The Best Ski Destinations in the United States
The United States is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world. While most of the best ski destinations in the U.S. can be found among the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada Range in the western part of the country, there's plenty of world-class skiing along the east coast, too.
Below, we've listed a few of the top ski resorts in the U.S. to help you create the ultimate skiing bucket list.
Vail Ski Resort, CO
Vail Ski Resort in Colorado has been known as one of America's top resorts — and one of the best Colorado ski resorts — for decades. It's stacked with bowls, glades, groomed runs and fresh powder, all spread across a vast and varied terrain that makes the resort great for everyone, from beginners to expert-level skiers. Best of all, the resort gets a whopping 30 feet of snow on average every year. Check out the Vail Resort mountain cams to get an idea of what you're in for when you ski Vail.
Sugarloaf, ME
Located in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, Sugarloaf boasts the state's third-highest peak, making it one of the best ski areas in the U.S. for those looking to test their chops on skis or a snowboard. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, Sugarloaf also features an array of bike trails as well as several activity centers, including an Anti-Gravity Complex, which has a full gym, a skate park, a climbing wall and multiple giant trampolines. When it comes to skiable areas, Sugarloaf is the second-largest ski resort east of the Mississippi River.
Mount Snow, VT
Mount Snow is located in Vermont's Green Mountains. The resort is within a few hours' drive from major metropolitan hubs, including Boston, Albany, Hartford and New York City. It has multiple slopes with varying difficulties that are suitable for everyone, from beginner skiers and snowboarders to experts looking for a challenging black diamond to conquer. Check Mount Snow's mountain cams before hitting the slopes to make sure the conditions are ideal.
Hunter Mountain, NY
Hunter Mountain is known as the Great Northern Catskills' premier ski resort. Located just 2 hours north of New York City, it sits at a base elevation of about 1,600 feet, and its summit climbs to a towering 3,200 feet. When it comes to east coast ski resorts, this is one of the best thanks to its variety of activity offerings. In addition to skiing and snowboarding, you can visit Hunter Mountain in the wintertime for tubing, or year-round for other activities, including mountain biking, hiking, ziplining and off-roading. The resort also offers scenic sky rides, which give you the opportunity to take in epic views of Vermont's Berkshire Mountains and New York's Catskills.
Palisades Tahoe Ski Resort, CA
If you're looking for California ski resorts, look no further than Palisades Tahoe, previously known as Squaw Valley. Your ticket gets you access to skiing and snowboarding at Palisades Tahoe and Alpine Meadows, which isn't far away. Before your visit, check the webcams to see what the weather and hill conditions are like, and consider booking a stay at the resort's Slopeside lodging.
