Photo courtesy of Kruck20 // Getty Images
Ski areas all across the United States and Canada have opened for their 2022-2023 season. We wanted to find the best ski resorts in North America, so we asked a panel of ski experts to nominate their favorites – mountains that offer serious snowfall, varied terrain, lots of lift access and so much more – and asked our readers to vote for the top 10. These are the 10 best ski resorts across North America.
Photo courtesy of Hillary Maybery
No. 10: Sun Valley Resort – Sun Valley, Idaho
If you love bluebird days and nonexistent lift lines, you’ll love America’s oldest ski resort. Sun Valley Resort was the first in the world to open a chairlift – way back in 1936 – and today, the resort operates 18 lifts servicing 2,154 skiable acres, 121 total runs and a 22-foot super pipe. Over a third of the terrain caters to beginners, yet expert skiers and riders will find plenty of challenging runs on Bald Mountain.
Photo courtesy of iStock / DonLand
No. 9: Stowe Mountain Resort – Stowe, Vermont
Divided over two mountains, Stowe Mountain Resort offers East Coast residents and visitors 116 named trails spread out over 485 acres of terrain, much of it geared toward intermediate and advanced skiers. Six terrain parks keep freestylers happy, while four interconnected Nordic areas attract cross-country skiers from around the globe.
Photo courtesy of Royce Sihlis
No. 8: Revelstoke Mountain Resort – Revelstoke, British Columbia
With North America’s greatest vertical – 5,620 feet – Revelstoke Mountain Resort offers 3,121 skiable acres, in addition to cat skiing and heli skiing, making it one of Canada’s best ski spots. Combine that with the area’s big powder dumps, and you have a giant playground worthy of any powder hound’s bucket list. With 93% of the terrain rated for intermediate and advanced skiers and riders, this is certainly a resort for adrenaline junkies.
Photo courtesy of Copper Mountain
No. 7: Copper Mountain Ski Resort – Copper Mountain, Colorado
Copper Mountain offers 140 trails serviced by 23 lifts covering 2,490 acres of skiable terrain. The parks and pipes at Copper Mountain put their focus on progression, allowing newbie freestylers to move from easy features to larger, more difficult ones. March is typically the snowiest month – perfect for some spring skiing.
Photo courtesy of Deer Valley Resort
No. 6: Deer Valley Resort – Park City, Utah
Deer Valley Ski Resort is the place to visit for ski lovers and those seeking winter adventure. Over 2,000 acres of terrain is spread across six mountains, and activities like sleigh rides, dog sledding and fly fishing make it all the more fun! Skiers will find everything they need to take on the day, including lodging, lessons and rentals.
Photo courtesy of Lake Louise Ski Resort
No. 5: Lake Louise Ski Resort – Lake Louise, Alberta
One of the biggest ski resorts in the Canadian Rockies boasts 4,200 acres of skiable terrain, 145 marked runs and back bowls, 11 lifts (including one gondola) and a 3,250-foot vertical drop. The vast and varied terrain is all easily accessible, with runs for all levels from every chair.
Photo courtesy of John J Webster Photography
No. 4: Brundage Mountain Ski Resort – McCall, Idaho
This independently-owned resort in Central Idaho gets more than 320 inches of snow at its base each year. That means skiers and snowboarders enjoy powdery glades and wide groomed runs along 68 named trails spanning 1,921 lift-accessible acres. An additional 18,000 acres of backcountry terrain is accessible via the resort’s guided Snowcat Adventures.
Photo courtesy of Joey Wallis / Mount Bohemia
No. 3: Mount Bohemia – Lac La Belle, Michigan
Michigan might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of skiing, but Mount Bohemia is a hidden gem for extreme mountain sports. Located on the Upper Peninsula, this resort features some of the longest runs, highest verticals and deepest powder in the Midwest, with 273 inches of average annual snowfall.
Photo courtesy of Winter Park Resort
No. 2: Winter Park Resort – Winter Park, Colorado
The 3,081 acres of terrain at Winter Park is divided into seven distinct territories – glade skiing in Eagle Wind Territory, bowls in Parsenn Bowl, jumps and jibs in Terrain Park Territory, steeps and deeps in Cirque, the bumps of Mary Jane, black diamonds of Winter Park and the powder stashes of Vasquez Ridge. Skiers and riders have 166 named trails to choose from, accessed by 23 lifts.
Photo courtesy of Banff Sunshine Village
No. 1: Sunshine Village – Banff, Alberta
Skiers and snowboarders at Sunshine Village in Banff are treated to Canada’s only heated chairlift. The resort’s three mountains – Goat’s Eye, Lookout and Mount Standish – offer more than 3,500 acres of skiable terrain.
The Experts
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased… Read More
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor… Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of… Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and deals for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and deals for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Laura Sutherland
Laura Sutherland is a veteran travel writer who… Read More
Laura Sutherland is a veteran travel writer who specializes in culinary, craft beer, wine, ski, and family travel. She’s the author of six travel guidebooks, including “The Best Family Ski Vacations in North America.” Her articles have appeared in publications like Real Simple, Taste and Travel International, Parents, Family Fun, Writer’s Digest, The Dallas Morning News, and Miami Herald. An avid skier since the age of four when she strapped on a pair of wooden skis at Yosemite’s Badger Pass, she’s since explored dozens of snow sports resorts through the United States, Canada and Europe.
Laura Sutherland
Laura Sutherland is a veteran travel writer who specializes in culinary, craft beer, wine, ski, and family travel. She’s the author of six travel guidebooks, including “The Best Family Ski Vacations in North America.” Her articles have appeared in publications like Real Simple, Taste and Travel International, Parents, Family Fun, Writer’s Digest, The Dallas Morning News, and Miami Herald. An avid skier since the age of four when she strapped on a pair of wooden skis at Yosemite’s Badger Pass, she’s since explored dozens of snow sports resorts through the United States, Canada and Europe.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in… Read More
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Colorado focused on skiing and outdoor adventure. In addition to producing her award-winning website, braveskimom.com, Lummis writes for FIS (International Ski Federation), Liftopia and several regional Colorado magazines.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Colorado focused on skiing and outdoor adventure. In addition to producing her award-winning website, braveskimom.com, Lummis writes for FIS (International Ski Federation), Liftopia and several regional Colorado magazines.
