Brian Head Resort, one of southern Utah’s largest mountain destinations, has unveiled ambitious plans to nearly triple its size in the coming years. The public will have the opportunity to weigh in on the proposed expansion during a 45-day comment period starting Tuesday, as part of the Forest Service’s environmental review process.
The resort is seeking to add 1,651 acres of Dixie National Forest land to its existing permit, which currently covers 896 acres—887 of which are on national forest land. If approved, the expansion would bring the resort’s total area to 2,547 acres. According to a story map created by the resort, the proposed growth includes 382 additional acres of ski trails, 14 new lifts, 19 miles of snowmaking lines, 10 miles of roads, four dining facilities, and eight stand-alone ski patrol spaces.
Two of the proposed lifts would connect national forest land to private property in Aspen Meadows, where future plans include 850 acres of additional ski terrain and seven lifts.
The Forest Service’s environmental review will examine potential impacts on groundwater, wildlife, cultural resources, recreational opportunities, neighboring communities, and the dark skies of nearby Cedar Breaks National Monument. The agency expects to complete its multi-year analysis by June 2028.
Brian Head Resort’s 2023 master development plan highlights the need for expansion, citing capacity issues that have led to a deficit of 606 dining seats and 375 parking spaces. The resort, located just 40 minutes from Cedar City, is a year-round destination that attracts visitors with its unique juxtaposition of snow-covered peaks and red rock cliffs in the winter, as well as cooler temperatures during the summer. Nearby attractions like Cedar Breaks National Monument, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon draw millions of tourists, many of whom stop at Brian Head during their travels.
However, the proposed expansion has raised concerns. In a 2023 letter to Scott Price, president of Mountain Capital Partners (which owns Brian Head Resort), Dixie National Forest Supervisor Kevin Wright expressed reservations about the scale and feasibility of the project. “While the Forest appreciates the comprehensiveness of your planning effort, we have concerns about the feasibility and timeliness of implementing such a large plan,” Wright wrote.
The letter also noted that some of the proposed ski terrain overlaps with critical summer elk calving habitat. Wright recommended close coordination with the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources to mitigate potential impacts. Additionally, he urged the resort to engage with stakeholders, including sheep and cattle grazers whose allotments overlap with the resort’s current and proposed boundaries.
According to a resort spokesperson, Brian Head and the Forest Service have since conducted outreach to stakeholders, including the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, to address these concerns.
To further involve the public, the Forest Service will host a series of open houses from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:
- Tuesday, July 29, 2025: Brian Head Lodge, 314 W Hunter Ridge Dr, Brian Head, UT
- Wednesday, July 30, 2025: Parowan City Office, 35 E 100 N, Parowan, UT
- Thursday, July 31, 2025: Southern Utah University, Brian Head Room (Sharwan Smith Center), Cedar City, UT