For skiers, it’s hard to beat the excitement of being perched atop a ski run ready to push off or the fun of carving down a snowy slope off-trail. A distant second might be the fun of looking for great ski resorts where you can experience the thrill all over again next season.
Curated used data from Skiresort.info to compile a list of the top places to ski in 29 different states. Top locations were determined by overall star ratings, which took into account test reports and evaluation criteria.
Test reports consider a combination of 18 different factors such as ski resort size, slope offering, lifts and cable cars, snow reliability, and slope preparation, and are done by an in-person team that visits the resort. Evaluators also research factors such as total slope length, marked ski routes length, number of lifts in the ski resort, and the elevation difference between the mountain and the base or valley.
In total, 38 states have some type of ski resort, but 29 states were found to have at least three or more ranked alpine ski resorts, and are included in this list. Some states, such as California and Colorado, may have more than one ski resort that is highly rated; but for the purposes of this article, only the top-ranked ski resort for each state is included in the list.
Before the first snow flurries of the season fall, many seasoned skiers have already spent months—maybe even years—researching which ski resorts to add to their bucket list. There are a lot of things to consider, not the least of which is how long you can stretch the season and pack in the most snow days. The launch of modern snowmaking and trail grooming techniques gives skiers the chance to hit the slopes as early as mid-October in Colorado and Vermont and as late as July in California.
Another consideration is making sure the resort offers the best runs that match—or challenge—your technical skills. A ski resort’s size and overall slope lengths are usually good indicators of whether there is a good variety of slopes to choose from. Nearly all will offer trails for alpine, or downhill, skiing above and below the tree line. Many also offer options for cross-country enthusiasts, often traversing through forested wilderness areas. Some also have mogul trails, which are bumpy runs with snow mounds and troughs to navigate. Top resorts will also offer a range of trails from beginners’ greens and bunny slopes to black diamonds for the most confident skiers.
For those looking for a skier’s high—literally—make sure to check a resort’s elevation difference. This is also sometimes referred to as the vertical distance or vertical drop and refers to the height from the base to the summit. It’s a good indicator of the steepness and elevation change you’ll experience on the trails.
Most skiers are focused on what it’ll be like heading down the mountain, but that doesn’t mean going up has to be a cold, cramped journey. Today’s chairlifts have come a long way since 1906 when the first overhead cable tow pulled riders uphill on their skis. Your ride up the mountain now might be classic single or four-person lifts, trams that can zip 100 skiers up to a summit in less than 10 minutes, or gondolas with seat warmers and glass bottoms for spectacular views of the slopes below. Having a comfy ride can provide a warm, scenic break between runs—but the biggest perk might be that speedy, higher capacity lifts mean less time in transit and more time flying back down the hill.
Read on to see which ski resorts are the top-rated across the country.
