At Brighton 17.8% of winter days see 6 inches or more of snow, 33% of winter months see 90 inches or more, and only 6% of months see less than 30 inches. This is top tier snow frequency, exceeded only by Alta, Snowbird and Grand Targhee in the Rocky Mountain states. Brighton is as renowned for its quality as quantity of snow. Utah professor Jim Steenburgh has analyzed decades of Cottonwood Canyon snowfall and determined that most storms deliver the ideal “right side up” snowpack that powder skiers crave. The surface layer is usually blower powder over a soft but supportable layer of denser snow that initiated the storm.

Accumulation and Preservation

Brighton has the highest base elevation in Utah and moderate terrain, so it is often the first area in the state to open. Brighton averages about 90% open at Christmas and is less than half open by Christmas in less than 10% of seasons. Brighton has high altitude but average exposure among US ski areas. Snow preservation is good, but below neighbors Alta, Snowbird and Solitude. Overall snow reliability is among the “elite six” of the Rocky Mountain states.