PRIVATE FAMILY SKI VACATION HOMES IN
BRIGHTON & SOLITUDE SKI RESORTS, UTAH

I was just reading the 2007-2008 Utah Ski and Snowboard Survey and saw some interesting stats I thought I would share. 

Utah had a 4.8 percent growth in skier/snowboard days this season, attributable to the high snowfall we had (up 39% from last year). Median income of visitors to Utah ski resorts was $76,000, up from last year by $1,000.  Do they take into account inflation? Average age of visitors decreased from 34 to 33 years of age even though, in my experience, there were more people in the 55 years and up category than in years past.  My, how we baby boomers are getting old.  There were less locals skiing the powder than out of state guests, and there were more international visitors than in any year yet - Utah is truly becoming THE place to ski globally.  One of the reasons is the weak US dollar. Most skiers/snowboarders were coming from California (22%), New York (8.3 %), Texas (7.1 %) and

Illinois (4.2 %).  Those who think the snowboarders are taking over the hill are wrong.  While this segment is growing, they still only represent 31 percent of visitors.  We are also getting smarter.  The percentage of visitors with a bachelors degree or higher increased from 58% to 60%. Hmm so we are getting younger, but smarter on average.  Singles take the lead on who tends to come with  a second segment of parents with children at home the next.  I bet there would be more from the latter segment if they surveyed only Brighton Ski Resort visitors.   Good news for you late planners - only 39% started planning their trip by October.  Most trips were booked in January.   Finally 61 percent of respondents indicated they would definitely return to

Utah within the next two years.  Why???? Need you ask?  A majority of respondents indicated snow quality and their number one reason for returning, followed by presence of family and friends, was the proximity of the ski resorts to the Salt Lake City Airport, and better value for the skiing.

Ever wonder what the lifties on the Brighton Ski Resort do during the summer months? Well, some things I can’t say in print, but they do many things I can.  Besides reseeding the hillside so it doesn’t look like a construction zone all summer, they may be adding new water lines to extend the snow making capacity on the hill, or they may be repainting the lift towers.  This summer they are replacing all of the bulbs in the light poles for night skiing.  Apparently they lose their luminosity as time goes on.  All the cables and the chairs for all lifts have to be individually tested for unraveling and cracks in the steel, and all the bearings in the rollers have to be cleaned and repacked.  Finally, the entire grooming and snow removal equipment has to be overhauled and in top shape for a busy winter.  They will be busy setting up for snow making the minute the weather gets cold enough. There is never a dull moment for those folks. 

This is a picture of Jay and Susan, my in-laws, perched on top of Twin Lakes Pass after a half-day hike. This goes to prove that the mountains of Brighton, Utah are accessible for and the hiking amenable to all age groups. Jay just celebrated his 75th birthday. Can you imagine better in-laws, especially the ones that adore nature like I do and continually want to be active? There is no sitting around with them around. We had a wonderful birthday lunch on top of Twin Lakes Pass with fresh strawberries, turkey and sprout sandwiches and cold clear Brighton water. If you spent a weekend here skiing in the Wintertime when 20 foot snowdrifts are common, you would understand just how crystal clear, cold, pure and refreshing the taste of Brighton water is. The highlight of my day, speaking as a Mom, was that my kids didn’t dare whine with their grandparents in tow. I wish they were around when it was time for the kids to clean their rooms.

On Saturday, August 9th, I ran in the Jupiter Peak Steeplechase again (I do it every year) and was thinking it was going to be a bad day because I arrived just as the gun was going to go off. Not a problem normally, but I hadn’t registered yet. So I started running and ran without a number. I am proud to say I shaved off 20 minutes from last year. 3:18.02. OK, I didn’t win it but I did in my mind. The run has a 3,000 foot elevation gain and is a 16 mile loop. I am not only got getting older, I am getting stronger and better. Must have something to do with the healthy

Utah mountain air. Couldn’t have been due to the great night’s sleep I had at La Vista because I had one equal to that last year sleeping at Chez Louisa. Hmm. Could it have been that it was noticeably cooler? Nah. Not 10 minutes after I got back and showered did it start pouring rain. We haven’t hadrain for over a month. We really need this moisture. Think I will sit and relax in the beautiful living room and watch it rain onMountMillicent, one ofBrightonMountain’s most breathtaking views, knit a few rows, and take a nap.