The 7 best ski resorts in the US

When you go skiing in the United States, you enter an enchanting world of deep snow and steep slopes. The iconic peaks of the Rocky Mountains make skiing in America a unique experience. Each region offers a special skiing adventure that excites winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world. In this article, we will take you through some of the best ski resorts in the United states.



Good to know is that Ski pass prices are higher in the United States than in Europe. Partly because of this, the slopes are much less crowded. Snow security is also very high in America. Especially if you go skiing in Colorado or Alaska, the quality of the snow is second to none. As a result, you have much less trouble with icy slopes here.

There are countless beautiful ski resorts in America. Therefore, we cannot list them all. In total, there are more than 11,000 kilometers (6,835 miles) of slopes, which is almost twice as much as Austria. We now take you through the best runs in the country so you know where to ski in the US.

Park City (Utah)

From very snowy to the biggest, the mighty Park City Mountain Resort in Utah is a giant in every sense of the word. With stunning terrain, a gigantic network of runs, a huge elevator system, ski-to-accommodation, night skiing, and nearly 2.75 meters (9 ft) of snow per year, there are few resorts in the world that look this good.

Park City

In total, it has 250 kilometers (155 miles) of slopes. Only 20 kilometers (12 miles) of the slopes here are blue, 105 kilometers (65 miles) are red, and 125 kilometers (78 miles) are black. So for the truly experienced skiers, there is plenty to enjoy here.

Park City is also one of the most accessible ski resorts in the U.S., just a 45-minute drive from the Salt Lake City airport. It has a vibrant downtown area, with great après-ski.

Big Sky (Montana)

Located in Montana you will find the ski resort Big Sky. This place is an "overlooked" gem that gets more snow than most resorts in Colorado. The highest point of this ski area is nearly 3,400 meters (11,155 feet), from here you glide down nearly 1,400 meters (4,593 feet) to the valley station. The trail levels here are nicely distributed: 55 kilometers (34 miles) are blue, 69 kilometers (43 miles) are red, and 126 kilometers (78 miles) are black. When you still need to master skiing a little bit, you can find a great place here.

In these areas, you can glide down the mountain, but don't forget to look around once in a while. Big Sky Resort in Montana is located on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. From the top of Lone Mountain, you have a breathtaking view of the national park. If you have a day to spare, be sure to visit this beautiful place during your winter vacation in America.

Aspen (Colorado)

Aspen is perhaps the most famous ski resort in America. In Colorado, close to the city of Denver, lies this gem. This ski resort has 237 kilometers (147 miles) of slopes. There are also many beautiful ski areas in the area such as Vail and Breckenridge. You can really enjoy yourself here for a long time.



In Aspen, you will find the chicest "Après" (that's what they call it) in America. Here the champagne flows richly. In the bars at the bottom of the slopes and in the famous hotel bars, you will find plenty of fun. The wildest party takes place on top of the mountain, in slope restaurant Cloud Nine. Vail also has its share of après-ski. In this Austrian-style resort, the après-ski does not fall short of the cozy après-ski in Europe. You will find numerous bars, clubs, and lounges.

Alta Snowbird (Utah)

In the US, when it comes to snow conditions, you're actually good almost everywhere. This country is extremely well endowed when it comes to the quantity and quality of snow. But Alta Snowbird in Utah stands out a little above the rest in this category. Huge amounts of snow fall here every winter (rarely less than 12 feet or 3.66 meters).



Alta Snowbird consists of two parts. In the Snowbird section, extremely dry powder snow falls regularly. This snow is also affectionately called champagne powder snow and makes for a fantastic near-float experience on the slopes!

Winter Park (Colorado)

Just over a 2-hour drive (approximately 144 kilometers or 90 miles) from Denver lies Winter Park, one of the oldest ski resorts in America. But don't let that fool you, because things are certainly not calm here. Of the 142 slopes, more than 55% are geared toward "expert level" skiers. So if you like a challenge, you can really enjoy yourself here! Do you love off-piste skiing? The large off-piste area at the back of one of the mountains attracts many avid boarders and skiers every year.

Alyeska Resort (Alaska)

We couldn't leave out the Alyeska Resort, a super snow-sure resort in the US. Although not in the lower 48 states, Alaska is the place to go for something really special. Looking for a trip for your bucket list? You have your choice of backcountry and heli excursions, with areas like Tordrillo and Valdez within easy reach. But even simplyskiing in Alyeska itself will be life-changing. With an average annual snowfall of 16 feet (4.88 meters), this relatively modest resort makes for great powder runs. Just don't forget your insulated pants, because it's cold here.

Killington (Vermont)

Killington is the largest ski area in Eastern America. The altitude difference of almost 1 kilometer (3,281 feet) ensures that there are many beautiful runs. Of the 118 kilometers (73 miles) of runs, 20 kilometers (12 miles) consist of blue, 47 kilometers (29 miles) of red, and 51 kilometers (32 miles) of black.



Killington Ski Resort is known for a few things: freestyle and après-ski. Yes, this place is the unofficial capital of après-ski. And the perfect place to blow off steam. Killington is home to six terrain parks, a 150-meter (492 feet) superpipe, and one of the best slopes on the East Coast. And with 6.4 meters (21 feet) of snowfall per year, there are plenty of powder turns for the intrepid explorer.

You'll find great terrain for experts right below the K-1 Express Gondola. Highlights include Anarchy, Big Dipper, and Chop Chop. The parks are also impossible to miss.

When is the best time to ski in the United States?

The winter sports season in the United States is quite long. In a good year, you can ski here between November and April. Snow quality is highest from late December through February. This is then also the high season. So keep in mind that the prices of accommodations, among other things, are a lot higher than if you go in, say, mid-March.

This article was last updated on June 18, 2024.