Brighton Resort Extends Season to May After Late Spring Snow

Brighton Pushes Closing Date After Spring Storm Cycle

Brighton Resort extended its 2025-26 season by one week to 10 May after recent spring storms deposited enough snow to justify continued operations. The Big Cottonwood Canyon resort had previously announced a 3 May closure but reversed course following what the resort termed a "late-season refresh" of snowfall.

The extension comes after what Utah officials documented as the state's lowest statewide snowpack since tracking began in 1980, forcing most resorts in the region to close weeks earlier than typical seasons. Brighton's decision leaves it as one of only three Utah ski areas still operating.

Minimal Options Remaining in Utah

Beyond Brighton, only Brian Head and Snowbird remain operational in Utah. Brian Head confirmed its closing date as 3 May, whilst Snowbird shifted to weekend-only operations - a common cost-cutting measure when visitor numbers don't justify daily staffing.

Other prominent Utah resorts including Snowbasin and Solitude closed early, citing weather conditions. The pattern reflects the broader challenge facing operators when snowpack disappears ahead of schedule.

Seasonal Context

The 2025-26 winter set multiple unwelcome records across Utah. Salt Lake City recorded its warmest winter in over 150 years, contributing to the historically low snowpack figures. The warm temperatures and lack of precipitation created conditions that forced difficult operational decisions across the state's ski industry.

Brighton spokesperson Jared Winkler stated that recent storms and guest interest made the extension decision straightforward. Spring skiing operations typically offer reduced terrain compared to mid-winter, though the resort hasn't specified what percentage of its 1,050 acres remains accessible.

What Extended Operations Actually Mean

A one-week extension after a historically poor snow year represents damage control rather than victory. Brighton's decision to remain open suggests the late April storms delivered enough cover to keep some terrain skiable, but context matters - this follows a winter that water supply experts warned could have significant implications for Utah's resource management.

For anyone planning late-season trips, the reality is that three resorts operating in a state that typically runs a dozen well into spring reflects how severely the season underperformed. Weekend-only operations at Snowbird and early closures elsewhere indicate most operators couldn't justify the expense of staying open.

The situation offers a preview of what warming trends might mean for mid-elevation resorts dependent on natural snowfall. Brighton sits at 2,675 metres base elevation - not low by North American standards - yet still struggled through this season. Resorts without significant snowmaking infrastructure or higher elevations may find these challenging years become more frequent rather than statistical anomalies.