Top of Little Cottonwood Canyon
Ski Utah · Top of Big Cottonwood Canyon
Brighton
Brighton is the locals’ hill at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, with laid-back lodges, tree skiing, strong terrain parks and some of the best night skiing in Utah.
Photo: Raman Patel · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Brighton opened in 1936, and it still feels like a neighborhood ski area that happens to get 500 inches of snow. It was one of the first Utah resorts to welcome snowboarders, and its parks and side-hits keep that culture alive. Four peaks wrap the base, and almost every lift drops you back near the same lodge, so it is easy to meet up with family between runs.
Great Western and Millicent hold the steeper terrain, with lots of tight trees and powder stashes off the edges. Majestic and the Explorer area are where beginners learn, and on many evenings a big share of the mountain is lit for night skiing, which makes Brighton a favorite after-work stop for Salt Lake skiers.
Known for
- Night skiing under the lights
- Snowboard and terrain park culture
- Tree skiing off Millicent and Great Western
- Relaxed, local vibe
Good to know
- Brighton requires parking reservations for daytime arrivals during the season, with a discount for full cars of four or more. Book ahead, especially on powder days.
- The Town of Brighton also requires paid reservations for parking along the upper canyon road on weekends and holidays, so do not plan on roadside parking.
- Big Cottonwood Canyon has the same traction-device rules as Little Cottonwood. Chains or a 4WD/AWD vehicle with snow tires are required when the restriction is on.
- UTA ski buses climb Big Cottonwood from the valley and are free for Ikon and many local season passholders.
- Night skiing has its own lower-priced tickets. Check the schedule on Brighton’s site, since lit terrain and nights vary by month.