Brighton Or Solitude Ski Resort, Which is Better For Your Next Ski Trip?
Are you planning your next ski vacation and are trying to decide between Brighton and Solitude? With these two resorts within close proximity to Salt Lake City, it can be difficult to decide where to plan your vacation.
Both ski resorts have that great, dry snow - making for excellent skiing conditions, and are interconnected so you can ski both. Brighton tends to be better suited to beginner skiers, but Solitude has more of a village and accommodation options near the base.
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Brighton, Utah
Brighton Ski Resort is located in Utah, United States, just outside of Salt Lake City. Brighton is a very popular location for snowboarders. Even though it is a fantastic location for skiers, there will likely be a higher volume of boarders.
Skiing at Brighton
Skiing at Brighton is great for all levels of skiers with a lot of beginners and intermediate terrain but also a lot of advanced terrains. There are also options for tree skiing as well as more open bowls.
Generally speaking, Brighton can be split into two areas, the Millicent area (located up the Milly Express lift) and the Majestic area. Skiing between these two areas is absolutely possible. However, it is advised to check the map; otherwise, you may end up having to walk across the parking lot.
There are four main high-speed quad lifts, 66 trails, five terrain parks, and over 1,050 acres of skiing to be enjoyed. Brighton generally receives 500 inches of snow in a year, and the snow is usually dry, light, and fluffy, making for excellent skiing conditions.
The Majestic side of the mountain is much larger than the Millicent area and has a lot more terrain to enjoy. This area is great for all levels of skiers with beginner and intermediate terrain, as well as lots of tree skiing for advanced skiers. In fact, the Great Western Express chair lift is exclusively for intermediate and advanced skiers.
On the Millicent (or Milly) side of the mountain, there are fewer trees but more natural bowls, chutes, and lots of room to play for intermediate and advanced skiers. This area is only serviced by the Milly Express lift.
Amenities at Brighton
Brighton has a great snowsports school with over 175 instructors to teach you how to ski as well as a rental shop for hiring gear and a retail ski shop to buy gear.
Brighton also has a night skiing option available. With over 200 acres of terrain illuminated for night skiing from 4 pm till 9 pm Monday through Saturday.
Accommodation at Brighton
There are a few lodging options at the base of the Brighton resort, such as the Brighton Lodge. However, there are more options near and around the area, such as at the base of the canyon or at Solitude Ski Resort.
The Brighton Lodge has ski-in/ski-out options, so if you are staying here, you don’t need to worry about taking a shuttle or driving to get on the slopes. They have various rooms that can support couples and families.
There are much more accommodation options at the nearby Solitude Resort within the Solitude Village.
You could also stay in areas just outside of Salt Lake City and drive to Brighton to ski. There are many options for accommodation, such as staying at the base of Big Cottonwood Canyon or Cottonwood Heights.
Cottonwood Heights is a 16-mile drive to Brighton but offers some great accommodation options at affordable prices. There are also more options for restaurants, and you would be only 15 miles from downtown Salt Lake City.
Transportation/Getting To Brighton
Brighton Ski Resort is 36 miles from Salt Lake City International Airport. There are a variety of companies that provide shuttle services from Salt Lake City to get to Brighton. There is also a bus that you can take from downtown Salt Lake City.
If you are staying at Brighton and planning on not leaving the resort, a car is not a necessity. However, if you are planning on staying outside of Brighton Resort or want to explore the area a little more, it may be worth investing in a rental car.
Solitude, Utah
Solitude Mountain Resort is located right next to Brighton in Utah and is only a 30-minute drive from Salt Lake City.
Skiing at Solitude
Known as a great location to take the family skiing, Solitude has a great deal of fun for the whole family with lots of beginners and intermediate terrain, as well as some advanced canyons and chutes for more competent skiers.
With eight chairlifts and over 1,200 acres of terrain to explore, Solitude has some great on and off-piste skiing available. As this area of Utah receives dry, fluffy powdered snow, the snow quality is fantastic, and on average, Solitude receives 500 inches per season.
The area is also interconnected with Brighton Ski Resort (via the SolBright run), which adds another 1,050 acres of terrain to explore. So, if you want, you can pop over to Brighton and ski there before coming back and exploring more of Solitude.
Amenities at Solitude
If downhill skiing is not your thing or you are looking for something different to do, Solitude Mountain has a Nordic Center where you can go snowshoeing or Nordic skiing. They offer a variety of clinics and workshops to work on your Nordic skiing abilities, private and group lessons, as well as snowshoeing tours.
If you are looking to unwind and relax, Solitude has a full mountain spa where you can treat yourself to a massage, a dry sauna, and many more services. Solitude also has a great variety of dining options, from nice restaurants to having dinner in a yurt.
Accommodation at Solitude
One of the great things about Solitude is the options for lodging that are available at the base. There are some accommodation options that have ski-in and ski-out options or are very close to it.
There are also limited accommodation options over at Brighton Resort. Otherwise, there are lots of other accommodation options off the mountain.
Cottonwood Heights is a great place to find a range of accommodations. It is 14 miles from Solitude, but there are also more dining options. It is also only 16 miles away from Salt Lake City.
Transportation/Getting To Solitude
Solitude Resort is located about a 40-minute drive from Salt Lake City International Airport and 29 miles from downtown. There are a variety of companies that provide shuttle services from Salt Lake City to get to Solitude. There is also a bus that you can take from downtown Salt Lake City.
If you are planning on staying at Solitude and not leaving the resort, you don't need a car. However, if you are planning on staying outside of the resort area or want to explore the area a little more, it may be worth investing in a rental car.
So Which Resort Should You Visit? Brighton or Solitude
Both Brighton and Solitude are relatively small resorts alone but can be thought of as a much larger area as you can ski between the two. If you are a beginner, Brighton tends to have more beginner runs which gives you more space to explore.
Solitude does have a bit more of a village as well as more accommodation options close to the base of the resort.
If you are planning on skiing at both of these locations, you can purchase a pass that will give you access to both areas. Both resorts are also on the Ikon Pass, a multi-resort and unlimited skiing season pass.
FAQ: Can you ski between Brighton and Solitude?
Yes, there is an intermediate trail called SoIBright where you can ski between the two resorts.
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