Although they are only about 45-minutes apart, Park City and Brighton offer vastly different experiences. We might be slightly biased about what is the best ski resort in Utah, but Brighton remains to be a popular choice for many vacationers!

So if you’re thinking about purchasing a vacation property in the area, here’s what you need to know about Brighton Vs. Park City.

Size and Scale

Compared to Park City, which is one of the biggest ski resorts in North America by skiable area, Brighton is a lot smaller. To put it in perspective, Park City has about 7,300 acres of terrain (not including Deer Valley and its expansion!), Brighton has just over 1,000 acres.

Between Park City and Deer Valley, we have over 500 trails and almost 80 chairlifts compared to Brighton’s 60+ trails and 11 lifts.

In addition to the size difference, you’ll notice a generally smaller scale in Brighton. As a cool little resort, it has much more of a “mom and pop” feel with fewer amenities than you’ll find in Park City.

Learn more about the best ski resorts in the Park City area with this post right here.

Getting There: Brighton Vs. Park City

Travelling to and from Park City is about as easy as it gets. With access to numerous local public and private airports, flying in and then driving to Park City is a simple and pleasant 30-minute drive down the interstate. The road is clear, safe, and rarely impeded by inclement weather.

Located just up the mountain from Solitude, getting to Brighton means taking the twisting road up Big Cottonwood. Although it’s picturesque, the road is often a bit windy and is more susceptible to closure from snowstorms.

What about getting to Brighton from Park City? Driving or biking across Guardsman’s Pass between Brighton and Park City is an extremely popular activity during the summer months. It’s an easy drive that can’t be done in the winter since the road is closed!

Curious about living in Park City? Here are some more posts you might want to read next:

• Things You Didn’t Know About Living in Park City and Deer Valley
• How to Enjoy Park City Living Year-Round
• How to Spend the Perfect Day in Park City

What About the Skiing in Brighton?

Brighton typically opens for ski season earlier than Park City and Deer Valley. It’s known for its family-friendly runs. With only about 1,700+ feet of vertical drop, each run at Brighton is a top-to-bottom compared to Park City and Deer Valley, which boast 3,200 and 3,040 feet, respectively. On average, Brighton gets a little over 400 inches of snow, which is more than what we typically see in Park City.

Brighton is also famous for its night skiing! With a great network of lights and illuminated lifts, night skiing and snowboarding in Brighton is a favorite for many team members and their families here at CFH!

As a smaller resort, lift tickets at Brighton are less expensive than Park City and Deer Valley, and you’ll find Brighton on the Ikon Pass along with Deer Valley, Solitude, Aspen, Jackson Hole, and more. Park City is part of the Epic Pass along with resorts like Vail, Breckenridge, Crested Butte, Whistler, and more.

How do these other resort towns compare to Park City? Here are some more posts you might want to check out next:

• Snowbird Vs. Park City
• Park City Vs. Breckenridge
• Park City Vs. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
• Park City Vs. Vail, Colorado
• Deer Valley Vs. Aspen
• Park City Vs. Deer Valley

Summer Activities in Park City Vs. Brighton

Park City is an incredible year-round playground with countless activities like mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, fly fishing, and more. Although Brighton does have some summer amenities, they are much more limited than what you see in Park City.

Brighton has a beginner-friendly mountain bike route and is well-known for its fantastic disc golf courses!

Read our complete guide of things to do in Park City in the summer right here.

Real Estate in Park City Vs. Brighton

As a bigger resort and proper town, Park City has significantly more options when it comes to real estate. Between Park City and Deer Valley, you’ll find luxurious detached homes in gated communities, beautiful townhomes in amenity-rich areas, hotel-style vacation homes, and more.

As a much smaller resort, Brighton does not have the same selection. Here, you might find some cabins and a small number of condos. In general, most homeowners in the area purchase property nearby in order to enjoy all the nearby amenities.

Learn more about real estate in Park City and Deer Valley with these posts next:

• What are the Best Park City Golf Communities?
• Where to Find Horse Properties Around Park City?
• Does Park City Have Unique Architecture?
• What are the Best Gated Communities in Park City?
• Why Buy a Luxury Condo in Park City
• What are the Best Hotels in Deer Valley?

Brighton Vs. Park City? Why Not Choose Both!

Comparing Brighton to Park City might seem like comparing apples to oranges. In most cases, homeowners treat Park City like a home base for all their recreational needs in Utah. You can read more about why this is a popular choice right here.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a home in Park City or Deer Valley, trust the team at CFH. We’re local Park City real estate agents who know the nuances of resort living. Give us a call at 435-647-8035, email us at info@CFHparkcity.com or fill out the form on this page to get in touch.