When Does Brian Head Open? Quick Answer
Brian Head Resort says its 2026–27 ski season is scheduled to open Friday, November 6, 2026, weather permitting. After opening day, the resort plans to run daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through May 9, 2027, conditions permitting. Advance-purchase lift tickets start at $9 on select dates, and kids 12 and under ski free with a Power Kids Pass.
The resort hasn't announced which lifts or trails will open first. Its press kit calls the date weather permitting, and nearly half of the resort's $2 million-plus offseason investment went into snowmaking.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Opening day | Friday, Nov 6, 2026 (weather permitting) |
| Season | Daily, 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m., through May 9, 2027 (conditions permitting) |
| Lift tickets | From $9 on select dates when bought in advance; prices vary by date |
| Kids 12 and under | Free with the Power Kids Pass, no adult purchase required |
| Night skiing | Fri–Sat, 4–9 p.m., Dec 18–Apr 10, plus holiday dates |
| Tubing | Daily, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Dec 18, 2026–Apr 11, 2027 |
| From St. George | About 1.5 hours, via I-15 exit 75 (Parowan) and SR-143 |
What's New at Brian Head This Season?
Brian Head's 2026–27 press kit says the resort is investing more than $2 million in snowmaking, lift work and guest services before the season. Nearly $1 million of that went to snowmaking. A new pipeline on Navajo Mountain lets crews run up to 24 snow guns at once, up from 16 to 18. The resort says the upgrade supports faster snowmaking on the Paradise trail and on beginner terrain near the Kids Camp Conveyor and the Pioneer lift.
General manager Tom Pettigrew said in the press kit that the more efficient system will let the resort "open beginner terrain faster and build on natural snowfall when storms arrive."
Other offseason work, according to the resort:
- Lift maintenance on the Giant Steps Express gearbox, the Blackfoot bullwheel, the Roulette haul rope and The Dunes communications line.
- New reloadable RFID cards and self-service pickup boxes, so guests who buy online can skip the ticket window.
- Every season passholder picks up a new RFID card at a mountain kiosk.
How Much Are Lift Tickets and Season Passes?
Lift tickets use date-based pricing, so the price depends on the day you pick and how early you buy. The resort says 2026–27 tickets start at $9 on select dates, and tickets bought in advance include a $10 resort credit for food, rentals, lessons, night skiing or tubing (some blackout dates apply). We didn't find a separate published opening-day price; the price for any date is on the resort's online ticket calendar. First-time skiers and snowboarders 13 and older can reserve a free two-hour lesson; they need lift access and equipment, and the resort offers a $30 lift ticket and $25 online rental package for them.
Season passes for 2026–27, as listed on the resort's season pass page:
| Pass | Adult price (37–64) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power Pass | $1,149 | Unlimited at all 10 Power Pass mountains; no blackout dates |
| Power Pass Select | $799 | Unlimited at Brian Head and five other mountains; no blackouts at Brian Head |
| Value Pass | $699 | Brian Head only; blacked out Dec 27–31, Jan 16–17 and Feb 13–14 |
| 4-Day Power Pass | $499 | 4 restricted days shared among Brian Head, Purgatory, Snowbowl, Lee Canyon and Spider Mountain |
| Brian Head Weekday Pass | $225 (1 day) to $325 (5 days) | Pick your weekday(s); weekends and Dec 28–31 blacked out |
| Active Duty Military Pass | $375 | Full-time active duty only; same blackouts as the Value Pass |
| Night Ski Only | $189 | All ages |
| Power Kids Pass | Free | Ages 12 and under |
| Super Senior Pass | Free | Ages 75 and older |
Youth, young adult and senior (65–75) prices are lower on most passes; the resort's season pass page lists every age bracket.
What Else Is There to Do in Winter?
- Night skiing on the Blackfoot lift, 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, December 18 through April 10, with extra dates over Christmas and New Year's and on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents' Day weekends. Kids 12 and under ski free at night.
- Snow tubing near Giant Steps Lodge, lift-served, daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., December 18 through April 11.
- Holiday events: Shred with Santa on Christmas Eve, and a torchlight parade and fireworks at the Giant Steps base area on New Year's Eve. More holiday ideas are in our Christmas events in Southern Utah guide.
The resort has two mountains, Giant Steps and Navajo, with 73 trails served by eight chairlifts and three conveyor lifts. The resort lists a 9,600-foot base elevation, 1,320 feet of lift-served vertical, 650 skiable acres and nearly 360 inches of average annual snowfall. Its trails are rated 35% beginner, 35% intermediate and 30% advanced or expert.
How Do You Get to Brian Head From St. George?
Brian Head's getting-here page puts the resort about 1.5 hours from St. George. Take I-15 north to exit 75 in Parowan, then drive 14 miles up State Route 143. Our St. George to Brian Head trip guide covers the route.
- Parking is free at the Giant Steps and Navajo lodge lots, first come, first served. The resort suggests Navajo for beginners and lessons and Giant Steps for intermediate and advanced terrain.
- A free town shuttle loops between the lodges and lodging every 15 to 20 minutes during ski season.
- Check road conditions. The resort reminds drivers that UDOT can require traction devices during severe winter weather. The resort also notes that the Cedar Breaks Scenic Byway (State Route 148) and Rim Road are closed in winter. Read our Cedar Breaks winter closure update.
For the rest of the season, see our winter things-to-do guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Brian Head open for the 2026-27 ski season?
Brian Head Resort's opening day is scheduled for Friday, November 6, 2026, weather permitting. The resort plans to run daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. through May 9, 2027, conditions permitting.
How much is a lift ticket at Brian Head?
Brian Head uses date-based pricing. Advance-purchase lift tickets for 2026-27 start at $9 on select dates, and prices vary by day. Tickets bought in advance include a $10 resort credit.
Do kids ski free at Brian Head?
Yes. The Power Kids Pass gives children 12 and under free, unlimited skiing and snowboarding with no adult purchase required and no blackout dates.
How far is Brian Head from St. George?
Brian Head Resort lists the drive from St. George at about 1.5 hours. Take I-15 north to exit 75 in Parowan, then drive 14 miles up State Route 143.
When does night skiing start at Brian Head?
The resort's press kit says night skiing runs 4 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from December 18 through April 10, with extra dates over the holidays and the MLK and Presidents' Day weekends.
Sources: Brian Head Resort home page; Brian Head Resort Winter 2026/27 Press Kit (company profile, investments, winter fact sheet, winter activities, signature events, family programs); Brian Head season passes; Brian Head lift tickets; Brian Head hours of operation; Brian Head: Getting Here.
Last updated October 12, 2026. Opening day depends on weather; check the resort's site before you drive up.
