12 Best Ski Resorts in the U.S. (That Aren’t Aspen or Vail)

With plenty of high mountains, many of them in northern latitudes that get a lot of winter snow, the U.S. has a lot of great skiing. Everyone’s heard of Aspen and Vail in Colorado, but they’re overrun and ridiculously expensive.

So what are the other best ski resorts in the country? Let’s find out!

Alta, Utah

High in Little Cottonwood Canyon in Utah’s Wasatch Range, Alta doesn’t have much room to grow, so it maintains a small, local feel. It’s known for the high quality, consistency, and abundance of its snow. The lodging is neither abundant nor budget-friendly, but you can’t beat the skiing or the scenery here.

Snowbird, Utah

Also in Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird is just down the road from Alta and virtually contiguous to it. It has the same benefits and drawbacks of Alta with the added benefit of a lot of challenging terrain for expert skiers.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Famous for its challenging terrain and excellent snow quality, Jackson Hole has some of the best skiing in the country in the shadow of some of the most beautiful and famous mountains on the planet. That challenging terrain is its one major downside, though– if you’re a beginner or on the lower end of intermediate skill level, that is.

Telluride, Colorado

Someone once described Telluride as “Aspen as it used to be, Vail as it never was.” Tucked into a narrow, dead-end canyon, Telluride gets plenty busy but manages not to feel overrun or inauthentic. And it has runs for people of all skill levels.

Snowbasin, Utah

Located on the western side of the Wasatch near Huntsville, Snowbasin gets plenty of the high-quality snow this range is famous for. Some see its lack of on-site lodging as a major downside, but others see it as a huge draw since it keeps the crowds down to mostly people who are actually there to ski.

Beaver Creek, Colorado

Because it lacks above-treeline terrain, Beaver Creek isn’t as visually spectacular as many other Colorado ski resorts are, but it’s family-friendly and has something for all ability levels. The knock on it fir some is that it’s extremely expensive, even for a Colorado ski resort.

Sugarloaf, Maine

With all the big mountains out West, it’s easy to miss that there’s some excellent skiing in the East, too. Maine gets a lot of snow, and Sugarloaf is in a beautiful setting that also has an isolated feel that appeals to people who don’t like the really crowded resorts.

Sun Valley, Idaho

With runs on two mountains, there’s a lot of ground to ski here. Visitors love the lodge and village here, and Ketchum is a short drive away if you need other services. The entire area has a remote feel that’s an essential part of the experience.

Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico

Taos has some of the steepest skiing you can find, so it has strong appeal to adrenaline-rush seekers. The entire Taos area is also rich in Southwestern and Native American culture and famous for its vibrant arts scene.

Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont

Ample snowfall, varied terrain that has something for all skill levels, and a family-friendly atmosphere are big draws at this resort. Another plus is that this resort is locally owned and operated, with the owners heavily involved in supporting the community.

Holiday Valley, New York

The “mountain” here in western New York only has 750’ of vertical rise, but don’t let that make you think you should skip this one. Despite the small size, there’s an amazing variety of terrain here, and the locals are genuinely friendly. The dining is great as well.

Whitefish Mountain, Montana

In northern Montana close to the Canadian border, Whitefish isn’t a big name to most people. That’s just fine with those who love this area for its small crowds and authentically friendly locals. More and more people are noticing, though, so get out and enjoy Whitefish as it is now.