Brian Head, Utah
What’s not to love about Brian Head? Here’s a laid-back village where people and nature happily coexist. Located at a 9,700-foot elevation, Brian Head is the highest town in Utah, which means summers are darn pleasant and winters become a snowy wonderland. Mother Nature blessed the town with incredible mountain terrain for nearly every type of outdoor activity and surrounded it with Utah’s famous red rock scenery. Right outside your hotel, condo, or even yurt, you can go mountain biking, hiking, skiing, and snowmobiling — the options are endless, and friendly locals invite you to enjoy them all. Mountains of memories are made in Brian Head.
Brian Head History
The story behind Brian Head begins with the most basic element of folklore: the naming of the place. No one really knows the origin of Brian Head’s unique name, but the stories of the names are often as interesting as the people that tell them.
Brian Head was originally known as Monument Peak and was used by early surveyors and expedition leaders as a point of reference. The name changed in the early 1900s. Exactly why the name changed, however, is subject to conjecture.
One story claims that famous explorer John Wesley Powell saw the peak above all the other mountains and named it after an official in the Geological Survey Office by the name of Bryan.
Another story claims that residents of neighboring Parowan changed the name in 1890 to Bryan Head in honor of an American politician named William Jennings Bryan. Still, another claims that the wife of a United States government official visited the area, didn’t like the name of Monument Peak, and wrote letters to prominent government officials to change the name to Bryan Head (the spelling has obviously since been to “Brian” Head.)
As the Brian Head area grew, so did industry. Soon the area was teeming with farming, grazing, and logging. There was even a small section of town known as Little Ireland that became famous for its butter and cheese.
Early day in Brian Head included a hotel, restaurant, and dance hall that was operated by Minnie Adams Burton. “Minnie’s Mansion” became the gathering place for people from all around. On the 24th of July, an annual celebration commenced at Minnie’s that brought sheep and cattle herders from miles around for huge breakfasts, horse racing, potato sack races, fireworks, and dancing.
In more recent times, local resident Burt Nichols saw something in the beautiful slopes surrounding the town, and in 1964, he opened the Brian Head Resort with one chairlift, a T-bar, and a warming house. The town of Brian Head incorporated in 1975. In 1990, Brian Head Resort was able to expand its season when they added snowmaking technology and terrain parks for snowboarding. That same year, Brian Head became a premier mountain bike destination utilizing the over 200 miles of existing livestock trails that lend to superb mountain biking downhill. In late 2007, the resort completed an expansion effort that increased their skiable terrain to over 650 acres including a new snowmaking system and an interconnecting bridge.
Skiing & Boarding
Brian Head Resort receives over 360 inches of famous Utah powder every year. The resort features Utah’s highest base elevation of 9,600 ft. with a lift-served vertical drop of 1,320 ft. from Brian Head Peak. Brian Head has over 650 acres, with eight chairlifts, 71 runs and three terrain parks for all ability levels.
Tubing
With a tubing hill located at Giant Steps, this is a winter activity almost anyone can enjoy. A surface lift whisks you to the top of the hills 600 ft. long courses, and you’ll be swooshing down the mountain and then back at the top in no time at all. For quality assurance and to secure a tubing session, please call (435) 677-2035 for reservations, or check www.brianhead.com.
Snowmobiling
Snowmobile tours are available in Brian Head to the Cedar Mountain Snowmobile Complex, considered one of the most scenic snowmobiling areas in the west. The complex has over 160 miles of pristine trails and wide open play areas. Trailheads are located at Brian Head and Cedar Breaks. Check the Guides and Outfitters for tours.
Mountain Biking
Experience incredible mountain biking at the Brian Head Mountain Bike Park and Activity Center, voted “one of the best, unique and most unusual mountain bike vacation resorts” by Mountain Bike Action magazine. Bikers can access over 200 miles of single and double track trails, with a wide array of options in trail length and technical ability.
Scenic Chairlift Rides
In the summer, the mountain bike chairlift at Brian Head Ski Resort (chair #2) is also available to hikers and sightseers in search of Utah’s famous red-rock vistas. Bring a jacket — the view is fabulous but it’s definitely cool at 11,000 feet. Open on weekends, generally from early July through mid-September. Go to www.brianhead.com for chairlift schedule and cost.
Off Highway Vehicle (OHV)
Dirt roads and trails left from the pioneer days ribbon through southern Utah’s landscape, making for some of the best off-highway riding in the state. There are over 400 miles of designated trails in the high mountain passes of the Dixie National Forest area of the Markagunt Plateau. OHV rentals and tours are available with local outfitters. Check with local visitor centers, the Dixie National Forest, (1789 N. Wedgewood Dr, Cedar City, (435) 865-3700), and the Bureau of Land Management, (176 DL Sargent Dr, Cedar City, (435) 865-3000 for designated trails and maps.
Kids' Stuff
In the summer and Fall, the Bristlecone Pond is a fun place in town for the family to hang out, catch some fish, or bring your kayak.
Don’t forget Gaint Steps on the weekends to entertain your inner adrenaline junkie with mini zip-line, chairlift rides, disc golf, and bungee trampoline. If you are up for a physical challenge, spend the day at the climbing wall and then ride your cares away at the alpine tubing hill.
Local Fave
Brian Head offers a free town shuttle during the ski season with front door service to the Resort base lodges.
Plan Your Trip
Population: 83
Elevation: 9,700 feet
Distance from Cedar City: 32 miles
Brian Head Town Visitor Center
56 N. Hwy 143
Brian Head, UT 84719
(435) 677-2029