Brighton Ski Area

A morning off Millicent

The ride: With the new high-speed quad lift, it takes only 3-4 minutes to be whisked to the top of Brighton's Millicent area, across the parking lot from the main ski resort. The $4.2 million lift, which is 3,920 feet long, affords striking views of the steep, rocky terrain beneath Millicent Peak and good looks at the intermediate groomed runs. That's always been one of Millie's strong points - easy access to a mixture of terrain, with multiple options for beginners and challenging, albeit rather short, shots for experts. Provides access to back- country. Basic food and drink available in quaint hut at base.

Runs to try:

* Backbone: Its rolls and pitches are good for beginner/intermediates.

* Lone Pine and Scree Slope have nice steep pitches between bands of rock.

* Chute 2: Powder can build up pretty deep in its basin.

* Beginners will like Main Street's gentle undulations.

* Perris and Christy bowls are good run cappers for intermediates feeling good about themselves after cruising through the upper mountain. - Mike Gorrell

Millicent area

Date skied: Jan. 15

Starting base: 84 inches

Snow that day: 4 inches

Vertical drop: 1,110 feet

Number of runs: 16

Difficulty rating: Beginner to advanced

Why try it: Quickest access to Brighton's best steeps

Conditions that day: Temperatures from teens to low 20s; winds moderate