Winter is upon us and that means winter sports are in full swing! I’ve been skiing since I was 11 and since we started dating, I made sure to drag Rick out to the slopes too to see what it’s all about. We’re so lucky to call Colorado home and have access to some of the US’s best ski resorts within just a few hours, but we know there are plenty of other fantastic ski destinations beyond our state’s border. If you’re asking yourself where to ski in the US this winter, check out our top picks below!
Best skiing destinations in the US
Breckenridge, CO
For great terrain and a great mountain town atmosphere, you have to hit up Breck. Breck’s ski resort is also home to the highest lift in North America, taking you up over 12,000 ft., when you ride the Imperial Express. With almost 3,000 acres of terrain, you’re sure to find a trail suited to your ability level.
A great benefit of skiing Breck is that you’re near the mountain, but the town has a wide variety of lodging options, whether you’re skiing on a budget or looking for something a bit more luxurious. Local are pretty chill and there are some funky bars, saloon,s and restaurants to check out when you’ve changed out of your skiing boots.
A con against Breck is that it can get really freaking cold and windy, making for some crusty snow, and really freaking crowded. But, there’s a reason it’s so popular, so if you’re find with sharing the lifts and the mountains, Breck is a number one ski destination in Colorado you need to check out.
Vail, CO
Spending a bit more on your US ski vacation? Then you may want to head to Vail, the largest ski area in Colorado! WIth its charming village, amazing apres ski spots, and fun activities off the slopes, it’s a great choice. One of the more luxury and designer ski resorts in Colorado, Vail has fantastic runs and exceptional grooming and spans more than 5,000 acres. With such a large resort, there’s tons of different trails for different ski levels, from the family-friendly greens to the back bowls.
A con against Vail is getting there. During the winter, if we get bad snow here in Colorado, the highways and passes shut down, meaning you might be spending some extra time in Vail if you need to fly out of Denver International Airport to go home.
Aspen, CO
Similar to Vail, Aspen is world-famous for its runs and charming setting. Aspen’s four ski areas include Snowmass, Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, and Buttermilk, and you can have one ticket to ride all four areas. The town also a shuttle system to make it easy to get to the area you want to ski that day, though all have awesome and groomed terrain. After riding some fresh powder, head into town to take advantage of the great apres ski options. Aspen is also similar to Vail in that it’s a bit more high-end, so not the ideal location if you’re skiing Colorado on a budget.
A con against Aspen is that it doesn’t have its own airport, like Vail does, so can be a bit of a hike to get to.
Telluride, CO
Am I biased as a Colorado citizen to have all these Colorado ski resorts on the list? Probably, but I can’t help it that Colorado is a skier’s dream destination and Telluride is no exception! At more than 2,000 acres with almost 150 trails, Telluride is a popular ski destination in Colorado. They’ve got an excellent variety of terrain and are known to get some great powder in the season – oh, and the Instagram-worthy views aren’t half bad either!
After riding the mountain, head into the town and enjoy the authentic Western vibe and setting. Head into a saloon or enjoy a dinner of Colorado favorites, like elk or bison, and get ready for another great day of riding.
A con against Telluride is that it’s a bit small with limited options for places to stay, or the places to stay raise rates for the ski season.
Park City, UT
Park City, home to the Sundance Film Festival, is also home to two great ski resorts: Deer Valley and Park City Mountain. Deer Valley is actually a ski-only resort with more than 2,000 skiable acres and incredible levels of snowfall each year. Park City Mountain welcomes both skiers and snowboarders and has good terrain and a variety of runs for every ability. If you’re coming with non-skiers or boarders, you can have some wintertime fun at the Utah Olympic Park
Park City is a cute town with plenty to do when it comes to off-the-mountain activities and dining. Check out the hip bars, dive bars, or upscale bars on Historic Main Street, and be sure to come hungry. The area also hosts a variety of concerts and live performances throughout the year.
A con against Park City is that lodging can add up quite quickly around here and with the Sundance Film Festival in January, you’ve got to book ahead, pay the price, and battle the daytime crowds on the mountain.
Lake Tahoe
With some ski resorts on the Nevada side and some on the California side, Lake Tahoe is one of the ultimate ski destinations in the United States! Here you’ll find Squaw Valley, Heavenly, Northstar, Kirkwood, among others. With so many resorts, you can easily find the right one for your ability and price point. The number of ski areas also opens the door to having access to other winter activities and tons of dining options. The surrounding scenery is a winter wonderland and makes for the perfect setting for your ski vacation.
A con against Lake Tahoe is that some of the resorts are a bit spaced out, so you kind of have to pick one and stick to it, and the room rates can go up in the winter, so it can get pricey pretty quickly. Your best bet is to book a vacation home with friends or family to split the cost.
Jackson Hole, WY
Up in Wyoming, you’ll find the awesome Jackson Hole for some epic skiing. Jackson Hole is best suited for intermediate and advanced skiers with tons of accessible backcountry terrain and lots of steep runs, there’s only a few runs that are kid-friendly or beginner-friendly. Teton Village is the place to go when you’re done skiing with good apres ski options. Though Jackson Hole gets tons of snow in the winter, it has positioned itself as a summer destination for those going to Yellowstone National Park, so there’s plenty of lodging and you can often find a good deal on your accommodations.
A con of Jackson Hole is also due to its excellent conditions it gets pretty crowded when the snow is good, which is quite often.
Where’s your favorite place to ski in the US? Tell us in the comments below or on Facebook!
