By Alison Thompson
Utah skiers and snowboarders are ripping down Preston Peak this week after Brighton Canyon opened last Thursday, Nov. 6.
Established in 1936, Utah''s oldest ski resort has for the second year in a row beat out its fiercest competitors, being the first resort to open this winter season.
Pete Ludlow, BYU student and full-time snowboarder, enjoyed riding freestyle down the un-trodden snow on Brighton the day after it opened.
'You get what you are paying for,' he said. 'The snow at Brighton is by far better than Park City.'
Although Utah ski resorts suffered from an unusually dry winter last year, Brighton still received a respectable 460 inches of snow, just slightly below its average of 500 inches.
'I don''t claim to be the greatest weatherman,' said Dan Malstrom, Brighton''s marketing and sales director. 'But I suspect the snow won''t be like last year. It''s very rare to go back to back.'
In the last 48 hours, Brighton has received nine inches of snow, making an average total of a 29-inch base.
Brighton has 66 runs, 21 percent being beginner slopes, 40 percent as intermediate terrain and 39 percent of advanced. Skiers can access these runs by using Brighton''s three high-speed quads, their one triple chair or the three double chairs.
The Utah Family Magazine awarded Brighton 'Best Value' and 'Best Family Terrain' for five consecutive years because of the resort''s diverse attractions.
'We keep getting better,' said Malstrom. 'We are adding more jibs , more rails and more fun boxes to our terrain park.'
Brighton''s terrain park now includes 15 rails, one line with nine jibs in a row and another with six for thrill-seekers.
'It''s a great place to practice your tricks,' said Ludlow. 'The half pipe is weak, but there is a great combination of table tops and rails to ride on.'
Brighton also offers night skiing from 4 to 9 p.m. every Monday through Saturday, from mid-December until early April on 20 lighted runs that covers 200 acres. Unlimited night passes are $295 for students who want to avoid congestion on the slopes, enjoy the pervasive silence and want the chance to be alone with their significant other.
Brighton is located 35 miles east from Salt Lake City in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Unlimited student passes are available for $495, midweek for $395 and a one-day pass is $41.