When it comes to ski resort options in the US, there are no lack of choices. It can be difficult to narrow down which resorts should be on the top of your list. Most skiers will agree that the skiing and snow conditions are the most important factors when planning a ski vacation. The ski villages at the base of the mountains are also important when it comes to deciding on a destination. The après-ski opportunities, atmosphere, and accommodation options have all been taken into consideration when compiling this list. With the help of ski lovers, like ourselves, we put together a list of 10 notable ski resorts in the US.
10 Notable Ski Resorts in the US
Breckenridge Ski Resort, Colorado
No US ski resort list would be complete without Breckenridge Ski Resort in Colorado.
Breckenridge Ski Resort is an alpine ski resort in the western United States. Just west of the Continental Divide, it’s one of the most visited ski resorts in the western hemisphere.
You can’t go wrong taking a Breckenridge ski vacation, especially if you stay on-site and utilize the amazing ski in/ski out properties.
The main street in Breckenridge is not only adorable, but it’s also very walkable and has lovely shops and restaurants. There are play areas and museums for the kids and plenty of choices for the adults.
One of our favorite activities at Breckenridge, other than skiing, is riding 2,500 feet down the mountain on the Gold Runner Coaster.
Breckenridge, or at least within driving distance, also has snowmobile rentals, carriage rides, historic tours, gondola rides, snowcat tours, snowshoeing, indoor and outdoor ice skating, ski and snowborading lessons, and much more.
Whitefish Mountain Resort, Montana
Via visitmt.com
Whitefish Mountain Resort is a wonderful winter destination, especially for those who love winter sports.
Skiing, both during the day and at night, is the first attraction that comes to mind, but if you’re looking to step it up a notch, there’s always the World “Skijoring” Championship held every January, where brave skiers are towed through an obstacle course by a horse.
If that sounds more terrifying than fun, you can go snowshoeing in nearby Glacier National Park. Additionally, there are Nordic ski trails set around the golf course in town.
The free S.N.O.W Bus runs daily in the winter, making it easy to take advantage of everything the resort and town has to offer without having to worry about driving.
Mammoth Mountain, California
Mammoth Mountain Ski Resort is majestic in a way that I didn’t even know possible. The name speaks to the size of the mountains, the expanse of the valleys, and the endless opportunities for adventure. Regardless if you’re traveling with your family, your partner, or on your own, Mammoth will rock your winter world.
The area is beautiful all year round, but in the winter, it takes on the most remarkable beauty. Majestic mountains and evergreen forests surround the town, and the landscape looks like a winter wonderland.
Apart from traditional skiing, you can snowboard, snowmobile, snowshoe, and cross-country ski. You can ride a snowcat, ice skate, snow tube, build a snowman, and have a snowball fight all at Mammoth Lakes. If you just want to take the gondola to the top of the mountain for hot chocolate and to take in the magnificent views, that’s great too!
Aspen Snowmass, Colorado
Snowmass is a ski resort located in the Town of Snowmass Village near Aspen, Colorado. Snowmass is the largest of the four Aspen Snowmass mountains, comprising 3,362 acres. But it isn’t just about the size or the slopes at Aspen Snowmass. It’s about the people, the welcoming vibe, and the picturesque village that makes you feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie.
Snowmass is covered with perfect Colorado powder, and it offers slopes for all levels from serene to extreme. Twenty lifts deliver you to more than 3,300 acres of trails, terrain parks and pipes, on-mountain dining and accommodations, and picturesque views.
From the moment you arrive at Aspen Snowmass, you’ll feel the warmth of the people. I challenge you to find one employee that doesn’t greet you with a smile and a warm greeting. No other mountain offers the same level of “down home” feel that you’ll find at Aspen Snowmass.
Powder Mountain, Wasatch Mountains of Eden, Utah
Via powdermountain.com
With nearly 8,500 acres of terrain, Powder Mountain has been named the largest ski resort in North America by skiable acreage.
It’s an intentionally uncrowded ski resort. Daily lift tickets are capped at 1,500 a day, so even when the resort is sold out, long lift lines and overcrowding doesn’t exist.
Powder Mountain relies 100% on Mother Nature for snowfall and doesn’t create any artificial snow, but it doesn’t need to because on average, the resort receives 380 inches of snow.
It’s known for its extensive backcountry skiing. Experience the backcountry with Skin N’ Ski Experiences, which includes guided access to one of Powder Mountain’s adventure zones and combines the challenge of a good climb with the reward of untracked powder.
Powder Mountain was recently named the most affordable ski resort. For a luxury experience, guests can rent custom-built luxury cabins and townhomes at Summit Powder Mountain. From award-winning architecture to organic-based models, this “upside down” housing approach boasts ski-in, ski-out amenities.
Powder Mountain has long been known as Utah’s best kept secret. With no crowds ever and expansive terrain to explore, Powder Mountain gives skiers and snowboarders an experience unfound anywhere else.
Cascade Mountain, Portage, Wisconsin
Via cascademountain.com
Nestled close to Wisconsin Dells, a popular year-round tourist destination with something for everyone, Cascade Mountain is conveniently located in the center of the state and is even easy to get to from Chicago or the Twin Cities.
Cascade Mountain is known for some of the best terrain parks and longest runs in the Midwest. They also offer some of the best money saving deals in winter sports, with Kids 12 or younger skiing free when accompanied by a paid adult.
Although its vertical is only 450 ft, it still manages to offer runs as long as 1 mile, a good selection of terrain on nearly 50 runs, and four terrain parks.
Getting to the top of the mountain is quick and easy with ten lifts, including the high-speed Mountain Top Express. Cascade caters to the adventurous type with four terrain parks ranging from beginner to expert and everything in between.
They offer plenty of night skiing too.
Families also flock to Cascade for its tubing park, which has around a dozen runs, as well as several fire pits for roasting brats and warming cold hands.
Mount Bohemia Ski Resort, Lac La Belle, Michigan
Via mtbohemia.com
Tucked away, up north, in Michigan’s rugged Keweenaw Peninsula, lies a hidden gem for downhill skiers: Mount Bohemia Ski Resort. Perhaps the most remote in the continental US, Mount Bohemia is best known for it’s rugged, ungroomed runs, 270 inches of powder, and “no beginners allowed” mentality.
Mount Bohemia features a 900-foot vertical drop and 600 acres of skiable terrain. It’s steep slopes, cliff bands, and exposed rock formations attract advanced skiers and snowboarders looking to test their skills and enjoy an experience of a lifetime.
With the nearest interstate more than four hours away, Bohemia remains a ski destination for only the most die-hard loyalists.
Featuring Michigan’s tallest vertical (900 ft), 100 plus runs, and onsite amenities like a Nordic Spa and the Upper Peninsula’s largest outdoor hot tub, Bohemia is draws ski bums interested in powder and a party-like atmosphere.
Mount Bohemia is an exhilarating ski and snowboard destination that has its guests craving more downhill adventure year after year.
Beaver Creek, Colorado 
Beaver Creek is one of my favorite places to visit in the US regardless of the season.
It’s known as a luxury, family-friendly mountain because of its top-notch ski school and five-star services. It’s also home to some seriously challenging terrain, including the Birds of Prey World Cup racecourse, which features a vertical drop of 2,470 feet.
At Beaver Creek, it’s all about the little things.
There are escalators to transport you to the slopes from the plaza and bus area. There are slope-side ski valets to store your gear and warm your boots, and multiple equipment rental locations found all over the village. There are plenty of dining options and picture-perfect accommodations. The attention to detail continues with free cookies handed out daily at the bottom of the slopes. Little is left to be desired at Beaver Creek.
Beech Mountain Resort in Beech Mountain, NC
Via Sam Dean
Beech Mountain Resort offers a picture-perfect winter wonderland getaway. Once the 84 inches of yearly snowfall blanket the pristine mountain hideaway, this magical destination becomes a cozy winter haven for visitors.
Beech Mountain Resort not only offers guests the opportunity to hit the slopes but also has snowboarding, tubing, shopping and dining. The resort has 17 novice, intermediate and advanced trails for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing.
Additionally, the resort offers a winter concert series, night skiing, ladies and men’s nights, and an Adaptive Ski Week.
Outside the resort, the town also offers a plethora of unique excursions for visitors.
Adventurers can check out a pair of snowshoes at the Buckeye Recreation Center and embark on a frosty hike through Beech Mountain’s 30 miles of town-maintained trails.
For the families with younger children, the Beech Mountain Youth Sledding Hill is open to riders daily.
Those who prefer the winter scene through the windows of a toasty automobile can embark on a journey to explore Appalachian culture with the Avery County Barn Quilt Trail, with the majority of the painted or metal quilt squares installed in Beech Mountain. 20 squares within the Beech portion of the trail. These quilt blocks are a way to tell community stories and connect modern-day mountain life to the rich craft customs of Appalachian culture. Revitalization of the Barn Quilt Trails was enhanced by a grant from The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership.
Keystone Resort, Keystone, Colorado
Via Keystone Resort
Keystone Resort ranks as one of the top family resorts for skiing and snowboarding in the world. This world-class, three-mountain resort offers more than 3,000 skiable acres of terrain, with plenty of terrain options for everyone in the family. From gentle groomers, rolling cruisers and steep bumps to powder-filled bowls and the award winning A51 Terrain Park, Keystone is the perfect playground for all ability levels from beginners to rippers.
Keystone also has the largest night skiing in Colorado, available on most weekends and holidays Aside from hitting the ski slopes,
Keystone offers lots of other great winter attractions, like cross country skiing, skating, tubing, or a horse-drawn stagecoach.
