact, the resort’s slogan for the season is “New Lifts. New Terrain. A New Experience.”
For more information on Brian Head Resort, visit www.brianhead.com. The town Web site is www.brianheadtown.utah.gov.

---