Skiing is a beloved winter sport enjoyed by many around the world. Whether you live in the United States or are thinking of booking your next ski holiday there, the US is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world and you certainly won’t be disappointed. Offering a wide range of varying terrain, amenities, and overall experiences, skiers and snowboarders of all abilities from beginner to advanced levels can find a ski resort that best caters to their needs and preferences.
In this article, we’ll highlight our ranking of the 10 best ski resorts in the US, showcasing the top destinations for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts. These resorts offer the perfect combination of challenging and beginner-friendly slopes, luxurious accommodations, and unparalleled après-ski experiences.
1. Breckenridge (CO)
Breckenridge Ski Resort is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders in Summit County, Colorado. The resort offers 187 slopes covering an area of 954 hectares, all of which are evenly distributed between the increasing levels of difficulty: green, blue, red and black. There are thirty-four lifts, including gondolas, chairlifts, and T-bar lifts, making it easy to access the slopes.
The Breckenridge ski area is particularly favored by snowboarders as it offers a total of five fun parks and four pipes, including the Freeway Super Park located at Peak 8. Known worldwide for its diverse boarding challenges, the park is a popular shooting location for film productions and an established host of international snowboarding events.
After a long day on the slopes, visitors can look forward to a host of lively evening activities at the resort, including an ice-skating rink, sauna and swimming pools, climbing center, over 250 shops, and of course, a vibrant après-ski scene. With plenty of restaurants, bars and clubs at the resort, there’s something on offer for everyone. Slopes open at 8:30am and close at 4pm with lift tickets for Breckenridge starting at $80. Being close to Denver, the resort is well connected; however, there is no free parking available.
2. Park City (UT)
Located in Utah, Park City Ski Resort is a premier destination for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. The Park City ski area comprises 341 slopes covering all levels of difficulties and 44 lifts including gondolas, chair lifts and T-bar lifts. There is even a slope that allows you to ski from the mountain directly into the city center. Park City Mountain Resort is particularly friendly to families and beginner skiers and snowboarders, as it offers a dedicated learning environment with gentle terrain and snow-making facilities.
Off the slopes, the resort encompasses a wide range of activities for visitors, including ice skating, a mountain coaster, ziplining, snowmobiling, sleigh rides; numerous shopping opportunities; and a great selection of bars and restaurants. The resort is located only 60km from Salt Lake City International Airport; however, there are no free parking facilities. Instead, visitors can make use of the free bus system within the resort. The slopes are open from 9am-4pm with lift passes at Park City Mountain Resort starting at $215.
3. Beaver Creek (CO)
Beaver Creek is the largest ski resort in the USA and boasts the highest peak – more than 11000 feet in altitude. Situated in the Vail Valley in Colorado, it offers a total of 150 slopes covering all levels of difficulty. There are 24 ski lifts available for use, including gondolas, chairlifts, and drag lifts. There is also a high-speed quad chairlift that connects the villages in the resort: Beaver Creek Village, Arrowhead Village and Bachelor Gulch.
Beaver Creek Ski Resort garnered worldwide fame when it hosted the World Ski Championships in 1989 and 1999 and was chosen as host again in 2015. It is also well-known for its annual Alpine Ski World Cup downhill races.
The resort is located close to Denver, but like other ski areas, does not offer any free parking facilities. It does, however, offer numerous restaurants and shopping possibilities in the nearest small town as well as Beaver Creek Wonder: an artistic playground of oversized sculptures scattered throughout the village – the perfect opportunity for some fun photos. Beaver Creek Mountain lift passes start at $116 per day and opening times for lifts are 8:30am-4pm.
4. Snowshoe Mountain (WV)
Snowshoe Mountain Resort, located in Pocahontas County in the mid-Atlantic region of the US, is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders with 61 slopes covering 251 hectares of mountain. The resort is particularly beginner-friendly, comprising many easy and intermediate level pistes, including Yew Pine, a half-mile novice run.
One unique aspect of Snowshoe Ski Resort that attracts visitors from all over is its “snow guarantee”. Snow levels at the resort are so good that they promise skiers a free day of skiing if another resort in the region offers more skiable terrain.
Snowshoe Ski Resort offers a range of amenities like snowmobiling, tube park, spa/pool facilities, horseback riding, arcade, and even night skiing. Numerous shops, bars and restaurants are also available. In total, the resort runs 12 ski lifts and with one lift ticket you can ski on two separate mountains. Lift opening hours are 9am-4.30pm and day passes start at $79.
5. Big Bear Mountain (& Snow Summit) (CA)
Big Bear Mountain and Snow Summit Ski Resorts are popular snow-holiday destinations for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Located in Southern California, Big Bear Mountain Resort offers an expansive 200 hectares of ski area encompassing a total of 15 slopes and 12 ski lifts (chair and tow lifts). The resort is particularly appealing to adrenaline seekers as it features various freestyle elements which cover over 85% of the mountain. This includes over 165 rails, boxes, walls and other elements, as well as three pipes and one superpipe. There are also various freestyle parks in the area including Bear Mountain’s Skill Builder Parks.
Snow Summit Mountain, the sister mountain of Bear Mountain, is located only two miles away and both are connected via a free Inter-Mountain Express shuttle service. Snow Summit has 27 ski runs and 16 lifts (chair and T-bar lifts). Like its sister mountain, Snow Summit also offers various freestyle parks for skiers and snowboarders of varying abilities.
Lift tickets are valid for both Snow Summit Mountain and Big Bear Mountain, which means you get two mountains for the price of one. Lift opening hours are 8.30am-4pm with day passes starting at $50. Parking is not included.
6. Boyne Mountain (MI)
Boyne Mountain Resort stands out from this list as a non-traditional ski holiday destination in the US. Although the resort offers skiers and snowboarders 60 runs (half of which are considered beginner level) and 12 ski lifts, it is recommended for day skiing rather than long ski holidays. Located near the town of Boyne Falls close to Lake Michigan, the mountain offers those in the area an excellent opportunity for a day of skiing in the arctic temperatures of winter. The cold climate in combination with snow cannons ensure for top snow conditions. Be sure to dress accordingly.
The resort also offers a wide range of other activities for visitors, including fun parks for snowboarders and free skiers, night skiing, winter snow biking, tubing, ice skating, and ziplining. The world’s longest timber-towered suspension bridge, Michigan Skybridge, can also be found nearby. Boyne Mountain Resort lift tickets start at $59 per day. Opening hours are from 9am-4pm and there is free parking available.
7. Telluride (CO)
Telluride Ski Resort is a popular ski destination in Colorado, known for its diverse terrain and range of slopes for skiers of all levels. There are 143 ski runs in total, including lots of black slopes which makes this resort particularly exciting for experienced skiers. Gondolas, chairlifts and T-bar lifts are among the 17 lift types on the mountain, among those two high-speed gondolas and seven high-speed quad chairlifts. Free parking is available at the gondola lift.
In addition to exceptional ski and snowboarding facilities, Telluride Ski Resort also offers activities such as snow biking, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, and terrain parks. There are also a lot of family-friendly services available including the Kids Snow Camp, Kids Night Out and Kids Happy Hour. Childcare is also offered. Telluride Ski Resort lift tickets start at $162 and lift opening hours are 9am-4pm.
8. Deer Valley (UT)
Another resort in Park City, Utah, Deer Valley Ski Resort has been welcoming skiers since 1981. Known for its luxurious amenities and excellent service, it is considered one of the best ski resorts in the USA and hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. The resort offers 103 ski runs, including many black slopes for experienced skiers, and 21 lifts. Snowboarding is prohibited at the resort.
Deer Valley is well-known for its award-winning service on and around the slopes.Apart from skiing, visitors can take advantage of guided mountain ski tours, snowmobiling, dog sledding, snowshoeing, and fat tire snow biking. Off-piste are numerous shopping opportunities, restaurants, and bars for guests to enjoy after a day on the slopes. For families, there is a state-licensed day care center available for children aged two months to twelve years.
With such premium amenities available, it’s no wonder that the Deer Valley lift ticket comes at a relatively high price. Deer Valley skiers can expect to pay a minimum of $189 for a day ticket. Lift opening hours are 9am-4pm.
9. Crystal Mountain (WA)
Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is the largest ski resort in Washington state. Offering 59 ski runs for all difficulty levels over an area of 1,052 hectares, there are no advanced black runs. There are eight ski lifts in use on the mountain, including chairlifts and surface lifts. These can be used for many of the other activities on offer, such as freestyling in any of the five snow parks, night skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Fat tire snow biking, horseback riding, archery, ice skating, and laser tag are also available for guests who want to kick off their skis for a while.
Crystal Mountain is not far from Seattle and visitors can enjoy free parking here during the week. Lift opening hours are 8.30/9am-4pm and a day ticket starts at $69.
10. Hunter Mountain (NY)
Hunter Mountain Ski Resort is a large ski area located in The Catskills in New York state. Known for its reliable snow conditions and versatile terrain, including an impressive vertical drop; with 67 slopes and 12 lifts on the mountain, it offers a good selection of skiing and snowboarding opportunities for people of all levels.
In terms of off-piste excitement, the resort only offers snow tubing as an activity. However, this can perhaps be overlooked by the fact that Hunter Mountain is so close to New York City (only two and a half hours by car). Parking is free at the resort. Lift tickets for Hunter Mountain start at $69 per day and lift opening hours are 8.30 am-4 pm.
Conclusion
The United States is home to some of the world’s best ski resorts, from Telluride in Colorado to Deer Valley in Utah and Snow Summit and Big Bear Mountain in California. These resorts have an abundance of activities and amenities, making them ideal for both short and long ski and snowboarding trips. With a range of slopes, lift systems, and facilities available, these top 10 US ski resorts promise an unforgettable winter vacation experience.