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Ask ten skiers where the best skiing in North America is and you will get ten different answers. Some want endless groomed runs and a lively village, others want steep terrain and almost no lift lines. The truth is that the continent is big enough to have all of it, and a handful of resorts do it better than the rest.
Here are twelve that keep showing up on every serious skier’s list.
1. Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia
This is the biggest ski resort in North America, with more than 8,000 acres of terrain spread over two mountains. The Peak 2 Peak gondola links them across a deep valley, and the ride alone is worth the ticket. The village at the base is lively, walkable and packed with restaurants. It rains in the lower village more often than people expect, so check conditions before you book.
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2. Revelstoke, British Columbia
If you care about vertical drop, nothing else on the continent comes close. Revelstoke has the biggest vertical in North America, and a long run from the top to the bottom feels like skiing for half a day. The town is small and unfussy, the snow is deep, and the crowds are far thinner than at Whistler. It is a skier’s resort through and through.
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3. Lake Louise, Alberta
Few places on earth look this good while you ski. Lake Louise sits inside Banff National Park, with giant glaciated peaks all around and a frozen lake at the base. The terrain is varied, there is plenty for beginners and experts, and the snow is dry and light. Stay in the town of Banff or in Lake Louise village, and add a soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs after a day on the slopes.
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4. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
This is where serious skiers go to test themselves. The Aerial Tram carries you almost straight up to the top, where you can drop into Corbet’s Couloir, one of the most famous steep runs in the country. There are easier runs too, but this mountain has a reputation for a reason. The town of Jackson has wooden sidewalks, antler arches in the main square and a real western feel.
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5. Park City, Utah
It is the largest ski resort in the US by acres, and it is only about 40 minutes from the Salt Lake City airport, which makes it one of the easiest big trips to plan. The old mining town below has a long main street full of bars, restaurants and shops, so there is plenty to do after you take your boots off. It is a great pick for groups where everyone skis at a different level.
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6. Alta, Utah
Alta is a very different kind of place. It only allows skiers, with no snowboards, and it looks and feels like an old school ski area, with a few lodges and simple lifts. What it does have is some of the best snow in North America, with 500 inches or more in a typical year, and big open bowls that feel wild. Snowbird is right next door, and you can combine both on one trip.
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7. Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
Aspen is not one mountain, it is four, each with its own personality. Aspen Mountain is steep and glamorous, Snowmass is huge and great for families, and Highlands and Buttermilk fill in the rest. The town itself is expensive and fancy, with high end shopping and restaurants, but you can still eat well and ski for a reasonable price if you plan ahead.
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8. Vail, Colorado
Vail is known for its Back Bowls, a huge area of wide open terrain on the back side of the mountain where you can ski for hours without repeating a run. The village was built in the Alpine style, with cobblestones, fountains and a European feel. It is easy to reach from Denver, it has lots of lifts and it gets very busy on holiday weekends, so mornings are your friend.
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9. Big Sky, Montana
Big Sky has been growing for years, and for good reason. It has thousands of acres of terrain, a tram to the summit of Lone Peak and the kind of wide open spaces that make you feel small in a good way. It is remote, which keeps the crowds down, and the area feels more like real Montana than a polished resort town.
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10. Steamboat, Colorado
Steamboat is a real cowboy town, with a main street that still has working western shops and an actual rodeo history. On the mountain, it is known for what locals call Champagne Powder, a very light, dry snow that falls often. Its tree skiing is among the best in the state, and the hot springs in the area are a nice bonus after a long day.
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11. Mammoth Mountain, California
Mammoth has a long season, often running into late spring and sometimes into early summer. It gets heavy snow from Pacific storms, and the mountain is big enough to keep you busy for a week. It sits on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada, so the views are desert on one side and snowy peaks on the other. It is the best option on the West Coast if you want skiing in April or May.
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12. Stowe, Vermont
The best of the East Coast, Stowe is a classic New England ski town, with a white church steeple, a covered bridge and a mountain called Mansfield that rises right behind it. Eastern skiing is icier and more technical than in the West, and Stowe is proud of that. The après ski scene is warm and friendly, with plenty of cozy places to get a drink and a bite when you are done.
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A few things worth knowing before you book
Snow depends on the season, so there is no perfect month. January and February are usually the coldest and most reliable, while March has longer days and often a bit more sun. Christmas and school holiday weeks are the most expensive and the most crowded.
Many of these resorts are covered by the big multi resort passes, so if you plan to ski more than a few days a year, it is worth looking at whether a pass would save you money. Buying lift tickets online in advance is almost always cheaper than at the window.
And think about the town, not just the mountain. Some resorts have a lively village at the base, others are small and quiet, and which one suits you depends on whether you want nightlife or an early night.
If you are not sure where to start, pick based on the kind of trip you want. Big and easy, go to Park City or Whistler. Steep and wild, Jackson Hole or Alta. Gorgeous views and a bit of everything, Lake Louise. Whichever one you choose, the snow will not disappoint.