Brains
Located in a metro area of nearly 5 million people and at an elevation of only 230 vertical feet, Michigan’s Mt. Brighton might not initially sound like a destination resort. However, thanks to its state-of-the-art snowmaking abilities and varied terrain, Mt. Brighton operates successfully even under some of the most unpredictable weather conditions in the country. Since 1960, the well-known resort has welcomed thousands of families, thrill-seekers, and park enthusiasts looking for a day on the slopes.
When people think of Vail Resorts, they often imagine a day on the slopes of one of the flagship resorts in Vail’s massive portfolio—Park City’s lighter than air powder, Whistler Blackcomb’s endless terrain, or Vail Mountain’s bluebird skies. Lucky for residents of Southeastern Michigan, that same sense of hospitality and adventure can be found just 45 minutes west of Detroit. Mt. Brighton started off as a local family hill, owned and operated by the Bauer family, until its acquisition by Vail Resorts in 2015. Vail’s investment included a $10 million investment into improvements like new chairlifts and carpets, enhanced beginner terrain, new base area facilities, a children’s ski and ride school center, innovative terrain parks, and a state-of-the-art snowmaking system. Nine years later, these improvements have transformed Mt. Brighton into an out-west enclave in Southeastern Michigan, featuring modern amenities that top-tier skiers and snowboarders expect from an industry-leading powerhouse like Vail.
Mt. Brighton particularly appeals to skiers and riders planning a trip to one of Vail’s western resorts. Purchasers of Mt. Brighton’s Epic Local Pass are granted access not only to Mt. Brighton’s slopes but also to other Vail-owned resorts, such as Heavenly, Breckenridge, and Keystone. However, Mt. Brighton has plenty to offer, from double black diamond runs to green groomers and everything in between. With 130 acres of skiable area, 24 named trails, two terrain parks, and 100% snowmaking coverage, Mt. Brighton is brimming with opportunities for winter entertainment.
Unlike its high-elevation, dry-climate sister resorts in the Western United States, Mt. Brighton’s location makes it vulnerable to challenging weather patterns that could easily jeopardize a season. Events such as rain, mid-winter thaws, and storms require consistent preventive and recovery efforts. Mt. Brighton is known as the Snowmaking Capital of the World, and the Schneehex “Snow Witch” is the world’s largest snow gun. Snowbrains caught up with Michael “Spike” Bergin, Mountain Operations Manager at Mt. Brighton for over 37 years, to find out what it takes to keep skiers and riders on the mountain, regardless of what Mother Nature throws. Firstly, many variables affect how and when a ski resort like Mt. Brighton can start making snow. Last year was one of Michigan’s warmest recorded winters, so Bergin was forced to pivot daily. “We start at 28 degrees, which is our starting point, with relatively low humidity—anything under 70%,” Bergin said. “That’s basically what we had last year—trying to recover from rain and warm weather. We take advantage of every opportunity to make snow and keep the team positive.”
With Mt. Brighton being located in a major metro area, the question is how much does it rely on in-state visitation versus out-of-towners to keep the mountain in business? Also, after a mid-winter warm-up, how long does it take to recover the mountain in snow, and what factors come into play? “That’s a hard question; it depends on the weather, temperature, and humidity,” Bergin said. “Being in a metro area means we are very dependent on our local visitors, unlike larger resorts, which are destination resorts with more travel visitation. 100% of our snow is machine-made, and the percentage of natural snow is very low and doesn’t last long.”
Snowmaking is obviously a huge factor in Mt. Brighton’s success from year to year. Keeping that valuable snowpack regardless of temperature swings can make or break the business, and luckily Michigan has no shortage of water to pull from to create the precious product. In Michigan, skiers and snowboarders never find themselves more than six miles away from a body of water.
With that knowledge, one might wonder what the average season length is at the resort. The short answer is it that it varies based on the above factors. ”The longest was in 2014; we went until the third or fourth week of March and opened in November that year,” Bergin said. “The shortest was the [2023-2024 season], which was shorter than we hoped due to warm weather.” Bergin was enthusiastic about the upcoming season, however. “We always aim to open as soon as possible and that will be the plan this year! We are always looking at ways to increase snow production and have strategically moved our guns around to cover more areas.”
One of the more startling revelations presented by Bergin was the dramatic change in season length over 10 years. An additional month of operation can make or break a business designed to generate most of its revenue within a single season. Mt. Brighton typically operates from early December to mid-March, but colder and drier temperatures can extend the season, preserving the valuable machine-made snow. As Bergin noted, most of Mt. Brighton’s visitors are locals rather than out-of-state vacationers. Conveniently situated at the intersection of several major highways, Mt. Brighton is within a two-hour drive of Detroit, Lansing, Flint, Toledo, Ann Arbor, and Grand Rapids.
Mt. Brighton is a unique area for winter sports, classified as a hot and humid continental zone—not a description usually associated with ski resorts. However, this continental classification brings seasonal shifts that can lead to sharp temperature drops and significant snow dumps from lake effect storms. According to the National Weather Service, the heaviest snowstorm in Metro Detroit’s recorded history occurred in April 1886, when about 24.5 inches of snow accumulated. The second heaviest was in December 1974, with 19.3 inches. These massive snowfalls led to Michigan’s only recorded avalanche on Mt. Brighton’s 40-degree double diamond run known as “Challenge.” On January 19, 2021, the top half of the Challenge gave way, taking half the snowpack of the upper face with it. The extreme pitch relative to the heavy, denser snow typical of the Midwest could have been a factor in the cause of the slide. Fortunately, no one was injured due to Vail Resorts’ expertise in avalanche mitigation and safety procedures.
Zack Allor has been bartending and riding the slopes of Mt. Brighton since 2022. He combined his passion for snowboarding and his work life into one. Allor let Snowbrains know a little about himself before jumping into the ins and outs of his time at Mt. Brighton. “I’m 25 and from Saint Clair Shores on Lake Saint Clair, about five miles north of Detroit,” he said. “I bartend at Mt. Brighton, and I’m currently working on my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan—go Blue!” Of all the surrounding ski resorts in the area looking to staff up for the winter, Allor had a plethora of options to choose from before ultimately deciding on Mt. Brighton. “I chose to work at Mt. Brighton because Vail Resorts appealed to me as a company that values its employees, and the opportunities and benefits made applying for a job a no-brainer. The best part about working at a ski resort is having the ability to do some runs before or after a shift.”
Mt. Brighton is one of four major ski resorts in the area, so it would be natural to wonder why people choose this particular resort as their destination of choice. With such unpredictable weather patterns, the answer may lie in Bergin’s snowmaking expertise. “The turnaround for prepping the mountain after inclement weather is unlike any of the resorts in the area,” Allor said. “From my experience, each trail is very accessible, and the mountain is great for everyone from beginners to advanced skiers and boarders looking to get some reps. I have also noticed that the terrain park maintenance strives to build a unique and changing terrain park for people to enjoy. Allor also brought up the friendly demeanor of guests and coworkers alike as major factors in his choice to return year after, stating that some of his best memories both on and off the mountain involved friends made at the property.
As Bergin mentioned, the 2024-25 season was particularly difficult for Mt. Brighton. Record-breaking temperatures and regular rainfall meant the snowpack was unpredictable. According to Allor, “The unfortunate lack of snowfall and high-temperature days last season took a toll on the mountain. The snow conditions would vary greatly daily and throughout each day, making consistency hard to come by between trips down the mountain.” Allor brought praise to Mt. Brighton’s ability to pivot daily in order to operate, sometimes blowing snow for days at a time to continue operations after a weather event. The staff was relentless in keeping the mountain open, no matter what was thrown at them day by day. Allor rounded it out by saying, “The memories made at Brighton are sure to last a lifetime.”
Mt. Brighton is known for its lively culture all throughout the year, with some standouts being the yearly rail jams and Slush Cup.“I’ve enjoyed spectating all of the competitions hosted by Mt. Brighton. Seeing the excitement of the events’ camaraderie and competitive nature makes them enjoyable for everyone.” He also praised Mt. Brighton’s outreach program, a non-profit work providing underprivileged youth the opportunity to participate in a notoriously expensive sport. He started learning to snowboard when he began working for Mt. Brighton because of how accessible the mountain became. “I’ve taken one trip to Park City, Utah, but other than that, I have only boarded in Michigan.” Allor hopes to take advantage of his Epic pass to experience some other Resorts after his great experience at Park City. After talking with Allor, it was clear why people chose Mt. Brighton in a state filled with more than 40 resorts. Varied and well-maintained terrain, ease of accessibility, and excellent working conditions are significant factors in Vail Resorts’ popularity with locals and visitors alike.
Mt. Brighton is one of four large ski areas in the greater Detroit metro area, the others being Pine Knob, Mt. Holly, and Alpine Valley. Like in any other industry, friendly competition between various companies leads to options for the consumer, and luckily for Southeast Michiganders, the operation of these resorts has created a market for two separate multi-resort passes. The latter three resorts all belong to the Midwest Mountain Pass, giving after-work or school skiers and riders unlimited access to some of Michigan’s best destinations. On the other hand, Mt. Brighton’s Epic Pass is the easy answer for the globe-trotting adventurer, with destinations all over the U.S. and beyond. Either way, one is guaranteed to have more access than they know what to do with after purchasing one of these two mega passes.
With Michigan’s winter season in full swing and cool, crisp days finally here, fun-filled days on the slopes of Mt. Brighton have finally arrived. Bergin and his team have the snow guns blowing night and day to ensure a solid snowpack and safe conditions for the hordes of families and friends already lining up to hit the mountain. Allor has been hitting jumps by day and slinging drinks by night to thirsty visitors from across the Midwest and beyond, all the while Vail Resorts is back to doing what they do best: providing guests with the experience of a lifetime, whether on the slopes of the local Mt. Brighton or at their resorts across the U.S.
