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Whether you’re a seasoned skier or want a snowy weekend getaway, you can find a US ski resort to fit your needs. From steep hills to novice loops, ski resorts provide a fun and unique way to learn a new sport, spend time with family, or hang out with friends.
You can find most of these resorts in the west, but if your travel plans include the eastern states, you can still find great places to stay. The differences between ski resorts are vast. So which one should you choose? Most skiers will agree that skiing and snow conditions are the most important factors when planning a ski trip.
But the towns at the base of these mountains are where you’ll spend your time OFF the slopes and are also essential when deciding your destination. The skiing opportunities, and overall atmosphere, have been taken into consideration when we asked ourselves….What are the top 11 US ski resorts we should check out this winter? Number 3 is MY favorite!
…Click “Next” below to find out our top picks!
Where? Park City
In Utah, you’ll find the Canyons. A large resort with 18 lifts: two Gondolas, fourteen chair lifts, and two surface lifts that offer skiers an impressive 3,190ft of vertical descent. The Canyons includes 3,700 acres of terrain with over 167 trails and is best fitted for intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Still, there are some areas for beginners and even some excellent advanced slopes.
If you would like to go cross country skiing, great options are available at nearby Park City. There are two terrain parks and six natural ‘half-pipes for snowboarders.’ You’ll find the nearest airport in Salt Lake City, and the resort village has many lodging options, from cozy condos to luxury hotels. The dining and nightlife scenes are relaxed, but you can take a free shuttle bus to Park City, and you’ll find lots of options, both laid back and lively.
Where? California
Overlooking the sapphire-blue waters of Lake Tahoe, you’ll find Heavenly, one of the most unique year-round outdoor recreation destinations on the planet. The summer activities at Heavenly Mountain Resort are a must-do during any trip to Lake Tahoe. But come winter, there’s a perfect activity for every member of your group. Winter with more terrain variety, more hidden glades, more rippin’ groomers than any Lake Tahoe resort, you’ve got plenty of decisions to make.
With an average of 360in of snow yearly and one of the US’s biggest snowmaking systems, their ski season usually begins mid-November and runs through mid-April. You’ll see 4,800 acres of off-the-grid terrain and the most incredible views of Lake Tahoe. Heavenly is also notable as the resort where singer Sonny Bono died after hitting a tree on January 5, 1998.
Where? Aspen
You can experience the beauty of this location by going cross-country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, or you can even take a snowmobile tour to the maroon bells. Snowmass also boasts many park features and thousands of acres of double black diamond terrain. You can take a stroll around the new base village, enjoy ice skating in the plaza, or check out the limelight hotel with its five-story indoor climbing wall and welcoming lounge featuring live music.
You’ll be able to relax and unwind because you’ll find four unique spas, each offering a variety of services to refresh and rejuvenate exhausted skiers and riders. Bask in heated outdoor pools, spin in an indoor cycling class, take a yoga class… all available at the Snowmass recreation center. Even dining in Snowmass is a part of the adventure. With over 40 different restaurants featuring everything from sushi to schnitzel, you are sure to find what you’re craving after a day on the slopes.
Where? Colorado
Out of the four Aspen resorts, Highlands is considered a local favorite. The ski resort is never overcrowded and has incredible views of the Maroon Bells. Aspen Highlands is notoriously challenging with its good mix of terrain: wide-open groomers, chutes, trees, steeps, bowls, and big mountain skiing. While the Highlands does include a fair amount of beginner and intermediate terrain, it’s best identified for its top-to-bottom steeps.
There are 118 trails to choose from, and every run down the Highlands Bowl is a double-black diamond, so be prepared to shred. There are two on-mountain restaurants, including Cloud Nine Alpine Bistro and Merry-Go-Round, and for rentals and retail shopping, you’ll find four stores at the base. The Highlands is located within a few miles of downtown Aspen, and as a bonus, your lift ticket to Aspen Highlands is good at all four Aspen/Snowmass resorts.
Where? Colorado
Originally named Storm Mountain ski area, Steamboat Springs opened on January 12, 1963. The ski area has 169 designated trails spread over 2,965 acres. 14% are classified as beginner-level, 42% as intermediate, and 44% as advanced. It also contains the Mavericks Superpipe, one of the premier half-pipes in North America. There are also a few trails available for night skiing. Steamboat Springs is more than just a winter and skiing hotbed.
Every season offers unique and entertaining travel opportunities! But you’ll want to go, especially during winter, to ride the slopes of the ski resort, with its 165 runs and average 350 inches of annual snowfall, or relax in one of Steamboat’s famed hot springs, then cap off the day with a night out on the town.
Where? Colorado
Treat yourself to the ultimate luxury resort adventure in Vail. Inspired by the extraordinary hotels of Europe’s historical alpine villages, this resort combines timeless elegance, European charm, and excellent service. It’s an alpine-themed hotel with an old-world charm and lavish accommodations. Skiers have added benefits of complimentary ski valets and complimentary GoPro cameras to capture their epic runs.
This place even offers dog bowls, beds, treats, and mid-day walks while for your furry friend while you’re out skiing. Afterward, come back to the après ski deck and the fireplace in the grand lobby while being conveniently close to everything in Vail. Dine at Tavern on the Square’s mountainside patio, unwind at the award-winning RockResorts Spa, or take advantage of the other extraordinary amenities, rooftop hot tubs, and lap pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, and much more.
Where? Colorado
This resort, just steps away from the signature slopes of Aspen, features first-class amenities for luxury travelers. It has a heated outdoor pool and hot tubs that overlook Aspen Mountain, while delicious cuisine can be found at its restaurant Velvet Buck. You can sip handcrafted cocktails at Mountain Social, then retreat to one of the luxury rooms, suites, or residences.
Check out the Remède Spa that specializes in customized massages, exfoliation, and soothing aromatherapy baths. From the hotel’s enviable vantage point, guests can enjoy world-class skiing or stroll over to historic Aspen, where luxury boutiques and charming restaurants beckon. But in addition to skiing and snowboarding, winter fly fishing is also what this area is known for.
Where? Wyoming
Jackson Hole is your premier skiing stop in the winter, and the Four Seasons here is consistently rated one of the best locations to stay in the area. When you stay at the Four Seasons, you’ll be surrounded by the breathtaking Grant Teton Mountain Range amidst a distinct blend of rustic adventure and luxury.
Most of its accommodations open to a private terrace or balcony and overlook the famous Teton Village. Hungry skiers can fuel up at Westbank Grill, The Handle Bar, or Ascent Lounge. There’s also a luxurious 11,685 square-foot spa with 16 different treatment rooms available to you.
Where? Colorado
Telluride is a top destination because of its diverse terrain, great selection of lodging, and charming ski town right at the base of the hill. It’s tucked away on its own at the end of a valley in southwest Colorado. The great part is the short lift lines and fewer crowds, but it takes a while to get here, and accommodation is expensive. It’s worth the effort. Telluride receives about 23ft of snow each year, so you can expect some great powder days if you time it right.
It’s a great place for a family vacation because about 60% of the slopes are for beginner and intermediate skiers. The gondola is free and open for skiers and non-skiers alike. For a less expensive option, two hours away, you’ll find Durango and Purgatory Resort, another great option in this part of Colorado. Purgatory offers a more modest experience and is very family-oriented. The prices here are also much better, both on the mountain and at the hotels.
Where: California
This is a year-round resort south of Lake Tahoe that centers around skiing and snowboarding in winter and hiking in the summer. Kirkwood is one of the area’s larger resorts and has one of the highest average snowfalls, but it is for the more advanced skiers. The mountain is unique in that it has a two-mile ridgeline at the top, making Kirkwood popular for cliff drops and cornices.
The average seasonal snowfall is 472 in second only to Sugar Bowl Ski Resort in the Sierra Nevada. You’ll find Kirkwood approximately 33 miles away from South Lake Tahoe, California, on State Route 88 and within the Eldorado National Forest. Most of the region’s resorts are at the northern end of the lake, near Truckee, California. Kirkwood, Sierra-at-Tahoe, and Heavenly are located on the southern side of the lake.
Where? Idaho
Sun Valley is an ideal destination for those looking for an excellent all-around mid-size ski resort. You’ll find here 121 runs spread across the Bald and Dollar Mountains. The views from the top are magical, overlooking fields of snow covering the mountains. On average, Sun Valley receives about 18ft of snow every year and has extensive snowmaking abilities. It’s a good family destination, with runs targeting more beginner to intermediate levels of skiers.
They also do extensive grooming, so with the resort being off the radar for most people, the corduroy lasts longer into the day. Sun Valley ski resort has undertaken some significant expansions, and the Broadway lift is a high-speed quad chair that opens up to 380 acres of magnificent new terrain in the Sunrise zone. Fun fact: The chairlift was invented here way back in 1936.
…Let us know in the comments below if you know of any other great spots!
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