Industry News
Typically a summer vacation region, southern Utah boasts natural beauty throughout its several National Parks. What you might not know is the incredible skiing that can be had in the region. Brian Head Resort is Utah’s southernmost ski area, with a base elevation of 9,600 ft and 650 acres of skiable terrain. Brian Head is looking to add 850 making 1,500 skiable acres and the 7th largest resort in the state. This multi-decade master plan will transform Brian Head and the Aspen Meadows area.
In 1964, Burt Nicols and Homer Vasels founded Brian Head and always envisioned the development of Aspen Meadows as part of the resort. The 30-year plan for Aspen Meadows will create a ski-in, ski-out community, and even a bike-in neighborhood, building off Brian Head’s established mountain biking trails.
What is Aspen Meadows? Aspen Meadows Group, established in 2022, is a subsidiary of Utah-based Gardner Plumb LC that is full of… well, you guessed it, mature aspen trees and high-altitude alpine meadows. You also might notice that combination is excellent for crushing that Utah pow. Mountain Capital Partners (MCP) has agreed with Aspen Meadows to run mountain operations on the new terrain, including lifts, snowmaking, and ski patrol. MCP currently performs these operations for Brian Head.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will this expansion, but good things take time. Flint Decker, president of the Aspen Meadows Group, calls this a “legacy project.” The expansion could take up to 30 years to develop not only the ski area but the community as well. Those who want to be a part of the community can take up Decker’s offer for prospective homebuyers. This offer includes snowcat tours of the property followed by a gourmet lunch in a heated yurt.
Nitty-gritty details of the expansion that we know of so far.
- 850 acres of new skiable terrain
- Seven new lifts (first lifts to be ready for the 2024-2025 season)
- Lots of steep/extreme terrain as well as some beginner-intermediate terrain
- One new lodge (bringing to a total of 3)
- North – Northwest facing slopes (good for snow retention)
- 172, the current population of Brian Head will need to grow to accommodate the expansion
- 30 years, the potential length to complete the entire development
