Admittedly, selecting the very best ski city is a subjective affair. Some folks solely care in regards to the city with the deepest powder, whereas others may choose the city with the very best microbreweries and spas.
In line with Michael Levine — a skier of almost 60 years who has skied at virtually 100 resorts around the globe — the mountain itself is crucial issue to think about when choosing a ski city.
“You may have a very superior city, but when the snowboarding sucks, it isn’t an awesome ski city,” Levine mentioned. “I’d quite have a sleeping bag at the back of a truck subsequent to an awesome mountain than an awesome resort subsequent to a nasty mountain.”
Nevertheless, for these of us who may not be as diehard as Levine in the case of snow sports activities, you may’t underestimate the apres ski scene, at the least in most years.
That is why, to decide on the highest ski spots within the nation, we seemed for mountain cities that supply a bit one thing for everybody.
From quaint New England villages to previous Gold Rush cities, stalwart favorites to unsung locations, and resorts with masterful children’ programming to hardcore backcountry zones, these are 17 of the very best locations to hold up your skis this winter.
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Crested Butte, Colorado
Crested Butte might not be the most visited ski city in Colorado, however its small-town really feel and distance from the site visitors and crowds of Summit County make it a worthy underdog.
An previous coal mining town-turned-ski vacation spot, Crested Butte receives a mean of 236 inches of snow yearly on greater than 1,500 skiable acres, the place 15 lifts serve over 120 trails.
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The city, which sits simply minutes from the bottom space, has streets lined with boutiques, cafes and eating places. The Sunflower Communal Kitchen, which emphasizes natural elements and wine pairings, is a superb place to seize dinner. The Lodge at Mountaineer Sq. (charges from $299), within the Crested Butte Mountain Resort base space, is an upscale property inside strolling distance of the lifts. It even gives suites for households and teams.
The Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) is simply 40 minutes from the resort. It gives service to and from just a few choose airline hub cities, in addition to from Denver (228 miles away), permitting vacationers to keep away from spending a day in site visitors to get there.
North Conway, New Hampshire
Sometimes called the birthplace of snowboarding in North America, North Conway’s deep ski historical past is purpose sufficient to think about it one of many greatest ski cities within the U.S.
To not point out, it gives six downhill ski resorts inside a half-hour drive; the tallest peak within the northeast (Mount Washington at 6,288 toes); an array of eating places and cafes such because the Thompson Home Eatery and Frontside Espresso Roasters; and loads of lodging choices, together with the high-end Glen Home in Pinkham Notch (charges from $135). In different phrases, this one is a no brainer.
Due to a corporation known as Granite Backcountry Alliance, which has been onerous at work making a community of backcountry ski zones across the state, those that choose to get off-piste to earn their turns will discover no scarcity of choices.
Taos, New Mexico
Along with a world-class ski resort, Taos is dwelling to a World Heritage Web site (Taos Pueblo), distinctive delicacies and an artwork tradition deeply rooted within the historical past of the Southwest.
After a day of Rocky Mountain powder with out the crowds of Vail and Aspen, stroll the walkable downtown and admire the adobe structure that units this ski city aside. When your legs want a relaxation, head to the Edelweiss Lodge and Spa (charges from $392), which is a ski-in, ski-out property.
Earlier than you name it an evening, go to La Cueva Cafe for chipotle shrimp tacos.
Vail, Colorado
Vail deserves a spot on each skier’s listing, whether or not you are in search of a hill with steep and deep strains or a city with loads of cocktails and locations to buy.
In any case, everybody wants a relaxation day (or two) following just a few consecutive days of snowboarding over 5,200 acres of terrain and three,450 vertical toes. When that day comes, maintain your self within the snowboarding mindset by visiting the Colorado Snowsports Museum and Corridor of Fame.
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There’s additionally a European bakery and restaurant, appropriately named Alpenrose, within the coronary heart of Vail Village, providing Austrian and German delicacies in a country eating room.
If you wish to persist with the European theme, spend the night time at Sonnenalp (charges from $319), a German-style resort that mixes parts of the Previous West with a standard European ski city.
Bellingham, Washington
Although the Pacific Northwest is notorious for its lengthy, gloomy winters and protracted precipitation, skiers and snowboarders can head to the mountains, the place that rain is remodeled into snowfall. That is why Mount Baker — Bellingham’s native ski hill — has so many deep days.
Whereas the city of Bellingham is greater than an hour away from the mountain, it nonetheless works as an ideal base for exploring Baker’s slopes, because of its breadth of lodging and eating venues.
Cease by Lettered Streets Coffeehouse for a cup of regionally roasted espresso and a pastry earlier than heading out to the mountain for the day. Lodge Bellwether (charges from $228) is a superb high-end property instantly on Bellingham Bay.
Ogden, Utah
I will be controversial for a minute and sing Ogden’s praises this ski season.
In any case, the mountain vacation spot is the gateway to 3 resorts totaling 11,600 skiable acres with 500 inches of snowfall. This, in itself, makes Ogden an underrated different to Park Metropolis and Alta.
Ogden can be the oldest metropolis in Utah, and it is the jumping-off level for Powder Mountain (the most important ski resort by acreage within the U.S.), Nordic Valley and Snowbasin Resort, which has a newly renovated base lodge (Earl’s Lodge).
All three ski areas are accessible from downtown through public transportation, so you will not need to waste treasured trip time driving. Whilst you’re there, spend your nights on the fashionable 15-room Compass Rose Lodge (charges from $289 per night time) at Snowbasin, which opened in January 2019.
Jackson, Wyoming
House to 3 ski areas, Jackson is understood for its deep snowpack and in depth facet and backcountry terrain. Of the three — Jackson Gap Mountain Resort, Snow King Mountain and Grand Targhee Resort — Jackson Gap is rightfully the most well-liked.
The mountain’s 2,500 skiable acres ascend over 4,100 vertical toes. Nevertheless, if you happen to’re seeking to keep away from crowds, contemplate Snow King or Grand Targhee as a substitute.
Spend your nights on the 96-room Cloudveil, a Marriott Autograph Assortment Property (from $462 or 70,000 Bonvoy factors), which debuted in 2021. It gives the proper mixture of rustic cabin really feel (suppose birch tree room dividers and animal footprint carpets) with upscale, trendy facilities.
Once you’re not snowboarding, discover downtown Jackson’s cafes, eating places, bars, boutiques and artwork galleries. When night rolls round, head to the well-known Million Greenback Cowboy Bar, the place you may sip drinks atop horse saddles.
Telluride, Colorado
Nestled between various 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks within the San Juan Mountains, the central space of this previous Victorian mining city is a Nationwide Historic Landmark District.
Whereas the city is nice for retail remedy, the resort’s prime quality could have you extra targeted on powder turns than shopping for a brand new jacket.
Earlier than heading out for a day on the slopes, gas up on the regionally owned Butcher and Baker Cafe. Spend the night time on the historic New Sheridan Lodge, just a few blocks from the mountain’s gondola, for a stick with some historical past. Or, try the hospitality on the well-appointed Dunton City Home.
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Bend, Oregon
Bend’s location in Oregon’s excessive desert makes it the proper place to take pleasure in just a few hours of powder, world-class mountain climbing and a golf sport all in the identical day.
Whereas it’s only a few miles from Mount Bachelor, which receives greater than 400 inches of snow yearly, town tends to expertise a lot much less precipitation.
Beer lovers will likely be thrilled to search out that Bend is named “Beer Metropolis USA” and boasts a various vary of breweries, such because the Crux Fermentation Challenge and Deschutes Brewery.
Waitsfield, Vermont
Waitsfield, within the Mad River Valley, is an effective different to the state’s extra crowded ski areas, equivalent to Killington and Stowe. For individuals who wish to ditch the automotive for the weekend, the Mad Bus sometimes gives free service across the area throughout the winter.
Sugarbush and the opposite close by resort, Mad River Glen, each obtain a notable quantity of annual snowfall by East Coast requirements.
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Ebook a room on the Sugarbush Inn (charges from $439), which has a main location on the base of Sugarbush and is simply minutes from city. Down the street in Warren, The Pitcher Inn (charges from $600) is a luxurious inn that makes for one more nice lodging choice.
For a chunk to eat, try Blue Stone for pizza and native brews or the Mad Taco for Mexican. In fact, a visit to Vermont is not full with out a cease at a neighborhood brewery or taproom, like Lawson’s Most interesting Liquids, which opened its Waitsfield location in 2018 and is famend for its New England-style IPAs.
Durango, Colorado
Durango is a small city north of the New Mexico border, which implies it typically will get overshadowed by resorts nearer to Denver. The city is a superb jumping-off level for Purgatory, a smaller, family-friendly resort with nice newbie trails and loads of difficult terrain for extra skilled skiers. On common, Purgatory receives 260 inches of snow every season throughout 1,600 acres of terrain serviced by 12 lifts.
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Durango can be dwelling to a handful of breweries, equivalent to Carver Brewing Firm and Ska Brewing Firm, and it has various locations to put your head. Vacationers ought to go to now earlier than Durango goes the best way of among the extra touristy ski cities.
Truckee, California
With a mean of 275 days of sunshine, 400 inches of annual snowfall and 12 downhill resorts (together with the world-class Palisades Tahoe) inside a 10-mile radius, it is no surprise that skiers from throughout the nation select Truckee and the Lake Tahoe space for his or her annual household ski journey.
Beer and pizza followers ought to head to Previous City Faucet to strive the mushroom pie and a neighborhood brew, whereas wine lovers will admire the choice at Uncorked.
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The historic Truckee Lodge is centrally situated inside strolling distance of many outlets and eating places, permitting you to ditch the automotive for the night time.
One other high contender is the Mammoth Mountain ski space, which vacationers can expertise lengthy after winter ends, because of its northern-facing slopes and excessive summit elevation. Additionally, Truckee is only a quick drive from a excessive focus of downhill resorts.
Stowe, Vermont
Many consider this traditional New England ski city as “the ski capital of the East.”
Along with the 314 inches of snow dumped onto 485 skiable acres yearly, the city is dwelling to among the finest microbreweries within the nation, The Alchemist.
Deal with your self to a spa day on the Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa (charges from $112), after which pattern a few of Vermont’s best beers at Doc Ponds. When you’re hungry after a day of snowboarding, seize a housemade beer and a burger at Idyltime Brewing Firm, which is minutes from the village middle.
If you wish to discover new terrain after just a few days on the mountain, head over to Smugglers’ Notch, simply an hour’s drive away.
Breckenridge, Colorado
One other Colorado mining city, Breckenridge Ski Resort (or Breck, because the locals name it) is dwelling to the very best chairlift in North America. The city is crammed with native eating places, distilleries, galleries and breweries, so you do not have to really feel dangerous about taking a relaxation day.
The Mountain Thunder Lodge (charges from $162) is a superb property for vacationers who need the comfort of a ski-in, gondola-out resort in a secluded setting.
Whereas on trip, cease by the Breckenridge Distillery, which claims to be the very best distillery on Earth, and discover just a few of the realm’s different mountains. The Summit Stage bus gives free service to Copper Mountain and Keystone, for instance. The latter is without doubt one of the greatest ski resorts for households within the nation.
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Whitefish, Montana
On the fringe of Glacier Nationwide Park, Whitefish is a bustling small city in a wild, untamed setting. Initially settled within the early Twentieth century because of the Nice Northern Railway, the city continues to flourish with assist from the three,000-acre Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Whereas Huge Sky Mountain Resort’s 5,800 acres get all the eye, Whitefish deserves recognition for being a modest, unflashy vacation spot with wonderful terrain. The resort is continuous virtually a decade of regular enhancements, together with new glading tasks and new groomers.
The streets are lined with tremendous eating institutions, ski outlets, cafes, distilleries and breweries. Earlier than beginning your day, seize a cup of espresso at one in every of two Montana Espresso Merchants areas on the town. Spend your nights on the Grouse Mountain Lodge (charges from $99), which gives upscale lodging only a mile from downtown.
Killington, Vermont
Usually identified for its vibrant nightlife and apres scene, Killington can be the most important ski resort east of the Mississippi. Rightfully referred to as “The Beast of the East,” Killington has a 3,050-foot vertical drop and greater than 1,500 acres of skiable terrain.
The mountain is usually the primary to open and the final to shut on the East Coast. The resort opened for the 2023-24 season on Nov. 3. For a Killington staple, head to the Wobbly Barn Steakhouse and Nightclub, which frequently hosts reside music occasions and events, making certain your Killington expertise extends lengthy into the night time.
Aspen, Colorado
Aspen’s status could seem inflated, however this Twentieth-century mining city continues to reinvent itself.
Aspen Snowboarding Firm’s 4 resorts — Aspen Highlands, Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk and Aspen Snowmass — supply loads of different terrains, and several other are standouts for kids nonetheless mastering their pizzas and french fries. The Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) is only a few miles from city, making Aspen simply accessible for vacationers (at the least when the climate cooperates).
After a day on the slopes, strive the Pan-American and French fusion menu at Betula. Imagine it or not, it’s potential to go to Aspen on a funds — so benefit from the terrain and powder with out blowing your complete pockets.
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