Brighton is the mountain at the very top of Big Cottonwood Canyon, and it has a reputation that Visit Salt Lake puts plainly: it is where Utah learns to ski and ride. It is friendly to families, with free skiing for young children and wide runs, it has the only night skiing in the Salt Lake area, and it is on the Ikon Pass. From Provo it is a longer drive than people expect, about an hour and 20 minutes, because it sits nearly 15 miles up the canyon, beyond Solitude.
The drive
OpenStreetMap routing puts Brighton's base about 57 miles and 79 minutes from downtown Provo without traffic: about 50 minutes up I-15 and across the valley to the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, then nearly 15 miles of canyon road, State Route 190, to the top. On storm days the canyon's traction rules can require four-wheel or all-wheel drive with proper winter tires, or chains, and the road can slow to a crawl. Check the road report before leaving Utah County.
Night skiing
Brighton is the only resort in the Salt Lake area with night skiing. It typically runs from mid-December to mid-March, until 9 p.m., on more than 200 acres of groomed runs and terrain parks. A night ticket covers roughly 4 to 9 p.m., and an all-day ticket includes the evening, so a family can arrive after school or work, ski under the lights and be home to Utah County before bed. Night skiing does not run every night of the week, so check Brighton's schedule before driving up.
Night skiing is also the easiest time to park. Reservations are never needed after noon, and Brighton says it rarely has parking trouble in the evening.
The family mountain
Children 6 and under ski free at Brighton, with two free tickets per paying adult. Visit Salt Lake credits Brighton's reputation to that, to lower lift-ticket prices, to an appealing mix of beginner and expert terrain, and to wide, forgiving runs. For a Utah County family that wants children on skis young, it is one of the natural places to start. For more on lessons and first days, see Learning to Ski or Snowboard Near Provo.
Parking in 2026-27
Brighton keeps its reservation system this season:
- When reservations are required: every Friday, Saturday and Sunday before noon, and daily before noon over the holiday periods: December 18 to January 3 (except Christmas Day), January 16 to 19 and February 13 to 16.
- When booking opens: a limited number of spaces for the coming weekend open every Monday at 6 p.m., and the rest of each day's spaces are released the day before, at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- What they cost: $25 for a car with one to three people, and $10 for four or more.
- Passholders: qualifying Brighton season passholders park free, but still need a reservation, and can hold up to two at a time.
- Finding a spot: remaining spaces are released the day before at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., and cancellations are allowed until 8 a.m., so spaces often open up the night before and the morning of.
- When no reservation is needed: ordinary Monday-through-Thursday days, and every day after noon.
Ski school students receive discounted parking codes on reservation days.
The bus
UTA's Big Cottonwood ski bus, Route 972, serves Brighton and Solitude. It is free with a Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird or Alta season pass or an Ikon Pass, and $5 otherwise. Check UTA for the 2026-27 schedule.
The passes
Brighton sells its own season passes and is on the Ikon Pass: the full Ikon Pass includes seven days at Brighton, and the Ikon Base Pass includes five. For the comparison of every pass a Utah County family is likely to consider, see Ski Passes for Utah Valley Families.
Practical notes
- Go at night. The evening session is Salt Lake's only night skiing, and parking is easy.
- Bring the small children. Ages 6 and under ski free, two per paying adult.
- Reserve weekend mornings. Fridays through Sundays and holidays need a reservation before noon.
- Allow the full drive. It is nearly 15 miles up the canyon from the mouth.
Related Guides
- Skiing Near Provo
- Ski Passes for Utah Valley Families
- Learning to Ski or Snowboard Near Provo
- Solitude From Utah Valley
- Snowbird From Utah Valley
- Alta From Utah Valley
- Park City Mountain From Utah Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
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