Southern Utah has two ski mountains that most of Utah County never visits: Brian Head, above Parowan, and Eagle Point, in the Tushar Mountains east of Beaver. At three and a half hours from Provo they are too far for a day trip, but for a long weekend they offer something the Wasatch cannot: short lines, low prices, free skiing for young children, and at Brian Head, red-rock hoodoos in the view from the lifts. Ski Utah's own southern weekend itinerary pairs the two.
The drive
By OpenStreetMap routing from downtown Provo without traffic, Eagle Point is about 174 miles and three hours 25 minutes away, and Brian Head about 201 miles and three hours 33 minutes, both south on I-15. Brian Head is reached from Parowan up State Route 143, Utah's Patchwork Parkway National Scenic Byway, climbing from desert to high alpine forest.
Brian Head
Brian Head has the highest base elevation of any Utah resort; Visit Utah puts the drive's top at about 9,600 feet, and the resort describes its base as 10,000 feet. The resort credits that elevation for its long seasons, and says it was the first mountain in Utah to open for 2025-26 and stayed open 160 days, the most of any resort in the state that season.
The terrain covers about 650 acres across two peaks, Navajo Peak and Brian Head Peak, with 71 runs. Visit Utah notes that it is the only Utah ski resort with views of snow-dusted red-rock hoodoos, from Cedar Breaks National Monument next door.
For families, the headline is price: Brian Head says children 12 and under ski free. Its Power Pass includes unlimited skiing at Brian Head and nine other resorts, among them Nordic Valley in Northern Utah, and it also sells a Value Pass and other options.
Eagle Point
Eagle Point, in the Tushar Mountains east of Beaver, is the quieter of the two. At the June 2026 price, an adult (25 to 61) season pass was $549, unlimited with no blackout dates, with passes of $429 for young adults 18 to 24, $379 for college students, seniors 62 and over and military, and $259 for students 13 to 17. Children 12 and under received free passes. The pass also carries a discount on adding an Indy Pass and three free days at other resorts through a pass exchange.
Eagle Point typically opens later than the big Wasatch resorts; for 2025-26 it planned to open on December 19. Check its schedule before planning a trip early in the season.
The weekend plan
The simplest version for Utah County is to drive south on a Friday, ski Brian Head on Saturday and Eagle Point on Sunday on the way home, or stay two days at one. St. George is about an hour and a half from Brian Head, so a Brian Head weekend can also be the ski half of a southern Utah trip.
Families with fourth, fifth and sixth graders
Ski Utah's Passport program for children in grades four through six has no blackout dates at either Brian Head or Eagle Point for 2026-27.
Practical notes
- Make it a weekend. Three and a half hours each way is too far for a day.
- Bring the children. Brian Head lets kids 12 and under ski free, and Eagle Point gives them free season passes.
- Watch the altitude. Brian Head's base is near 10,000 feet.
- Check Eagle Point's opening. It opens later than the Wasatch resorts.
Related Guides
- Skiing Near Provo
- Ski Passes for Utah Valley Families
- Northern Utah's Small Ski Hills From Utah Valley
- Snowbasin From Utah Valley
- Deer Valley From Utah Valley
- Solitude From Utah Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
How far are Brian Head and Eagle Point from Provo?
Does Brian Head have the highest base elevation in Utah?
Do kids ski free at Brian Head and Eagle Point?
What passes work at Brian Head?
How much is an Eagle Point season pass?
Can you ski Brian Head and Eagle Point in one trip?
What is the drive up to Brian Head like?
Can I combine a Brian Head trip with St. George?
