Carve out some time to hit the slopes this season at the country’s top ski locales. From world-famous peaks to hidden mountain gems, the United States has no shortage of places to get your adrenaline pumping and soak in the après-ski atmosphere.
These are the most iconic American ski escapes to take in your lifetime:
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Many skiers dream of hitting the slopes at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. This world-renowned destination boasts more than 130 trails ranging from beginner-friendly to advanced.
With 90% of its runs falling in the intermediate to expert difficulty, Jackson Hole is ideal for experienced skiers. Don’t miss your chance to conquer Corbet’s Couloir, a legendary run with an intimidating 10 to 20-foot free fall.
Vail, Colorado
Vail Ski Resort in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado looks almost identical to Europe. The chic resort and surrounding town are famous for their charming alpine-inspired architecture, attracting prominent figures like the Kardashian and Obama families.
As Colorado’s largest ski resort with over 5,300 acres, there’s plenty of room to spread out across the varied terrain. Vail offers nearly 280 well-groomed trails, with options for all ages and fitness levels.
Park City, Utah
Any North American ski fanatic knows Park City ranks among the country’s best spots. Park City Mountain Resort is an essential getaway for those eager to get active during the winter.
It’s the largest U.S. ski resort, with 7,300 accessible acres of ski terrain. Only 8% of trails are beginner-level, so expect quite the challenge on Park City’s slopes.
Big Sky, Montana
Head to Montana for the incomparable Big Sky Resort, a sprawling ski spot with 5,850 skiable acres and 4,350 feet of vertical gain. It offers an incredible variety of trails, from easygoing to extreme. There’s something for every skier at Big Sky Resort, regardless if you’re new and easing into the sport or looking to push yourself.
Mammoth Lakes, California
California is known for its beaches but has an impressive ski scene. Mammoth Mountain is the state’s premier skiing destination, with 178 trails for the entire family. The peak sees an average annual snowfall of around 400 inches, transforming the scenic landscape into a winter wonderland.
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen is one of the best cities in Colorado to go skiing. There’s no denying Aspen Mountain Ski Resort’s daunting nature, with only intermediate to advanced terrain throughout its hundreds of acres. Experienced skiers will love the opportunity to push themselves on this iconic mountain.
Sun Valley, Idaho
Sun Valley Resort in Idaho spans not one but two mountains: Bald and Dollar. Dollar Mountain is better for younger and newer skiers, as it has the ideal terrain for practicing foundational skills.
Once warmed up and ready for a thrill, head to Bald Mountain. It has more than 120 trails of varying difficulties to test your limits.
Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine
Sugarloaf Mountain Resort, located in the Maine countryside, is a top ski area in the Northeastern U.S. Standing under 5,000 feet, the peak is far shorter than what you’ll find in places like Colorado and Utah.
However, it offers everything you need for a fun and challenging ski trip. The resort features 176 trails spread across 1,360 acres, so everyone from newbies to experts can find a run to enjoy.
Mount Hood, Oregon
Did you know Mount Hood boasts America’s longest ski season, around ten months out of the year? It’s one of the only places in the country where you can trade sun for snow and hit the slopes in the summer.
Several resorts on the mountain are worth exploring, such as Mt. Hood Meadows, Timberline Lodge Ski Area, and Mt. Hood Skibowl. Start with one to familiarize yourself with the terrain, or try them all on an epic ski getaway.
Stowe, Vermont
Stowe Mountain Resort has been a go-to New England skiing destination for decades. It spans Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest mountain, and Spruce Peak, offering an impressive array of trails.
There are 116 unique runs to tackle throughout the resort’s 485 skiable acres. You’ll create lifelong memories while skiing through the rugged Vermont wilderness.
Taos, New Mexico
New Mexico may seem unlikely to find good skiing, but Taos Ski Valley is surprisingly worthwhile. It’s set among the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is famous for being one of only a handful of U.S. resorts that forbids snowboarding.
Skiers can explore to their heart’s content, as Taos Ski Valley has over 1,200 acres. The resort has something for everyone, from laid-back green slopes to heart-pumping double black lines.
Holiday Valley, New York
Holiday Valley Resort is a small but highly-regarded ski area in Western New York. Located a roughly 6-hour drive from New York City, it’s an excellent weekend getaway for ski enthusiasts. With 60 trails of varying difficulties, Holiday Valley appeals to inexperienced and seasoned skiers.
Whitefish, Montana
Near Glacier National Park lies Whitefish Mountain Resort, an exciting ski destination. With over 3,000 acres, there’s no shortage of slopes to conquer. Whitefish Mountain Resort is the perfect family vacation spot, with ample options for beginner, intermediate, and advanced skiers.
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Elise Armitage is an entrepreneur and founder of What The Fab, a travel + lifestyle blog based in California. At the beginning of 2019, Elise left her corporate job at Google to chase her dreams: being an entrepreneur and helping women find fabulous in the everyday. Since then, she’s launched her SEO course Six-Figure SEO, where she teaches bloggers how to create a passive revenue stream from their website using SEO. Featured in publications like Forbes, Elle, HerMoney, and Real Simple, Elise is a firm believer that you can be of both substance and style.
