This Utah ski resort named among best values in the country

CEDAR CITY — A Utah ski resort ranks among the Top 20 for visitor value for the upcoming season, according to an online vacation rental marketplace.

HomeToGo lists Brian Head Resort as the best value in Utah and the 13th-best among the 70 ski/snowboard areas it analyzed based on lodging rates, lift ticket costs and terrain size. It calculated the southern Utah median nightly cost of an overnight stay at $113.72 and the average lift ticket price at $39, for a total cost of $152.72 per day, per person.

"We believe great skiing shouldn't come with a luxury price tag," Amber Palmer, Brian Head marketing manager, said in a press release. "Being recognized as Utah's top value resort reinforces our commitment to giving everyone the freedom to ski at an affordable price."

Lift tickets for the 2025–26 season start at $14 on select dates. Prices go up with demand. Kids 12 and under ski and snowboard all season without blackout dates. Brian Head was scheduled to open this past weekend but pushed the date to Nov. 21, weather permitting.

Despite delaying its opening date, Brian Head will hold a free rail jam competition Nov. 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for skiers and snowboarders. Pro snowboarders Pat Fava and Joey Fava, who grew up riding the resort, will host the event at the base of Navajo Mountain.

What other Utah resorts made the list?

HomeToGo compiled a list of ski resorts for which price and search data was available, paring it down to 70 with a minimum of 300 acres of skiable terrain. It ranked them based on the median nightly cost per person for vacation accommodation, the cost of a lift ticket, and the skiable terrain. Each data point was assigned a value from five to 10. A perfect score would be 30.

Cost per person, per day:

• No. 16: Beaver Mountain — $178.10
• No. 19: Snowbasin — $276.86
• No. 25: Brighton — $211.76
• No. 35: Solitude — $287.91
• No. 44: Park City Mountain — $519.03
• No. 52: Snowbird — $476.14
• No. 58: Alta — $521.98
• No. 67: Deer Valley — $637.02

What US ski resorts are the best value?

According to HomeToGo's rankings, three of the top five best values are in Montana. Here's what it said about each of them:

Red Lodge Mountain, Montana

Red Lodge Mountain pairs big-mountain terrain with small-town charm, delivering a ski experience that punches well above its price. Just outside of Yellowstone, it offers 1,635 acres, a 2,400-foot vertical drop, and Montana's second-largest snowmaking system.

• Cost per day per person: $142.73

Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park, Washington

Tucked inside Mount Spokane State Park, this Pacific Northwest gem offers 1,704 acres, a 2,000-foot vertical drop, and over 50 runs — all just an hour from Spokane. With numerous trails open for night skiing (ticketed separately), the fun keeps going long after sunset for those who want more hours on the mountain.

• Cost per day per person: $151.30

Bridger Bowl, Montana

Nestled in Montana's Rocky Mountains, Bridger Bowl delivers 2,000 acres of terrain, 75 marked trails, and a 2,700-foot vertical rise — plus hike to expert terrain for those chasing a challenge. Run as a nonprofit with free mountain tours and a laid back local feel, this is skiing shaped by the community.

• Cost per day per person: $184.85

Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana

Situated near Glacier National Park, Whitefish Mountain Resort spans 3,000 acres with 110 named trails, plus a selection of terrain parks for trying out tricks. Night skiing's also on offer — either ticketed separately or included with a Swing Shift pass, which kicks off at 1 p.m. for the same price as a day ticket.

• Cost per day per person: $227.12

Brundage Mountain Resort, Idaho

High in central Idaho's mountains, this laid-back resort serves up nearly 2,000 acres of terrain and what many call the best snow in Idaho. Named trails such as Temptation and Kickback offer scenic skiing, while guided SnowCat trips unlock 18,000 acres of backcountry adventures.

• Cost per day per person: $188.13

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