With so many mountain ski resort areas in the U.S. and Western Canada, how do you choose the one that’s right for you? Consider this: You have several opportunities each ski season to sample one or more of them. And, your needs may change over time, so while you may be looking for a ski mountain resort for the family at one point, maybe it’s expert skiing you’re after another, or spring skiing, or a place for perfecting your skiing skills.
Photo Credit: Tony Wan Kenobi
Choices for Best Beginner Ski Mountain Resort
Just starting out on the slopes or need lessons? Here are the top ski mountain resort choices for beginners:
- British Columbia: Whistler-Blackcomb
- California: Northstar-at-Tahoe
- Colorado: Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Winter Park
- Maine: Sunday River
- Oregon: Timberline
- Utah: Deer Valley Ski Resort, Park City Ski Resort
Top Family Ski Mountain Resorts
For family fun, check out these ski mountain resorts:
- British Columbia: Apex Mountain
- California: Northstar-at-Tahoe
- Colorado: Copper Mountain, Snowmass, Steamboat, Winter Park
- Maine: Sugarloaf
- New Hampshire: Bretton Woods Ski Resort
- Vermont: Okemo, Smuggler’s Notch
Choices for Best Intermediate Ski Mountain Resort
Looking for the blue runs on your way toward double black? Here are the best of the best intermediate ski mountain resorts:
- California: Heavenly Lake Tahoe, Northstar-at-Tahoe
- Colorado: Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Steamboat, Telluride, Vail
- Maine: Sunday River
- Utah: Deer Valley
- Vermont: Killington
Top Expert Ski Mountain Resort Picks
Eager for the thrills of near-vertical runs in above treeline bowls, beyond double-black and super big air? Here are the best-of-the-best expert ski mountain resorts:
- British Columbia: Whistler-Blackcomb
- California: Mammoth Mountain, Squaw Valley
- Colorado: Arapahoe Basin, Aspen Highlands
- Montana: Big Sky
- New Mexico: Taos
- New York: Lake Placid/Whiteface
- Utah: Alta
- Wyoming: Jackson Hole
And no matter which resort you end up in, you're going to need a nice and cozy place to rest your head each night. Consider a vacation rental over a hotel. Rentals pack in more value, dollar for dollar and they're spacious enough for the entire family!
