Each ski area in the Wasatch mountains has it’s own distinctive character and the geologic history of each area strongly influences that character. Brighton shares many similarities with Albion Basin. Brighton was the source of the trunk glacier that flowed down Big Cottonwood Canyon. Because of this, there is a lot of gentle terrain at Brighton. Brighton and Solitude are located on the leeward side of the Wasatch Mountains ridge line. As a result they do not get the snow totals of Little Cottonwood Canyon and received less snow during the glacial period. Less snow means less ice. Less ice means less spectacular scenery and terrain, particularly on the eastern sides of Big Cottonwood Canyon.
| Brighton Ski Area shares many similarities with Albion Basin at Alta. |