Brighton Resort asks people to stay off terrain during ski season preparation

BRIGHTON, Utah — Brighton Resort has asked the public to stay off its terrain as it prepares for ski season. Uphill travel of any kind is currently forbidden within resort boundaries. 

In a Facebook post on Sunday, Brighton wrote “We are now in a period of time where we can make a bunch of snow which will allow us to get the resort open for you as soon as we can.” 

According to Brighton’s Facebook post, staying off resort terrain will help employees prepare the resort more efficiently. 

How do resorts prepare for ski season? 

Often, ski resorts start manufacturing snow to supplement what falls naturally. While the timeframe differs from year to year, resorts often start making snow as soon as temperatures are cold enough to preserve it. 

Once snowmaking personnel determine that the right conditions have arrived, they use snowmaking machines. According to Skiing Wisconsin, water is pumped to a machine that replicates the freezing process of natural snow. 

Brighton said that snowcats will begin preparing the snow for the season soon. 

Snowcats are vehicles used to clear paths and pack down snow. According to Park City Mountain Resort, the vehicles sit on rubber tracks covered by metal grousers, similar to cleats. The trousers help the vehicle travel up the mountain and break up chunks of snow. 

As snowcats move up the mountain, they push and flatten the snow. Then, they create long, straight grooves up the slope, known as corduroy. They are used throughout the ski season to maintain snow. 

In addition to preparing snow, ski resort staff must also make sure lifts and facilities are ready for guests. 

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