The Best North American Ski Resort Destinations
The Top Ski Resorts in North America
Even though we are closing in on March, there is still time to ski. Most major resorts make their own snow so that isn’t a problem. In fact, travelers are likely to find some great deals on a ski vacation with spring approaching. In search of a bit of inspiration? Here are nine great ski resorts to hit the slopes in North America.
Lake Placid, New York
Lake Placid has hosted two Olympics. Granted, the small upstate New York town hasn’t hosted one in more than 40 years. But it’s still pretty cool to say you skied down an Olympic mountain.
Mount Washington, New Hampshire
Yes, believe it or not, there is skiing in the east and this New Hampshire destination is truly a hidden gem. Mount Washington is the tallest peak on the East Coast so it’s no surprise that lots of people love to come here and ski.
Mount Snow, Vermont
This is a perfect winter vacation for easterners. This little section of upper Vermont is beautiful and idyllic. The Von Trapp family home and lodge are nearby – yes, those Von Trapps. This is not a Bunny Hill. This is a competitive and challenging mountain in a beautiful spot.
Mammoth, California
Where else but California can you ski in the morning or early, and be in the ocean later that day? That’s one of the beauties of Mammoth. It’s also one of the misconceptions about Mammoth. This is a difficult course to master. Mammoth has a course rating of 67, which is above average. In fact, it would take days to cover the entire mountain if you wanted to ski the whole thing.
Palisades Tahoe, California
Located in the revered Squaw Valley area, this is a 74-year-old resort and maybe the best in the Reno-Tahoe area. But you don’t want to come here inexperienced. This resort is rated as one of the most difficult in the country. It is not a place to turn the kids loose, or yourself, for that matter.
Vail, Colorado
Vail is where the rich and famous come to ski. Although it might have been overtaken by other resorts in Colorado and in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, in terms of popularity, this massive ski resort in the White River National Forest can’t be beaten.
Deer Valley, Utah
The one drawback about Deer Valley is that it doesn’t offer snow tubing. Or maybe that’s a positive in the eyes of some skiers. If you never thought about going to Utah before, this is a good reason. Consistently ranked as one of the best resorts in the country, Deer Valley is a skier’s paradise. It boasts an average of 300 inches of fresh snow a year.
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge has quickly shot up in Colorado’s ski resort rankings. This is an alpine ski resort that gets progressively more crowded as the day goes along so be sure to rise early. Not surprisingly, it is owned by Vail Resorts and is meticulously kept.
Telluride, Colorado
There’s a reason why people flock to Telluride. The resort is expensive but it has nearly 150 trails to choose from on a daily basis. There is something for every level of skier and the beautiful downtown area rivals Aspen to the northeast.