In the race to see who can claim bragging rights as the first Utah ski resort open for the 2011/2012 ski season, Brighton and Solitude both win. The Big Cottonwood Canyon resorts fired up their lifts early on Thursday morning, November 10th, to the cheers of excited skiers and snowboarders. Both Brighton and Solitude have three lifts operating until additional snowfall allows more terrain to be opened.
Solitude may have barely squeaked in ahead of Brighton as the first ski resort running this season with an official 8:54am opening time. The ‘Tude is operating Moonbeam, Apex and Link, servicing trails that have a 20 inch base. Resort officials say they’ll try to have Eagle Express open by Friday or Saturday.
Brighton says they opened at 9:00am with the Majestic, Crest, and Explorer lifts operating.
The resorts have been working feverishly the last few weeks, making enough snow to create a sufficent base to drop the ropes on beginner and intermediate terrain. Natural snow has also helped opening day, as snowfall numbers for the season have reached 36 inches to date.
In the meantime, each resort is offering ski deals to entice skiers and snowboarders to make the trip up canyon despite the early season conditions. Brighton will be selling two lift tickets for $75 in honor of its 75th anniversary. They’re also offering veterans and active military a free lift ticket on Friday in celebration of Veterans Day. Active or retired service members just need to bring their military ID or discharge papers.
Solitude is also serving up cheap lift tickets at $49 a pop.
If your favorite mountain isn’t opening this weekend, here’s the complete, updated list of Utah resort’s anticipated opening dates:
Alta: Nov. 18
Beaver Mountain: TBA
Brian Head: Nov. 19
Brighton: Open
Canyons: Nov. 25
Deer Valley: Dec. 3
Eagle Point: TBA
Park City: Nov. 19
Powder Mountain: Nov. 24
Snowbasin: Nov. 24
Snowbird: Nov. 19
Solitude: Nov. 10
Sundance: Dec. 9
Wolf Mountain: TBA
For more information and to keep up to date on current conditions and lift openings, visit Brighton at www.brightonresort.com and Solitude at www.skisolitude.com. You can also check in on all Utah’s resorts in one place at SkiUtah.com.