If you’re planning an affordable and relaxed family getaway to the mountains from Las Vegas or Southern California, visiting Brian Head Resort in southern Utah should be at the top of your list. We recently had to chance to go on a Brian Head Resort review trip to check out the perks this resort offers families.
Brian Head is the best little mountain town for families that most folks have never heard of. Nestled in the Dixie National Forest, at the footsteps of Cedar Breaks National Monument, you can enjoy enchanting red rock landscapes at nearly 10,000 feet elevation. Brian Head offers year-round family adventures, whether you’re seeking snowy slopes or summer hikes.
Brian Head Resort Review
Brian Head Resort stands out for families thanks to its affordable prices, laid-back atmosphere, and wide range of kid-friendly activities. Unlike some of the larger ski resorts in Utah, Brian Head has a welcoming, small-town vibe that’s less crowded and very manageable, especially for parents with younger children.
Here are just a few reasons why families love visiting Brian Head Resort for skiing and snowboarding:
- Very affordable lift tickets and rentals compared to bigger ski resorts. Kids under 12 ski free!
- Affordable ski school lessons with friendly and experienced instructors
- Easy-to-navigate layout and free parking right next to lifts and ski school
- Expansive and dedicated beginner slopes that are fun even for more experienced skiers and snowboarders
- Close proximity to family-friendly accommodations
- Lots of national parks to explore nearby for day trips
Getting to Brian Head Resort
Brian Head Resort is located at 9,600 feet in elevation (the highest base in all of Utah) in the mountains of Southern Utah. It is about 3 hours from Las Vegas and 4 hours from Salt Lake City. The closest airport is Cedar City Regional Airport (CDC), just 45 minutes away. Most families rent a car and take a scenic drive from any of these airports.
Many families we met on the slopes drove from Southern California (7 hours), stopping in Las Vegas or one of the national or state parks along the way.
Many SoCal families find themselves making the drive all the way up to Mammoth Mountain in Northern California for their family ski trips. While Mammoth is most certainly beautiful, it is not exactly a budget-friendly getaway.
What most Southern Californians don’t realize is that the drive to Brian Head is only 1.5 hours longer, and lift tickets and lodging are nearly half the cost.
The added bonus is that Las Vegas and Zion National Park are both along the route, allowing families to combine what they may have considered two separate vacations into one amazing trip.
Tip: In winter, be sure to check weather conditions and carry snow chains if needed. If you are renting a car, be sure to rent an all-wheel drive car.
The Best Time to Visit Brian Head Resort
Winter (December to March) is the most popular time to visit, especially for families looking to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and snowshoeing. The resort averages over 360 inches of snowfall annually, making it a snowy paradise for all winter sports enthusiasts.
Summer (June to September) is ideal for families who love hiking, biking, ATV riding, and exploring nearby national parks like Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. The cooler mountain temperatures offer a refreshing break from Utah’s desert heat.
We have great guides to Zion National Park with kids and visiting Bryce Canyon National Park. All of these places can also be great stops on an epic Utah National Park road trip.
Review of Brian Head Ski Resort
In the winter, most families come to Brian Head for skiing and snowboarding at Brian Head Resort. What you’ll find here are lots of great green, blue, and easy black runs. Wide open, treelined trails that invite you to weave through the trees for a little extra adventure.
The resort features 71 downhill runs and typically has minimal lines, except during peak holiday weeks. There are also several challenging terrain parks. The way Brian Head is laid out, most runs arrive back at either the Navajo Lodge (mostly green runs) or Giant Steps (mostly blue and easy black runs). It makes it easy to give older kids some freedom to roam on their own without fear of being separated for too long.
The affordability of lift tickets and rentals (which is less than half that of ski resorts in Lake Tahoe, Mammoth, or Park City) makes it easier for families to afford extras like lessons.
When we went to Brian Head, it was my daughter’s first time back on skis since she broke her leg. She was nervous, so we put her in private lessons for 2.5 hours each day with an excellent ski instructor. Her confidence grew day by day.
The cost of lift tickets and lessons do vary depending on seasonal demand, as they do at most ski resorts, but what you can expect is that everything is significantly less expensive without compromising on the experience.
At both ski lodges, there are outdoor fire pits and outdoor picnic tables. You can bring a picnic lunch or purchase hot food.
The menu is typical of any ski resort – burgers, hot dogs, pizza, chilli, and soups. Everything tasted good, but their fries were exceptional! The parking lot is also right next to the ski lifts, so it’s pretty easy to tailgate for lunch.
Family-Friendly Lodging Options at Brian Head
Brian Head offers a variety of accommodations for families, from cozy cabins to ski-in/ski-out condos. If you are planning to stay in Brian Head for more than a night, which is what I would recommend, it would be preferable to stay in a place with kitchen facilities. Brian Head is a small town with only a handful of restaurants. Also, some of the more modern accommodations are the vacation rentals.
Vacation Rentals
Vrbo offers a diverse selection of vacation rentals in Brian Head, featuring apartments, condos, and homes. There is a lot of new construction going on in the area, so whether you’re looking for a 2-bedroom ski-in/ski-out condo or a five-bedroom home that sleeps 12, you’ll be able to find something to accommodate your family. The prices are remarkably reasonable. The town is compact, so everything is just a short drive away.
Brian Head Lodge (formerly Doubletree Resort)
Located near the resort’s base, Brian Head Lodge features amenities like free Wi-Fi, game rooms, and a free shuttle to the slopes. It also has a full-service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The exposed wood beams and roaring fireplaces really put us in the mountain mood. My family enjoyed hanging out in the hotel’s Lift Lounge at mealtime, where the kids could play games while we enjoyed dinner and drinks, but our favorite spot was the pool.
While the bulk of the pool area is indoors, there is a large hot tub outside, which is the perfect place to sit during a winter snowfall. My kids loved grabbing handfuls of snow from the deck and watching it instantly melt away inside the warm water. The setting was just so magical.
Cedar Breaks Lodge by Hilton Vacation Club
This full-service lodge has spacious family suites, an indoor pool, and onsite dining. Its proximity to the Navajo Express lift makes it an excellent choice for ski-in/ski-out convenience.
The Cedar Breaks Lodge is ideal for larger families as it offers one and two-bedroom configurations, complete with kitchens. It also features barbecue grills, a volleyball court, a playground, and a lovely indoor pool complex. You don’t need to be a Hilton Vacation Club member to stay here.
Other Winter Kid-Friendly Activities at Brian Head, UT
Brian Head Resort Tubing Hill
Located at the Navajo side of the resort, the tubing hill is a blast for kids (and adults) of all ages. No need to hike up—just hop on the conveyor lift! My kids had an especially fun time at the tubing hill.
While I lectured them on the days of yore when tykes had to trudge up the hill lugging their own tubes, my children leisurely laid back in their tubes while the tow rope carried them up the hill. Ah, the good life!
Then, when the “all clear” was hollered by the tubing hill attendant, they whizzed down the slope with glee. I have to admit that even my husband and I couldn’t get enough of the fun.
Snowmobile Tours
Older kids and teens will love a guided snowmobile tour through the snowy backcountry. Double-riders are allowed for younger kids. Thunder Mountain Motorsports offers rides through Dixie National Forest and Cedar Breaks National Monument with jaw-dropping red rock spires.
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
Brian Head Resort offers groomed Nordic trails perfect for both snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The trails are located near the Navajo Lodge area, and the resort rents both snowshoes and XC skis at the Giant Steps Rental Shop.
Cedar Breaks National Monument is only a 10-minute drive from Brian Head. During the snow months, Highway 148, which runs through the park, is closed to cars, but the snow-covered road becomes a popular snowshoe and cross-country ski route. You can park at the north gate and trek in. You’ll find Incredible views of the red rock amphitheater blanketed in snow.
Tip: Ranger-led snowshoe hikes may be available on weekends and equipment included for free.
The surrounding Dixie National Forest has backcountry snowshoeing and ungroomed cross-country skiing. Check out the Twisted Forest Trailhead (access depends on snow conditions) and the High Mountain Meadow areas off Highway 143.
Summer Kid-Friendly Activities at Brian Head, UT
Mountain Biking and Hiking
During the warmer months, Brian Head becomes a hub for mountain biking and hiking. It offers some of the best downhill and cross-country trails in the region. Located at 9,800 feet in elevation, Brian Head Bike Park is Utah’s largest lift-served bike park and a must-visit for riders of all skill levels.
The park features over 100 miles of trails, with terrain ranging from smooth, beginner-friendly flow trails to challenging, technical descents. All trails are easily accessed via the Giant Steps Express high-speed quad chairlift, which runs during the summer and early fall. The cooler mountain temperatures make riding comfortable even in the peak of summer.
In addition to downhill biking, the surrounding Dixie National Forest offers excellent cross-country and backcountry mountain biking options for riders looking for a quieter, more rugged experience.
Brian Head Resort offers fun summer activities for families as well! You can ride the scenic Giant Steps Express lift, hike the 3-mile Family Adventure Trail, or zip 300 feet on the Ridge Runner. Enjoy rock climbing, summer tubing, disc golf, and the bungee trampoline. Don’t miss the 55-foot batting cage at Brian Head Slugger!
Hiking
When the snow has melted, Brian Head attracts nature lovers and mountain enthusiasts. Cedar Breaks National Monument, situated just outside the town limits, is an ideal destination for hiking, camping, and exploration. The monument is typically open from mid-May to late November, depending on the amount of snowfall.
While the temperature at nearby National Parks, such as Zion and Bryce, may soar above 100 degrees in the summertime, the weather at this high-elevation park is pleasantly mild and usually 30-40 degrees cooler. At Cedar Breaks National Monument, families enjoy the gentle Alpine Pond Trail or the breathtaking Spectra Point Trail, both of which are under 2 miles.
For a more adventurous outing, head to the Twisted Forest Trail, where ancient bristlecone pines and sweeping views await. Each trail offers stunning scenery, manageable terrain, and the chance to create unforgettable family memories in the mountains.
ATVing
ATVing in Brian Head, Utah, is a thrilling way to explore the area’s alpine forests, red rock views, and mountain trails. Local outfitters like Thunder Mountain Motorsports, Brian Head Outdoor Adventures, and Prime Adventure Outfitters offer guided and self-guided Polaris rentals for all skill levels.
Popular trails include the scenic Strawberry Loop, Ponderosa Loop, and Duck Creek Way. Riders must complete Utah’s OHV education course and carry a certificate. Street-legal ATVs must also meet state requirements.
Dining Options in Brian Head for Families
Brian Head has just a handful of dining options. Parowan, is a 20-minute drive away and has a few more dining options. We recommend booking accommodation with a kitchen so you can prepare your own meals. Brian Head does not have a full-size grocery story, so pick up most of your supplies before driving into town.
- The Lift at Brian Head Lodge: Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and opens late. Big roaring fireplace and the best fries ever.
- Pizanos Pizzeria: A local favorite for pizza and pasta. The pizza crust was great and probably our favorite meal during our trip.
- Mountain Peak Coffee Shop: Serves proper espresso drinks, huge pancakes for breakfast, and interesting sandwiches and salads for lunch.
- Rosales Mexican Food: Authentic Mexican taqueria serves loaded tacos and big plates.
- General Store: Great for grabbing breakfast items, sandwiches, and hot cocoa for the kids.
Looking for more fun in the area? Discover more fun at ScenicSouthernUtah.com.
This article was first published by Sharlene Earnshaw but has since been updated.
Disclosure: Our families were hosted by the Iron County CVB and Ski Utah so that I could write unbiased reviews of Brian Head area attractions and lodging. We appreciated the hospitality, but all opinions are our own.
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