Whether you love the powder of big mountain skiing, the après scene, the thrill of sitting in a hot tub in subzero temps or you just prefer a warm fireplace to curl up by with a Hot Toddy, these best-of-the-U.S. ski resorts offer all that—and then some.
Spanning 7,300 acres with more than 330 trails, Park City Mountain is the largest single ski and snowboard resort in the U.S. And, with a wide range of skiing that suits both beginners and experts, it’s a great option for group trips with varied skier abilities. Consistent snowfall makes for great powder. Plus, it’s under an hour from the Salt Lake City airport and the town itself has plenty to see, do, eat and drink for the non-skiers in your crew.
Like Alta, its Little Cottonwood Canyon neighbor, Snowbird has some of the best snow in North America. The no-frills mountain is also known for its steep, rugged and challenging terrain. Snowboarders are welcome.
Ski-only Deer Valley is one of America’s poshest resorts, with ski valet to unload your gear from the car, one of the highest ranked ski schools around and excellent customer service. It even limits the number of lift tickets each day to guarantee you can enjoy all the terrain without it being overcrowded. Book a room at the Montage. It boasts a 35,000-square-foot spa and a Champagne après-ski lounge, housed in a yurt at the base of the mountain.
Big Sky may no longer be the Montana secret it once was, but it’s still known for few, if any, lift lines. It’s also family-friendly with vast terrain and amazing scenery, a 15-passenger tram up 11,166 feet to Lone Peak, and après activities for kids and adults at Base Camp. Stay slopeside at Summit in the heart of the Mountain Village or rent a luxury home or condo along the trails at Moonlight Basin.
Nicknamed Ski Town U.S.A., Steamboat is revered for its Champagne Powder (it’s even trademarked), its ski-chic meets Wild West vibe, festive outdoor après-ski spots and its annual Winter Carnival. It’s also more affordable than its Colorado neighbors Aspen and Vail, and home to more Olympians than any other town.
At Aspen Highlands, you’ll favor the steep, big-mountain skiing and incredible powder and the liveliest après scene. Treat yourself to fondue, raclette and a bottle of bubbly (or two) at the iconic ski-in/ski-out Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro, which turns into a giant daytime party that could rival any Las Vegas pool.
Snowmass is known for being Aspen's kid-friendly mountain—but with enough serious skiing to impress even the most discerning of skiers. After years of planning, construction and anticipation, the $600 million Snowmass Base Village celebrated its grand opening in December. The Plaza has fire pits for roasting s’mores and an ice-skating rink; it’s also where you can catch live local music at the Limelight Lounge after a day on the slopes.
With long, wide-open runs and zero lift lines (seriously), Sun Valley can feel a little like a private mountain. It was the first destination ski resort in the U.S. and the first in the world to use chairlifts. With old-world, rustic charm built in a faux-Alpine style, it’s best described as a mix of Euro ski town meets western cowboy. Plus, it sees 250 days of sunshine a year—hence the name—which is great for fair-weather skiers.
Stowe is a quintessential New England ski town, home to some of the best skiing in the northeast with plenty of activities for those who’d rather not strap into a pair of boots for the day. Ride the gondola between the resort’s two mountains—Spruce Peak and Mt. Mansfield, Vermont’s highest peak. And book a room at the Lodge at Spruce Peak, formerly the Stowe Mountain Lodge. It’s one of the only ski-in, ski-out accommodations in New England.
In the White Mountains, Bretton Woods is New Hampshire’s largest ski resort, with panoramic views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. It’s also a haven for cross-country skiers with more than 60 miles of Nordic terrain. Slopeside Pub has a rustic ski lodge feel with traditional après-ski festivities plus free, supervised activities for kids.
The Teton-rimmed valley that is Jackson is world-renowned for its skiing—with lots of moguls, chutes and steep runs, it’s the terrain expert skiers seek out. Teton Village also gets high marks for the adjacent town of Jackson Hole, with plenty to do off-mountain: vibrant food, shopping and music scenes, all with a Wild West vibe. Back at the village, you’ll find a luxe ski-in/ski-out enclave with high-end accommodations at the Four Seasons Jackson Hole, Teton Mountain Lodge, Hotel Terra Jackson Hole and the freshly-minted Caldera House.
This family-friendly resort has a lot of powder days—it gets more than 41 feet of snowfall each year. An hour from Jackson Hole, within the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, it’s smaller than Jackson with a casual, laid-back feel, wide-open terrain and smaller crowds.
Vail is the biggest ski area in Colorado, storied for its long, wide runs; incredibly varied trails; and a charming, European-style ski town at its base. It’s also one of the most expensive and most crowded mountains in the U.S., but even that isn’t deterrent enough to keep it off this list. Not surprisingly, a big ski town means there are lots of options when it comes to accommodations, from luxury ski-in/ski-out to less pricey choices. We love the luxe and romantic Four Seasons, the chic Sebastian - Vail, and the boutique Vail Mountain Lodge.
This former mining town in the San Juan Mountains is widely recognized as one of the best ski resorts in the U.S. Tucked into a canyon along the San Miguel River, Telluride has everything you want in a winter wonderland: incredible skiing, a charming and historic downtown and plenty of nightlife and après options. It may have fewer truly luxe hotel options than its Colorado siblings, but it does have some swanky rental homes, like this sprawling seven-bedroom private manor.
If you’re used to West Coast—or even New England—skiing, Hunter is small with just 320 skiable acres. But what it lacks in size it makes up for in its proximity to NYC; it’ll take you less than three hours to drive there from the city. It also has a legendary snowmaking system and the kind of après-ski scene you’d expect from a resort so close to Manhattan.
Arguably the best part about this small Sangre de Cristo Mountains resort is its proximity to the heart of downtown Santa Fe. Ski Santa Fe—which gets both plenty of snow and lots of sunshine—is just 16 miles from the state’s capital, where you’ll find delicious food, fantastic museums and a rich, eclectic culture.
In northern New Mexico, Taos is already well-regarded by skiers for Kachina Peak—at 12,450 feet, it’s one of the highest lift-served mountains in the U.S. Plus, it’s packed with dry powder and expert terrain. Visit the historic town of Taos and the UNESCO Taos Pueblo site. Both are less than 20 miles from the ski area.
Roughly 50 miles from downtown Portland, Mt. Hood—Oregon’s highest mountain—is actually home to six ski areas. Meadows is the biggest, on the southeast side of the mountain. If you’re a fan of summer skiing, Timberline is the only ski resort in the U.S. open 12 months of the year, thanks to its lift access to the Palmer Glacier.
This southern Vermont resort is convenient to the big cities of the East Coast and has some of the best conditions in the region. With a wide variety of terrain, a massive snowmaking operation and great ski programs for kids, Okemo is an easy choice for families.
Close to Lake Placid and with sweeping views of the Adirondacks, Whiteface has the highest vertical east of the Mississippi (3,430 feet). The small mountain town has the charm, activities and nightlife you’d expect from a place that has hosted two Olympics.
At Heavenly, you’ll come for the skiing but stay for the incredible views…and the nightlife. The 4,800-acre resort sits high above Lake Tahoe, overlooking the sapphire blue water below. From casinos to dive bars to dance clubs, South Lake Tahoe goes non-stop at night and on mountain, the resort hosts a weekend après dance party with a DJ spinning from the back of a Snowcat.
If you make the effort to get to Kirkwood—located 45 minutes from South Lake Tahoe, it’s pretty remote—you’ll be rewarded with deep powder and steep, challenging terrain. Compared with its Tahoe neighbors, Kirkwood is pretty laid-back and no-frills, but it’s been adding dining, drinking and lodging options since Vail Resorts took over operations several years ago.