If your 2022 agenda includes a winter getaway, you’re in luck: Brian Head Resort, one of the country’s most desirable vacation destinations, is just over an hour’s drive from St. George. Home to “The Greatest Snow on Earth®,” Brian Head offers a wealth of ways to enjoy it, from skiing, snowboarding and tubing, to snowmobiling, night skiing and more.
First discovered by the Fremont tribe of Native Americans, and later settled in the 1850s by European shepherds and cattle ranchers, Brian Head boasts a rich cultural history. The resort opened in the winter of 1964-1965—and quickly grew from a single-chairlift operation to a complete sports and entertainment mecca. Today, the 650-acre Brian Head Resort sprawls across two connected mountains—Navajo and Giant Steps—with 71 runs, eight chairlifts, three surface lifts and a terrain park. Add in a full complement of spa, dining and retail options, and it’s the perfect place to banish the mid-winter blahs—especially right now.
“February and March are some of our best snow months,” says Mary Ann Hatch, the resort’s marketing coordinator. “The conditions are awesome at this time of year, the lines aren’t as long as they are at some of the bigger resorts, and there are virtually no lift-lines mid-week.”
Whether you’re a super-schusser or barely beginning, Mary Ann says you’ll find the ideal blend of gear and instruction at Navajo Ski Lodge and Giant Steps Lodge and Lifts. “Rental shops at Brian Head offer whatever you need; if you’re taking a lesson, your package will include your equipment rental and your daily lift-ticket,” Mary Ann confirms. “If you’ve never skied or boarded before, Brian Head is the best place to learn; it’s very family-oriented and friendly.”
Two hotels and multiple condo and cabin rentals at the resort provide abundant housing possibilities, while dining venues offer everything from Thai cuisine to pub grub. Says Mary Ann, “All of the beers featured at Last Chair Grill and Brews are locally brewed; we have 15 labels on tap. Come in a for an appetizer and beer after skiing, or take a break during the day.”
Once you’ve fallen in love with Brian Head’s pristine mountain air, spectacular views and abundant amenities, plan a summertime visit for hiking, mountain biking, or just an escape from more torrid temperatures. No matter what your vacation goal, everything’s better at Brian Head.
“We may not be the biggest town in the world,” Mary Ann notes. “We’re small, but we’re mighty!”
Visit brianhead.com for complete information, including vacation and rental packages.
