*Last updated 5/22/2023

 

 

#1 – SNOWBIRD, UTAH

Snowbird has it all: steep terrain, snow and fun. And judging by the reports of traffic in the Cottonwood Canyons, it sounds like the secret is out.

As of 2022, you can still get discount passes at local ski shops, but those days might be over with Snowbird joining the Ikon pass. I reserve the right to bump them down if they get too expensive or crowded.

 

 

#2 – Alta, Utah

Alta is next to Snowbird in location and next to Snowbird on my list. Sorry snowboarders, you are not allowed at Alta. If I was a rider, I’d be annoyed, but I’m not so I’ll let it slide.

Alta has some great runs that require short hikes, which means that little bit of effort keeps them nice and fresh. The tow-rope/traverse at the bottom is probably the biggest negative as it is required to get back and forth from either side of the mountain.

 

 

#3 – Copper Mountain, Colorado

Copper Mountain mountain deserves respect. I rated it lower than some nearby resorts like Vail and Breck the first few times I skied it. However, Copper continually builds this place up and added lift access to Tucker Mountain.

Additionally, it is much more affordable than other nearby Vail resorts. They offer a popular “4 pack” for about $400 for 4 or 5 days (depending on when you purchase). The mountain is great for all abilities. Congratulations Copper, you are number 3.

 

 

#4 – Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Some of the most challenging terrain in the US is found at Jackson Hole. the best known is the venerated Corbet’s Couloir run. However, there are also Rendezvous Bowl and a lot of chutes to ski. The high prices and long lines (nearly an hour long for aerial tram) knock it down a few spots in my rankings.

 

 

#5 – Grand Targhee, Wyoming

There may be some recency bias as I just skied Grand Targhee last week. However, I fell in love with this place. They got dumped on and the powder was aplenty.

Also, compared to it’s Wyoming neighbor Jackson Hole, it is less crowded, less expensive, has nicer people and some equally challenging terrain. I can’t wait to go back.

 

 

#6 – Arapahoe Basin, Colorado

Arapahoe Basin has the nickname “The Legend” for good reason. There is great skiing and it is full of expert terrain. Some of the lifts are slow, but they are slowly updating the infrastructure. Just slow down and enjoy the beauty of this mountain.

A Basin is the opposite of a Vail mountain. Head down to the parking lot (affectionately known as “The Beach”) to tailgate and grill lunch from the lot.

 

 

#7 – Aspen Highlands, Colorado

I skied Aspen Highlands a long time ago. It snowed a ton, which always tends to gives me nostalgia. The hike up to Highland bowl is well worth it and opens up some of the most fun skiing I’ve ever experienced.

Unfortunately, it is a long drive from Denver to Aspen and it is expensive to fly into unless you are part of the rich and famous. I’m sure there are some cool people in Aspen, but there is a pretentious feeling that people there don’t want you on their playground.

 

 

#8 – Loveland, Colorado

I heart Loveland! It is hard to call this a “hidden gem” when people literally have to drive through it (the Eisenhower Tunnel runs through it on I-70) to get to most of the other Colorado resorts, but so it goes.

Loveland is along the continental divide, so it can get pretty bare and icy if they haven’t had any recent snow. But on a powder day it is as good as anywhere in my opinion. If you look around you can find bogo coupons so it makes it one of the better deals for skiing.

 

 

#9 – Palisades Tahoe, CAlifornia

Palisades Tahoe was formerly known as Squaw Valley. Regardless what you call it, this mountain has some great terrain, including the KT22 lift that is fun top to bottom.

The 1960 Winter Olympics were held at Squaw Valley and you can see the rings in the village.

 

 

#10 – Kirkwood, california

I really loved Kirkwood when I skied there in 2008. Since then, Vail purchased it. Has it gone downhill since then? I’m not sure, but part of me just wants to remember it for what it was, a great ski mountain.

 

 

#11 – Aspen Mountain, Colorado

Aspen Mountain, also known as “Ajax” is as well known for it’s posh town as it is the skiing. However, the skiing is legit. Just don’t be offended when the locals pretend you don’t exist. It’s not you, it’s them.

 

 

#12 – Powder Mountain, Utah

Powder Mountain is also known as “Pow Mow” by the locals. If you can get past driving to the parking lot, the skiing is fun. Just be aware that the elevation is lower than other Utah resorts, so spring skiing starts a little earlier.

 

 

#13 – Heavenly, California/Nevada

Heavenly is laid out a bit weird, it is difficult to get from one side of the mountain to the other, and there is a massive bottleneck to get down the gondola back into the town at the end of the day.

However, it is located on the California-Nevada border and the views of Lake Tahoe are simply amazing.

#14 – Steamboat, Colorado

Steamboat equals great skiing and a cute town. The mountain has a lot of ski-out rentals if that is what you are looking for.

 

#15 – Winter Park, Colorado

Winter Park is another place where we got a ton of snow, so that always brings back great memories. I’d like to get back and ski there sometime. Also, it is one of the closer resorts to Denver. Make sure to hit up the famous Mary Jane lift on a powder day.

 

#16 – Solitude, Utah

As the name suggests, Solitude is one of the few places that you feel like you have the mountain to yourself. It is not as big or as steep as Snowbird or Alta, but it is always good for a day while in the area.

 

#17 – Vail, Colorado

Vail used to be one of my favorite resorts. It is one of the larger resorts in the United States and it has some great terrain including the back bowls and Blue Sky Basin. However, single day lift passes are pushing $300, parking is expensive and it lifts can still get crowded. It makes me sad, but with their current pricing, I’m unlikely to ski there again.

 

#18 – Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge is a fun town with some great restaurants and some great skiing. But, as part of the Vail group, lift tickets have are now really expensive.

 

#19 – Beaver Creek, Colorado

Beaver Creek is another place I haven’t been to in a long time. I always choose to go to Vail since they are on the same pass. However, I’d like to try it again some 20 years later.

 

#20 – Brighton, Utah

Brighton is a fun little mountain best known for their terrain parks and night skiing. It is a bit smaller than some of the nearby Utah mountains. However, they do have some nice terrain if you look.

 

#21 – Keystone, Colorado

I mistakenly took a beginner skier to Keystone. There is only one green (Schoolmarm) on the mountain that traverses down the front and it can  get really busy. There is a gondola that connects the first two peaks. Also, the Outback has some good tree runs.

 

#22 – Aspen Snowmass, Colorado

The terrain did not thrill me the one time I went to Aspen Snowmass. However, it gets good family reviews. Also, there are people who hand out cookies in the lift line!

 

#23 – Snowbasin, Utah

Some of the nicest ski lodges I’ve ever seen are at Snowbasin! It also hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. There was very little off-piste skiing as most of the mountain was groomed.

 

 

ALSO CONSIDER VISITING THESE NEARBY AREAS

There are still some places I haven’t been so I can’t rank them. But, I’m hoping to get there sometime! That list includes Whistler, Revelstoke, Park City, Deer Valley, Canyons, Taos, Telluride, Crested Butte, Sun Valley, Mammoth Mountain and Big Sky.