Mountain Review: Brighton, Utah

[@dustykimberly8102]

I really love Brighton and it has a special place in my heart. Definitely a resort that skis bigger than its 70 runs or so. No it’s not your Vail, Breck, Snowbird, Park City that has nice built up facilities all along and up the mountain. But that is why I love this place. You truly feel as if your in the mountains and the local old school feel can’t be found anywhere else

[@CCSn0ws]

Peak rankings is very underrated, this channel deserves more attention!

[@denigma68rltw]

It's not the Salt Lake Valley you are seeing it's Heber Valley, where Heber City is located.

[@PeakRankings]

Thanks for the heads up!

[@genefranceschini5027]

East coast rider here. Brighton was the first mountain we went to after landing in Utah, and I couldn’t have been happier. The mountains awesome to explore, but the locals and the overall mountain vibe were the highlights of my stay at Brighton. Would definitely recommend to a friend.

[@mack.attack]

The killer thing with Brighton's lower vertical is that most runs you can actually rip continuously that entire 1700' without any traverse or cat track nonsense. Makes it feel so much bigger. And NIGHT SKIING. haha I go after work like every day 😍

[@jonnyquest8774]

Intermediate Snowboarder here. I was at Brighton last week and LOVED IT! Very fun and beautiful runs. Snowed all day on my last day there (3/12/24). I'll be dreaming about it until I can return next year!

[@lilazntown]

I got lucky and hit Brighton right after it dumped almost a foot overnight. The glades are extremely fun to cruise through. It’s not too technical except a few spots here and there but that’s part of its charm. Just nice fun runs and it doesn’t see the same crowds as Snowbird. There were nice powder stashes even at the end of the day. Compared to a powder day at snowbird that gets tracked out as soon as the gates drop.

[@shaunganley]

As an intermediate skier, I thoroughly enjoyed this resort. Snow was amazing in early February 2023. Some of the issues mentioned in this video are fair, including the cat tracks, and separated bases. Lines on good snow days and Friday-Sundays can also get long. However, it's got a great old school mountain vibe AND the night skiing is spectacular! The new lights added to a bunch of trails makes this a great stop for anyone arriving into the area by plane later in the day -- and still wants to hit some trails. I was able to ski till 9pm and still catch a SLC redeye!

[@hanssolo6990]

Great work on your videos. I hope you do as many as possible

[@timothyosborn1697]

Brighton is where I learned to skin in '74. I used to skip school in the mid '70s when Brighton was $6.00/day and Alta was $10:00/day midweek. My, how times have changed since then. Still, Brighton is a sentimental favorite when the crowds are low and the snow great. Back when I was young, next to the Millicent lift was the Evergeen lift. The Mary Lift, which was to the right of Majestic, was the beginner's lift, then. You could get a 10 ride pass for what was it, $5:00? Oh, those were the days with the strap in ski retainers.... ;)

[@mtadams2009]

I actually like the idea that it’s not built up. I am not a fan of places like Vail, I prefer more of a A Basin vibe or Grand Targhee. I know many love huge resorts but they don’t work for me. I mainly care about good snow.

[@thelonelyphish]

I love Brighton so much, I've boarded there like 4 times and every time we got amazing snake runs through the trees, it's definitely got the best atmosphere in the area, reminds me of the vibe I get from my local resorts like big bear and snow summit. But as a snowboarder I've never gotten stuck like I have at Brighton

[@kittyooze]

Recently they actually built a great new lift for crest. It should be way faster now!

[@sanjayc74]

went early last week and it was amazing with tons of fresh pow. The tree runs off the trails were awesome and I also did my first Rockie's double black off Milly because of the forgiving powder conditions. The resort didn't seem too small. I've done Snowbird in the past and it's just way too steep/technical for my level. Also, did Park City this past trip and I wasn't a big fan. Too built up and hard to navigate from one area to the next. Can't wait to go back to Sol/Bright next year for their small charm and amazing powder/glades. Also met some cool people there too!

[@spacecase6825]

that was not the salt lake valley , that’s looking down into heber city off the back of snake creek .

[@Herbster41]

I love this mountain. The biggest problem that I've experienced is that it gets really crowded down below. Go mid-week with the Christmas season well in your rear view mirror. Hit Aspen Glo off of the Great Western Express.

[@timothyb949]

I have wonderful memories - both good and bad - of Aspen Glo!

[@elliotearles8302]

Great video! I didn’t have the best experience on my single visit, so I’m glad to see you discuss this mountain rather critically, but also some positives I didn’t experience.

[@PeakRankings]

Thank you! Out of curiosity, what were the issues you faced on your trip?

[@Bushwacked487]

What didn’t you like about it? We’re considering hitting it in march

[@reubenrichards2529]

Nothing is wrong with brighton

[@kaydenrecord4508]

Great review! Only think I noticed is you can get to ever lift from great western If you know where to go all the way to milly. But you can only get to crest from milly

[@garretthansen8712]

That view is not the salt lake valley 😂😂😂 that is Heber and midway. There is an off road trail that runs from midway over to big cottonwood canyon just outside of solitude and Brighton.

[@JohnKline-r9w]

He is absolutely correct. Brighton is a terrible Mountain to go to. I’ve been going there for 30 years and it’s awful so whatever you do don’t waste your time and go to Brighton.

[@markjwil]

On the top of Brighton, there are views of the Heber Valley instead of the Salt Lake Valley.

[@denigma68rltw]

It's best to ski both Brighton & Solitude on the same day. Use the Sol-Bright Trail.

[@waynepaisley2241]

Brighton is my home mountain, it's real beauty is out of bounds 🤯🤘 It's become way too crowded and no mention of the glorious red snake?

[@ikal8178]

This is entirely out of the blue, but do you ever have plans to visit Alyeska? I’d be curious to see your take on that mountain.

[@PeakRankings]

We were not planning to hit it this year, but are trying to make a trip work by the 2022-23 season!

[@ikal8178]

@@PeakRankings Cool! That seems like it would get a 10 in challenge, not sure about everything else though.

[@zsxavi]

@@PeakRankings I was just looking for an Alyeska video from yall! Hoping I find one or you have it on the slate for this upcoming season

[@meganhadad5668]

That’s the midway and heber city near park city that you see from the top of snake creek lift not the salt lake valley. You can see the salt lake valley from snowbird though!

[@PeakRankings]

Thanks for the clarification!

[@epic1355]

You should go to grand targhee. WY

[@PeakRankings]

We'll actually be there this Saturday! And review will follow later this year

[@epic1355]

Awesome! Can’t wait to see it!

[@ActionXander]

The Ghee is amazing!

[@jesboogie]

Tree runs off of snake chair for the win

[@silaswalter5316]

Could you do Bear Valley Mountain Resort in California

[@PeakRankings]

We are hoping to get there this season if possible! Would likely be mid-April, so we're keeping an eye on the snow reports.

[@deadbrother5355]

I can traverse from great western all the way to Milly any day other than say + 5 inches of fresh snow. Also the flats are only a problem if you let them sneak up on you. Once you know where to hold momentum you glide right through, even on pow days. But for the record, Brighton is awful and you should never go there. Park city or deer valley should be your destination 100%.

[@adamb7230]

I guess we'll just keep it our little secret, then.

[@ConfusedDesertCobra-kw9fc]

It’s the home of so many pro snowboarders for a reason. Mark Mcmorris was there last week, Sage is there frequently. That’s all you really need to know if you’re a serious rider. They have it more figured out than any plastic shoe wearing tourist on KZbin is going to say lol

[@alwaysgosnowboarding]

Looking for a trip from east coast sat-sat, so most skiing days midweek. Looking to go late february after peak holiday times. Looking for a mountain to cruise pow and glades, find fun side hits from the terrain, and effieicnt lifts so Im not alwaysnin line. Given this isnon the ikon pass.. this is my number 1 option given I can stay near SLC and rent an awd… also like how they have night riding. Do roads get closed often for pow days? I would die if I got stuck on the commute on a pow day…. Torn between lodging outside and commuting, or bucking up the cash for some ski in-lodge. I just wanna eat pbj and cruise all day. Idc about night life or city stuff… anyone see this comment and visit brighton often?

[@dirtsnowandmountains4772]

I ski Brighton about 40 days a season and you can’t go wrong if you are looking for some awesome glades. Even during the heaviest snowstorms the roads are plowed very frequently so a full closure of the road isn’t common. You will however need a car with 4wd and or snow tires to get up. Another option is to take the bus up which has multiple stops before the canyon for you to hop on from down in the valley. If you have ikon pass you can also ski solitude as well on the same day via the solbright trail which connects both resorts right off of the Milly lift! Skiing both resorts opens up a ton of terrain options so you definitely won’t get bored. And the night skiing at Brighton on a pow day is awesome, I go after work multiple nights a week!

[@alwaysgosnowboarding]

@@dirtsnowandmountains4772 thanks for the insight. Everything I see online has been looking like a surefire awesome time at brighton! And didnt know I could snowboard solitude too! ( they allow snowboards right?) Also, how do you like living in SLC? The weather is really good in VT, no wildfires or droughts or severe weather. We have great mountains but not enough snow :( Is there really many cloudy days in slc? Any bad weather stuff youd have insight on? Any idea how public schools are for raising a family. Ty in advance

[@dirtsnowandmountains4772]

@@alwaysgosnowboarding I love living in SLC. I'm from the east coast but don't see myself moving back any time soon. SLC is super sunny most of our overcast comes from winter storms but its less overcast than the east coast by far. We do have bad air quality in the winter sometimes if its been a while since a storm has rolled through and in the summer from wildfire smoke depending on the direction the winds are blowing but overall it's great. If you are looking for an outdoorsy lifestyle and bigger mountains Utah takes the cake over Vermont any day in my mind. Although I do love me some heady topper! Not sure about the public schools since I don't have kids though.

[@alwaysgosnowboarding]

@@dirtsnowandmountains4772 appreciate the insight! Thank you

[@TheHuntercamper]

Epic pass...who trust everything will be open or lifts even running

[@psychadelicccc]

Brighton sucks don't go there!! Stick to alta and park city, way better! 😁

[@purplism4857]

your terrain diversity ranking is bad. brighton has so much easily accessible sidecountry requiring no hiking whatsoever. i could take you to cliffs you wouldn't hit in your wildest dreams easily. terrain should be an easy 10. it has some of everything.

[@purplism4857]

for people reading this, please don't come to brighton, it's crowded enough already. but this reviewer is a total jerry lmao brighton is by far the best utah has to offer, you just need to know the terrain. i've casually ridden with so many pros who have taken me into back country areas that knocked my socks off.

[@dsm156]

No... It's not. If you want Utah's best, go to park city, deer valley or snowbasin. Don't waste your time in big cottonwood as it's just a cheap imitation of little cottonwood and you probably can't handle little cottonwood. Go somewhere nice that you'll enjoy and leave Brighton to the suckers.

[@---yx7ti]

@@purplism4857 moving to utah this winter where should i go

[@purplism4857]

@@dsm156 LOL yea lets go where there is less snow and diversity in terrain, that makes total sense. also love the condominium aesthetic of vail country. nothing beats it. yea please stay there

[@purplism4857]

@@---yx7ti easiest to live in cottonwood heights if you wanna be shredding a lot

[@thishombre1952]

Go away. Ski Colorado. You're helping to ruin this place.

[@kaykay3498]

amen we don’t want the tourist tyvm

[@psychadelicccc]

Brighton sucks, worst mountain. Nobody should waste their time and money there!! 🙃

[@brianoconnor3407]

@@psychadelicccc These types of posts are so juvenile. No one is influenced, mostly annoyed. Not funny or clever. Guessing you are a snowboarder.

[@selophane43]

Brighton is TERRIBLE. If you’re from the east or even the west coast or Texas, don’t waste your time and money. Go to Colorado. Vail and Aspen and Copper are way better. Trust me. Stay away from Brighton. Go to Park City.

[@voltaire372]

I just went there last week, and had a great time. Everyone should go and check it out at least once if they get a chance. No one owns the snow that falls over Utah. Everyone can go where they want