Harriet’s Album Of Deep, Deep Snow Pics At Brighton.

Beware of the buried street signs at the corner of Mary Lake Lane and Old Majestic Lane. The summer road became a deep snow ski trail. Credit: Harriet Wallis

At my home resort Brighton, the snowfall has topped 500 inches—about 41 feet—and the snow keeps coming. Brighton is a down home, low key resort near Salt Lake City that’s favored by families and snowboarders.

This two-story trailside cabin has an access problem. Must dig down deep to find the door. Credit: Harriet Wallis
One more snowstorm and this cabin will disappear. Bamboo poles and a rope line keep skiers off the roof. Credit: Harriet Wallis

Plentiful snow is crucial because It’s our drinking water supply, and there have been several years of low snowfall. When Spring runoff starts, every drop of melting mountain snow is captured. It takes just 24 hours from stream to faucet. Dogs are banned from the canyon watersheds to help keep the pure water free from transmittable diseases.

Just before one of those plentiful snowstorms, my friend and I booked a room at the slope-side Brighton Lodge so we could be first on the mountain in the morning.

Inside the cozy Brighton Lodge. Credit: Harriet Wallis

It snowed all night. We skied all day. Then we had to cope with the car.

Outside the Brighton Lodge. Deep snow is fun until it buries the car. Credit: Harriet Wallis

 

Snowboarders dug it out. Credit: Harriet Wallis

The ample winter also creates some other quirks at Brighton.

While the snow keeps falling, these father and son skiers pitch in to help dig out the gates. Credit: Harriet Wallis

 

The children’s warming yurt looks more like an igloo. Credit: Harriet Wallis

 

The parking lot is walled by snow. Where will they put the next storm’s dump? Credit: Harriet Wallis 

Even the ride down the canyon toward home has rewards. Deep snow drives the peak-loving mountain goats down to lower elevations. It’s a treat to see them so close.

Shaggy coats and quizzical looks. Credit: Harriet Wallis

To read more from Harriet click here for her stories on SkiUtah.

7 Comments

  1. Alicia Schilder says:

    What a great photo journal Harriet!

  2. Julie Ann says:

    OMG I am soooooo jealous! I learned to ski at the age of 20 in New Hampshire, skied every chance I got and then moved to Florida (for work). I didn’t ski much for the next 17 years and decided I needed a ski vacation when I was 37. Basically closed my eyes and stuck a pin in Jackson Hole, WY and found Heaven on earth! I moved there two years later and was blessed to live there for 4 years, I worked at the hospital three 12 hour days and had four days off and free ski passes……yes, I was the luckiest woman alive! I am in flat-as-a-pancake Indiana now with the love of my life (he doesn’t ski) and I now live vicariously through all of you! Love your story and the photos……WOW!! Thanks for sharing!

  3. Lee Kitts says:

    Harriet, next winter you are going to have to show me where I might see those goats.

  4. Great pics! It’s been a few years since I skied Brighton but for ten years it was one of our stops on our annual Utah trip. Yup, we skied the big three in the canyons but little Brighton was my favorite because it was old school skiing. I grew up skiing at Sunday River when it was one mountain, five slopes and a neighborhood area. To me, Brighton has that same vibe. Had the best snow because it was the highest mountain but never saw snow like in these pics. Thanks, Harriet.

  5. Bruce Sherman says:

    Harriet…as we would have commented in the past…”you are truly a piece of work!” Keep truckin’.

  6. Tamsin Venn says:

    Very fun to see these photos, Harriet. Skied Brighton on Sunday, locals were out in full, good spring snow conditions because of higher elevation. Love Brighton.

  7. Jon Weisberg says:

    Wonderful pictorial account, Harriet. So much snow!!!!!!!

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