We worked with Brighton Ski Resort to share our experience and photos skiing with kids.
Brighton Ski resort is the perfect place to bring the whole family to ski this winter. Brighton is so kid-friendly with kids under 10 skiing for free! With bunny hills, private instructors and easy access to the slopes, it makes sense to make the first time skiing with kids at Brighton Ski Resort.
Please ask any questions you have about our Brighton Ski Resort in Utah.
Although my husband and I are from Utah, we haven’t been skiing much, and have never taken the kids skiing! The obstacles of finding equipment, clothing, and the money always seemed to get in our way. Plus, I’m not a great skiier myself, How on earth could I teach my kids to ski?
Brighton Ski resort helped us overcome all of these obstacles easily. Our first time skiing with kids was a great success and we can’t wait to get back on the slopes as a family.
Proximity to Salt Lake
Utah boasts the best snow on earth and has some of the best slopes as well. Brighton Ski Resort is only 35 minutes from the Salt Lake Airport and even closer if you are staying some where in Downtown or South Salt Lake. Its is a simple drive up the canyon with your excitement and anticipation rising as you ascend.
Ski Gear for Skiing with Kids
When you arrive at Brighton Ski Resort, you won’t need anything other than your outerwear for your day on the slopes. Brighton rents top-of-the-line equipment for each member of the family, with precise size and fit. They will help you get fitted until you find exactly what works for you and your kids.
Prices and Packages for Rentals at Brighton Ski Resort 
The combo package includes boots, skis, and poles (if wanted). Helmets are also available.
The rental process is simple.
- Fill out a form on the computer to make a profile of height and weight for each person.
- Pay for the rentals you need – either single items or the whole package.
- Receive one-on-one personalized attention as they find exactly the right size and fit for each member of your family.
On top of free lift passes, kid’s ski equipment is cheaper than adults. Helmets are available for rent. Ski goggles are available through the ski school if needed.
You can keep your personal boots under the benches in the rental room or there are lockers downstairs.
Because the rentals can get busy and may have a line, I suggest getting to the resort early enough to be outfitted in time to get a full day of skiing.
Easy Access
Instead of receiving a ski pass to attach on your parka, each person is issued a card similar to a credit card. Slip it into a pocket in your coat. When you get on the lift, there is a scanner which can read the card through inside your pocket. Accessing the lift has never been easier. Once you have the card, you can re-load day passes or season passes online.
Ski School
Being a ski novice myself, I was very nervous about teaching my kids to ski. However, Brighton Ski Resort daily lessons made our first time skiing with kids simple and enjoyable! Ski school with an instructor was SO helpful.
Make sure to plan to arrive at least and hour before ski school starts. You will want enough time to get gear on and find the school. Kids 4-7 will meet inside a classroom area until the teachers come to get them. Kids 8-12 and adults will meet their ski school teachers between the rental lodge and ski school lodge.
My kids were a bit cranky trying to get comfortable with all the gear and the newness of the experience. Like most kids, they started complaining to mom and dad about the hot/cold or whatever else.
As soon as their teacher showed up, the complaints stopped and they listened and learned. Their teacher was so patient and helpful. From just getting the first ski on, he had trips and tricks and easy explanations to help them through it.
Look at this Trick, Mom!
I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me to sign myself up for ski school, but there were plenty of adults learning and they made faster progress than I did! As I skied down with my kids teacher, he has super helpful hints to help me to improve. Ski teachers can help any level to advance and feel more comfortable.
How to Teach Kids to Ski
Since my kids were brand new to skiing, the teacher began with only one ski and taught them how it worked. Then he moved to two skis moving on flat ground.
Only once they were comfortable did they go down a very small and safe incline. He stayed with them and helped them make it down. After only 2 runs, my kids were smiling with confidence and proud of their accomplishments.
Magic Carpet ride
The small hill at Brighton Ski Resort uses a ‘magic carpet’ (moving uphill sidewalk) to get to the top. Once the kids master this smaller hill, they can move on to the bunny hill ski slope. The teacher teaches them how to be safe on the lift and how to get off. Then they make their way down the hill, following the teacher to learn certain skills as they go.
If the kids progress quickly, there are more challenging hills and curves to try. And they may even be taken on a green run up the main lift if they are ready for it!
Options for Ski School
Morning ski school starts at 10:15 and runs for is 2 1/2 hours in the morning. The teacher will schedule a place to meet up with the parents after the lesson.
Afternoon Ski school starts at 1:15 for 2 1/2 hours.
Full day ski school is available. You can choose to meet up for lunch with the kids. Or the kids can be provided a meal from the lodge and continue the afternoon with the instructor.
With so many options, there are unlimited possibilities for a day skiing with the kids.
And What should mom and Dad do while the kids are learning to ski? Get some alone time of course!
Couple time to ski together 
The confident and proud look after a morning at Ski School
Lunch at the Lodge
My kids loved skiing and were so excited, we had to beg them to get off the hill to eat lunch. But skiing with kids means you need lots of food to keep up the energy!
The lodge at Brighton Ski Resort offers plenty of food and drink options. You can enjoy indoor or outdoor seating areas.
During our lunch break, I loved seeing all the kids and families around. I think it gave my kids more confidence that other kids their age (and even younger!) were skiing all day, too.
Skiing with Kids ALL DAY!
To be honest, we weren’t sure our family would be capable of skiing all day. We were prepared to head home if the kids were tired or sore. But after rejuvenating with food and drink, the kids kept begging for more. So we returned to the slopes to make more runs skiing with kids!
My kids were proud to show us their new found skills on the bunny hill. My big kids got more and more brave as the day wore on. They eventually tried a green run. Their rush going down the steep hills was energizing.
By the end of our day on the slopes, my 11-year-old son was much better than I was! and my 9- and 7-year-old daughter were capable and confident in their abilities.
Options at Brighton Ski Resort
Ski or Board
Brighton Ski Resort allows skiing or snowboarding. If you’d like to learn how to do one or the other, there are ski instructors for each. Skiing with kids you might want to learn something new yourself!
Adult Ski School
Even adults can be in ski school! I highly recommend getting a few hours of instruction if you are a beginner. With just a few tips and tricks from my kid’s teacher, I was improving more than I had in years.
Night Skiing
Night Skiing is a big deal at Brighton. From 4-9 pm, you can ski under the lights on the slopes. There are many promotions which make this option very affordable for families.
Lifts and Routes
Because everyone in our family is a novice at skiing, we only tried two lifts and some easy runs. However, Brighton Ski Resort offers multiple lifts with several runs of for all abilities.
There are 4 lifts plus the bunny hill lift which the kids (and adults) can use even if they aren’t in school. Each lift has several routes down the mountain on green, blue or black runs. Get really comfortable with just a few runs, or try them all.
Terrain Parks
You will also find 5 terrain parks for anyone interested in jumps and twists and flips. Staying firmly planted on the ground is my skiing goal. But if you think loftier, try a run with jumps and slides.
Where did you go for the first time skiing with kids? What helps make the first day a success?
Look here for more Winter Weekend travel options.
Find more Utah Adventures here:
Northern Utah Day Trip
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