Top 10 Best U.S. States for Skiing
Skiers from all over the world know the names Aspen and Vail. Utah had to host the Olympics just to get attention, yet people still know Aspen and Vail far more than they know Park City or Alta. Colorado has 29 ski resorts versus Utah's 14.
Its resort towns are more immersive, and overall, Colorado deserves the top spot. Although, to be fair, if it were the US and Canada, then British Columbia would give Colorado a run for its money.
Nearly 30 of the best ski resorts in the world are located in Colorado, the state with the best snow. Not only is there the most snow, but there is also the best quality powder, perfect for carving. This terrain can only be found in the mountains of Colorado.
Living in Utah, I've gone skiing a few times, mostly at the major ski resorts like Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, etc. People call it a wannabe Colorado, but it seriously has such fresh powder. It's cold enough that the ski resorts are still open, even though it's April.
Utah's snow is far superior to Colorado's. Colorado has done a fantastic job of marketing their state compared to Utah. Utah gets the snow first, then the remainder dumps on Colorado. Not to mention, it hosted one of the most successful Olympics ever in 2002.
The richest state, probably richer than most of the states combined. Best weather, where else can you snowboard and surf all in the same day?
It's got Mammoth. What else do you need?
This should be one of the tops, and I strongly think that it should be on the tops now.
Vermont offers the best skiing east of the Rockies and offers a different experience for those who wish to ski something different.
Great wood trails, beautiful scenery, good snow. Stowe and Jay are great for tourists. Mad River is affordable.
Bromley, Stratton, and Mount Snow are the ones I often go to. Really fun and amazing.
Can't beat the snow of the Rocky Mountains. Skiing is just as good as in Utah/Colorado, between Big Sky, Big Mountain, Bridger Bowl, Showdown, Discovery, Moonlight Basin, and countless other smaller mountains.
The only difference is we don't have the tourism and lines of Utah/Colorado (except at Big Sky on national holidays), so there is a much better small-town vibe and a closer skiing community.
The Rocky Mountains are something else. Much less crowded than Colorado, and in my opinion, better snow. There are plenty of small ski towns with terrific slopes, such as Whitefish.
What? It should have a better rating than this!
There is North Conway Ski Resort and the White Mountains, the highest mountain in New England.
I live in North Conway, close to skiing, the White Mountains, and basically all fun winter activities. This place is awesome.
Keep it secret. Even though Idaho slaughters every other state when it comes to the combination of mountains and snow, it's best left to the locals.
I mean, Sun Valley, Idaho, is one of the first to have a chairlift.
Got the mountains, got the snow. Idaho is the best ski state.
Awesome state. 8 ski areas to choose from and the New Mexican Chile is the bomb. Red or green?
This state is a great place for skiing because of its mountains!
Hidden gem. Keep it secret. Keep it safe.
I've shredded WA, CO, UT, ID, and OR. On a good day, Washington is the best. Any type of terrain you can ask for: steep (like real steep), cliffs, trees, groomers, parks, backcountry, family, heli, etc. It gets the most snow (Mt. Baker holds the world record, and it's not that close) and the scenery is easily the best with Rainier, Adams, Baker, Goat Rocks, etc., all stunningly visible.
Everywhere else, the terrain seems flatter and similar in every direction. That being said, there are plenty of days in western Washington where you may be skiing on ice or sometimes rain. Once you get to the Eastside, though, Mt. Spokane, 49 Degrees North, and Mission Ridge, you don't have to deal with this, and the snow is nearly as good as the Rockies.
Take this all with a grain of salt. I was born and raised in Washington, but I've traveled a ton, and it's crazy how underrated the skiing is. That will change within the next couple of years as Seattle and Tacoma continue to explode and the parks expand.
The Newcomers
Oregon should be number 3 or 4 after Utah, California, and Colorado. Oregon gets lots and lots of snow, and there are some good resorts that have great terrain. In my opinion, Mt. Bachelor is number 1, with Mt. Hood Meadows and Timberline trailing behind.
Michigan has great skiing conditions because of its cold winters and heavy snowfall. The state has many ski resorts, including some of the best in the country.
Only New York has more ski resorts than it on this side of the Mississippi.
Michigan has some great mountains with different kinds of terrains. Should be higher.
Two Olympics at one town, Lake Placid. Whiteface after it snows is best.
Lots of places to ski like in the Adirondacks or Catskills, or in WNY like Holiday Valley or Kissing Bridge.
Lots of great places to ski, though most are in northern Nevada in the vicinity of I-80.
Maine has Sugarloaf! It's one of the coldest states.
The only place I've ever gone skiing, so yeah, go Maine!
Only real snow skiing on the east!
I live here in Palmer, and I can confirm that Alaska, Girdwood, is an amazing place to ski. Though there are not many people, the staff and instructors are very kind and funny. The mountain is very small compared to others, only 3,900 feet.
I love Alaska for its winter skiing, Northern lights, and views. Once you stay at Girdwood's hotel near Chair 7, you will see how amazing Girdwood is. Stay long enough, and soon you'll know all the staff and instructors! Hope you visit. I can't explain how awesome this place is.
Great small hills, nice terrain parks, and growing business up north.
Wisconsin has great ski hills in the winter!
Wisconsin's hilly terrain makes for some fantastic small-town slopes, and there are several hills within an hour of Milwaukee.
Many resorts populate the northeastern part of PA, ranging from 1 hour to 2 hours and 45 minutes away from Philadelphia, up the Northeast Extension. Not top tier, but still competes with NY in my opinion.
Larger mountains to the south and colder, snowier ones to the north.
I know Colorado and other Rockies states are the best for skiing, but Minnesota has some nice downhill areas and very good cross-country conditions.
Has multiple ski resorts near the Boston area that serves millions of people and can easily direct people from Logan Airport.
Amazing ski hills. They're perfect for skiing, good enough for beginners to advanced skiers.
Not the largest slopes in the country, but good if you live in-state.
Flagstaff has just as good of snow as Colorado, and I'm from Colorado.
