16 Best Ski Resorts In The U.S

If you want to embrace the icy winds of winters and soak up in heavy rainfall, the perfect ski gateway is the ultimate option for you. Regardless of what level of skier you are, you are sure to find the best skiing resort that fits your skill in this blog! Of course, it's all just subjective. But, we gather up everything good together with some bad, and hope that you will be inspired and get one of the best picks of your choice to do some epic skiing this winter.

However, some precautions were put in place due to COVID-19 by the U.S.A. and Counties, influencing the ski season 21/20. Make sure to make your reservation online as all the below-mentioned resorts are operated at a limited capacity. In the Summit County of Colorado that houses Breckinridge and Keystone, the vacation lodging and dining options are restricted to 2 households per unit. Let's just dive into the best ski resorts in the USA!

Breckenridge

Famous For: Well-known resort sitting in Colorado comes under one of the best ski towns in the United States Of America.

Highlights:

• Stunning ski town with a never-forgettable nightlife
• Multiple Lodging options ranging from pocket-friendly to lavishly world-class
• Countless Activities to do
• Crowds are a throbbing nuisance

Opening and Closing:

• Opening Date: 12-Nov 2021
• Closing Date: 3-May 2022
• (Closing date is based on the historical date)

Closest Airports

Denver Intl. Airport -104 mi, reached after 2.5 hours of drive

With a kick-back town, Breckenridge is one of the famous ski destinations overflowing with history. No doubt, this mountain is worth a ride but remember, sometimes it is annoyingly packed with people. Cost-friendly lodgings options, plentiful ski slopes, and the highest lift in entire North America; this is not surprisingly tall that Breck has it all. With a peaceful and full of beans aura, Breckenridge also brings to you boundless dining, shopping, and drinking choices. This resort will literally leave you speechless. Open bowls atop peaks offer impressive chances for expert skiers. While the lower part of this resort is likely to be the best for families and beginners.

Official Site: https://www.breckenridge.com/

Vail

Famous For: One of the phenomenal resort's lodging in Colorado

Highlights

• Cosmic resort area throughout Colorado
• Delightful pedestrianized ski resort topped up with countless shopping and dining
• Heavy on pockets and crowd

Opening and Closing

• Opening Date: 12-Nov 2021
• Closing Date: 19-Apr 2022
• (Closing date is based on the historical date)

Closest airports

It is near the two airports named Eagle County Regional Airport - 34 mi, after a 50-minute drive, and Denver Intl. Airport - 120 mi after a 2.5 hours’ drive.

It is one of the most visited resorts attracting crowds in droves to its massive ski area and spectacular and captivating European style village peppered with several things that you can enjoy like lodging, dining, and après-ski entertaining activities. Every acreage of this resort area promises an appealing diverse terrain, the green and blue groomers dominating the front-side and powder hounds that are incredible, making your way to this place for bumps, glades, and steeps. This resort might ooze out some corporate vibes than more genuine towns, such as Breckinridge but, all complaining fly away with the heated sidewalks. But keep your eyes open as this resort has one of the costliest walk-up lifts across this country.

Official Site: https://www.vail.com/

Aspen Snowmas

Famous for: Four various ski areas accessible with one lift ticket flocked around a known ski town

Highlights:

• High-end and vibrant town peppered with ample foods and shopping
• The attractive intermediate and contemporary ski terrain
• With one lift ticket, get easy access to four ski areas
• Costly ski vacation

Opening And Closing:

Estimated dates based on historical data:

• Opening Date: 24-Nov 2021
• Closing Date: 17-Apr 2022

Closest Airports

There are two nearby airports named Aspen/ Pitkin County Airport - 8 mi, located a 15-minute drive, and Denver Intl. Airport - 220 mi (4-hour drive).

One of the ultimate ski destinations and the best places to ski in the USA. is sliced up into four distinctive areas: Aspen, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk. Shuttle system linked these ski areas, and to get around them, just a single ticket would be enough. They are packed around one of the world's phenomenal ski towns. Aspen is considered a king of après-ski, which is tightly packed with boundless dining and nightlife choices. One thing that really attracts the flock of visitors is that no one can get affected by altitude sickness. If you wish to stay near the slopes, Aspen will be hard on your pockets. The celebrities hit this place to take in all the glam and glitz of this astounding place.

Official Site:https://www.aspensnowmass.com/   

Alta

Famous for: Through the Alta Bird Pass, only former school skiers get access to Snowbird.

Highlights:

• High-end extraordinary terrain
• No difficulty in navigating resort layout as only minimal walking is required
• The only best way to learn skiing
• Considered a good terrain for beginners and as a best ski school
• You will feel a lack of vibrating nightlife and fancy lodging

Opening and Closing

Following are the estimated dates depending on historical data:

• 20-Nov 2021 is the opening date, whereas 26-Apr 2022 is a closing date

Nearest Airports

Salt Lake City Intl. The airport sits near this resort, located 32 miles off from this place or after a drive of 40 minutes.

Where Alta is surprisingly famous for being the best platform for skiers, it is also infamous for not allowing snowboarders. But, if you want to ski, you are lucky. Be prepared to get into this snowy place lodging on staggering steeps, chutes, and three runs. Moreover, get ready to skate over 2,200 acres of plenty of runs, this skiable area has to offer just for skiers. If this does not satisfy your soul, upgrade your ticket so that you can get access to a ski-neighboring spot named Snowbird. Get your lodge among the plenty located below the lifts, and if you want to log in for retail therapy or simply wanna spend a vibrant nightlife, opt for a stay at Salt Lake City.

Official Site: https://www.alta.com/

Also read:  Exploring Aspen Colorado: A Winter Wonderland for Skiing and Outdoor Enthusiasts

Jackson Hole

Famous For: Serving as incredible playground cuddling in the Wild West

Highlights:

• Legendary terrain for experts
• An amazing base village brimming with restaurants and the best spot for a stunning nightlife
• Considered as Jackson's cowboy town, offering plenty of lodging options in the base village
• Crowd can be cranky

Opening And Closing

Following are the estimated dates depending on historical data:

• 27-Nov 2021 is the opening date, while 07-Apr 2022 is the closing date.

Nearest Airports:

This resort is just 25 miles away from Jackson Hole Airport (an hour's drive).

Where you will find Jackson Hole, an infamous place for having drastic terrain and steeps with never-ending verticals, you will also discover this place as a paradise for experts. After the recent ameliorations-embracing Teton Lift opened recently-an access to intermediate terrain gets easier. But avoid coming around the flip side as it is not a great fit for kids and first-timers as it lacks on beginner terrains. You will sometimes come across troubling crowds, especially on powdery days. Head to the Teton Village if you are looking for a ski-in or ski-out access; it's overflowing with bars. If bars are not your type, you can also make your way to the town that is only 20 minutes away, boasting many choices of shopping and nightlife.

Official Site: https://www.jacksonhole.com/

Telluride

Famous for: With mind-boggling vistas and phenomenal terrain, Western Town is also known for featuring high-end resorts for skiing.

Highlights:

• Atypical up-to-date terrain
• Epic stretching of Colorado's mountains helps to get around the places easily.
• With jaw-dropping scenery, it's a historic western town.
• Ski Resorts are difficult to reach

Opening and Closing

Following are the estimated dates depending on historical data:

• 29-Nov 2021 is the opening date, whereas 05-Apr 2022 is the closing date.

Nearest Airports

There are two nearest airports named Telluride Regional Airport that will take 20 minutes by vehicle as it is 8 miles away. Another one is Montrose Regional Airport, 70 miles off from this resort (1.5-hour drive).

Different from all resorts mentioned in the list, this resort appeals to novices so that they can savor the high-alpines atop the Prospect Express. Pro skiers can hike up to Palmyra Peak and choose among the great chutes, while the brave intermediates can hike the Revelation Bowl's manicured parts to taste a dose of adrenaline rush. Hop off with amazing memories of Wild West Town and cost-free gondolas associating Telluride and Mountain Village, the two base parts. This tucked-away piece of ski heaven serves as both advantage and disadvantage. It keeps the crowd away but reaching this point requires a little effort as it takes a while.

Official Site: https://tellurideskiresort.com/

Squaw Valley (Palisades Tahoe)

Famous for: Ample extreme terrain with stunning ski culture and Olympic Heritage

Highlights

• Massive ski resort among all in California
• Holding an epic reputation due to the notorious steeps and high snowfall.
• High-class groomed steep trails
• You can encounter crowds and long powdery days

Opening And Closing

Based on the historical data, these are the dates estimated:

• 23-Nov 2021 is the opening date, whereas 05-Jun 2022 is the closing date.
   

Nearest Airport:

The nearest airport is Reno-Tahoe Intl. The airport is 47 miles away and takes 50 minutes to drive to reach.

The great blend of premier terrain of Squaw Valley and powders of Alpine Meadows with sweeping Lake Tahoe vistas, Squaw Alpine is a result of the merging of these two resorts. Ski them both as they are not connected through lifts; get your pass for short shuttle ride. Very well-known due to the extreme terrains, this valley is a much-favorite spot for pro skiers and riders. Head to the base village featuring lots of choices for you like shopping, drinking, dining, and even accommodations. You can effortlessly get around to this resort from the populous Bay area. This resort draw crowds making parking lots and a long lift lines extremely jam-packed. Moreover, this Alpine meadow is usually overshadowed by its renowned neighbor; still, it's among the best places to ski in the U.S., especially if you wish to ski on intense but with less crowds.  Alpine Meadows won't disappoint you ever in any way.

Official Site: https://www.palisadestahoe.com/

Beaver Creek

Famous for: The little resort of Vali promises the luxurious pampering

Highlights:

• Experience unforgettable pampering
• Less crowded than Vail
• High-end snow grooming
• Everything will be hard on your pockets

Opening and Closing:

Based on the historical data, the below-mentioned dates are estimated:

• 24-Nov 2021 is the opening date.
• 13-Apr 2022 is a closing date.

Nearby Airports

Eagle County Regional Airport is 28 miles off from this resort (30 min drive), and Denver Intl. Airport is 130 miles away and hence takes 3 hours to get around this resort.

Comes under the newest resort of Colorado, Beaver Creek screams of luxury can be heard by on and off slopes. You will come across the well-groomed to perfection and undeniable lift systems with small lines on the slopes. Most trails are the best film for novice and intermediates, offering a picturesque and unforgettable experience. Located ten minutes off from Vail, it can be counted in smaller resorts but less crowded. Make your way to the slopes and indulge yourself at the base village that is purposefully constructed for the resort. If your pocket allows, relax in extravagance after an unforgettable day at high-end manicured slopes. Beating Beaver can give a hard time.

Official Site: https://www.beavercreek.com/

Steam Boat

Famous for: Natural hot springs and a kick-back western ski town

Highlights:

• Melt all the stress away in one of the best geothermal springs
• Small genuine western town
• Less crowded
• Situated a bit far from Denver

Opening and Closing:

Based on the historical data, the below-mentioned dates are estimated:

• 24-Nov 2021 is the opening date
• 13-Apr 2022 is a closing date

Nearby Airports

Yampa Valley Regional Airport is 28 miles off from this resort (40 min drive) and Denver Intl. Airport is 180 miles away and hence takes 3.5 hours to get around this resort.

Glade Skiing is the major claim to fame of Steamboat! The tree runs are appealing to all abilities and so not only for pro skiers. Unlike some other resorts included in this list, you won't get any altitude sickness as the mount has a low base elevation. Hence, this spot never gets much snow, and so it never breaks down swiftly. For all its rough and ready charm, the town sits far from the main airports and hence not accessible easily, and therefore you can expect fewer crowds. If you can spend extra bucks on lodging and ease the travel, Steamboat should be on the top of your bucket list.

Official Site: https://www.steamboat.com/

Snowbird

Famous for: Best spots for expert and intermediate ages, Altabird pass will give access to Alta.

Highlights:

• Challenging terrain for intermediate and expert skiers.
• Connected to the Alta if you are a good skier.
• Long ski seasons and an excellent lift system.
• Not a best fit for novice with less options of lodging, dining, and nightlife.
• Not the best fit for beginners as there is a limited option for dining, lodging, and nightlife.

Opening and Closing:

Based on the historical data, the below-mentioned dates are estimated:

• 24-Nov 2021 is the opening date
• 24-May 2022 is a closing date

Nearby Airports:

Snowbird sits near Salt Lake City Intl. Airport that is 32 miles away and you can reach there after a drive of 40 minutes.

Serving as the best terrain for the snowboarders, Snowbird features steeps and chutes to bowls and trees. Snowbird stands out for its excellent lift system and catches sight of the famous Utah powders on a north-facing outlook, keeping it light and as fresh as a daisy. Skiers and shredders both are equally welcome to this place but not best suited for beginners. If you plan to hit this place for nightlife, you won't find much like Park City. Make your way to the teensy-weensy pedestrian base village of the slopes that will offer spooky clean dining and accommodation options with top-notch customer service.

Official Site: https://www.snowbird.com/

Park City Mountain Resort

Known For: Largest ski resorts with a main historic street jam-packed with shops and restaurants

Highlights:

• Offers Family-friendly atmosphere and an ultimate spot for beginners and intermediates
• Massive skiing opportunities
• Golfing & Fishing opportunities are also available.
• Irritating crowds

Opening and Closing:

Based on the historical data, the below-mentioned dates are estimated:

• 19-Nov 2021 is the opening date
• 17-Apr 2022 is a closing date

Nearby Airports:

Sits near Salt Lake City Intl. Airport 35 minutes from this PCMR.

This largest and the best ski resort in the USA is sprawling to 7,300 acres and 17 peaks, offering unlimited options. If you are greatly in love with rolling groomed runs, then this is exactly the place to be at. This town has added a park to skiing with its bustling historic main streets filled with restaurants and shops, offering you a long list of boundless things to enjoy. If you want to stay in some pocket-friendly accommodation, opt for staying in Salt Lake City.

Official Site: https://www.parkcitymountain.com/

Deer Valley

Famous for: High-end resort with beauty-filled lodges, delicious foods, advanced lifts, and uncrowded slopes

Highlights

• Less crowded or rarely any crowd
• Liftlines are small
• Powder stashes stay longer
• Snowboarders are not allowed

Opening and Closing:

Based on the historical data, the below-mentioned dates are estimated:

• 4-Dec 2021 is the opening date
• 10-Apr 2022 is a closing date

Nearby Airports:

Phoenix Deer Valley Airport (17 miles OR 15 NMIi; 27 km away)

Deer Valley, this high-class resort is worth a visit; you can expect here the smashing lodges, delectable cuisines, efficient lifts, and less or rare crowded lifts. Ski on the mountains freely as this resort limits the skiers’ number to enhance the guest experience. If there is a dump of snow, make your way to this resort, sprawling to six mountains.

Official Site: https://www.deervalley.com/

Big Sky Resort

Famous For: The premier ski area of Montana and the biggest skiing in America.

Highlights:

• Less crowded
• Small lift lines
• Best Lift in the world
• Has negligible village atmosphere

• Limited Evening Dining Options

Opening and Closing:

Based on the historical data, the below-mentioned dates are estimated:

• 25-Nov 2021 is the opening date
• 19-Apr 2022 is a closing date

Nearby Airports:

Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is less than 45 minutes from the Big Sky Resort.

Big Sky Resort is not only limited to experts, but it suits every skill level. Except for small lift lines, you will find everything here big; big lifts, big mountains, big snowfall at 33 feet, wide-open spaces, and even a big tram. Sprawling to more than 5,850 acres means that even being the busiest ski resort, you will still have more than 2-acres of snow-topped enjoyment all to yourself. One thing that adds fun to this place is that it is at a lower elevation, and hence you won't get any altitude sickness. Hit the slopes longer and feel stronger!

Sun Valley

Famous For: America's first destination ski resorts, spectacular views overlooking the snow-capped mountains

Highlights:

• Groomed slopes
• Gentler slopes
• Best fit for beginners

Opening and Closing:

Based on the historical data, the below-mentioned dates are estimated:

• 25-Nov 2021 is the opening date
• 16-Apr 2022 is a closing date

Nearby Airports:

Friedman Memorial Airport, 14 miles away from the Sun Valley.

A paradise for snowboarders and skiers, Sun Valley, offers 121 runs, stretches throughout the Bald and Dollar Mountains. Sun Valley receives 18 feet of snow, offering extensive snow-making capabilities. This extensive groomed resort appeals to beginners and intermediate levels.

Official Site: https://www.sunvalley.com/

Taos Ski Valley

Famous for: Old-school ski resort

Highlights:

• Challenging terrains for experts
• Gondola makes it easier to get around
• Extreme steep

Opening and Closing:

Based on the historical data, the below-mentioned dates are estimated:

• 25-Nov 2021 is the opening date
• 16-Apr 2022 is a closing date

Nearby Airports:

• 2-hour drive from Santa Fe Regional Airport.
• 3-hour drive from Albuquerque International Sunport.

This slowly modernizing resort now appeals to experienced skiers who are looking for some challenges. Beginners are sometimes impressed by the mountains located at the base adjacent to the main lodge. Regardless of what changes have been made, the terrain there is still a terrain, and skiing is just fantastic.

Stowe

Famous for: New England's highest mountain

Highlights:

• 12 lifts, including two gondolas
• Cozy inns and good shopping
• Little accommodation on the hill

Opening and Closing:

Based on the historical data, the below-mentioned dates are estimated:

• 19-Nov 2021 is the opening date
• 20-Apr 2022 is a closing date

Nearby Airports:

Burlington International Airport (45-minutes’ drive)

Nestled on Mount Mansfield, one of the colossal mountains of New England, Stowe is one of the loveliest and the best places to ski in the USA for snowboarders and skiers. It is one of the most comfortable spots for beginners or who want to sharpen their skills. There is room for everyone.

Official Site: https://www.stowe.com/