At a Glance: Where Should You Park?
If you are visiting Brian Head Ski Resort for the first time, the most critical decision happens before you even put on your boots. The resort is split into two distinct mountains separated by a highway. Picking the wrong parking area forces you to haul your gear onto a shuttle bus before your day even starts.
Use this quick guide to select the right base for your specific needs:
- Choose Navajo Base if: You are a beginner, have children in ski school, or want strictly Green and easy Blue runs. This side offers better wind protection and a quieter atmosphere.
- Choose Giant Steps Base if: You are an intermediate to expert skier wanting high-speed lifts, vertical gain, or night skiing. This side is steeper and more exposed to the elements.
The two mountains connect via a ski bridge and a free shuttle, but starting at the correct lodge saves serious time.
Understanding the Layout: Two Mountains, One Resort
Utah Brian Head ski resort is unique among Southern Utah destinations. Unlike typical resorts with a single main hub, Brian Head straddles Highway 143. The terrain exists as two distinct areas: Navajo Mountain and Giant Steps Mountain.
While online maps often depict the resort as a single unified space, the two areas function as separate regions in reality. Your lift ticket provides access to both, but traveling between them takes time. The beginning of your day determines the flow of your entire trip.
The Navajo Base: Best for Families and Learners
Navajo operates as a dedicated learning environment perfect for new skiers. If you are learning to ski or have booked lessons for children, this is your home base. The slopes here are gentle, wide, and forgiving.
Facilities at Navajo:
- Winter Sports School: Most group lessons meet here. Parking at Giant Steps means you might miss your lesson start time while navigating the shuttle.
- Services: The Navajo Lodge provides full rentals and ticketing, eliminating the need to visit the main lodge first.
- Terrain: Almost entirely Green and Blue runs. The heavy tree line protects this side from the wind, often making it feel warmer on blustery days.
Experience Note: The Navajo parking area fills up quickly on holiday weekends because families tend to arrive mid-morning. Aim to arrive by 8:45 AM to secure a spot close to the lodge so you don’t have to walk far in ski boots.
The Giant Steps Base: For Intermediates and Experts
Giant Steps is the peak shown in most photos of Brian Head. It offers the deepest vertical descent and access to all the challenging slopes. Because it is higher and more open, it is often windier than the Navajo side.
Facilities at Giant Steps:
- High-Speed Lifts: The Giant Steps Express lift provides fast access to the summit for maximum vertical footage.
- Terrain: Features three distinct skiing areas including moguls, steep groomers, and technical tree skiing. Runs here are significantly steeper than Navajo.
- Night Skiing: The Giant Steps lift serves as the main hub for night operations.
Comparison: Terrain & Specs
| Feature | Navajo Base | Giant Steps Base |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Difficulty | Beginner / Low Intermediate | Intermediate / Expert |
| Key Lift | Navajo Express (Chair 4) | Giant Steps Express (Chair 2) |
| Wind Exposure | Low (Protected) | High (Exposed) |
| Night Skiing | No | Yes |
How to Transit Between Bases
Moving between the two mountains is a common point of confusion. You have two main options:
1. The Ski Bridge (Skier Interconnect)
A bridge over the highway connects the two sides. From Giant Steps, you can ski down to the bridge and cross to Navajo. From Navajo, you take the chairlift up and ski down to the bridge to return.
Warning: The path leading to the bridge is nearly flat. Snowboarders often have to unstrap and walk, and skiers need to maintain speed to get across without polling.
2. The Village Shuttle
A free shuttle bus operates as a loop between the lodges. It is reliable, but waiting in the cold for a bus eats into your ski time. It is far better to plan your parking effectively so you don’t need it until the end of the day.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Planning a trip to high altitude requires preparation. Watch out for these common mistakes that trip up visitors.
Check Your Ticket Access
While most standard day passes cover the whole mountain, double-check that you haven’t purchased a restricted “night only” or “learner only” ticket if available. These pass options may limit which lifts or base areas you can utilize.
Respect the Altitude
Brian Head has the highest base elevation in Utah at roughly 9,600 feet. Carrying skis from the far end of the Giant Steps parking lot is exhausting at this height. Drop your gear and passengers at the loading zone before you park to save your energy for the slopes.
Beat the Lunch Rush
The dining areas at both lodges experience peak traffic between 11:30 AM and 1:00 PM. Since the town is small, driving to nearby restaurants isn’t always faster. We recommend bringing your own snacks or eating an early lunch at 11:00 AM to snag a table without the stress.
Decision Framework: Which Base is for You?
Use this basic rule to determine where to start your morning:
Go to Navajo Lodge if:
- It is your first day ever on snow.
- You are checking kids into ski school (Winter Sports School).
- Wind speeds exceed 30 mph (Navajo has superior tree coverage).
- You want to go tubing (the tubing hill is located here).
Go to Giant Steps Lodge if:
- You can ski parallel on blue runs comfortably.
- You want to lap the terrain park.
- You are meeting friends for apres-ski drinks at the Last Chair Saloon.
- You are arriving for night skiing operations.
Brian Head ski trips maintain a relaxed atmosphere compared to bigger resorts, but your starting location sets the tone. Check the grooming report, pick your base, and enjoy the high-altitude snow.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are the Navajo and Giant Steps base areas connected?
- Yes, they are connected by a ski bridge that allows you to ski between mountains and a free shuttle bus that runs between the two lodges. However, the bridge requires some momentum to cross, so keep your speed up.
- Where should beginners park at Brian Head?
- Beginners should definitely park at the Navajo Lodge. It houses the ski school and services the easiest green terrain, which is separated from the faster, more advanced traffic at Giant Steps.
- Does the lift ticket cover both Navajo and Giant Steps?
- Yes, a standard day lift ticket grants access to all lifts on both mountains. There is no separate ticket required to transit between them, though you should always verify if you bought a restricted “learner” pass.
- Which base area has night skiing?
- Night skiing is typically hosted at the Giant Steps base area, utilizing the main Giant Steps lift (Chair 2). Verify the current schedule on the official website as it may change by season or weather conditions.
