The United States has some of the best snow resorts in the world. If you want to create the ultimate ski wish list, this is the place to start. Most of the world-class ski resorts are in the west, but if your travel plans take you to the eastern states, you can still find some great places to ski and surf.
In the west, the mighty Rocky Mountains and surrounding mountain ranges create a veritable playground of snow-covered slopes, offering skiing opportunities for all levels of skier. Endless runs and frequent powder days make this a skier’s dream destination.
Colorado and Utah each have a great concentration of the best resorts to choose from, but you can also find incredible skiing at Wyoming’s Tetons, home to Jackson Hole.
The Sierra Nevada Range around Lake Tahoe, where you’ll find Squaw Valley; and the Sawtooth Range in Idaho, home of Sun Valley. Head further north towards Montana and fix your gaze on Big Sky. And these are just some of the possibilities for skiing in the West.
How To Find Snow Resorts Near Me?
Most skiers will agree that skiing and snow conditions are the most important factors when planning a ski vacation during global holidays in December.
But the ski towns or villages at the base of the mountains are where you will spend your time off the slopes and are also an important consideration when deciding on a destination.
When compiling this list, après-ski opportunities, the atmosphere, and customer service at the resorts have been taken into account.
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When it comes to skiing in the east, you will find plenty of options, but a couple of snow resorts stand out above the rest. Vermont is one of the best skiing options in the eastern United States.
Top 10 Snow Resorts Near Me In the USA
Many American resorts are taking special health and safety precautions. Some resorts require lift tickets to be purchased online in advance. Be sure to check your resort’s website before heading up the mountain.
And while all of these resorts have expert terrain, they were selected based on their ability to accommodate a variety of Snow Ski Resorts Near Me and snowboard levels, not just experts.
For an overview of our top picks, check out our list of the best Snow Resorts Near Me in the United States.
1. Telluride Ski Resort
Location: 565 Mountain Village Blvd, Telluride, CO 81435, United States
While the ski terrain is world-renowned, the resort is truly defined by a collection of unique, intimate, and unrivaled elements.
From the exclusivity of Tempter House to the luxurious cuisine and fine wines of Allred’s and Alpino Vino, you will find these experiences to be as unique as the surrounding San Juan mountains.
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Unlike any other resort in North America, Telluride’s location and size allow guests to enjoy a peaceful environment, where elevator lines are almost non-existent and people are genuinely friendly.
Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a novice, Endless Turns can put together the perfect Telluride vacation for you.
Developed in 1985, the mountainous town of Telluride Resort stands at 9,545 feet high. Telluride is an intimate and pedestrian-friendly enclave with a variety of lodging options, boutiques, and restaurants.
Home to the Telluride Conference Center and popular hotels (including The Peaks Resort, Lumiere, and Hotel Madeline), this European-style Alpine town is considered one of the most beautiful in Snow Resorts Near Me.
2. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Location: 3395 Cody Ln, Teton Village, WY 83025, United States
Jackson Hole is a true mountain for skiers. The mountain slopes steeply toward intermediate and advanced skiers, with very little terrain for beginners, and the more challenging terrain will test the skills of even expert skiers.
As he rides the tram to the top with 100 of his new friends, he will feel a palpable sense of anticipation and excitement as he sees the tracks beneath his feet. He kept an eye out for Couloir de Corbet on the trip.
This extreme double black diamond race is a rite of passage for expert skiers. In recent years, Jackson Hole has averaged about 38 feet of snow a year. The resort has 2,500 acres of land and 133 named tracks, as well as several terrain parks.
Among the infrastructure improvements in recent years is the impressive Solitude Station mid-mountain facility, which is home to two new restaurants and the Mountain Sports School.
The ski area is 20 minutes from the western theme town of Jackson. Here you will find air connections from all states and excellent lodging options. Jackson Hole is part of the IKON and Mountain Collective pass programs.
3. Breckenridge Ski Resort
Location: 1599 Ski Hill Rd, Breckenridge, CO 80424, United States
Breckenridge receives an average of about 30 feet of snow a year and maintains much of it until the end of the season due to its high altitude.
You can expect this complex to be open well into May. Home to the tallest chairlift in the US at 12,840 feet, this resort will literally take your breath away.
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The lower parts of the ski resort are perfect for beginners and families. The gentle slopes of the wide slopes provide plenty of room to move.
The open bowls at the top of the peaks offer incredible opportunities for the more advanced skiers. In April and May, while skiers enjoy spring skiing conditions near the bottom, the peaks still enjoy full winter conditions.
The town of Breckenridge at the base is a nice mountain town with fun après-ski options. It has a wonderful variety of restaurants and shops along with a picturesque main street, perfect for strolling.
Denver International Airport is less than two hours away. Breckenridge is part of the EPIC pass program.
4. Steamboat Snow Resort
Location: 2305 Mt Werner Cir, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487, United States
Steamboat is north of most of Colorado’s major ski resorts and is about a 3.5-hour drive from Denver.
As a result, it is off the radar of many skiers who focus on the closest resorts such as Breckenridge, Vail or Beaver Creek. The advantage of this is that there are fewer crowds and more time to ski or surf.
On average, approximately 26 feet of snow falls each year, creating excellent conditions on the 165 trails. Uphill capacity is comparable to other major resorts with 18 elevators, including an eight-passenger gondola.
The city of Steamboat Springs is what makes a visit here most enjoyable. The true cowboy culture and friendly people of this small town make you feel instantly welcome.
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Not far from the city are Strawberry Hot Springs. It is a pleasure to visit these natural outdoor pools on days when you are giving your legs a break. Steamboat is part of the IKON pass program.
5. Big Sky Resort
Location: 50 Big Sky Resort Rd, Big Sky, MT 59716, United States
Big Sky Resort is Montana’s premier ski area. Everything in this place is great: big mountains; large elevators, including a tram; heavy snowfall at 33 feet; and large open spaces. In fact, the only small thing here is the lift lines.
The complex does not see large crowds. Big Sky spans 5,850 acres, and that means even on your busiest ski days, chances are you’ll have more than two acres of snow-covered bliss all to yourself.
An advantage of skiing at Big Sky Resort over the southernmost ski areas is related to elevation. Here, you will ski at lower elevations.
For those who come from sea level, the effects of altitude (headaches, fatigue, shortness of breath) are less. You can hit the slopes for longer and feel stronger!
In the winter, daily direct flights arrive at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport from approximately twenty major population centers in the United States.
6. Sugarbush Resort
Location: 102 Forest Dr, Warren, VT 05674, United States
Sugarbush Resort has 111 ski slopes spread over 4,000 acres. Tracks wind through trees on two mountains to multiple base areas. Just hop on any of the 16 elevators and head back to the top to tackle the varied terrain.
If you want to have a little off-limits fun, CAT skiing is available per person, a minimum of six people required.
You’ll find a quaint town at the foot of Lincoln Peak, with a pedestrian-only area lined with restaurants, spas, and retail stores. Sugarbush is part of the Mountain Collective and IKON pass programs.
7. Squaw Valley Resort
Location: 1960 Squaw Valley Rd, Olympic Valley, CA 96146, United States
This iconic Lake Tahoe ski resort was home to the 1960 Winter Olympics and is one of the best ski resorts in California. A ticket here will also give you access to Alpine Meadows Ski Resort, just a short drive away.
The best thing about skiing in Squaw Valley is the sun. This area receives more than 267 days of clear blue sky and the view from the slopes is incredible.
But don’t let that fool you. Typically, the resort receives over 37 feet of snow each year and you can expect some incredible powder days if you schedule it correctly.
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Squaw Valley is an ideal family resort, with 70 percent of the terrain classified as beginner or intermediate, and certain areas designated for beginners only.
Despite this, experts will have no problem entertaining themselves with Squaw Valley’s slides, runners, and bowls.
Access from San Francisco is along Interstate 80 and the complex is just over a three-hour drive from San Francisco International Airport.
8. Park City Mountain Resort
Location: 1345 Lowell Ave, Park City, UT 84060, United States
Park City is one of the largest ski resorts in the United States. Spread across an incredible 7,300 acres and 17 peaks, this behemoth of a ski resort has nearly limitless options.
Although you can easily find expert terrain here, skiing leans towards the intermediate and beginner level. If you love long, rolling, prepared races, you’ve come to the right place.
The city of Park City is also an added bonus for skiing here. A royal town with a historic main street lined with restaurants and shops offers a long list of options for après ski activities. If you take a day off to ski, you won’t have a problem finding things to do in Park City.
Park City is less than an hour from Salt Lake City. If you’re on a budget, consider staying in Salt Lake City, where lodging is plentiful and inexpensive, and traveling to the ski area.
9. Vail Ski Resort
Location: Vail, CO 81657, United States
Long reigned as one of America’s best resorts, Vail is what most skiers dream of when they think of skiing in America.
If you’re looking for bowls, glades, groomed slopes, fresh powder, and sprawling terrain, Vail is the place to come. Spread over 5,317 acres and with nearly 30 feet of snowfall each year, Vail is a must-visit Snow Resorts Near Me.
The ski area is spread over several mountains and offers whatever kind of challenge you are looking for. Open barbers, endless moguls, and seven large bowls where you can create your own tracks invite you to try something new.
Vail is in an ideal position to catch snow on a regular basis, leading to a deep base. When Pacific storms hit, snow falls fast and furious creating beautiful powder snow days.
At the base, you’ll find the thriving and lively town of Vail, packed with restaurants, shops, and a variety of entertainment options, from an ice skating rink to live music.
Vail is known for its chic hotels and high-end boutiques, but it’s more than a destination for skiers and well-heeled guests. This is a great place for families, groups, couples, skiers, and solo guests.
10. Snowbird
Location: 9385 Snowbird Center Dr, Snowbird, UT 84092, United States
Wasatch Valley is one of the best places in the US for great, consistent snow, and it’s where you’ll find Snowbird and Alta. Moist air is funneled up this valley, and more than 41 feet of snow falls here annually, on average. Snowbird’s jagged peaks and alpine scenery also make it the most scenic resort in Snow Resorts Near Me Utah.
Snowbird offers exceptional terrain, excellent conditions and is the only option for groups or families looking to accommodate both skiers and snowboarders.
Alta does not allow snowboarding. Snowbird also has the only ski tunnel in North America, allowing you to ski across the mountain and emerge on the other side.
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Snowbird and Alta operate as separate resorts, but it’s easy to ski from one to the other. A combo ticket is a good idea if you are spending several days skiing in the area or are here to ski in the spring. Between the two spas, in general, good conditions can be found at any time of the day in spring.
To top it all, Snowbird is only 45 minutes from the Salt Lake City International Airport. Many people stay in the city where the night scene is livelier and there is more to do when not skiing.
More Things To Do & See Nearby
Guests of the Osprey will find plenty to do in the surrounding area during their stay.
In the summer, visitors enjoy activities like golf, rafting, and hot air balloon rides. Other popular activities include mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing, and horseback riding.
Nearby Adventure Ridge is a typical stop for families and large groups. Adventure Ridge offers laser tag, disc golf, volleyball, and a variety of entertainment options.
During winter, visitors from around the world head to the Rocky Mountains for outdoor recreation. Skiing at Beaver Creek Resort or Vail Ski Resort is particularly popular. Guests also enjoy snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, and ice skating. Winter sleigh rides are also offered.
Visitors can also find a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment options in the Beaver Creek area. The Vilar Center for Performing Arts is the setting for live music and performances, while shops in the area include boutiques, sports shops, gift shops, and markets.
Guests also visit the area for art festivals, rodeo events, and celebrations. The Horton Museum of Fine Arts and the Children’s Museum at Beaver Creek are great stops for entertainment and education.
