One of my favorite countries for skiing is the United States, and there are dozens of world-class resorts and ski areas to choose from. Colorado is perhaps the most famous state for skiing but states such as Utah, Montana, and Vermont, are a few other great destinations too.
If you are looking for the perfect place to take a skiing vacation or holiday, then I certainly recommend considering these 12 amazing skiing options.
1. Vail, Colorado, Skiing
There’s a reason why Vail is one of the most popular skiing destinations in America.
With over 5,000 acres, Vail is one of the biggest ski resorts in the U.S. and it is our favorite!
With beautiful, towering mountains and plenty of powdery snow to ski on, there’s also plenty to do in this resort, including a good mix of bars, restaurants, and nightlife to enjoy after skiing.
The town of Vail itself is also quite charming and quaint. With its charming Bavarian architecture and lively main street, it’s a great location.
There are plenty of slopes and trails catering to all levels of skiing ability, including for beginners.
2. Lake Tahoe, California
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe is also a great option for skiing in North America.
With over 15 different ski resorts to choose from, Lake Tahoe has something for everyone.
Expect stunning scenery and beautiful blue waters, and a stylish and popular ski resort with decent skiing.
And with its close proximity to Reno, you can make a weekend out of it and enjoy all that the area has to offer.
3. Aspen, Colorado
Aspen is another world-renowned skiing destination in America.
With four ski mountains to choose from, Aspen is another great option and, if you’re looking for après-ski entertainment, then you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in downtown Aspen.
Aspen, with its legendary slopes and challenging runs, normally appeases even the most demanding skiers.
4. Breckenridge, Colorado
Also based in Colorado, Breckenridge is another fantastic option from the Southwestern states.
Likewise, like many of the U.S ski towns, Breckenridge is excellent in terms of après-ski in the downtown area, where you will find plenty of good restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
Breckenridge is one of our personal favorites and we highly recommend it.
5. Big Sky, Montana Skiing
Big Sky is often less well-known outside of the U.S. but it offers some great skiing, with over 5,000 acres of ski areas.
With its charming architecture and lively nightlife, you’ll never run out of things to do when not skiing.
Big Sky is world-renowned for its skiing and for good reasons, with towering mountains and plenty of powdery snow to ski on.
6. Telluride, Colorado
Located in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride offers a variety of terrains and the resort boasts over 2,000 acres of terrain spread across 6 peaks and 140 trails, including some of the most iconic ski runs in North America.
The area’s stunning mountain vistas, unparalleled snow conditions, and abundance of family-friendly activities make Telluride the perfect place to go skiing.
The powdery white snow blankets the landscape throughout the winter months, making for ideal ski conditions.
You can take advantage of Telluride’s seven high-speed lifts which provide access to some of Colorado’s most challenging runs.
You also have the option to enjoy shopping, dining, entertainment, hot springs, and various other winter sports in addition to skiing.
7. Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat Springs is world-renowned for its skiing and for good reason.
With plenty of powdery snow and its pristine mountain scenery and high-altitude snow conditions, it’s an ideal destination for skiers of all levels.
Beginners can take advantage of their well-groomed beginner trails while experienced skiers can find some of the best mogul skiing in the country.
Steamboat Springs is also known for its diverse and unique terrain parks, where you can take your skills to another level by riding rails and hitting jumps in a safe environment.
In addition to the great skiing conditions, Steamboat Springs offers a variety of other activities.
You might, for example, want to go snowmobiling or dog sledding.
For an après ski, there are plenty of hot springs nearby where one can relax after a long day on the slopes.
8. Killington, Vermont
Killington, Vermont is a popular ski resort for Americans but one of the lesser-known options for tourists to the United States.
With six peaks, Killington provides over 140 trails and glades, with options ranging from groomed runs to steep mogul fields.
Additionally, Killington has some of the longest skiing hours in the U.S., making it a great choice for weekend warriors and night skiers alike.
Killington also offers a variety of other activities, such as snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, tubing, and snowmobiling.
If you are looking to stay longer than just a day or two, Killington has lots of lodging options ranging from hotels to vacation homes to condos, all with views of the beautiful White Mountains.
9. Beaver Creek, Colorado
With 20 feet of snow annually and over 1,800 acres of ski terrain, Beaver Creek offers something for everyone.
The resort boasts some of the most unique skiing experiences in the region, with a variety of terrain, including groomers, glades, bowls, and chutes.
Beaver Creek is home to some of the best restaurants in Colorado, from fine dining at 8100 Mountainside Bar & Grill to casual snacks at The Dusty Boot.
When it comes to après ski activities, you can enjoy the ice rink, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, and even hot air balloon rides over the stunning Rocky Mountains.
10. Mammoth, California
With over 3,500 acres of skiable terrain, Mammoth is world-renowned for its skiing, and for good reasons.
With its abundance of slopes and trails catering to all levels of skiing ability, even beginners can enjoy themselves while skiing in Mammoth.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a winter getaway, skiing in the United States is definitely worth considering.
With world-class resorts located in some of the most picturesque settings imaginable, skiing here can be an unforgettable experience.
USA Travel Resources
Traveling around the world to watch & experience sports, I tend to always use the same resources for booking trips. These are the ones I use most frequently and that I find to have great customer support and competitive prices.
- Flights – are also now offered by booking.com and as I love the brand this is my first port of call now for flights.
- Booking.com – The best site I have found for hotel and accommodation bookings.
- Safety Wing Travel Insurance – I love Saftey Wing as they cover everything I need to be covered and they have a simple-to-use site, and again, I have found their customer service very good, when I needed to ask questions.
- Get Your Guide – is an excellent site as a one-stop shop for booking attractions, local tours, activities, and excursions. Great customer service and an easy-to-use site.
- Hostelworld – Book backpacker hostel rooms around the world with Hostel World.
- Sports Event Tickets – Tickets for all sporting events
