Brian Head Poised for Major Growth as Federal Land Transfer Clears Key Hurdle

Brian Head's bid for 24 acres of federal land took a decisive step forward Wednesday when the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources unanimously approved the transfer, setting up what could be a transformative moment for the southern Utah ski community.

The vote marks a crucial milestone for the Brian Head Town Land Conveyance Act, which would convey approximately 24 acres from the Dixie National Forest directly to Brian Head Town. Senator Mike Lee described Brian Head as a "mostly sleepy ski town," but one that pulls above its weight during the busy ski season.

Town manager officials say the land transfer addresses urgent infrastructure needs for a community that hosts roughly 300,000 visitors each winter despite having only 150 permanent residents.

The timing couldn't be more critical — Brian Head Town Council approved the annexation of approximately 1,799 acres for a new real estate community called Aspen Meadows, which will add hundreds of acres of new skiable terrain and multiple lifts to Brian Head Resort.

The bill gained final committee approval after Senator Martin Heinrich entered into negotiations with Lee, resulting in an amendment to insert reversionary language in exchange for the Democrat's support. Heinrich had raised concerns about the initial draft failing to include a reversionary clause, which would mandate that public land be returned to the federal government if used for purposes other than originally stated — standard language for these kinds of land transfers.

Critics argue the conveyance sets dangerous precedent. The bill directs the U.S. Forest Service to convey the land to Brian Head at no cost, representing a radical departure from typical federal land transfers, which normally require payment, a land exchange of equal value, or environmental review and public input.

The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance issued sharp criticism, with officials stating "Sen. Lee failed this summer with his large-scale efforts to sell off public lands, so now he's trying to give them away parcel by parcel. This legislation would set a precedent for future attempts to give away public lands without public input, appropriate compensation, environmental review, or other important legislative components".

Meanwhile, Brian Head's ski resort expansion continues gaining momentum. The terrain expansion will add 850 acres of new skiable terrain with seven lifts, another ski lodge, two base villages, a hotel, a skier beach, an ice skating rink, snow tubing, and a community park.

The expansion would give Brian Head a total of 1,500 acres making it the seventh largest resort in the state in terms of skiable acreage. During the 2024-25 season, Brian Head Resort will debut three new trails, including two beginner trails and one intermediate trail, bringing the total number of trails at the resort to 74, the result of years of tree glading to help maintain a healthy forest.

The federal land transfer now heads to the full Senate, though timing on that vote is not yet clear. The overall resort development is expected to be fully built out over a span of three decades.