To help you plan your next winter getaway, we’ve found North America’s top spots for skiing and snowboarding.
To find the best, we invited a panel of experts to nominate their favorite ski resorts, ski hotels, ski towns, on-mountain restaurants, and après-ski bars, as well as places for cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing. Then, readers voted for their favorites to determine the winners.
Click on each category below to see the full winners list:
Best Apres-Ski Bar: The Foggy Goggle at Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Seven Springs, Pennsylvania
Ski all day and party at night at The Foggy Goggle at Seven Springs Mountain Resort — Photo courtesy of Seven Springs
At Seven Springs Mountain Resort, The Foggy Goggle is the hot après-ski hangout located at the base of the slopes. With a number of entertainment stages and a spacious outdoor deck, it’s also known for its spirited nightlife.
Full list of winners: Best Apres-Ski Bar »
Best Cross-Country Ski Resort: Minocqua Winter Park in Minocqua, Wisconsin
Enjoy a variety of trails at Minocqua Winter Park — Photo courtesy of Erin Blow – Minocqua Winter Park
Not to be confused with the Colorado downhill ski area of the same name, Wisconsin’s Winter Park is located in the state’s Northwoods region and has 90 km of PistenBully-groomed trails traversing the region’s glacier-carved terrain. A good variety of beginner, intermediate, and advanced trails includes 12 km that are groomed for classic Nordic skiing and 2 km of lighted trails.
Full list of winners: Best Cross-Country Ski Resort »
Best Place for Snow Tubing: Camelback Resort in Tannersville, Pennsylvania
Make your way to Camelback Resort for the ultimate snow tubing — Photo courtesy of Camelback Resort
With 2-hour sessions and over 40 lanes to choose from, there’s never a dull moment when snow tubing at Camelback Resort in the Poconos. Guests can line up side by side to race against family or friends, and things get totally “tubular” at night with a lit Galactic snow tubing experience.
Full list of winners: Best Place for Snow Tubing »
Best Place for Snowboarding: Bald Mountain Ski Area in Pierce, Idaho
Take your snowboarding to the next level at Bald Mountain Ski Area — Photo courtesy of Gary Peterson for Ski Idaho
Bald Mountain Ski Area isn’t about making long runs or tackling challenging terrain. With just a 648-foot vertical drop and 140 acres of boardable terrain, this small Idaho ski area rather shines as a place to perfect your skills, hang with friends, and work on tricks on every inch of trail.
Full list of winners: Best Place for Snowboarding »
Best Ski Hotel: Viceroy Snowmass in Snowmass Village, Colorado
Viceroy Snowmass wins Best Ski Hotel for fourth year in a row — Photo courtesy of Viceroy Snowmass
The Viceroy Snowmass, situated near downtown Aspen in the heart of Snowmass Village, offers ski-in/ski-out luxury lodging with amenities like a heated pool, spa pools, three on-site restaurants, a full-service spa, a fitness center, and free shared transportation to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport.
In-room offerings like pillow-top mattresses, gas fireplaces, and soaking tubs set the scene for a perfect winter vacation.
Full list of winners: Best Ski Hotel »
Best Ski Resort: Mount Bohemia in Lac La Belle, Michigan
Enjoy ungroomed skiing at Mount Bohemia — Photo courtesy of Joey Wallis / Mount Bohemia
Powder skiing in the Midwest? That’s the promise from Mount Bohemia, where lake effect snow in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula averages 273 inches a season and tends toward the light, fluffy stuff that skiers further west adore.
In addition to having the longest runs and most vertical drop of any ski area in the Midwest, Mount Bohemia features open runs, glades, and chutes — all with natural conditions since the resort doesn’t groom any of its trails.
Full list of winners: Best Ski Resort »
Best Ski Restaurant: The Reserve in Tamarack, Idaho
The Reserve is the perfect spot to cozy up for a delicious meal — Photo courtesy of Sherri Harkin/Tamarack Resort
The Reserve, a bar and restaurant, feels both upscale and casual at the same time. It’s situated at the center of the village at Tamarack Resort and serves up a fantastic dinner menu, small bites, and an expansive selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. Guests can also enjoy an impressive brunch on weekends.
Full list of winners: Best Ski Restaurant »
Best Ski School: Telus Winter Sports School at Kimberley Alpine in Kimberley, British Columbia
An array of lessons are available at Telus Winter Sports School at Kimberley Alpine — Photo courtesy of Resorts of the Canadian Rockies Inc.
In addition to ski and snowboard classes for children and adults, the Telus Winter Sports School at Kimberley Alpine Resort also offers a First Tracks guided tour, which includes early access up the mountain with a ski pro guide. From half-day to multi-week programs, Telus’ lineup ranges from private to group to family lessons.
Full list of winners: Best Ski School »
Best Ski Town: Red River, New Mexico
When you’re not skiing, there’s still plenty to see and do in Red River, New Mexico — Photo courtesy of Town of Red River
With a population of well under 1,000 people and direct access to the Red River Ski Area and the surrounding Carson National Forest, this small town in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico is the kind of low-key destination that old-school skiers dream about.
The 67 ski trails and snow tubing park at Red River Ski Area provide plenty of on-the-snow fun, and the town of Red River has a surprisingly robust array of hotels, dining, and drinking options from steakhouses and bistros to breweries, as well as multiple venues for live music.
Full list of winners: Best Ski Town »
Congratulations to all these winners! Remember to visit 10best.usatoday.com daily to vote in our other Readers’ Choice Awards contests.
