A Complete Guide to the different Ski Resorts in the USA
There are TONS of ski resorts within the USA. Thus, it can make choosing the right one difficult. That is why I wrote this post, to help you find what ski resorts within the USA are most suited for you, based on who you are traveling with, your experience level, other activities you want to do, and more.
I myself have been an avid skier since I was a young child. I have also traveled to many different ski resorts over the years, and have definitely found my favorites and least favorite mountains.
After reading this post, you will know the best ski resorts in the USA, in Colorado, and the best ski resorts for families and beginners. In addition, you will be much more familiar with the different ski resorts in the USA on the east and west coasts, different ski resorts in Vermont and Utah, and much more. So, without further ado, let’s get into a complete guide to the different ski resorts in the USA.
This post is all about the different ski resorts in the USA.
Different Ski Resorts in the USA:
1. Best Ski Resorts in Colorado
Colorado has some of the best ski resorts within the USA. Colorado is probably most well known for its ski resorts in Vail and Aspen. However, Colorado has SO MUCH more to it. Whether you want a ski vacation with your family, friends, or just yourself, Colorado has it all. Here you will find the best ski resorts in Colorado for ALL levels.
- Vail & Beaver Creek: I HIGHLY recommend taking a free tour to Blue Sky Basin (if going to Vail). This is where all your bowl/wide open skiing will be. Also, Vail has a little ski village next to the mountain. Vail and Beaver Creek are great for all level skiers, and are only about 15 minutes away from each other (driving).
- Aspen/Snowmass: Is a combination of four different mountains, including the Snowmass Village. Thus, there are plenty of things to do here, and it’s great for all levels.
- Copper Mountain: This is a great family resort in addition, to being a great overall mountain.
{Related Posts: Vail Colorado Ski Resorts and Steamboat Springs Ski Resort}
2. Best Ski Resorts in the USA for Beginners and Families
All of the ski resorts listed in this section are great for beginners and families. Specifically, families with young children or beginner/intermediate skiers. However, if you are a skiing family and want more of a challenge, I would skip to the back-country/expert mountains section of this post, because those ski resorts will be MUCH more suited for you. Also, you and your family won’t get bored! Okay, with that being said, let’s dive into the best ski resorts in the USA for beginners and families!
- Steamboat Springs, Colorado (go to morningside, and bring crackers/chips for the birds)
- Keystone Ski Resort, Colorado
- Purgatory Resort, Colorado
- Sun Valley, Idaho
- Attitash, New Hampshire
- Bretton Woods, New Hampshire
- Belleayre, New York
- Okemo, Vermont
- Mount Snow, Vermont
- Loon, New Hampshire
- Northstar, California
- Sugar Bowl, California
{Related Post: Best Ski Resorts in the US}
2. Best Ski Resorts in the USA on the East Coast
Alright, I am a true east coast girl. Ski the East, if you don’t know, is a GREAT online store for ski gear, t-shirts, apparel, and various other winter gear that you may need. Honestly, I just LOVE the saying Ski the East, which is why I have multiple stickers (and different pieces of apparel) from them. I usually get my dad t-shirts/apparel from them for his birthday/Christmas every year. I’ve never had any issues with them, and I love the love for the east coast.
I grew up in upstate New York, and have skied at many different ski resorts in upstate NY, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Also, I have been to different ski resorts out west. That being said, the west does have us beat with the average amount of snowfall per year, number of trails (usually), and vast openness (bowl skiing). However, I truly believe if you can ski the east coast in the USA, with the ice, rocks, tree branches, and all, you can truly ski ANYWHERE. Alright, with all that being said, here are the best ski resorts in the USA on the east coast.
- Jay Peak, Vermont: I don’t care what any other east coast ski resort has to say, hands down, Jay Peak is the best. It compares to a lot of places out west with how much average snowfall it gets. It is one HELL of a mountain and has the BEST glades in the east! I was a ski instructor and lived here for a season, so I can honestly say Jay Peak is one of the best.
- Smuggler’s Notch, Vermont
- Killington, Vermont
- Mad River Glen, Vermont
- Sugarbush, Vermont
- Gore Mountain, New York
- Whiteface, New York
- Saddleback, Maine
- Sunday River, Maine
- Sugarloaf, Maine
- Cannon, New Hampshire
- Gunstock, New Hampshire
- Wildcat, New Hampshire
{Related Post: Best Ski Resorts in the Northeast & Lake Placid New York}
3. Best Ski Resorts in the USA on the West Coast
Like I said, I am an east coast girl, however, I have visited the west coast and the Rockies, multiple times. Thus, I do know which ski resorts in the USA on the west coast, to recommend. All of the ski resorts listed below, in my opinion, are the overall (for all levels) best ski resorts in the USA on the west coast.
- Breckenridge & Vail, Colorado
- Crested Butte, Colorado
- Telluride, Colorado (offers mostly advanced runs)
- Park City, Utah
- Brighton (connected to Solitude), Utah
- Whitefish, Montana
- Mount Bachelor, Oregon
- Palisades Tahoe, California
- Mammoth, California
- Heavenly & Kirkwood, California:
- Squaw Valley, California
- Bogus Basin, Idaho (only 40 minutes from Boise)
- Sun Valley, Idaho
- Crystal Mountain, Washington
- Mount Baker, Washington (gets the MOST snow in Washington)
- Stevens Pass, Washington
{Related Posts: Best Ski Resorts on the West Coast + Which West Coast Ski Resort are You}
4. Best Ski Resorts in the USA for Experts/Backcountry
Alright, now on to my personal favorites and bucket list mountains! All these mountains listed below are truly for EXPERT skiers. Please, do NOT go to ANY of these resorts listed below if you are a beginner to intermediate skier/snowboarder, because you will NOT have fun. I can tell you right now, I have been to Jackson Hole, and it is NO joke. Everything there is STEEP, ESPECIALLY if you are a beginner. You will NOT feel comfortable skiing/snowboarding there.
So, again, please TRUST my judgement and KNOW your level of skiing before you take a look at this list. But with all of that being said, here are some of the gnarliest ski resorts in the USA for experts/backcountry skiing/snowboarding.
- Whistler (in Vancouver, Canada, not US)
- Big Sky, Montana
- Silverton Ski Resort, Colorado
- Jackson Hole, Wyoming
- Grand Targhee, Wyoming
- Jay Peak, Vermont
- Mount Hood Meadows, Oregon
- Alta, Utah
- Snowbird, Utah
- Powder Mountain, Utah
- Solitude, Utah
- Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Idaho
- Alyeska Resort, Alaska
{Related Posts: Alaskan Ski Resorts & Ski Resorts in Canada}
And that wraps up our post on all the different ski resorts in the USA. I hope this article gave you some direction on all the different ski resorts in the US and where to look/book a ski vacation.
This post included all the different ski resorts in the USA, different ski resorts in Colorado, and the best ski resorts for families/beginners. In addition, this post included different ski resorts on the east and west coasts, and different ski resorts in Vermont and Utah.
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