The 16 Best Ski Resorts in North America

By Outside Online
Nov 02, 2009

Comments (8)

In our November issue, on newsstands now, we list the 16 Best Ski Resorts in North America, categorizing them into the ultimate powder, partying, and off-piste destinations. We had local experts give us the lowdown, so you'll know exactly where to go and what to do when you're there. (You can plan your trip using our new resort finder.)

Our list is definitive. We can't change what we printed in the magazine. Still, you can weigh in here. Maybe we'll listen to your advice next year.

Here's your fodder:

Alta/Snowbird, Utah
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Alyeska Resort, Alaska
Silverton Mountain, Colorado
Breckenridge, Colorado
Whistler-Blackcomb, British Columbia
Park City, Utah
Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado
Powder Mountain, Utah
Jay Peak, Vermont
Bridger Bowl, Montana
Crested Butte, Colorado
Revelstoke Mountain Resort, British Columbia
Steamboat, Colorado
Taos, New Mexico
Mammoth Mountain, California

Take us to town. Tell us your pick for the best ski resort in North America.

--Aileen Torres

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Comments

[Rob]

Glad you added Revelstoke to this list this year. It's a sweet mountain, highest vert in North America, that's really only divided by 2 lifts, so the runs ARE long. And steep & deep! There are very few blue or green runs at this resort, so the vert comes at you fast. It's a sweet ride! The North Bowl area is an amazing blast as well.

[lisa]

Where is Big Sky MT? Bridger is great (and cheap!) but crowded on weekends. Skiing at Big Sky is like renting a mountain range for you and a few friends. No lift lines and a good chance of seeing a moose or elk on the ride up!

[Andrew Commander]

I don't know how Vail doesnt make this list.

Despite the growing number of tourists, you can still find plenty of freshies back in Blue Sky even unitl 2 pm when they close it!

Vail is my favorite mountain in Colorado.

[rvm]

I think you missed the boat completely by not including Vail and Beaver Creek. You included Breck so I guess you did not black list all of Vail Resorts, but still a bit suspicious.

[Tim]

You have Taos, Whistler and Alta so I think you nailed it. I hope to make it to the ones on the list I have never skied. I would have left Vail off the list based on the ticket price alone.

[winter vacations]

wow! what a great list you got here! I would appreciate if you could make another list for Canada too :) Great share!

[Ted]

been to 5 of 16 and i think you got it! I also was glad to see my home resort (alyeska) on there. It truly is amazing on powder days with 3 and half feet of powder totally untouched just to make the first lines.

[Cameron B]

Great list, but I feel like you're missing a gem in the Northwest. Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho.

If you've ever had a chance to make the trip to Sandpoint Idaho and ski at Schweitzer resort, www.schweitzer.com, you're missing out on one of the best ski resorts in the country. The Cascades offer a bevy of downhill options, but crowds and skied out terrain diminish your experience. Schweitzer has only two chairs that ever post lines, and that's because they access the most family friendly runs. The snow is light, the trees are PHENOMENAL, and there are a good amount of cliffs to huck if you know where to look.

Not only does Schweitzer's in-bounds terrain rival the mega-resorts, as does Schweitzer village, but the out of bounds terrain that can be accessed through the Selkirk Powder Company (look it up) or by snowmobile, rivals any US West Coast resort for the #1 spot to get freshies all day long.