Best
Peaks Overall
The rank-order of United States ski resorts we’ve been to based on overall mountain experience.
#1 in the United States
Jackson HoleTeton Village, WY
Teton Village, WY
MOUNTAIN SCORE
81
- Extremely demanding terrain
- Snow quality
- Crowd flow on non-tram lifts
- Breathtaking scenery
- Limited beginner and low intermediate terrain
This Teton resort lives up to its extremely demanding reputation. Beginners need not apply.
#2 in the United States
AltaAlta, UT
Alta, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
80
- Top-tier snow quality and accumulation
- Breathtaking mountain aesthetic
- Terrain diversity
- Local feel
- Lack of reasonably-priced lodging
- Ban on snowboarders
This Utah resort prohibits snowboarding and offers limited slopeside lodging, but it receives some of the best, most consistent snow anywhere in North America.
#3 in the United States
SnowbirdSnowbird, UT
Snowbird, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
79
- Top-tier snow quality and accumulation
- Diverse terrain, including extremely demanding expert runs
- Innovative mountain logistics
- Limited beginner and low intermediate terrain
- Limited on-site lodging
It’s hard to beat this Utah resort’s top-tier snow quality, innovative mountain logistics, and expert terrain.
#4 in the United States
SnowmassSnowmass Village, CO
Snowmass Village, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
79
- Striking, expansive footprint
- Diverse terrain for all abilities
- Considerable lift-serviced vertical drop
- Widespread on-mountain facilities
- High-speed lifts in most areas
- Lift logistics at the main base
- Most demanding expert lines hard to find
The largest resort in the Aspen conglomerate is one of the best in Colorado, delivering a well-rounded experience worthy of the asking price.
#5 in the United States
VailVail, CO
Vail, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
78
- Size
- Lift infrastructure
- Terrain diversity
- One-of-a-kind Back Bowl and Blue Sky Basin aesthetics
- Lack of truly extreme terrain
- Ease of navigation
With expansive, diverse terrain and modern lifts, this top-of-the-line resort competes well with the best in the country.
#6 in the United States
TellurideTelluride, CO
Telluride, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
77
- Diverse terrain for all ability levels
- Striking resort scenery
- Relatively low crowds
- Unique variety of lodging options
- Lower average snowfall than some other Colorado resorts
- Variable openings and long hikes required for some extreme terrain
- Slow lifts in some areas
Despite its modest size and reputation for extreme terrain, this beautiful, remote resort delivers an experience that can be enjoyed by everyone.
#7 in the United States
SnowbasinHuntsville, UT
Huntsville, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
76
- Top-of-the-line facilities
- Striking topography
- Diverse intermediate and advanced terrain
- Crowd flow
- No on-site lodging
- Long, slow lifts in some areas
- Less extreme terrain than some competitors
Despite a lack of on-site lodging, this Utah resort stays competitive thanks to diverse hills, striking peaks, and top-of-the-line facilities.
#8 in the United States
Beaver CreekBeaver Creek, CO
Beaver Creek, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
76
- Diverse below and near-treeline terrain
- Exceptional longevity of certain expert runs
- Modern lift infrastructure
- Thoughtfully-designed on-mountain facilities
- Price
- Lack of true above-treeline terrain
- Flagrantly moneyed atmosphere in some areas
Despite its family-centric reputation and lack of above-treeline terrain, Beaver Creek delivers an experience that visitors of all ability levels will enjoy. Just don’t expect anything to be cheap.
#9 in the United States
Big SkyBig Sky, MT
Big Sky, MT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
75
- Snow quality
- Size
- Diverse terrain for all ability levels
- Extremely demanding expert runs
- Breathtaking scenery in upper mountain areas
- Ease of navigation
- Slow or issue-prone lifts in some areas
- Crowd flow under stress-case conditions
- Inconvenient or impractical on-mountain facilities
- Limited or difficult extreme terrain access
- Tram access an extra-cost add-on
This massive resort offers one of the most well-rounded terrain experiences in North America, but a number of logistical problems persist.
#10 in the United States
AlyeskaGirdwook, AK
Girdwood, AK
MOUNTAIN SCORE
75
- High snowfall totals on average
- Exceptional hike-to terrain
- Beautiful views
- Snow totals can vary year to year
- Much more remote location than typical resorts
- Variable daylight hours
With world-class views, mettle-testing terrain, and staggering annual snow totals, the largest ski resort in the Last Frontier offers an experience that is fittingly surreal for the famously remote state.
#11 in the United States
Arapahoe BasinDillon, CO
Dillon, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
73
- Snow quality
- Extremely demanding expert terrain
- Lower crowds than other Colorado resorts
- Season regularly extends into June
- Hiking required for some trails
- No on-site lodging
- Slow lifts in some areas
- Altitude that can be overwhelming for some
While slow lifts and a lack of on-site lodging may turn some people away, this local favorite offers some of the most extreme terrain in Colorado.
#12 in the United States
MammothMammoth Lakes, CA
Mammoth Lakes, CA
MOUNTAIN SCORE
73
- Substantial footprint
- Diverse variety of terrain
- World-class terrain park setup
- Breathtaking rock-lined landscapes
- Phenomenal spring-skiing experience
- Variable weather patterns resulting in inconsistent conditions
- Poorly-designed on-mountain signage
- Lift chokepoints at some junctions
This massive resort offers a highly competitive experience only hours from Southern California, although variable weather patterns may not make it the best place to fly to.
#13 in the United States
BreckenridgeBreckenridge, CO
Breckenridge, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
73
- Terrain diversity
- Conveniently accessible high-alpine bowls
- Well-placed mountain facilities
- Top-notch terrain park experience
- Ease of navigation
- High wind exposure in some areas
- Altitude that can be overwhelming for some
This high-elevation resort offers diverse terrain, including conveniently accessible alpine bowls. However, the altitude and navigation logistics will be overwhelming for some.
#14 in the United States
CopperCopper, CO
Copper, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
73
- Excellent high-alpine terrain experience
- Natural insulation for skiers of different ability levels
- Relatively local feel
- Slow, difficult-to-load lifts outside base areas
- Altitude that can be overwhelming for some
- Lack of lodges in backside areas
This Colorado favorite offers very competitive terrain, but many lifts outside base areas are slow.
#15 in the United States
Aspen HighlandsAspen, CO
Aspen, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
72
- Snow quality
- Isolated feel
- Extensive selection of long, demanding expert terrain
- Iconic bowl skiing
- Modest footprint
- No beginner runs
- Scant single-black terrain
- Lack of lower-mountain lift redundancies
While modestly sized, this Aspen resort offers a surprisingly local feel and a diverse, demanding expert footprint.
#16 in the United States
KeystoneKeystone, CO
Keystone, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
72
- Solid mix of groomed, mogul, and tree terrain
- High-alpine bowl terrain for all ability levels
- Uniquely-designed footprint
- Night skiing
- Long travel time to and from furthest mountain areas
- Smaller lift-served footprint than many competitors
- Very limited true expert features
This Colorado resort offers unique, enjoyable slopes and finally boasts lift-serviced high-alpine bowls, but it still falls somewhat short in its lift-served footprint size and expert terrain.
#17 in the United States
Winter ParkWinter Park, CO
Winter Park, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
72
- Snow quality
- Wide variety of tree terrain
- Long, demanding mogul runs
- Available intermediate bowl terrain
- Expansive footprint
- Lack of easily accessible advanced and expert bowl terrain
- Crowd flow in some popular areas
Although it can get crowded, this conveniently located Colorado destination has a lot to offer for a wide variety of visitors.
#18 in the United States
Deer ValleyPark City, UT
Park City, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
72
- Outstanding guest services
- Top-tier mountain facilities and infrastructure
- Crowd-mitigating cap on ticket sales
- Built-up, artificial mountain aesthetic
- Less diverse terrain than other Utah resorts, especially for experts
- Inconvenient navigation experience
- Ban on snowboarders
While this ski-only Utah resort gets high marks for its top-tier hospitality, the overall mountain experience is unbecoming of its expensive ticket price.
#19 in the United States
Palisades TahoeOlympic Valley, CA
Olympic Valley, CA
MOUNTAIN SCORE
72
- Wide variety of demanding expert terrain
- Unique topography
- Lively base village
- Top-notch spring skiing experience
- Large overall footprint
- Wind exposure, especially on beginner and low-intermediate terrain
- Serious congestion issues in some areas
- Variable openings for lower-elevation expert terrain
- Impractical lift link between Palisades and Alpine sides
- Considerable access road traffic on weekends and holidays
Two of Tahoe’s best ski areas have now been linked as one continuous lift-served destination, but the resort still functions as two separate mountains in many ways.
#20 in the United States
Sun ValleyKetchum, ID
Ketchum, ID
MOUNTAIN SCORE
72
- World-class family-oriented terrain
- Stunning upper-mountain bowls
- Top-of-the-line facilities
- Lower crowds than other Rockies resorts
- Charming slopeside town
- Less reliable snowfall and conditions than other Rockies resorts
- Very little consistently open expert terrain
- No lodging directly on-site
This Idaho mountain offers a world-class terrain experience for families, but snow and conditions are not as consistent as at other Rockies resorts. Despite a recent terrain expansion, the mountain still isn’t ideal for experts.
#21 in the United States
Grand TargheeAlta, WY
Alta, WY
MOUNTAIN SCORE
71
- Excellent snow quality
- Incredible glade terrain
- Consistent conditions
- Limited crowds
- Local feel
- Modest footprint and vertical drop
- Perennially foggy conditions
- Limited expert terrain
This Wyoming resort isn’t the largest or craziest out there, but it offers incredible snow and a distinctive, remote vibe.
#22 in the United States
SteamboatSteamboat Springs, CO
Steamboat Springs, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
71
- Distinctive glade terrain
- Snow quality
- Sizable footprint
- Lively local town
- Less striking footprint than some competitors
- Underwhelming bowl terrain
- Ease of access to expert terrain
While it’s not the most striking ski resort in the world, standout tree terrain and significant recent lift and terrain improvements help this northern Colorado resort hold its own against the other destinations.
#23 in the United States
WhitefishWhitefish, MT
Whitefish, MT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
70
- Distinctive glade terrain
- Reasonable crowds
- Lively nearby town
- Available night skiing
- Value
- Perennial low-visibility conditions
- Modest vertical compared to other destinations
- Flat terrain in certain areas
- Occasional extreme cold spells
This northern Montana resort isn’t the biggest out there, but as far as independent ski resorts go, it’s hard to beat.
#24 in the United States
Crested ButteCrested Butte, CO
Crested Butte, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
70
- Extremely demanding expert terrain
- Iconic topography
- Isolated feel
- Natural insulation for skiers of different ability levels
- Reasonable ticket prices
- Modest, ordinary footprint for beginner-to-advanced visitors
- Lower snow totals than other Colorado resorts
- Hiking required for some expert trails
- Altitude that may be overwhelming for some
This striking Colorado resort is an expert’s paradise. Reasonable ticket prices counterbalance limited terrain offerings for other demographics.
#25 in the United States
Park CityPark City, UT
Park City, UT
MOUNTAIN SCORE
69
- Enormous footprint
- Terrain diversity
- World-class freestyle experience
- Severely frustrating navigation logistics
- Outdated lifts in some areas
- Lack of truly extreme terrain
This uniquely expansive resort offers diverse terrain and a world-class freestyle setup. Despite recent improvements, navigation logistics are still a major sore point.
#26 in the United States
SchweitzerSandpoint, ID
Sandpoint, ID
MOUNTAIN SCORE
69
- Standout off-piste near-treeline terrain
- Limited lift lines
- Local feel
- Value
- Frequent low-visibility conditions
- Occasional rain spells
- Extremely limited beginner terrain
- Convoluted backside lift setup
Despite its remote location and modest size, this Idaho panhandle resort offers a few solid advantages for destination-goers, especially during peak times.
#27 in the United States
Mount BachelorBend, OR
Bend, OR
MOUNTAIN SCORE
69
- One-of-a-kind 360-degree footprint
- Substantial acreage
- High-speed lift service across all areas
- Distinctive freestyle experience
- Easy to get between front-facing mountain areas
- Proximity to town of Bend
- Extremely inconsistent openings for upper mountain, backside, and expert terrain
- No on-site lodging
- Variable conditions across different mountain areas
- Arduous hikes or runouts from backside terrain
- So-so facilities
- Annual snow totals have decreased considerably in recent years
Inconsistent openings for its most unique terrain seriously hurt this massive Oregon resort’s practicality as a destination ski area.
#28 in the United States
HeavenlySouth Lake Tahoe, CA
South Lake Tahoe, CA
MOUNTAIN SCORE
69
- One-of-a-kind mountain aesthetic
- Diverse terrain, including an abundance of glades and intermediate groomers
- Ample mountain facilities
- Size
- Frustrating navigation logistics
- Long, painfully slow lifts in some areas
- Lackluster beginner terrain
- Difficult egress from some expert terrain
This Lake Tahoe area offers some of the most beautiful slopes we’ve seen anywhere. A few logistical problems diminish the resort’s size advantage.
#29 in the United States
KirkwoodKirkwood, CA
Kirkwood, CA
MOUNTAIN SCORE
68
- One-of-a-kind extreme terrain
- Local feel
- Breathtaking mountain aesthetic
- Low crowds
- Snow quality for Lake Tahoe
- Slow lifts in most areas
- Serious wind exposure that leads to regular wind holds
- Many resort areas inaccessible for beginners and intermediates
- Limited on-mountain facilities
- Subpar resort signage
This relatively undeveloped mountain isn’t for everyone, but its striking aesthetic, local feel, and extreme terrain are tough to match.
#30 in the United States
Aspen MountainAspen, CO
Aspen, CO
MOUNTAIN SCORE
68
- Stunning town views
- Enjoyable intermediate cruisers
- Demanding advanced and expert terrain
- Long vertical drop for the size