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    Utah, USA · Ikon

    Brighton

    Salt Lake's favorite night skiing destination. Features 1050 acres of terrain epic powder days extensive terrain parks and perfect learning programs.

    Open in the app

    Live Brighton conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

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    Live Brighton conditions, webcams & maps. Opens straight here.

    Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
    Season 2026 - 2027
    Opens
    4 Dec 2026
    Closes
    9 May 2027
    Days open
    156
    Annual snow
    452in
    Snow record
    0in
    2026-27 so far
    0% of a typical winter452in
    Explore 17 winters of snowfall→
    The Overview
    MF
    Michael Fulton
    Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

    Brighton Resort delivers exceptional skiing and snowboarding across 1,050 acres of diverse terrain at the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon, with elevations ranging from 2,668m base to 3,200m summit. Utah's oldest ski resort combines 66 runs spanning all ability levels with some of the most reliable snowfall in North America, averaging 12.7m annually in one of the snowiest microclimates on the continent. The resort's claim to fame extends beyond daytime operations, offering over 200 acres of illuminated terrain across 32 runs six nights weekly, making Brighton the only Salt Lake area resort with extensive night skiing.

    Brighton's authentic, welcoming atmosphere attracts everyone from first-time learners to expert cliff-huckers, earning consistent recognition from locals for best value and family-friendly terrain. The resort's historical significance as the first Utah ski area, established in 1936, blends seamlessly with modern lift infrastructure including the Crest Express, currently Utah's fastest chairlift. Five terrain parks cater to freestyle progression, whilst natural features including bowls, chutes, and extensive tree skiing provide endless exploration opportunities across two main zones.

    The resort's straightforward layout and accessible pricing structure keep the focus squarely on quality skiing rather than resort frills. Children aged six and under ski free with paying adults, whilst direct connections to neighbouring Solitude Resort via the SolBright pass expand terrain options for multi-resort adventures in the legendary Cottonwood Canyons.

    1,745ft
    Vertical
    66
    Runs
    1,050 acres
    Skiable
    452in
    Annual snow
    Ikon
    Pass
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    The Terrain

    66 runs across 1,050 acres skiable

    Brighton Resort sits at the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon in Utah's Wasatch Range, with 1,050 acres (425 hectares) of terrain and 66 runs. The base is at 8,750 ft (2,668 m) and the summit at 10,500 ft (3,200 m), giving 1,750 ft (532 m) of vertical. The difficulty split is 21% beginner, 39% intermediate, 25% advanced and 15% expert, a rounded spread with a strong intermediate core. Seven lifts serve the mountain, including Crest 6 Express, Utah's fastest chairlift, and three high-speed quads. Brighton also runs one of the largest night skiing programmes in the western United States, with lights over more than 200 acres.

    The Majestic and Explorer lifts serve the beginner zones, while the Millicent, Great Western and Snake Creek lifts open progressively harder intermediate and advanced runs, and Crest 6 Express reaches the upper mountain quickly. Night skiing runs from 4pm to 9pm, Monday to Saturday, on four lifts: Explorer, Majestic, Crest Express and Snake Creek Express. That makes Brighton a practical choice for after-work laps as well as full days. Brighton suits families, learners and keen intermediates, plus anyone wanting a session under lights. Neighbouring Solitude shares the SolBright pass, and the SolBright run loops from the top of Summit down to the Sunrise lift to link the two mountains.

    Terrain split
    66
    runs
    66 runs across 4 grades
    Beginner14 runs · 21%
    Intermediate26 runs · 39%
    Advanced17 runs · 25%
    Expert10 runs · 15%
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    Time it right

    When to visit Brighton

    Brighton typically operates from mid-November through mid-April, with the most consistent conditions occurring January through March when the Cottonwood Funnel microclimate delivers its legendary snowfall. The resort's elevated position between 2,668m and 3,200m combined with predominantly north-facing aspects creates exceptional snow preservation throughout the season, often maintaining quality conditions when lower-elevation resorts struggle. The 12.7m average annual snowfall frequently exceeds 500 inches in exceptional years, occasionally surpassing 700 inches during particularly active storm cycles.

    Early season openings become possible through the resort's high base elevation and reliable pre-Christmas snowfall, whilst spring skiing extends well into April with excellent corn snow developing on sunny afternoons. The microclimate's position at the head of Big Cottonwood Canyon intercepts westerly storm flow efficiently, with the Wasatch Range forcing moisture-laden air upward where it condenses and deposits exceptionally dry, light powder across Brighton's varied terrain.

    Night skiing operations run six nights weekly from mid-December through mid-March, offering extended riding opportunities under lights during the season's core months. The resort's snow quality benefits from Utah's famously low-density powder, creating forgiving conditions for progression whilst delivering the deep, consistent coverage that attracts powder seekers to the Cottonwood Canyons. Clear, sunny days provide spectacular alpine vistas whilst maintaining excellent snow quality on shaded aspects throughout winter.

    Season 2026 - 2027
    4 Dec 2026
    Opens
    9 May 2027
    Closes
    156
    Days open
    452 in
    Annual snow
    The record

    Historical snowfall at Brighton

    Daily snow reports at Brighton go back to 2010, 17 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.

    33 in
    Snowiest day
    22 Dec 2015
    0 in
    This winter · 2026-27
    so far
    452 in
    Typical winter
    average of complete seasons
    Explore historical snowfall →
    Winter totals
    in
    Past wintersThis winter
    Getting there

    Getting to Brighton, and where to stay

    Located at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon approximately 58km southeast of downtown Salt Lake City, Brighton sits just 56km from Salt Lake City International Airport with drive times averaging 45-50 minutes under normal conditions. The resort's position in the Wasatch Range places it amongst North America's most accessible alpine skiing destinations, with the scenic Highway 190 canyon approach providing a straightforward route from the Salt Lake valley floor. Brighton's proximity to metropolitan Salt Lake creates convenient access to diverse accommodation options in surrounding communities including Cottonwood Heights, Sandy, and Midvale.

    The resort shares Big Cottonwood Canyon with neighbouring Solitude Mountain Resort located just 3km away, with interconnecting terrain and combined SolBright passes allowing skiers to experience both mountains during single visits. This strategic canyon position creates a powder haven where orographic lift generates substantially higher snowfall than the valley below, whilst maintaining remarkably short transfer times from major transport hubs. Free UTA ski bus services connect downtown Salt Lake and park-and-ride facilities directly to the resort throughout winter, providing economical transport alternatives.

    Brighton's location within the Wasatch-Cache National Forest surrounds visitors with pristine alpine scenery and direct backcountry access gates for adventurous skiers seeking terrain beyond the resort boundary. The canyon's year-round recreation opportunities extend Brighton's appeal beyond winter months, with lift-assisted mountain biking and disc golf available during summer. Weekend parking reservations become essential during peak periods, though the robust public transport network and carpool options provide practical alternatives to private vehicle access up the canyon.

    Where to stay

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    Hotels and lodges near Brighton, powered by Stay22.

    Latest News

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    1 Nov 2026

    Brighton Lift Tickets

    Brighton lift tickets & passes

    Opening day for the winter 2026 - 2027 season is scheduled for Dec 4, 2026 (subject to change). Lift tickets at Brighton typically go on sale well before the start of the ski season.

    Our lift ticket pricing was last updated on Sep 28, 2026.

    Day passes start from US$37, with peak rates up to US$136.

    Prices on the go

    Check Brighton lift tickets anytime. Opens to this page.

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    Prices on the go

    Check Brighton lift tickets anytime. Opens to this page.

    Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
    Ikon8 pass options
    Buy passes ↗

    Single-day passes

    Adult 13–64

    Adult All-Day Ticket (13-64)

    US$72up to US$136 peak

    All-Day Lift Ticket at Brighton Resort for the 2026/27 season, ages 13-64. Brighton uses fully dynamic date-based pricing (Boyne network, same system as Big Sky); regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high price observed across December 2026 on the resort's own booking calendar ($72 non-holiday to $136 for the Dec 27-31 holiday stretch). December sample only - January/February peak weeks may run higher.

    Buy pass
    Child 7–12

    Grom All-Day Ticket (7-12)

    US$37up to US$65 peak

    All-Day Lift Ticket for Groms 7-12 at Brighton Resort for the 2026/27 season. Dynamic date-based pricing; regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high price observed across December 2026 ($37 non-holiday to $65 for the Dec 27-31 holiday stretch). December sample only.

    Buy pass
    Senior 65–99

    Senior All-Day Ticket (65+)

    US$44up to US$94 peak

    All-Day Lift Ticket for seniors 65+ at Brighton Resort for the 2026/27 season. Dynamic date-based pricing; regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high price observed across December 2026 ($44 non-holiday to $94 for the Dec 27-31 holiday stretch). December sample only.

    Buy pass

    Multi-day passes

    Adult 13–64

    Adult 2 Day Ticket (13-64)

    US$131up to US$246 peak

    Multi-day Lift Ticket (2 Days) for adults 13-64 at Brighton Resort for the 2026/27 season - total price for the pack, dynamic date-based pricing. Regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high price observed across December 2026 start dates ($131 non-holiday to $246 for a Dec 27-31 start). December sample only.

    Buy pass
    Adult 13–64

    Adult 3 Day Ticket (13-64)

    US$174up to US$327 peak

    Multi-day Lift Ticket (3 Days) for adults 13-64 at Brighton Resort for the 2026/27 season - total price for the pack, dynamic date-based pricing. Regular/peak reflect the confirmed low/high price observed across December 2026 start dates ($174 non-holiday to $327 for a Dec 27-31 start). December sample only.

    Buy pass
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    Season passes

    Adult 28–64

    Unlimited Season Pass (Adult 28-64)

    US$1,339

    Unlimited Season Pass (Adult) at Brighton Resort for 2026/27 - open to close, no blackout dates. Confirmed flat price from the resort's own season pass store.

    Buy pass
    Adult 28–64

    Base Season Pass (Adult 28-64)

    US$1,159

    Base Season Pass (Adult) at Brighton Resort for 2026/27 - 9am-2pm 7 days a week with limited blackouts (Dec 19-Jan 3, Jan 16-18, Feb 13-15), plus 2pm-close 7 days a week with no blackouts. Confirmed flat price from the resort's own season pass store.

    Buy pass
    Adult 19–99

    Off-Peak Season Pass (Adult 19+)

    US$729

    Off-Peak Season Pass (Adult 19+) at Brighton Resort for 2026/27 - 9am-2pm Mon-Fri with limited blackouts (Dec 19-Jan 3, Jan 16-18, Feb 13-15), plus 2pm-close 7 days a week with no blackouts. Confirmed flat price from the resort's own season pass store.

    Buy pass

    Lift tickets FAQ

    How much does a Brighton day pass cost?+
    Brighton day passes range from US$37 to US$136 depending on the date and advance booking.
    Can I buy Brighton lift tickets online?+
    Yes, you can purchase tickets directly from the resort website or at the resort ticket office.
    Are there discounts for multi-day passes?+
    Yes, multi-day packages typically offer significant savings compared to individual day passes. The per-day cost decreases with longer stays.
    What is included with a Brighton lift ticket?+
    Full access to all lifts and trails at Brighton, including mountain safety and patrol services.
    What is the difference between Brighton lift tickets and ski passes?+
    "Lift tickets" and "ski passes" refer to the same thing at Brighton - your access to the mountain's lifts and trails for your chosen duration.
    When should I buy Brighton lift tickets for the best price?+
    Purchase tickets at least 7 days in advance for the best rates, and consider weekday visits for further savings over weekend rates.
    Does Brighton offer group discounts on lift tickets?+
    Group discounts are typically available for parties of 10 or more. Contact Brighton directly for group booking information and rates.
    How can I check current conditions before buying tickets?+
    Before purchasing, check the live snow report and mountain webcams to see current weather, snow conditions, and lift operations at Brighton.

    More Brighton intelligence: snow report, webcams, resort overview.

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