Skiing is one of the most popular winter sports in North America, and for good reason: the country is home to some of the best ski resorts in the world. Still, how many actually exist? Let’s take a look at the demographics of the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and discover how many ski resorts each one possesses.
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The U.S.
The biggest country in the world has a lot to offer when it comes to ski resorts. It is home to the largest ski resort, Mt. Snow; the greatest skiing city, Park City; and it also boasts some smaller, lesser-known resorts that are just as good as the big three. The U.S. is also where you’ll find the country’s best snowboarding scene and the Winter X-Games, so if you’re into that sort of thing, you can’t go wrong.
Mountain resorts in the U.S. really came into their own in the 1960s, when more people started going to the hills to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. Today, thanks to advancements in snowmaking technology, it’s possible to have skiing available anywhere at any time of the year. One of the biggest benefits of this is you don’t have to wait for the season to start — it’s possible to have skiing anytime you want it, just by making some snow.
Canada.
Though it is not the largest country in the world, it tends to get the short end of the stick when it comes to the number of its ski resorts. There are a total of 13 ski resorts in Canada, with the longest continuous ski run being the Snowflake ski run, which is 7.1km long. Also, the country gets a lot of snowfall, making it ideal for skiing. The landscape is also exceptionally beautiful, so you’ll feel like you travel to a different country when you’re there. Canadian ski resorts have also been growing in popularity over the past few years, and with good reason: the resorts are world-class and the country’s infrastructure is superb.
Mexico.
Finally, we come to Mexico, a country that is a mixture of the U.S. and Canada geographically, but whose cultural identity is uniquely its own. There are 10 ski resorts in Mexico, which are mainly located in the cooler, northern part of the country. Three of the resorts, for example, are situated in the majestic Mexican snow park, located in the state of Baja California. The largest city in Mexico that has a ski resort is Mexicali, where you’ll find the charmingly-named Cerro Island, which features an enchanting little village at its base and unforgettable panoramic views of the Valley of the Sun.
As you can see, the U.S., Canada, and Mexico each have their own unique culture and landscapes, which make for some stunning skiing. Even though the U.S. is home to some of the biggest resorts in the world, it is only fair to say that the smaller, independent ones should not be overlooked: they offer a different experience to the avid skier, and the freedom to explore the backcountry is a breathtaking feeling.
Of course, you have to be mindful of the weather wherever you go. Thankfully, the season is almost upon us, so you can enjoy the thrill of skiing without risking your health in extreme conditions. As you may have guessed, the best time for skiing is between October and April, though it is possible to have some fun in the summer as well. Of course, you may want to avoid the southern part of the U.S., as the temperatures there can be unbearable, especially in the summer. Still, if you really want to go skiing, the only advice we can give you is to make the most of it while you can.