Ancient lifts and lackluster resiliency measures hold back a staple of the northern Vermont skiing scene.

This New Jersey ski area offers standout freestyle terrain and easy access from New York City, but it’s a really tough sell versus snowier, less-commercialized resorts further north.

This compact Lake Tahoe area ski area offers reliable snow and one of the region’s best terrain park setups, but a decidedly short vertical drop and high peak ticket prices make it a tougher sell next to its larger neighbors.

Reached by one of the world’s longest gondolas, this Idaho panhandle resort pairs uncrowded slopes with an easy-to-access base village. But outdated infrastructure and reliability issues make for an imperfect experience.

This under-the-radar Idaho resort offers excellent snow, fast frontside lifts, and standout glades, but a remote location, modest size, and limited facilities make it a tougher sell as a destination.

This Eastern Sierra mountain has great views and free child lift tickets. But at least on paper, it struggles to stand out against the better-known destinations in other ways.

With an old-school feel and quieter atmosphere compared to nearby Aspen, Sunlight presents itself as a Colorado alternative for those looking to escape the destination crowds.

While not quite up to the standard of top destination resorts, this Idaho mountain’s proximity to Boise, cheap tickets, modern amenities, and long hours make it possibly the best hometown mountain in the country.

Despite having one of the most volatile histories in American destination skiing, this Idaho resort now offers a compelling footprint for skiers and riders of different abilities.

While this Eastern Township Quebec ski area becomes a legitimate expert’s playground when conditions allow, its small size and variable conditions hurt its overall appeal.