Brighton Ski Resort: Varied runs are a gold mine for skiers, boarders

Signature run — Sunshine

Best said, this run draws families like a magnet. It is an intermediate run where kids can have a great time and parents can relax and enjoy the great views and the tree-lined skiing and snowboarding. It requires a transfer, starting first off the Majestic or Crest Express lifts, then skiing or snowboarding over to the Snake Creek Express, which services the Sunshine run.

The run is about 4,700 feet long with a vertical drop of about 1,040 feet. The name Sunshine came from a mining claim that the run crosses and because on a beautiful sunny day skiers and snowboarders can see all the way into Heber, Utah County and the backside of Mount Timpanogos. Also, there is no better place at the resort to spend some time in the sunshine.

No. 1 run — Pacific Highway

This run has become popular with skiers and snowboarders as a great "warm-up run" to start the day. It is an intermediate run that is accessed off the Crest Express lift and goes about halfway down the mountain before turning onto the Snow Drift run. It is long and wide open, perfect for those cruising giant slalom turns. Another reason this run is so popular is that it is a great jumping-off point to a full range of other runs — beginner, intermediate and expert.

The Crest lift has a length of 5, 660 feet and a vertical drop of 1,207 feet. Pacific Highway got its name because of its length, width and smooth grooming all the way from top to bottom. Consensus is that it's like driving on a perfectly smooth asphalt highway.

Top 10 runs