Ski resorts in northern Utah have been getting considerable attention lately because conditions are excellent and snow abundant. The Christmas season was great - perhaps our best ever. It looks like this will be yet another record year for skiing in Utah.
Not as well known is the excellent skiing found at Brian Head in southern Utah. I like Brian Head because I can ski all morning and then hike in Zion National Park in the afternoon. They are that close. Another option is to mix ski and golf into one trip; the snowy slopes at Brian Head are just 80 miles away from the sunny links around St George.
Brian Head is actually the highest resort in Utah, with a base elevation of 9,600 feet and a top elevation of 11,307 feet. St George is at about 2,700 feet, so you lose about 7,000 vertical feet and gain perhaps 30 degrees during that short drive down the mountain and into the desert.
Brian Head is located above the town of Cedar City, about 200 miles east from Las Vegas or 240 miles south from Salt Lake City. The resort offers 500+ skiable/rideable acres, 53 trails and four terrain parks with more than 30 snow features - rails, boxes and a halfpipe. There is also a popular lift-served family tubing park. The adjacent town of Brian Head offers great lodging and dining options and a full-service day spa.
Cedar Breaks National Monument is located just south of Brian Head, still in the tops of the mountains. It is a popular place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Snowmobiling is very popular in nearby mountain areas.
Utah's weather this winter has been mild. That's not a bad combination - great snow and mild temperatures. In St George it has been downright balmy. Mid-winter daytime temperatures normally climb into the mid-50s in St George and this winter they have been pushing 60. Great weather for golf.
Spring comes early in Utah's Dixie, as the St George area is called. Some fruit trees start to bloom in February. February, March and April are prime months to golf on the area's scenic courses, just outside the national parks
– Dave Webb
Reprinted with permission from The Utah Office of Tourism
www.travel.utah.gov
Activities to Enjoy: |
| Hiking |
Golf |
ATVs |
Boating |
| Camping |
Ice Skating |
Biking |
Rafting |
| Hunting |
Wildlife |
Fall Colors |
Scenic Drives |
| Museums |
Lakes/Rivers |
Snowmobiling |
Dog Sledding |
| Horseback Riding |
Fresh Water Fishing |
| Climbing/Canyoneering |
Festivals/State Fairs |
| Alpine & Nordic Skiing/Snowboarding |
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