Brian Head's 650 acres spread across two mountains separated by Highway 143, each with its own base lodge and its own character. Navajo is the quieter, more sheltered side, with wide greens and mellow blues radiating from the Navajo Express quad. Giant Steps is where the mountain opens up: beginner and early intermediate runs sit near the base off the Blackfoot lift, longer blues drop from the Giant Steps Express through the mid-mountain, and the upper lifts reach steeper blacks, natural mogul fields, and short gladed tree runs. The terrain splits fairly evenly across abilities, so skiers and snowboarders of all levels have plenty to ski and can enjoy the mountain together.

Getting between the two sides is straightforward. A ski bridge crosses the highway, connecting the Wildflower lift on Navajo to the Alpen Glow lift on Giant Steps, and a free shuttle runs between the two base lodges throughout the day. Eight chairlifts serve the mountain in total, including the two high-speed quads, so lines stay short and you can cover both peaks without much waiting. One thing worth knowing is that Brian Head's base sits at nearly 3,000m, so the air is noticeably thinner than you may be used to. Take the first day steady and drink plenty of water while you adjust.

Important for international visitors:Brian Head uses the North American trail rating system. Green circles mark beginner runs, similar to European greens and easy blues. Blue squares cover a broad band of intermediate terrain, black diamonds indicate advanced runs, and double black diamonds are expert only. There's no direct equivalent to the European red, so confident intermediates should expect some blue squares with more bite than a typical European blue.

Skiing for beginners in Brian Head

Beginners at Brian Head benefit from dedicated learning terrain on Navajo, where gentle green runs are served by the Pioneer chair and surface lifts near the Navajo Lodge. The area sits well clear of faster traffic, and the heavy tree line on this side of the mountain shelters it from the wind, keeping things comfortable while you find your feet. Grooming on the beginner runs is kept consistently smooth, and the ski school is based right here at Navajo Lodge.

Once you're linking turns confidently, you can move onto the longer runs off the Navajo Express, then explore the backside of Navajo via the Wildflower lift, where Sugarloaf and Sun Dog offer a slightly bigger pitch. They're groomed daily, with wide open views across to Brian Head Peak the whole way down. From there, the ski bridge takes you over to Giant Steps, where Heavenly Daze and Desbah off the Blackfoot lift give you your first taste of a bigger mountain on forgiving, well-groomed terrain.

WeSki insider tip: The ski bridge over to Giant Steps needs a bit of momentum to cross, so carry your speed as you approach. Lose pace halfway and it's an awkward shuffle, so commit and you'll glide across easily.

Intermediate skiing in Brian Head

Intermediates have a good spread of terrain across both peaks. Giant Steps provides the bulk of the blue-square cruising, with long, consistent groomers off the Giant Steps Express that let you build rhythm and work on speed control. Sunburst is the standout here, a wide, sweeping run with red rock views, and linking it into Bear Paw gives you one of the longer descents on the mountain. Higher up, Hunter's Run and Ed's Shortcut bring in lightly gladed sections and rolling terrain off the top of the lift, adding variety without a big jump in difficulty.

On Navajo, the blues off the Wildflower lift carry a different feel: tighter and more undulating, with natural rolls and tree-lined sections where you'll read the slope more actively than on the wide-open groomers. If you're ready to test yourself on something steeper, the runs off the Roulette and Dunes lifts on Giant Steps sit right on the edge between blue and black, a good place to push your comfort zone with the option to bail onto an easier line if you need it. Both peaks are easy to ski in a day using the bridge and the free shuttle between base lodges.

WeSki insider tip: Powder Run off the Alpen Glow lift is worth seeking out. It has a satisfying pitch for confident intermediates, the tree cover around the lift keeps the wind off on stormier days, and it tends to stay quieter than the main Giant Steps runs.

Advanced and expert skiing in Brian Head

Advanced terrain at Brian Head centres on Giant Steps, where black diamond and double black diamond runs drop off the Roulette and Dunes lifts through steep pitches, natural mogul fields, and tight tree lines. Engens is the steepest run on the mountain, a wide-open face with serious pitch. Straight Up beneath the Roulette lift and Wild Ride along the resort boundary are both sustained and committing. If you're comfortable in the trees, Dark Hollow and Pillows offer glade skiing through forgiving evergreens, spaced wide enough to find a rhythm without feeling boxed in.

Brian Head's altitude keeps the snow dry and light, and when fresh snow falls, the glades and chutes on the upper mountain fill in well. The terrain rewards a few days of strong skiing rather than a full week, and it's at its best after a storm, when the tree runs and off-piste gates open up new ground. Backcountry gates at the top of the Roulette lift reach steeper terrain beyond the resort boundary, including Devo's Pitch, which funnels back into Wild Ride. Avalanche awareness, proper equipment, and local knowledge are essential if you head through the gates.

WeSki insider tip: The tree glades off the Dunes lift (Chair 7) hold powder well after a storm, even when the main groomed runs have been tracked out. The trees are spaced generously enough that you can pick a line without committing to anything too tight.

Snowboarding in Brian Head

Brian Head has a strong riding culture. The vibe is relaxed and progression-focused, and the dry, light snow at this altitude suits snowboarding particularly well. On the natural terrain side, Giant Steps has plenty to work with. Tree runs off the Dunes and Roulette lifts hold natural banks, rollers, and side hits through forgiving, well-spaced evergreens (Dark Hollow and Pillows are standout glade runs). On the open groomers, the consistent pitch off the Giant Steps Express lends itself to carving and speed. Between the peaks, flatter connecting sections can catch you out, so carry enough momentum across the bridge to avoid unstrapping.

For freestyle, the Training Grounds on Giant Steps offer three parks with over 20 features across different levels. Foundation is the entry point, Detour steps things up for intermediates, and Bypass is the main event, with a jump line of 20 to 30 foot hits, a spine transfer, a quarterpipe, and a rail garden. All three parks are lit for the night sessions on Friday and Saturday evenings, which draw a regular crowd of local riders.

Off-piste skiing

Off-piste at Brian Head sits within and just beyond the resort boundary on Giant Steps, where glades, natural chutes, and ungroomed tree lines between marked runs hold snow well after storms. The dry, light snow at this altitude lingers, and shaded tree zones on the upper mountain can give up fresh lines days after the last snowfall. Dark Hollow and Pillows offer a taste of off-piste conditions without leaving patrolled terrain, while the steeper shots to the right of the Dunes lift open up more committed lines through the forest.

For those wanting to push further, backcountry gates off the Roulette lift reach Devo's Pitch, a steep chute that funnels back into Wild Ride on the resort boundary. Hike-to terrain off Brian Head Peak, around 140m of climbing from the top lift, gains a ridgeline to skier's right with a straightforward return to the resort. None of the backcountry terrain is patrolled, groomed, or avalanche-controlled, so proper equipment, avalanche awareness, and local knowledge are essential. Beyond the resort, Dixie National Forest opens up touring across the surrounding plateau.

Brian Head ski school and lessons

Brian Head's Winter Sports School runs group and private lessons for all ages and abilities, based at the Navajo Lodge. Group lessons for adults run in morning and afternoon sessions, and private lessons are available in blocks of up to six hours for more focused coaching. Beginners benefit from the resort's Terrain Based Learning setup, which uses sculpted and shaped snow features to teach balance, turning, and stopping in a controlled environment before you move onto the open slopes.

Beyond standard lessons, private sessions can be booked specifically for terrain park coaching if you want to work on freestyle skills with an instructor. Brian Head also runs an adaptive lessons programme for skiers and snowboarders with physical or cognitive disabilities, with specially trained instructors available by advance reservation.

Brian Head terrain parks

Brian Head runs three terrain parks on Giant Steps under the Training Grounds banner, each pitched at a different level. All three parks are maintained regularly through the season and lit for night sessions on Friday and Saturday evenings, so you can lap features after the main slopes close.

Foundation is the entry point, with small boxes and low jumps for first-timers getting comfortable with park features. Detour steps things up for intermediates working on rails and medium hits. Bypass is the main park, with a three-jump line (20 to 30 foot hits), a spine transfer, quarterpipe, and a rail garden with Z-rails, double kink rails, and a waterfall rail. A beginner-friendly "skate-on" approach to the rails across all three parks keeps the entry barrier low if you're trying park riding for the first time.

1. Brian Head Family ski holiday
2. Things to do in Brian Head
3. Planning your trip in Brian Head
4. How to get to Brian Head
5. Brian Head FAQs

Brian Head family ski holiday

Brian Head is a compact, easy resort to manage as a family. Both base lodges have equipment rental, dining, and lift access under one roof, and the free shuttle and ski bridge between the two peaks keep everything connected without needing a car. Navajo Lodge doubles as the ski school base, so you can drop younger children at lessons and head straight to the lifts yourself. The cabin-style accommodation around the village suits families well too, with most properties offering full kitchens or kitchenettes for self-catering, which takes the pressure off eating out every night.

On the slopes, the youngest skiers can start with First Tracks private lessons from age three at Navajo Lodge, where magic carpets, surface lifts, and gentle greens create a sheltered learning space, well clear of the main flow. From age five, Tiny Tracks brings children into group lessons, and Mountain Explorers (ages seven to twelve) runs structured sessions across four ability levels, with lift tickets, equipment, and lunch included. As children grow more confident, Navajo's easy blues off the Wildflower lift offer a natural step up, and the ski bridge across to Giant Steps gives experienced young skiers a whole second mountain to explore. Friday and Saturday night skiing on Giant Steps is worth doing as a family, with the terrain parks lit up and tubing running into the evening.

Off the slopes, there's plenty to enjoy as a family. Both peaks have their own tubing parks (bookable by session), and Brian Head Ice is an outdoor skating rink set among the pines, open for daytime and evening sessions. Monthly Star Parties at Navajo Lodge are worth planning around if your dates line up: a ranger from Cedar Breaks leads a constellation tour with telescopes and fire pits, and the dark skies here are some of the clearest in the western US. When hunger hits, Mountain Peak Coffee in the village does hot chocolates, smoothies, and pastries for a mid-afternoon stop, while local restaurants serve pizza, pasta, and other crowd-pleasers in a family-friendly setting, and cafes at the base lodges turn out sandwiches and hot food for quick refuelling between runs. Cedar Breaks National Monument is a few minutes' drive for a scenic family walk if you fancy an afternoon away from the slopes.

Things to do in Brian Head

Brian Head sits inside Dixie National Forest with three national parks and monuments within easy reach, so there's plenty to fill the non-skiing hours. Whether you want adventure off the slopes, or relaxation, here's what's worth building into your week.

Snow activities

• Snow tubing: Two on-site tubing parks at Giant Steps and Navajo, with dedicated lanes and surface lifts back to the top. Giant Steps runs daily and stays open for night sessions on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Snowshoeing at Cedar Breaks: Ranger-led snowshoe tours along the rim of Cedar Breaks National Monument run on Saturdays through January to March, with snowshoes provided. Tours stop at a yurt in the monument for hot cocoa and a break from the cold.
• Cross-country skiing: Nordic trails through the surrounding Dixie National Forest and along town routes like Burt's Road, through quiet, snow-covered pine forest.
• Snowmobiling: Guided tours with Thunder Mountain Motorsports through the high-altitude forests and meadows of the Markagunt Plateau, with routes running to a lookout above the Cedar Breaks rim.
• Winter hiking: Marked trails in the surrounding national forest and around the village, including Munoz Meadows and the Brian Head Town Trail.
• Stargazing and Star Parties: Cedar Breaks is a designated International Dark Sky Park, and Brian Head hosts monthly Star Parties at the Navajo Lodge with a ranger-led constellation tour, telescopes, fire pits, and hot chocolate.
• Ice skating: Brian Head Ice is an outdoor rink set among the pines, open for daytime and evening sessions through the season.

Non-snow activities

• Cedar Breaks National Monument: A natural amphitheatre of eroded red, orange, and white rock formations, just 10 minutes from the resort. Accessible in winter by snowshoe, cross-country ski, or snowmobile only, as the main road closes for the season.
• Bryce Canyon National Park: World-famous hoodoo formations under an hour's drive away, striking under winter snow.
• Zion National Park: About 90 minutes south, with canyon walls, winter hiking trails, and scenic drives. Kolob Canyons, a quieter section of the park, is closer at around 50 miles.
• Parowan Gap Petroglyphs: Ancient Native American rock art dating back thousands of years, a short drive from Brian Head.
• Cedar City: The nearest proper town, about 45 minutes downhill, with restaurants, shopping, and the Southern Utah Museum of Art.
• Ski with a Ranger: A free on-mountain programme run in partnership with Dixie National Forest. Rangers lead tours from the Giant Steps base on selected Fridays through the season, covering the area's volcanic geology, forest health, and the history of the landscape. No booking required.
• ReNul Spa at Brian Head Lodge: Massages, facials, and skin treatments inside the lodge, a good option for a rest-day afternoon.

Brian Head restaurants

Dining at Brian Head is casual, hearty, and centred on American comfort food. Options are on the smaller side for a ski resort, though most cabin and condo accommodation comes with a full kitchen, so self-catering is popular here. What is available is warm and welcoming, from base lodge refuelling stops to a couple of proper sit-down restaurants in the village. Cedar City, 45 minutes down the mountain, has a fuller restaurant scene and is reachable via the Brian Head Express Shuttle if you don't have a car.

Restaurants to know:

• Last Chair Grill & Brews (Giant Steps Lodge): The main sit-down spot on the mountain, with gourmet burgers, steak dinners, craft beers from local breweries, and a fire pit on the patio. Live music at weekends.
• Giant Steps Cafe: Base area dining at Giant Steps with burgers, pizza, soups, and hot drinks for quick refuelling between runs.
• Navajo Cafe: On-mountain food at the Navajo base with straightforward American fare and warming drinks.
• Pizanos Pizzeria: New York-style pizza, calzones, and subs in the village, walking distance from the Giant Steps lift. Open kitchen, sports on the screens, and a good craft beer selection on tap.
• Rosales Mexican Food: A family-run spot with authentic Mexican cooking. The burritos, tacos, and house salsa have a strong local following.
• Sook Jai Thai Cuisine: An unexpected find at this altitude. Pad see ew, cashew chicken, and yellow curry alongside a lunchtime burger menu. Generous portions.
• Centro Woodfired Pizzeria (Cedar City): Rated the top restaurant in Cedar City, with wood-fired pizzas, fresh salads, and an industrial-chic interior. Worth the drive for an evening out.
• Milt's Stage Stop (Cedar City): A longstanding steakhouse known for prime rib and hearty western American cooking.

WeSki insider tip: Look for bison on the menu while you're here. It's a regional speciality across southern Utah, leaner and richer than beef, and several of the lodge restaurants serve it as a burger or steak. It's one of those dishes that ties a mountain meal to the landscape around you.

Brian Head après-ski

Après-ski at Brian Head is low-key, warm, and built around a small mountain community. As the lifts wind down, the base lodges fill with skiers settling in over craft beers and comfort food, and the mood stays friendly and unhurried into the evening. Friday and Saturday nights have a bit more energy, with live music at the Last Chair Grill and the terrain parks and tubing lit up on Giant Steps for night sessions.

Evenings here tend to gravitate towards accommodation: cabin hot tubs, home-cooked meals, and the dark skies overhead. Brian Head is a designated dark sky area, and spending an evening on the deck watching stars from 3,000m is part of the experience. For a livelier evening out, Cedar City has a fuller dining and bar scene, reachable by the Brian Head Express Shuttle or a 45-minute drive.

Après-ski spots to know:

• Last Chair Grill & Brews: The liveliest spot on the mountain, with craft beers from local breweries, comfort food, a fire pit patio, and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings.
• The Lift Bar & Patio: A full bar with appetisers, burgers, and mountain views from the second-floor patio. A relaxed spot for an end-of-day drink.
• Cedar Breaks Bar & Grill Evening drinks and casual dining inside the lodge, with a warm, sociable atmosphere.
• Mountain Peak Coffee: For a non-alcoholic wind-down, with hot chocolates, speciality coffees, and pastries. Open late on Fridays and Saturdays.
• IG Winery & Tasting Room (Cedar City): A proper wine bar on Center Street in downtown Cedar City, with handcrafted wines, cocktails, charcuterie, and live music in an upscale, art-filled setting. Worth the trip for an evening out.
• Warehouse Bar + Kitchen (Cedar City): Cedar City's top-rated bar, with cocktails, craft beers, food, and a lively atmosphere. A good option if you want a proper night out beyond the mountain.
• A 3,000m nightcap: A hot drink or whisky under Brian Head's dark skies is hard to beat. Pack binoculars.

WeSki insider tip:Utah's liquor laws can catch international visitors off guard. Beer above 5% ABV, wine, and spirits are only available in licensed restaurants and state liquor stores. If you want drinks for the cabin, stock up at the Cedar City state liquor store on the way up.

Planning your trip to Brian Head

Brian Head accommodation

Accommodation at Brian Head is mostly cabins, condominiums, and small lodges spread through the resort town and surrounding forest. Cabins with full kitchens, fireplaces, and hot tubs are the most popular option, and they suit the character of the place well: you're staying in the forest at nearly 3,000m, cooking when you want to, and stepping out onto the deck for dark sky views at the end of the day. For something more hotel-style, Brian Head Lodge has rooms with an indoor pool, outdoor hot tub, the Daybreak Coffee Shop, and the ReNul Spa on site, and Cedar Breaks Lodge offers condo-style suites with lodge amenities.

Everything in Brian Head feels close together. Most accommodation is within a short drive or shuttle ride of both base areas, and the free resort shuttle connects the lodges, lifts, and village through the day. Cedar City, 45 minutes down the mountain, has additional hotel options for those who prefer a town base with more dining and services, and the Brian Head Express Shuttle runs between the two for visitors without a car.

Brian Head ski pass

Brian Head's lift ticket covers both Giant Steps and Navajo peaks, including the free shuttle between them. Tickets are available for full-day and half-day sessions, with night skiing add-ons for Friday and Saturday evenings on Giant Steps. Multi-day tickets are available for longer stays.

Brian Head is part of the Power Pass network, a multi-resort season pass covering Brian Head and several other independent resorts across the western US, including Lee Canyon (Nevada), Purgatory (Colorado), and Nordic Valley (Utah), with partner days at Sundance and Monarch Mountain.

Check for multi-day pass options when booking your Brian Head ski holiday package through WeSki to find the best fit for your trip.

Equipment hire

Both base lodges have rental shops carrying a full range of ski and snowboard equipment for adults and children, including helmets and wrist guards. Professional tuning, waxing, and repairs are available at both locations, and complimentary overnight storage saves you carrying gear back to your accommodation each evening. Pre-fitting is available the afternoon before your first day on the slopes, including on Friday and Saturday evenings at Giant Steps when night skiing is running.

In the village, Georg's Ski Shop near the Wildflower lift is an independent alternative that also rents snowshoes and cross-country gear, and Brianhead Sports at the base of the resort carries demo skis and snowboards alongside standard rental packages. Advance booking is recommended during holiday periods at all locations.

Getting around Brian Head

Brian Head is compact enough that everything in the resort town is either walkable or a very short ride away. A free shuttle connects the Giant Steps and Navajo base areas and loops through the village and accommodation during operating hours, covering the daily commute between lodging and slopes.

For trips beyond the resort, a car is the most flexible option, and snow tyres or chains are advisable as the mountain roads can be affected by winter storms. If you'd rather not drive, Brian Head Drivers is a local private car service (essentially an Uber-style setup for Brian Head) running year-round in 4x4 vehicles, with bookable rides to Cedar City, Bryce Canyon, and the Cedar City and St. George airports. The Brian Head Express Shuttle also runs a daily return service between Cedar City and the resort, departing Cedar City in the morning and returning in the late afternoon, useful for day trips into town or for visitors staying down the mountain.

How to get to Brian Head

Brian Head sits in the mountains of southern Utah, accessed via Cedar City on Interstate 15. Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) is the nearest major hub for international visitors, approximately 320km to the southwest, with the drive taking around three hours. Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is roughly 430km to the north. Closer options include St. George Regional Airport (SGU), about two hours' drive south, and Cedar City's small regional airport (CDC) with limited connections. From Cedar City, Highway 143 climbs from the valley floor into the mountains, with Brian Head about 45 minutes up the road.

WeSki offers car hire from the airport as well as private transfers to Brian Head. Add them to your Brian Head ski holiday package for seamless door-to-door travel.

Brian Head FAQs

Is Brian Head good for beginners?

Yes. Brian Head has dedicated beginner terrain on Navajo with its own lifts, magic carpets, and gentle green runs, all set apart from the faster traffic on Giant Steps. The ski school is based at the Navajo Lodge and runs structured programmes for all ages. The altitude is worth noting: at nearly 3,000m, the thinner air can affect energy levels, so pace yourself on the first day and stay well hydrated.

How does the North American trail rating system work for UK skiers?

North American resorts use a different system from Europe. Green circles are beginner trails (similar to European greens and easy blues). Blue squares cover intermediates across a wider difficulty range than European blues, and some may feel closer to a European red. Black diamonds indicate advanced terrain, and double black diamonds are expert only. There's no direct red-run equivalent, so intermediates should be prepared for blue-square runs that vary in difficulty.

Can I combine Brian Head with Utah's national parks?

Absolutely. Cedar Breaks National Monument is minutes from the resort, Bryce Canyon National Park is under an hour's drive, and Zion National Park is about 90 minutes south. A trip that combines skiing at Brian Head with a day or two exploring these parks makes for a well-rounded holiday. Winter visits to the parks are often more atmospheric than the busy summer months, with snow covering the red rock formations and far fewer visitors on the trails.

How does Brian Head compare to Utah's bigger resorts?

Brian Head is a different experience from the Wasatch resorts near Salt Lake City. It's smaller and more laid-back, with a community feel and cabin-style accommodation rather than large resort hotels. The terrain is varied and the snow quality is strong at this altitude, though the scale is more compact. What sets Brian Head apart is the proximity to southern Utah's national parks and the red rock landscape visible from the slopes. It suits a different kind of trip.

How reliable is the snow at Brian Head?

Brian Head's position as Utah's highest base elevation resort helps significantly. The summit sits at 3,307m, and the resort averages around 900cm of snowfall per year. Snowmaking supplements natural snow on key trails during leaner periods. The season runs from mid-November through mid-April, and the high altitude keeps temperatures cold enough to preserve snow quality well through the season.

Is Brian Head worth visiting from the UK?

Brian Head works well as part of a broader southwestern US itinerary. Combined with Las Vegas (three hours' drive), Bryce Canyon, Zion, and the Grand Canyon, it creates a memorable multi-destination trip that blends national parks, desert landscapes, and mountain skiing. The cabin-style accommodation and small-town atmosphere provide a welcome contrast to the parks and the city, and the resort's compact size keeps the skiing days relaxed and manageable.

What should I know about Utah's alcohol laws?

Utah has stricter alcohol regulations than most US states. Beer above 5% ABV, wine, and spirits are only available in state liquor stores and licensed restaurants, not in supermarkets or convenience stores. Brian Head's nearest state liquor store is in Cedar City, so stock up on the way up if you want drinks for your accommodation. Licensed restaurants in Brian Head and Cedar City serve alcohol normally with no requirement to order food alongside your drinks.