BRIAN HEAD — In the ski resort business, the busiest times of the year can be when customers are nowhere near the property. And that’s been the case at Brian Head, which is situated northeast of Cedar City.

While the snow skis have been stored in the garage, Brian Head Ski Resort’s top echelon has been planning for the 2008-09 ski season with hopes that the area will be blessed with good snow fall. With many travelers struggling with the sagging economy, Brian Head’s close proximity could prove the affordable therapy during hectic times.

Brian Head’s popularity switches from hiking and bike riding during the summer months to snow boarding and skiing, with Thanksgiving weekend serving as the official season opener. The weeks leading to the season-opening days are always primed with Warren Miller films that excite everyone, including those folks who have never been on a ski slope.

Somewhat like a farmer planting seeds, the dedicated souls at Brian Head have been nurturing the soil, readying the cash registers and looking to the heavens and praying for a little help in a business reminiscent of the gold rush days.

The resort added 35 percent more terrain along with two new chairlifts and a skier bridge in the summer of 2007. To encourage enthusiasts to “experience the change,” Brian Head is now offering a midweek bounceback offer. The purchase of a midweek lift ticket for $45 earns the opportunity to purchase another day at half-price see more information at www.brianhead.com.

In addition, several lodging properties in the Brian Head, Parowan and Cedar City areas are offering great rates as low as $59 per night. For weekends, many properties have value-oriented lift and lodging packages starting as low as $69 per person. There are many other winter activities to do in the area, including skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, taking a sled ride, visiting nearby national parks and relaxing at the spa.

This sort of enthusiasm has been evident since 1964, when Brian Head was opened by Burt Nichols and German visionary Georg Hartlemaier, who built the structures and was involved in nearly every aspect of the creation of Brian Head.

Hartlmaier died last July but not before launching and cultivating with Nichols what has become one of the country’s most popular resorts. In fact, the Hartlemaier family, including sons Georg and Robby, along with Georg’s wife, Tatiana and mother Stefani and her sister, Crystal, are combining at Georg’s Ski and Snowboard Shop.

“We are looking forward to a brand new season,” said Georg Hartlemaier. “We have paved the parking lot in front of Georg’s Ski and Snowboard Shop and stocked the shop up with the finest ski and snowboard equipment and apparel available.”

Hartlemaier said snow making has been in progress since the first week of November and, combined with low temperatures, everyone is looking forward to a successful opening on Thanksgiving weekend. “The key for us is cold temperatures and getting some snow on the ground. Mother Nature will do its part,” he said.

Hartlmaier said the family has opened a snowboard specific shop at the mall in Brian Head. He said the store will serve as an outlet for snow boarding equipment and apparel.

Brian Head attracts enthusiasts from all over the world, and it is almost a second home for Southern Nevadans looking for an escape from the brown of the desert and the hustle and bustle of city life. The winter months are breathtaking, and from zipping down the ski slopes to the enjoying a glass of wine at the fireplace, there is no better escape within a few hours drive.

“The recent expansion by Brian Head Resort has brought about a new excitement and interest in winter sports here in Southern Utah,” said Maria Twitchell, a native of Cedar City and the executive director of the Cedar City-Brian Head Tourism Bureau. “With more terrain and a bridge to connect the two mountains the overall ski experience has been greatly improved and has proved skiers and boarders with a great reason to stay longer and to return again.”

In fact, Brian Head was named a Top Family Getaway by the Family Travel Forum. What started out as a single-chair facility has blossomed to now include eight chair lifts along with condominiums, hotels and retail outlets combine to produce the complete package.

“It’s a great place to take a family,” said Las Vegas resident K.J. Howe, whose journeys have included ski trips to the Alps, the Italian Dolomite, the Rockies, the Sierras, among other locales. “The snow is always light and fluffy, and the runs are groomed which allows you to improve your skiing prowess.”

To complement the Brian Head experience, fun events are scheduled during the winter season. On most weekends, Brian Head Resort will have “Radio Weekends” sponsored by regional radio stations with live DJs, prizes activities on the snow.

The town of Brian Head will hold several bonfires complete with all the fixing for Smores throughout the winter season along with torchlight parades on the major holiday weekends. Details can be found online at www.scenicsouthernutah.com or by calling (800) 354-4849.

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