That was also the last time I went skiing. Halfway down a hill that was far too steep for me, I took a mighty tumble, wrenched my ankle and ended up on crutches for a week.

So, no, I’m not a skier. But I’m still excited about Brian Head’s decision on Tuesday to unanimously approve a $900,000 skier bridge that will connect Brian Head Resort’s two mountains.

Why? That’s simple. What’s good for Brian Head Resort is good for Southern Utah.

The skier bridge, which will span state Route 143, will be the first upgrade at the resort since the 1980s and will undoubtedly boost winter traffic at the resort for the first time in some 15 years.

More winter enthusiasts in Brian Head equals more money in our economy. Those good people will eat at our restaurants, spend money at our stores, stay at our hotels and motels and, of course, pay for lift tickets at our region’s only ski resort.

I credit the folks in Brian Head -- especially Henry Hornberger, the general manager of the resort, and members of the town government -- for their perseverance and dedication to a project that was 10 years in the making.

The interconnect is a wonderful idea that will pay big dividends for years to come in Southern Utah.