Yes, You Can Ski Near St. George: Brian Head and Winter in the Desert
Golf in the morning, ski by afternoon. Brian Head is 90 minutes away, and winter is quietly the best season down in the valley.
One of the stranger, better things about St. George is that you can play golf in the morning and, if you time it right, be on skis by afternoon. The desert stays mild all winter, but the mountains an hour and a half away are buried in snow.
Brian Head
Brian Head Resort is about 84 miles up the road, roughly an hour and a half, and it sits at 9,600 feet, the highest base elevation of any ski area in Utah, which is why it gets dumped on: around 360 inches a year. It is not a huge resort, but it has 71 runs, it is friendly and family-sized, and there is night skiing plus tubing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing if downhill is not your thing. For a lot of St. George families it is the easy day-trip snow fix.
Winter down in the valley
Meanwhile, back in town, winter is arguably the best time to actually be here. Days in the 50s and 60s, sunshine, and the crowds gone: prime time for golf, hiking Snow Canyon, climbing, and doing Zion without fighting anyone for parking. Tuacahn runs Christmas shows, and the whole valley is quiet and pleasant.
The move, if you get a few days in winter: ski Brian Head one day, golf or hike in shirtsleeves the next. Not many places let you do both.
Frequently asked questions
Can you ski near St. George?
Yes. Brian Head Resort is about 84 miles away, roughly an hour and a half, with 71 runs and the highest base elevation of any Utah ski area at 9,600 feet.
What is there to do in St. George in winter?
Winter is prime season in the valley, with mild sunny days perfect for golf, hiking Snow Canyon, climbing, and visiting Zion with far fewer crowds. Brian Head offers skiing an hour and a half away.