The 8 Best Ski Resorts in the U.S.

Not everyone wants to spend a winter vacation skiing or snowboarding. But what makes the U.S.’s best mountain destinations so spectacular is that there’s so much else to do, meaning you never have to fasten planks to your feet if you don’t want to. Whether you’re interested in designer shopping, a see-and-be-seen après-ski scene, locavore dining, or exploring historic towns and villages, the best ski resorts in the U.S. have got you covered. Oh, and don’t forget the exceptional views and cozy, bucolic surroundings. 

However, if you did want to add snowy adventures on skis or snowboards? Well, then, even better: some of the destinations below are considered among the best in the world when it comes to powder quality, lift infrastructure, and terrain variety and difficulty. Here, find our pick of eight of the best ski resorts in the U.S.

Park City, UT

Park City stands out for having two separate ski resorts vying for your attention. 7,300-acre Park City Mountain’s 330-plus trails, which now include Canyons Village, too, cater to both skiers and snowboarders. Deer Valley’s 2,000-acre terrain, however, is reserved for skiers only. Deer Valley is actually the ideal resort if you’re skiing solo, thanks to its mountain host tours, which are essentially guided ski-around-the-resort sessions for intermediate and advanced skiers. (They’re offered daily, and they’re free.) The area is also developing a tony reputation for its culinary offerings. Deer Valley’s recently launched The Taste of Luxury series brings global superstar chefs to Utah; most recently, Massimo Bottura led a three-night feast of his greatest hits. The town of Park City, at least aesthetically, has retained much of its 19th-century-western-mining-town charm, especially at High West Saloon—the best whiskey distillery in the American Rockies. 

Where to Stay

Stein Eriksen Lodge, a ski-in/ski-out retreat located mid-mountain in Deer Valley, brings everything to you: a fantastic spa, dining domes that overlook the resort, and the largest wine cellar in all of Utah. 

Aspen, CO