Many wonderful ski experiences can be found in beautiful spots throughout the USA that have great terrain for both pros and beginners. If you’re in the mood to get our and enjoy the winter season, here are our recommendations for some of the most exciting ski resorts and destinations.
Snowbasin Resort – Utah
According to top winter sports publication, SKI, Snowbasin is typically an “under-the-radar” gold mine for skiers and snowboarders. This resort is unique because it’s kind of in the middle of nowhere. Located northeast of Salt Lake City on Mount Ogden, there is no immediate surrounding town for tourists to peruse through shops and grab a hot chocolate, but the resort’s got character and quality to make up for it. That’s what makes it such a popular spot that regulars would rather keep it hush hush. Terrain is well maintained throughout the season, and though weekends are pretty busy on the slopes, you can clear your mind on chiller trails during the week.
Deer Valley Resort at Park City Mountain – Utah
Park City is not just one of the most beautiful cities during the summer and fall, but it brings down the house in the winter with more than 300 trails over 7,300 acres of land. Park City’s Main Street also offers a perfect evening stroll after a long day on the slopes. Deer Valley does have almost a snobbish reputation among skiers, but a friendly staff and trails are well groomed and kept by the resort’s team.
Whitefish Mountain Resort – Montana
Whitefish Resort has been amongst the ranks of the best ski resorts for years, because of its trails and charm. Beginner trails give way to expert courses that SKI calls “some of the best powder glades in the Northern U.S.” The town of Whitefish also has a great vibe that will have those long days turning into evenings out on the town in good company. The resort boasts over 3000 acres of terrain to ski including glades, bowls, and groomed trails near Glacier National Park.
Sun Valley Resort – Idaho
Rated a top resort and ski destination year after year, Sun Valley offers the perfect mix of well-groomed trails, cozy lodge vibes, scenic views and small town charm. The nearby town of Ketchum has a great selection of shops and restaurants with a stellar mountainous backdrop. Composed of Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain, Sun Valley has 2,054 acres of trails nestled along the Smoky and Pioneer Mountain ranges, and offers some challenging routes and activities for pros including helicopter skiing which will literally take you to new heights.
Killington Resort – Vermont
Those in the Northeast can find some destinations a bit closer to home in Vermont. Vermont has many famous ski resorts, but one of the best according to Northeast locals is Killington. Vermont in general is a great wintertime destination, with cozy towns and proximity to major cities like Boston and New York. It’s a go-to outdoor getaway at all times of year. However, the region doesn’t have as much ammunition as the likes of popular ski destinations in Utah or Idaho which have amped up small town tourism to accommodate the crowds resorts continue to draw in each winter. In recent years, Killington, a tall mountain which sits on 1,500 acres of land has attracted skiers looking for steep slopes and great views, but the surrounding economy has also been built up as well.
Whiteface Mountain – New York
It makes sense that one of New York’s best ranked resorts is located near Lake Placid, once a winter Olympics location in 1980. Though Whiteface is pretty darn small for a ski resort, coming in around 300 acres of land in the Adirondack Mountains, it still offers a lot. After all, it is an Olympic-level mountain rising over 3,000 feet, making it one of the highest verticals in the Northeast, and the view from the top is one to beat. The surrounding town of Lake Placid is small, but charming with cute shops and dining.
