Hours of Operation
9:00am-6:00pm (Open Daily)
Admission: Free
2026 Will & Jean Pickett Intermountain Ski Hall of Fame on August 20th, 2026: Click here for Ticket Information
With eight lifts, 71 runs and 650 acres of the most beautiful skiing and riding in the west, Brian Head Resort is a great Southern Utah ski destination. Beautiful views of red rock from this high desert alpine environment make for an unforgettable experience, winter or summer.
Brian Head Peak was originally known as Monument Peak and was used by early surveyors and expedition leaders – including famed explorer John Wesley Powell – as a point of reference.
Area pioneers and members of the Fremont Tribe first arrived in the region to utilize the alpine meadows. The rugged highlands were predominantly designated for summer cattle and sheep grazing. This set the stage for agricultural land usage that lasted for decades.
An abundance of high-altitude timber and mountain streams transformed the area into a regional logging hub. Multiple sawmills opened to supply lumber to expanding settlements in Southern Utah. This development carved out the initial primitive roads up the mountain.
The federal government officially incorporated the scenic Brian Head peak and surrounding forests into the Dixie National Forest. This protective designation regulated timber harvesting and formalized property boundaries. It established a framework for future recreational land permits.
The area earned the local nickname “Little Ireland” due to the dominant presence of the Irish-descended Adams family. They established a thriving summer dairy operation and cheese factory at the base of the peak. This created a localized economy long before winter sports were envisioned.
Minnie Adams Burton built a legendary high-altitude commercial hotel, restaurant, and dance hall. Known popularly as “Minnie’s Mansion,” it became a major summer destination for Parowan and Cedar City residents. Visitors flocked to the peak for massive breakfasts, social dancing, and fireworks.
