You might be surprised how many ski resorts there are in the US. It turns out, there are quite a few, and they are quite spread out. The US Ski Association keeps track of the number of ski resorts open in each state, as well as the number of ski trails and skiers enrolled in ski school. We’ve compiled a list of the top ten US ski resorts, based on the combined total of snowfall and terrain variation in 2017. Keep reading for more information on each resort.
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Zoi Sadowski-Synnott
The first-ever Skiing Instagrammers’ Olympic Gold Medalist and multiple-time medalist Zoi Sadowski-Synnott grew up in Pennsylvania and still lives there with her family. Since 2016, Zoi has been competing in the Winter Olympics as an independent athlete. She won a gold medal in the team event and a silver in the individual event! Zoi is currently the only athlete to have qualified for all four summer and winter Olympics games. She also won a gold medal in the 2018 Winter Olympics in the team pursuit. Currently, Zoi is one of the best in the world at what she does, and it shows in her Instagram. In fact, the 24-year-old is also the founder of the Zoi Sadowski-Synnott Foundation, which supports children with life-threatening illnesses. Even if you’ve never heard of Zoi Sadowski-Synnott, you probably know what kind of impact she’s had on the sport of skiing. She’s made a difference, and she continues to make a difference every day by teaching others how to ski and by competing at such a high level.
Breckenridge
Located in Colorado, Breckenridge is the largest ski resort in the US. The resort features a vertical drop of 2,395 feet and a gondola that provides breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Today, Breckenridge is one of the top ten most visited resorts globally (based on 2016 data), and it’s not hard to see why. As the first major resort to open in the US after the 2008/2009 recession, Breckenridge has set the bar high for others to follow. In fact, many of the other smaller resorts in the US now consider themselves to be a โmini-Breckenridge’.
Jackson Hole
This mountain resort in Wyoming was originally founded in 1899, making it one of the oldest ski resorts in the US. Today, Jackson Hole is a traditional skiing destination known for its chairlift that gives you access to the entire mountain. The top of the lift provides exceptional views of the Tetons and Grand Teton. Although Jackson Hole is one of the smaller resorts in the US, it has a great variety of runs โ more than 170 trails, according to the resort’s website. There are also some great eateries, bars, and nightlife venues in Jackson Hole that help make the resort a bit more social. The Jackson Hole Ski Resort also hosts popular fishing competitions throughout the year.
Killington
Killington is another one of the smaller resorts in the US, but it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular. Located in the beautiful New England state of Vermont, Killington features the highest elevation ski run in North America โ a whopping 4,343 feet! That’s over a third of a mile of verticle elevation gain and loss. It’s an incredibly popular destination with skiers from all over the world because of this unique feature. In fact, Killington’s 4,343-foot Run of Doom was originally designed for the Olympics, back in 1924! These days, the resort also features a snowboard park and a half-pipe for snowboarders. The snow is really good there this year, so make sure to check it out.
Taos
Taos is one of the newer resorts in the US, having first opened its doors in 1962. It is owned by Kraft Sports Group and is home to the only โsupertrail’ in the US โ the Taos Pueblo Supertrail. This trail is 6.8 miles long and connects the village of Taos with the Taos Ski Valley. The trail features 26 turns, and it’s not uncommon for it to be nicknamed โthe 26th turning.’ The trail is open all year round and features some amazing views of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. One of the advantages of this trail is that it’s open to everyone, regardless of their ability. This allows for more people to enjoy the exhilarating experience of skiing. With more than 20 trails and a snow park with a large freeride area, Taos is a fantastic resort for all ages. Plus, there are more than 30 cafes and restaurants to choose from, so the options of where to eat and drink are endless. Don’t forget, if you’re looking for panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains, you can’t miss out on this opportunity!
Stowe
In Vermont, you’ll find the largest ski resort in the state โ Stowe. This resort features some great dining options, as well as an ice cream parlor that doubles as a coffee shop! The mountain’s centerpiece is its grand hotel, The Stowe Recreation Hall. In fact, guests can eat, drink, and play games at the same location, making it a one-stop-shop for all things related to winter sports. The top of the hotel’s ski tower provides exceptional views of the surrounding peaks and is a great place for photographers looking to capture some great memories. The resort also features miles of trails and a snow park. While Stowe is mainly visited by Vermonters, it also draws visitors from all over New England and even farther regions. In 2018, Stowe was ranked 15th on the top 100 destinations for solo travellers, and it’s not hard to see why. With its picturesque mountain scenery, the soothing sound of trickling streams, and the adventure of skiing, it doesn’t get any better than this!
Liftopia
This is one of the newer resorts in the US, having first opened its doors in 2015. Liftopia is located in the beautiful Washington state, and one of its distinguishing features is its large indoor-outdoor pool, which is open during the summer months. This unique feature provides the resort with a rare combination of temperate rainforest and mountain environments. In 2018, Liftopia was rated the 19th-safest resort in the US and Canada and the seventh-safest in North America based on a scale from 1 to 10 (10 being the most dangerous). It also features some of the best intermediate trails in the country. For beginner skiers/snowboarders, there is the Supertrail, which is 3.8 miles long and features 26 turns. For advanced skiers/snowboarders, there is the Homeward Bound trail, which is 7.9 miles long and connects the village of Liftopia with the Chateau Ste. Michelle vineyards. This is a real treat for wine enthusiasts, and you should definitely try some of their products if you visit the area. The only downside to this resort is that it doesn’t offer any real nightlife options. Aside from the occasional club party at the hotel, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something to do after dark. If you’re looking for a resort with more of a bar scene, you might want to check out some of the other places on this list.
Wolf Creek
In the southeastern part of the US, you’ll find yet another excellent ski resort, Wolf Creek. This resort first opened its doors in the 70s and was purchased by the Arbortown Ski Company in 2016. Arbortown owns a number of smaller resorts across the country and combines them into one mega-resort. One of the distinguishing features of this particular resort is the Wolf Creek Bar, which is in the middle of the village. This bar provides views of the surrounding peaks and is a great place to catch some snowballs or make some new friends. The entire village, bar included, is named after the famous Iditarod Trail, which runs through the area.
North Bonnette
Located in the French Alps, this resort offers some truly unique views. Its chief attraction is the Glacier Express, a train that runs from France to Switzerland and stops in several resorts, including North Bonnette. Passengers get off the train and are able to access the glaciers for a closer look at the big picture. In addition to the glacier trip, the resort also features some breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding Alps and a chairlift that takes you to the top of the mountain for more fabulous views. There is also a snow park, featuring a giant snowflake, as well as a number of ski trails. Plus, there are various accommodation options, including hotels, apartments, and guesthouses. This makes it an all-around great option for anyone who’s looking for a relaxing vacation during the winter.