Brighton Terrain Park Blog

Brighton Ski Resort in Utah is considered home to many pro riders for its versatile terrain including groomers, park, pipe, and hundreds of acres of backcountry access to jumps, wind lips, and cliffs. Wednesday November 12 was the opening day for skiers/snowboarders at Brighton. After a few weeks of on-and-off snow storms to hit the Wasatch mountains, www.skibrighton.com announced the resorts scheduled opening date which was the second earliest opening date in the History of Brighton. I wrangled up my snow gear, packed it all in my car and headed up Big Cottonwood Canyon to meet up with friends and riders Will Tuddenham, Greg Osborne, Andy Butler, Ben Gustafson, Cody Comrie, and Pat Fenelon. After arriving at the resort, I first had to pick up my season pass. The line of people eager to get on the mountain stretched for quite some distance. I finally was able to get to the front where they snapped an updated photo of me equipped with my 08/09 season beard and headed out to meet up with the crew.
As I waited in line at the bottom of the lift, I ran into fellow SLC photographer Bob Plumb who was backed up with his crew of Matty Ryan, Mark “Deadlung” Edlund, Cale Zima, Antho and Keegan Valaika. It was fun to see the interaction between all of the film crews in Salt Lake City because we are all friends as well.
The weather was pretty cold. Light snow showers mixed with fog and wind made for an interesting day trying to shoot photos. Despite the conditions and flat light, we were able to take a few runs and get a few photos before calling it a day.
Opening day was all around a good time. I don’t know of too many other places where opening day can also be first powder day of the year. This is why Brighton will forever be considered home to me.—-Check out the photo gallery of Opening Day!

-davebrewerphoto.com

: Opening day means long lines for skiers/boarders eager to pick up their season pass. (Approx wait from end of line: 1.5 hours)

: 2. Line for the “smart” who purchased their season pass in advance online. (Approx wait from end of line: 2 hours)

: 3. The Season Pass office was busier than the local thrift store on Halloween! 4. Brighton Ski Resort- Considered “Home” to many of today’s top riders in the industry.

: 5. Please wait here…Eager, and anxious for not only the first day of the season, but also the first POWDER DAY of the season

: 6. One foot of fresh snow was a warm welcome on the otherwise cold/cloudy opening day at Brighton Resort.

: 7. Legendary landscape photographer Ansel Adams was found on the scene to capture natures beauty on opening day.

: 8. Team Thunders’ Will Tudddenham is all bundled up ready for the first run of the season. FYI- Rumor has it that Will T will be filming Videograsss in the upcoming 08/09 season. Congrats Will! He deserves it.

: 9. Will Tuddenham poking out a little stalefish at the bottom of the Pipe that is officially underway. With the amount of snow anticipated for this season, the Pipe should be fully groomed here shortly.

: 10. Just a little self portrait of a tailpress on one of the many boxes that the Terrain Park has set up to get everyone back in the swing of things. And yes, I am still rockin’ Drake bindings dispite their extinction years ago… I am up for hand-me-downs.

: 11. Will Tuddenham flexes his Rossignol with a tailpress BS 180 out.

: 12. On right: Forum Am and Brighton Terrain Park crew member Cameron Pierce. Middle: Team Thunders Will Tuddenham. On left: Team Thunders Andy Butler. All riding the lift, having a good time with friends.

: 13. A sneak peak at one of the many new jib features at Brighton. These were created by old lift towers. They have now been upgraded to new park features.