Brian Head opens for season

Brian Head Ski Resort officially opens its winter season Saturday for snowboarding, skiing and snow tubing activities.

Director of sales and marketing, Ron Burgess, said Brian Head typically receives 350 to 365 inches of snow each season and received 16 inches on Friday.

Burgess said he hopes people continue to come to Brian Head this season because he considers it “a hidden gem in southern Utah.”

“We’re just enhancing our park and it will be more fun and there will be more features,” Burgess said. “We’ll have some really great things for the locals this year, and places where you can get discounts.”

John Poast, human resources manager and coordinator for winter sports school, said Brian Head positions have already been filled, but applications are kept in case they are needed later.

General manager of Brian Head, Henry Hornburger, said he is pleased with the snowfall and hopes to receive more.

“We’ve had more natural snow than previous years,” Hornburger said. “We hope to add additional terrain, weather conditions permitting, by Thanksgiving.”

Although there are no positions available, he said, the hourly wage is $7.50 an hour for new employees, with payment adjustments for experienced and returning employees.
Work hours vary on part-time and full-time shifts and an employee shuttle is available to arrive at the resort at 8:45 a.m. and leave by 5 p.m., Hornburger said.

Because the Farmers Almanac predicts that this winter will be colder than normal, there are higher chances of extra snowfall, Poast said.

Poast said he is excited about new changes at Brian Head, such as a new telephone reservation system and package deals on lessons.

The phones have been replaced because employees have been difficult to access in the past, Poast said.

Poast said skiers and snowboarders can have a regular lesson and afternoon lesson in a $79 package deal, no matter their experience level.

Although there is more business from snowboarders than skiers, he said, skiing is making a comeback at the resort.

Poast said he recommends Brian Head because of the smaller crowd sizes.

“Brian Head has no lift lines,” he said. “You get the maximum amount of skiing and snowboarding because you don’t spend a lot of time at the lift lines.”

Resort hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, but night skiing occurs on Friday and Saturday nights along with holiday periods, he said.

The Jiberachi Terrain Park will open on Saturday, as well as other snow activity opportunities, Hornburger said.

He said there are several reasons why people should attend Brian Head.

“We have awesome snow, it’s a beautiful place, and it’s a fantastic outdoor activity,” he said. “Skiing is a lifetime sport; people tend to pick up skiing and snowboarding all their lives.”

For more information on Brian Head Ski Resort, visit www.brianhead.com.